Can cockatiels eat chocolate?
Quick Answer
No
Chocolate is toxic to cockatiels and can cause serious health problems, even death.
How to Tell
- Signs of chocolate poisoning in cockatiels include restlessness, rapid breathing, diarrhea, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
Why It Can Be Risky
Feeding chocolate to cockatiels poses several risks due to the presence of theobromine, a substance that birds cannot metabolize effectively.
- Theobromine poisoning can lead to digestive problems, heart issues, and nervous system disorders.
- Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and seizures in cockatiels.
Safe Alternatives
- Safe alternatives to chocolate for cockatiels include fruits like apples and bananas, vegetables like carrots and broccoli, and bird-safe seeds.