Yes, cockatiels can eat pumpkin and pumpkin seeds as well. It is very important to make sure that the pumpkin is pureed and cooked before feeding it to your cockatiel. Pumpkin can be very difficult for them to digest if it’s not cooked thoroughly.
It is best to serve them fresh, canned, or cooked pumpkin (boiled with no spices added).
After cooking, allow the pulp of whatever form you choose to become cold, then mash it into a smooth consistency. Offer your pet some pumpkin daily as part of its regular diet.
However, always ensure that there are some healthy greens on the side.
You also have the opportunity to offer your cockatiel raw seeds from pumpkins. Beware though.
Pumpkin seeds may sometimes carry toxic substances on their shells that are harmful to birds. So next time you eat pumpkin seeds, remember to remove the shells.
For cockatiels, pumpkin can be a potent source of dietary fiber. It also contains high levels of vitamin A, which help in the growth and development of cells.
Pumpkin is an excellent source of carotenoids (plant pigments) like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein.
These carotenoids are converted into vitamin A in your pet’s body when its requirement increases (during molting for example).
There are many possible health benefits that your cockatiel can reap by eating pumpkin regularly.
It is important to note, however, that it is extremely harmful to them to ingest uncooked plant material because they lack the mucous membrane necessary to protect them from bacteria and other harmful organisms.
In addition, some pumpkin seeds may carry a type of fungus that can render your bird very sick if ingested.
So as you see it is best to make sure the pumpkins offered to your pet are pureed and cooked thoroughly. Since the cooked flesh of pumpkin has a high water content it can cause problems with regularity so it’s better not to give too much of it at one time.
How to prepare pumpkin for cockatiels?
Give your bird a pumpkin that has been boiled in water. Remove the pulp from its shell before feeding it to your cockatiel, or remove the seeds and offer cooked seeds alone.
You could also try steaming the pumpkin until soft, then use a hand blender to puree it into smooth consistency before serving. Ensure the temperature of the food is not too hot when you serve it to your pet.
Some birds might enjoy eating small bits of raw pumpkin but this isn’t advisable because uncooked plant material could be harmful to your pet’s digestive system.
They can also accidentally ingest some parts of this vegetable which will lead to problems with their regularity.
How often can cockatiels eat pumpkin?
It is best not to feed your pet too much pumpkin at one time. Limit its consumption to small amounts once or twice a week.
Pumpkin seeds are perfectly fine for cockatiels, but only if they’re raw and unroasted.
Roasted pumpkin seeds can be poisonous for birds so don’t try giving them this kind of seed because it could lead to severe problems.
Always remember that moderation is the key here! You should never give your pet more than what it can eat within 5-10 minutes maximum.
Any leftover food should be discarded rather than left in the cage for later consumption.
