Cockatiel · Grains, seeds & nuts
Can cockatiels eat cashews?
Yes, in small amounts. A small piece of plain, unsalted cashew is safe for cockatiels as an occasional treat, but cashews are fatty and usually sold salted, so choose carefully.
- Portion
- A piece about a quarter of one cashew
- How often
- Once a week
- Sugar
- 5.9 g / 100 g
- Fat
- 43.9 g / 100 g
How to serve it
- Buy plain, unsalted cashews
- Never offer salted, honey-roasted or spiced cashews
- Break into small pieces
- Use as a reward rather than a bowl food
Why
Risks. Cashews are high in fat, and cockatiels are prone to obesity, fatty liver and lipomas. Snack cashews add salt and sometimes sugar.
Benefits. Cashews provide energy, some protein and minerals such as magnesium and zinc, and their soft crunch is popular as a reward.
Questions owners ask 1
Are raw cashews safe for cockatiels?
Yes. Shop-bought 'raw' cashews have already had the irritating shell oil removed by processing. Choose unsalted ones and keep portions small.
Cashews: nutrition per 100 g
| Water | 5.2 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 553 kcal |
| Sugars | 5.9 g |
| Fat | 43.9 g |
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Fibre | 3.3 g |
| Calcium | 37 mg |
| Phosphorus | 593 mg |
| Calcium : phosphorus | 0.06 : 1 |
| Sodium | 12 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 0 µg |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg |
“Nuts, cashew nuts, raw”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 170162). Public domain.
Sources & method 4
No source we found covers cashews 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)
- Tumors in Birds: Lipomas — VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM)
- Obesity in Birds — VCA Animal Hospitals
