3D illustration: a budgie next to a dish of avocado
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Budgie · Fruit

Can budgies eat avocado?

No — never feed

No. Avocado contains persin, which damages the hearts of pet birds, and budgies are among the most sensitive species. Never feed any part of it.

Sugar
0.7 g / 100 g
Fat
14.7 g / 100 g

If your budgie already ate some

Treat any amount as an emergency. Call your avian vet or an animal poison line straight away, even if your budgie seems fine. Signs such as fluffed feathers, labored breathing, weakness or being unable to perch can appear around 12 hours after eating, and death can follow within one to two days.

Emergency steps →

Why

Risks. All parts of the avocado plant, including the flesh, skin, pit and especially the leaves, contain persin, which can cause heart damage, fluid build-up and breathing difficulty. In published reports, budgies given about 1 g of avocado showed signs of distress, and larger amounts were fatal within 48 hours.

Questions owners ask 2

Is a tiny lick of avocado or guacamole okay for a budgie?

No. There is no known safe amount, and budgies are among the most susceptible birds. Guacamole also usually contains onion and garlic, which are harmful too.

Are some avocado varieties safe?

No. Guatemalan types have been linked to poisoning most often, but no variety is known to be safe for birds.

Avocado: nutrition per 100 g
Water73.2 g
Energy160 kcal
Sugars0.7 g
Fat14.7 g
Protein2 g
Fibre6.7 g
Calcium12 mg
Phosphorus52 mg
Calcium : phosphorus0.23 : 1
Sodium7 mg
Vitamin A (RAE)7 µg
Vitamin C10 mg

“Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 171705). Public domain.

Sources & method 5

The sources below discuss avocado for budgies (or for pet birds generally). Confidence: high. Rated on the JOMIZOO Feeding Scale; when good sources disagree we choose the more cautious level.

  1. Avocado (Persea spp) Toxicosis in Animals — Merck Veterinary Manual
  2. Unsafe Foods for Birds — LafeberVet
  3. Feeding Budgies — VCA Animal Hospitals
  4. Basic Care for Companion Birds — Association of Avian Veterinarians
  5. What to Feed Your Pet Bird — RSPCA

Other pets

Can hamsters eat avocado?NeverCan cockatiels eat avocado?Never

More fruit

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All 68 foods for budgies →