Cockatiel · Grains, seeds & nuts
Can cockatiels eat almonds?
Yes, in small amounts. A sliver of plain almond makes a good occasional reward for cockatiels, but almonds are high in fat, and cockatiels are prone to fatty liver and lipomas.
- Portion
- A sliver about a quarter of one almond
- How often
- Once or twice a week
- Sugar
- 4.4 g / 100 g
- Fat
- 49.9 g / 100 g
How to serve it
- Use plain raw or dry-roasted almonds with no salt or flavouring
- Chop into small slivers
- Use pieces as training rewards rather than a bowl treat
- Never give chocolate-, sugar- or salt-coated almonds
Why
Risks. Almonds are about half fat, so frequent or large portions add calories quickly, and high-fat diets are linked to obesity, fatty liver disease and lipomas in cockatiels. Salted and flavoured almonds add sodium and sugar.
Benefits. Almonds provide vitamin E, some calcium and unsaturated fat, and their crunch makes them a satisfying reward.
Questions owners ask 2
Can cockatiels eat almonds in the shell?
Most cockatiels struggle to crack almond shells. Offer shelled slivers instead.
Are almonds poisonous to cockatiels because of cyanide?
No. Sweet almonds sold for eating contain only traces of the cyanide-releasing compound. Bitter almonds should never be given.
Almonds: nutrition per 100 g
| Water | 4.4 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 579 kcal |
| Sugars | 4.4 g |
| Fat | 49.9 g |
| Protein | 21.2 g |
| Fibre | 12.5 g |
| Calcium | 269 mg |
| Phosphorus | 481 mg |
| Calcium : phosphorus | 0.56 : 1 |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 0 µg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg |
“Nuts, almonds”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 170567). Public domain.
Sources & method 5
No source we found covers almonds for cockatiels specifically, so this verdict is reasoned from general feeding guidance and nutrition data. Confidence: medium. Rated on the JOMIZOO Feeding Scale; when good sources disagree we choose the more cautious level.
- What to Feed Your Pet Bird — RSPCA
- Management of Pet Birds (professional version) — Merck Veterinary Manual (Sharman M. Hoppes, DVM, DABVP Avian)
- Feeding Your Pet Bird a Healthy Diet (client education handout) — LafeberVet (Christal Pollock, DVM, DABVP Avian Practice)
- Tumors in Birds: Lipomas — VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM)
- Obesity in Birds — VCA Animal Hospitals
