Are Honey Nut Cheerios Safe for Cockatoos?  – Pet Familyz (2023)

Cockatoos are such adorable birds. They love to peck on food and turn their heads in an uncanny way time and again.

Everything about them is adorable, so you might as well keep one at home. Better still, get two of them for your home. You will be entertained through the day and they will bring a lot of joy into your lives too.

Many cockatoo parents wonder whether they can feed honey nut cheerios to their cockatoos.

The interesting thing about cockatoos is that they like to eat a lot of variety in food. You will find them eating fruits, seeds, nuts, and all kinds of interesting items.

Honey Nut cheerios are not exactly safe for cockatoos. Honey Nut cheerios are high in sugar which isn’t good for your cockatoo. However, the original cheerios that don’t have any sweeteners are good enough for your little cockatoo.

Want to know more on this subject? Well, we have all the details for you right here! This article will shed light on the subject, ‘are honey nut cheerios safe for cockatoos?’

And, we will also be sharing the top 7 cockatoo food mixes you can buy for your little birdie. Dive in right away, folks!

Honey Nut Cheerios for Cockatoos – Are they safe for your little bird?

Honey nuts or frosted cheerios have plenty of sugar which is not exactly good for cockatoos or other kinds of parrots.

You can feed regular cheerios to your cockatoos as the original ones are acceptable to serve to puppies, fishes, and birds like cockatoos.

Cheerios are made of whole grain, so the regular ones don’t have sweeteners or artificial colors. You can give a little bit of cheerios to your cockatoo and not expect any health concerns because the original ones are safe.

Honey is not good for your cockatoo. It can cause all kinds of allergies and indigestion. The overload of sugar in honey nut cheerios is bad for cockatoos.

If you feed too much of these to your cockatoo, it will cause depression, obesity, nutritional disorders, and indigestion.

Can cockatoos eat cereals?

Yes, your cockatoo can eat cereals but there are some dos and don’ts. Cockatoos are curious birds, so they might like to try everything they see.

Cheerios is the most popular cereal out there. As we mentioned before, original cheerios are great for your cockatoo, but honeynut or frosted cheerios aren’t the best choices.

Quantity is something you should keep in mind. Offer a little bit of cheerios to your cockatoo and see if they like it. You can also give them some diced carrots with the cheerios as it might add some flavor.

Cheerios have healthy fibre and nutrients, so you can feed your birdie a little bit of this cereal.

Cockatoo Diet: The Good Foods and The Toxic Foods

There is so much information on the internet that it gets hard to find out what’s good and what is bad. Cockatoos were a thing back in the 1980s. But there are many people who still have cockatoos.

You must be worried about your cockatoo’s diet, and that’s why we thought of sharing the good foods and the toxic ones with you.

The Toxic Foods:

• • • Avocado
    • Rhubarb
    • Chocolate
    • Alcohol
    • Fries
    • Coffee
    • Crisps
    • Tea

Chocolate and alcohol are a strict NO for cockatoos and so are the other two ingredients. It could harm the cockatoo and might even take their life.

Garlic is fine as long as a small amount is given to the cockatoo. There are garlic sticks for parrots that are safe, but don’t try to get experimental in your kitchen.

Safe Foods for Cockatoos

Food items that are good and safe for your cockatoos are the following:

Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Pears, Cherries, Tomatoes, Carrots, Kale, Spinach, Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Pecan Nuts, Melon, Peas, Cauliflower

Another thing you need to keep in mind is to never give milk to your cockatoos as they can’t tolerate lactose. Cucumber and lettuce and fine, but they are made up of water so not exactly the best food for your cockatoo.

You have seen cockatoos eat chili, but be cautious when you feed them chilli peppers. There might be fungus in there if not stored correctly.

Also, raw peanuts inside the shell are not the best kind of food for cockatoos.

Top 7 Cockatoo Food Mixes You Can Buy

1.) Higgins Safflower Natural Food Mix for Cockatoos, Parrots

This mix is perfect for cockatoos, parrots, and macaws. It’s a blend of legumes, veggies, safflower seeds, grains, cashews, bananas, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, wheat, and blueberries.

Delicious, right? The mix is packed with wholesome nutrition including minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics.

There’s no artificial flavor or sunflower seed in this mix. Let your feathered pal enjoy the mix anytime and anywhere.

2.) Lafeber’s Nutri-Berries for Cockatoo & Macaw

Cockatoos and macaws will have a gala time eating this mix. It’s approved by top veterinarians and nutritionists. The package has lots of goodies, but no artificial flavors and colors.

The pellets have omega-3 and omega-6 and are rich in antioxidants as well. Your cockatoo’s feathers and skin will be shiny, healthy, and smooth.

The pellets are in round shape, so the cockatoo will enjoy eating them and also get plenty of exercise.

3.) Kaytee Fiesta Macaw & Cockatoo Food Mix

Cockatoos and macaws like variety, and this food mix gives just that to your little bird. It’s gourmet food for macaws and cockatoos.

There’s Omega-3 in it so it supports heart and brain health. The mix contains nuts, fruits, veggies, and other goodies. It has probiotics and prebiotics, so the digestive health of your bird will be ship-shape.

The mix is naturally-preserved, so your cockatoo will get full-on freshness.

4.) ZUPREEM Fruit Blend for cockatoos and macaws

Here’s a delicious mix for your cockatoos. This mix is ideal for small and medium breed birds. The pellets are of different colors and shapes so it makes things interesting for the bird too.

The mix is made with whole grains, and is fortified with minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Your cockatoo deserves a healthy diet, and that’s precisely why you need this mix.

5.) ZUPREEM Sensible Seed for Macaws and Cockatoos

Here’s a premium blend of natural fruitblend pellets and seeds. Your cockatoo is going to enjoy this mix.

It has about 10% sunflower seeds and a very delicious mix for your bird. There will be plenty of interactivity when your cockatoo feasts on this mix.

You can convert your cockatoo’s meal into a healthy diet by giving the ZUPREEM sensible seedd to them.

6.) F.M Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food Mix for Cockatoos and Macaws

The packaging is super cute, but what’s better is the ingredients inside. The food supports good digestion.

It has about 30 ingredients like fruits, nuts, vegetables, and it is packed with vitamins, complex carbs, minerals, and fibre.

The farm fresh veggies inside ensures that your bird gets antioxidants too. There’s no more cage boredom as the mix contains peanuts, pine nuts, walnuts, cashews, and almonds.

So, you birdie will be busy removing the shells and getting plenty of exercise too.

7.) Bird street bistro parrot food for macaws, cockatoos

Seven kinds of flavors are available in this mix. What’s your pick? You can also choose the right size as per your bird’s diet.

The dry food contains non-GMO rice, hulled millet, organic rolled oats, dried carrot, organic couscous, green split peas, basil leaves, thyme, dried kept, parsley, almond pieces, bulgur wheat, and much more.

It offers numerous health benefits because the mix has iron, calcium, phosphorus, and all kinds of nutrients. The packaging is also environment-friendly, so it is a good product for both the cockatoo parents and their little bird.

You can give your cockatoo food mixes and plain cheerios, but never go berserk with the quantity. They’re birds, so overfeeding them anything can be lethal.

Crunchy cheerios and food mixes can be excellent food for your cockatoos, but do introduce some natural foods like papaya, kale, pineapple, mango, and other kinds of safe fruits and vegetables to your little bird.

Wish to know more? Here’s a FAQs section for you!

FAQs

1.) Can cockatoos have cheerios?

Regular cheerios can be fed to a cockatoo. However, don’t give them anything with sweeteners and artificial colors.

2.) What type of cereals can birds eat?

Birds can eat a variety of cereals including corn flakes, Wheaties, corn, raisin bran, shredded wheat, etc. Anything that doesn’t have sugar is safe for your birds.

3.) Can birds have cereal?

Cereal should never be given to a cockatoo or any bird as the main meal. They need a nutritious meal with bird food and natural foods.

4.) Can birds eat raisins?

Most birds enjoy eating raisins like dried grapes, and it’s safe for them. Feed your birds small pieces, and never give anything in excess.

5.) Can birds eat honey?

Honey is not a recommended food for your cockatoo as it might contain mold and bacteria. This ingredient could make your bird sick and it might die out of poisoning too.

6.) Can I give my bird cheerios?

Regular cheerios without any sweeteners and artificial colors are safe for birds. You can give them cheerios in moderation, but never give it as a main meal.

Concluding Thoughts

Cheerios are the greatest cereals, but don’t give honey nuts or frosted ones to your cockatoos. They’re birds, so anything sweetened or coloured won’t be good for your cockatoo.

Give them nutritious food and plenty of water. If they are getting a good dose of bird mixes, cheerios, fresh fruits, and veggies, they will be happy and healthy.