by Jenn Zamorsky

Created on: October 31, 2008

Having a pet bird is an amazing and rewarding experience; it becomes part of the family. You love it, care for it, play with it, water it and feed it. Now, imagine that your beloved pet dropped dead because you - the person who was supposed to provide and protect - allowed them to eat some unseen poison. Remember that a bird is a tiny animal compared to you. Although you may be able to handle most of these items, birds are smaller and precaution needs to be taken. Below is a list of some of the most important foods to avoid.

1. CHOCOLATE

Just as with cats and dogs, chocolate is very harmful to birds and only a small amount is needed to cause this harm. Not only will it affect their digestive system, with enough exposure to chocolate, it could be fatal.

First, the central nervous system is attacked, where the bird will then have seizures. Your bird will then die.

2. AVOCADO

Not only are the seeds of the avocado fatal to your bird, it also includes the meat and guacamole. The avacado can cause cardiac distress to your bird which will most likely ultimately result in heart failure.

3. FRESH FRUIT SEEDS

The meaty part of the fruit is perfectly safe, not to mention quite delicious, for your bird. It is the seeds that you have to worry about. They can crack or splinter and be ingested. The seeds also may contain traces of cyanide which is fatal to your bird. Pesticides are also something to consider; wash the fruit carefully before feeding it to the bird.

4. UNCOOKED MEAT

Birds are not capable of digesting meat. Even if they were able to, the bacteria alone would kill the bird.

5. ANY FOODS HIGH IN FAT

Foods high in fat will not quickly kill your bird, but it will become very unhealthy and overweight. This includes any food that has been slathered in butter or cooked in oil. Sunflower seeds are quite high in fat but birds find them tasty. So feel free to give your bird sunflower seeds as an occasional treat.

6. ANY FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR

Birds have a tendancy to become sugar addicts when you give them the chance. A bite or two of a cookie is alright, but the entire cookie is going overboard. Too much sugar in their diet can result in a yeast infection around the mouth and stomach.

7. ANY FOODS HIGH IN SALT

Foods high in salt can cause major dehydration, great thirst, kidney disfunction and even death to your bird.

8. TAP WATER

Be sure that your bird's water dish is filled and changed daily. But do not use tap water. The chlorine contained in tap water is very toxic to your bird. So

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