While loved for their sweet nature and gorgeous feathers, cockatiels, by all means, are among the most popular pet birds. And, as with everything else that comprises pets, it requires full knowledge about its diet and the digestive needs to have them live happily and healthily. One of the biggest questions a cockatiel owner asks is if it passes grit or not. It is all confusing and nervous, so let's break it down for better understanding.
Gritting in Bird Diet
Grit is the agglutination of small rough particles. The examples are crushed stone, sand, and shells. The supposed function of grit in birds has long been thought somehow to relate to the process of digestion though certain species, in reality use it to mill food within the gizzard. The function is significant enough for those that consume seeds that incorporate husks or, at any rate, a harder shell case.
Though most of the birds and parrots, in general, most of wild birds ingest grit as a component of diet naturally, it plays a varied role, different to one another as a difference in the diet is also there due to variation in the anatomy of the bird so all the birds do not need grit to perform the digesting process perfectly.
Do Cockatiels Need Grit?
Unlike most other birds, cockatiels don't need grit in the diet. Cockatiel is a parrot. The parrots are presumed to have a different kind of gut. Birds crush the seeds by their beak before swallowing; thus, such digestive systems never swallow the hard shell into the body.
Well, giving grits to a cockatiel isn't really a bright idea because they could even worsen things that aren't even good.
Ingestion of huge amounts of grits can lead to digestive blockages, pain, illnesses, or maybe threatening conditions.
Do cockatiels safely pass through grits?
If somehow some grit was ingressed by the cockatiel along the way, they would most often pass it out through their gastrointestinal tract. However, the cockatiel does have a mechanism within their body that helps in allowing small particles without causing some obstruction. Still, the amount consumed and the specific type of grit determines such.
The common cause of digestive disease in cockatiels would be the fact that the bird is swallowing a large amount of grit, or that its grit has become too sharp, rugged, and possibly may cause an obstruction, irritation, or internal injuries. Some of the signs birds develop must be known to all owners once it has become known that such ingestions are taking place.
Common Signs of Digestive Diseases in Cockatiels
If your cockatiel ingests grit and acts strangely, it demands immediate action. Other digestive upset symptoms would be:
Sedation: Reduced activity or excess sleeping
Appetite loss: Will not eat or drink.
Vomiting: Trying to throw up.
Abdomen swelling: The swollen or tender look can be viewed on the abdomen area
Unusual Droppings: Number or color or texture is altered.
Any of the signs above should be taken to an avian vet promptly.
How to Avoid Cockatiel Grit Intake?
To prevent grit consumption in your cockatiel, take these measures:
Do Not Offer Grit: Your cockatiel doesn't need grit in any way. Refrain from giving it to them.
Offer Balanced Diet: Blends of high-grade seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables will give them everything they need.
Monitor Cage Substrates: There should be no type of sandy or gritty substrate in the cage which will most likely cause your pet to ingest more.
Monitor Playtime: Make sure that your cockatiel is not swallowing a small amount of toxic dust particles every time it digs somewhere else other than the cage.
Conclusion
Cockatiels are peculiar birds, and therefore their dieting as well as digestive needs have to be special. All other avian species do not eat grit. Cockatiels also do not include grit in their diet, but accidentally ingest small quantities of them easily which your pet can easily pass out from its system. The quantity of grit the bird intakes has been seen to seriously cause medical issues to your bird. Giving it the appropriate diet and keeping it at a safe house will keep your bird out of these grit problems.
FAQS
1. Why do some birds need grit and cockatiels don't?
Birds that crush up seeds with hulls are pigeons and doves. If the gizzard is full of grit, it will grind the seeds up. In a wild environment, this means that they end up ingesting high amounts of hulls of seeds with their seeds. Your cockatiel consumes only the seed and not the hull.
2. My cockatiel ingested some grit What to do?
Monitor your bird for signs of illness, like listlessness, vomiting, or alterations in droppings. After noticing the signs, it's best to take your cockatiel to the avian vet immediately.
3. Can I supplement my cockatiel's diet with grit?
No, that would be worse than the best for cockatiels. A well-balanced diet consisting of pellets, seeds, fruits, and vegetables would be fine instead.
4. Is sand or gravel toxic to cockatiels?
Yes, it is toxic to birds if ingested, and though they sometimes have affinity to it, avoid their cage or play area placing this material.
5. How can I help a healthy digestion by my cockatiel?
An diet rich and full of variety must be supplied supplemented with fruits and veggies and clean water. Consulting Avian vet for your cockatiel is necessary regularly to check their digestive condition.