Grapes are versatile fruits having many essential nutrients. It keeps the body fluids in balance and has great nutritious value for both humans and animals. Can lovebirds eat this fruit and enjoy the same benefits as we do? Find out in this article.
Lovebirds can eat grapes and in fact, they love it. Lovebirds know that grapes are sweet and they readily pick them up while discarding other nutritious food out of the mix. Therefore, you need to be careful when serving them with grapes.
Otherwise, they will have severe vitamin deficiencies. The grapes should be fed in moderate amounts for best results. There are ample benefits for adding grapes to your lovebirds’ diet. For instance, they work as antioxidants and have anti-cancer properties. In this article, I will cover:
• How do you feed grapes to lovebirds?
• Can lovebirds eat purple grapes?
• Can lovebirds eat grape seeds?
• Is grape peel safe for lovebirds?
• Nutrition provided by grapes.
• Health benefits of grapes.
• When do grapes become harmful to them?
• Are dried grapes good for lovebirds?
How Do you Feed Grapes to Lovebirds?
Feeding a lovebird can be fascinating as we all love to see our pets eating. For feeding grapes, simply put a grape in your hand and hold it till the lovebirds eat it. They eat slowly and you have to keep some patience. Relish the moment and let your lovebirds enjoy while eating this great fruit.
You can also feed them by placing grapes in a bowl. Serve them well and cut the grapes into pieces if required.
The feeding number of grapes must be kept in consideration. A general rule of thumb is roughly 1 or 2 grapes in a week. It is important to note that grapes must not be fed consecutively for two days to lovebirds. Otherwise, it will lead to many health problems. For instance, weight gain, upset stomach, diarrhea, etc.
Can Lovebirds Eat Purple Grapes?
Lovebirds can eat purple grapes. Grapes appeal to them a lot and they are safe to be fed. However, in many countries, purple grapes are not organic and contain pesticide-rich fruit. These are not safe for lovebirds as they will kill them instantly. Therefore, it is imperative to check where the fruit has been grown so that your lovebirds can enjoy every bit of it when consumed.
Care must be taken in their consumption level and this fruit must not be made a part of their regular diet. You can give this fruit as a treat to your lovebirds once or twice a week.
Can lovebirds eat grape seeds?
Yes, they do eat grape seeds. The grape seeds won’t cause any health risk and are completely safe to be fed. The seeds of the fruit contain essential nutrients and antioxidants which are beneficial for lovebirds. When you cut grapes for your pet; do also include their seeds in the bowl.
However, if your lovebirds are still in their growing phase, you can cut the grapes into pieces to facilitate them. This will encourage them to eat grapes with ease. It is good to remove the seeds of the fruit for young lovebirds as their digestive system is not so well-developed. Doing so will help them to easily digest the fruit.
Is grape peel safe for lovebirds?
Though peels are harmless, it is always good to remove them. Unpeeled grapes might become harmful for the lovebirds because of their pesticide content. So, there are some chances of pesticide poisoning which might disrupt the wellbeing of your pet. Along with peeling; also, wash the fruit before serving them to your lovebirds. Doing so will reduce exposure to harmful pesticides.
Make sure you choose organic fruit for your pets so that they do not become prone to any health disturbance. Grapes have multiple benefits for lovebirds which will be discussed later.
Nutrition provided by grapes:
Lovebirds eat all types of grapes. Be it green, black, or red type. Grapes are rich in minerals and vitamins and their juicy taste satisfies the bird’s sweet tooth. The nutritious values (per 100g) of the fruit and type of nutrition are mentioned in the chart given below.
Nutrient or Mineral | Seedless Green Grapes | Seedless Black Grapes | Seedless Red Grapes |
Water | 80.54 grams | 84.29 grams | 80.54 grams |
Carbohydrate | 18.1 grams | 13.93 grams | 18.1 grams |
Protein | 0.72 grams | 0.81 grams | 0.72 grams |
Fat | 0.16 grams | 0.47 grams | 0.16 grams |
Fiber | 0.9 grams | 3.9 grams | 0.9 grams |
Potassium | 191 milligrams | 203 milligrams | 191 milligrams |
Total Vitamin C | 3.2 milligrams | 6.5 milligrams | 3.2 milligrams |
Manganese | 0.071 milligrams | 1.973 milligrams | 0.071 milligrams |
Grapes have sufficient fiber content which is good for the lovebirds’ digestive system. The insoluble fibers found in grapes stimulate the stomach and intestines. This leads to better bowel movements of the pets. Moreover, it will strengthen the pets’ gastrointestinal tract and give them a feeling of fullness.
Grapes also contain potassium which aids in hormone and bone development. It also helps to regulate heart rate and maintains the water balance in the body. This is specifically useful to increase the lifespan of lovebirds and helps in their recovery from injuries. Potassium also boosts your pet’s energy level as it helps to metabolize proteins and helps in processing glucose in the body.
Grapes also contain antioxidants which are available in the form of Vitamin C. This helps to protect the body from free radicals and promotes the pet’s health. Vitamin C aids in boosting the lovebirds’ blood vessels, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. According to the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Vitamin C is responsible for the production of red blood cells.
The red blood cells help the body tissues to release carbon dioxide and it turns oxygen into energy. They also deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs from where it is exhaled. Vitamin C cannot be stored in your pet’s body for a long time. Therefore, it is essential to provide it through the diet to reap its benefits. You must remember that lovebirds should only eat grapes 1-2 times a week. Otherwise, it will lead to some health risks.
Grapes contain another antioxidant that is known as manganese. If you plan on breeding your lovebird; manganese is an important mineral that has numerous benefits. This powerful mineral is essential for promoting growth and bone development. Moreover, it is important for the reproduction and formation of eggshells. It is also responsible for calcium regulation and supports the nervous system.
Health benefits of grapes:
Grapes have numerous health benefits for lovebirds. The following is the list of their health benefits:
• Immunity booster.
Several studies have shown that grapes boost immunity. Grapes are a natural source of resveratrol which protects the body from diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and skin inflammation.
• Promotes regulation.
Grapes are a great source of potassium which regulates blood pressure by lowering the amount of salt in the blood.
• Rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect us against free radicals by neutralizing their effects. Grapes are rich in antioxidants and help in preventing heart illnesses and cancer diseases.
• Good for their eye health.
Grapes lower the inflammation around retinas and form high protective proteins in photoreceptor cells that respond to light. As a result, it boosts eye health and leads to better vision.
• Prevents hardening of arteries.
Grapes contain potassium and fiber and these both support in maintaining the heart’s health. Consuming grapes reduces the risk of heart illnesses or failure.
• Maintain water balance.
Grapes help to remove excess water and toxins from the body. The high content of potassium in the fruit helps in regulating water and electrolyte balance which is vital for maintaining good health.
• Anti-cancer properties.
As mentioned earlier, grapes are rich in resveratrol. This antioxidant helps to fight cancer and stop its growth.
When do grapes become harmful to them?
Grapes, in general, are not harmful to lovebirds. However, if it is overfed, they become overweight and get prone to certain illnesses like obesity. This is because the grapes contain a high concentration of fructose which changes their weight. Grapes become harmful only when toxins are found. Grapes with toxins contain high levels of pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides and do not meet international safety standards. These toxins significantly impair the nutritious value of grapes. Otherwise, in moderate amounts; grapes are good for their health and wellbeing.
Are dried grapes good for lovebirds?
Lovebirds like to eat both fresh and dried grapes. Dried grapes are a convenient addition to their diet and contain healthy nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Dried grapes fuel their everyday activities with zero health adverse conditions.
Final Thoughts:
Grapes are delicious fruits for lovebirds and they enjoy eating them. You can choose any colored grapes for your pets as they like all of them. Try to feed them in different ways to maintain their interest. You must also take care when presenting grapes to the young birds. They shouldn’t be given grape seeds to avoid issues resulting from their digestive tract. Otherwise, grape seeds are liked by all lovebirds.
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