Did you know that bird treats offer more than just nutrition? In addition to providing essential nutrients, treats serve as sources of comfort, mental stimulation, and enrichment for pet birds. They can help ease stress, offer positive reinforcement, and prevent boredom. While overfeeding treats can lead to avian obesity and health concerns, incorporating healthy bird treats in moderation is both beneficial and necessary. A good rule of thumb is to keep treats to no more than 5–10% of your bird’s daily diet, ensuring a balanced and engaging feeding routine. Treats that are a mix of fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds offer a healthy solution for training, help keep your bird entertained, and strengthen the bond between you and your bird.

Why Treats Matter for Your Pet Bird

Without regular activity, birds get bored easily, and this can lead to a variety of behavioral problems. Treats are great for keeping your bird entertained, preventing bird boredom, and giving your bird a challenge. For example, nuts that need to be broken apart require birds to use their creativity to get to the good stuff inside. You can also hide treats in bird foraging toys such as the Foraging Wheel and in places around the cage, giving your bird great opportunities to forage.

How Treats Help with Bird Training

Treats are also a helpful reward as you train your bird. Birds are reward-based creatures, meaning they need a good reason to do what you’re asking. Positive reinforcement is the key to success in training. Give treats consistently and immediately while training. Training treats should be small and quick to consume so that your bird stays on task. Whether you’re training your bird to talk, ‘step up,’ or learn other tricks, treats will make the process more enjoyable and successful.

Most importantly, treats help increase the bond between you and your bird. Hand feeding treats to your bird provides direct contact and helps strengthen the trust he has in you.

Healthy Treats to Support Your Bird’s Diet

Pieces of your bird’s favorite fruit or vegetable make great treats! Keep in mind that your bird will appreciate a variety of textures and colors. Ideas for fresh foods include pineapple, strawberries, oranges, mango, grapes, corn, peppers, broccoli, radishes, and green beans. When serving any fresh foods, remember to remove any leftovers before they spoil.

Canary grass and millet are natural and nutritious foods that serve as great treats and are low in fat content. Spray millet contains high levels of proteins, vitamins, calcium, and is one of the most nutritious grains you can provide to your bird.

Great Companions® Premier Treats offer a variety of bird-safe mixes made with nuts, fruits, and vegetables birds naturally enjoy. These blends make it easy to provide your pet bird with a rotating selection of safe, nutritious snacks that support enrichment and dietary variety.

Bird Treats to Avoid: Toxic and Unhealthy Foods

Not all treats are safe for birds. Some foods can be toxic or harmful to your pet bird’s health, especially those high in sugar, fat, or known to be poisonous to birds. Avoid giving your bird items like potato chips, avocado, chocolate, alcohol, persimmons, apple seeds, and anything containing caffeine. These can lead to serious health issues and should never be part of your bird’s diet.

While it’s important to steer clear of unsafe options, offering a variety of bird-safe treats in moderation can be a healthy and enjoyable part of your bird’s routine. Remember, it’s okay to spoil your bird—just do it with nutritious, species-appropriate treats that support their well-being.

Treats Are a Healthy Part of Your Bird’s Life

Incorporating the right treats into your bird’s diet is a great way to support their physical health, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being. When offered in moderation, healthy bird treats can aid in training, prevent boredom, and strengthen the bond between you and your feathered friend. Always choose safe, nutritious options and avoid foods known to be harmful to birds. By understanding the role of treats and using them wisely, you can keep your bird happy, healthy, and thriving.