Food safety
Can Birds Eat Apples? Yes — but Always Remove the Seeds
Yes, pet birds can eat apples, as long as the seeds come out first. VCA Animal Hospitals lists apple among suitable foods for budgies, and Lafeber says diced apple is fine for birds, but warns that apple seeds contain cyanide and should always be removed before feeding. Wash the apple, cut away the core and every seed, and dice the flesh into bird-size pieces. Keep fruit to a modest share of the day's food.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20263 min read4 sources
Apple flesh is safe; the seeds are not
VCA includes apple in its list of suitable fruits and vegetables for budgies, and Lafeber names apples among fruits that make good daily snacks for pet birds. The crisp flesh is a safe, popular treat for parakeets, cockatiels, conures and larger parrots.
The seeds are the exception. Lafeber's list of foods on avian vets' do-not-feed lists includes fruit pits and apple seeds, explaining that apple seeds contain cyanide and should always be removed prior to feeding apple. Cutting out the core takes care of it.
Pits from other fruits too
Lafeber gives the same warning for the pits of cherries, plums, apricots and peaches, which also contain cyanide; birds should never be allowed to chew on them. VCA lists cherries for budgies only without the pit.
When you share any fruit with seeds or stones, remove them in the kitchen rather than relying on your bird to avoid them. Many parrots enjoy cracking things open, which is exactly the habit that makes pits and seeds a risk.
How to prepare apple for a bird
Wash the apple well, since VCA says fruits and vegetables must be washed thoroughly to remove chemicals. Cut it into quarters, cut out the core and check that no seeds remain, then dice the flesh into pieces your bird can hold. The skin can stay on; VCA says peeling is not necessary.
Serve it in a separate dish and remove it within a couple of hours, as VCA advises for fresh food. Avoid applesauce with added sugar, apple pie, caramel apples, and dried apple chips with sugar or sulfites.
Foraging for food keeps pet birds busy, so tuck a small piece into a foraging toy or clip it near a perch so it has to work for it.
How much apple to give
VCA recommends that fruits, vegetables and greens together make up no more than 20 to 25 percent of a budgie's daily diet, and suggests fruit at about 10 percent for conures because it is high in water and sugar. Pellets should be the base.
For a parakeet or canary, two or three small cubes of apple a few times a week is plenty. For a cockatiel, a thin slice diced up; for larger parrots, a wedge. Rotate apple with vegetables such as carrot, broccoli and sweet potato.
Other foods to keep away from birds
Lafeber's do-not-feed list also includes avocado, which contains persin, a toxin reported to affect the heart in birds; chocolate; onion and garlic; and high-fat, high-salt or high-sugar foods. Lafeber also reports deaths in pet birds after they ate avocado-based foods such as guacamole.
VCA adds caffeinated drinks, alcohol and foods cooked with butter or oil. Apple slices smeared with caramel or peanut butter spreads are therefore best kept for people. Share plain apple pieces instead.
If your bird ate apple seeds, and when to call a vet
If your bird chewed or swallowed apple seeds, remove the rest and call your avian veterinarian for advice, telling them roughly how many were eaten. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 can also advise; a fee may apply.
Watch for weakness, trouble breathing, fluffing up, sitting on the cage floor, or refusing food, and get your bird seen promptly if any appear. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises that any bird eating poorly be checked by a veterinarian.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Are apple seeds poisonous to birds?
Yes, they are a risk. Lafeber notes that apple seeds contain cyanide and should always be removed before feeding apple to a bird. Cut out the core and check every piece.
Can parakeets eat apples?
Yes. VCA lists apple among suitable foods for budgies. Offer two or three small, seed-free cubes a few times a week and remove leftovers within a couple of hours.
Can birds eat apple skin?
Yes. VCA says it is not necessary to peel fruit for birds. Wash the apple thoroughly first to remove any chemical residue, then dice it with the skin on.
Can birds eat applesauce?
Plain unsweetened applesauce in a small amount is not harmful, but many store versions have added sugar. Fresh diced apple without seeds is the better choice.
Can birds eat dried apples?
Dried apple concentrates the sugar and some brands add sugar or preservatives. A small piece of plain dried apple occasionally is fine, but fresh apple is better.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
