Onion specifics... onion powder??

jenphilly

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Oct 15, 2013
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Obviously we don't feed onions, so no silly responses like don't feed your parrots onions... well duh, yeah, we know that!!

The question is specifically about onion powder. More specifically gluten free honey mustard pretzel rods that we just tried. Ivory loves to steal a pretzel, but these have onion powder in them. I read labels constantly because of my food problems, so now along with checking labels for whey, wheat, barley, rye, lactose, milkfat, etc etc etc for myself, I usually look for onion powder too. Tori and Byron mentioned that these pretzels were honey mustard and onion and the 'onion' is onion powder seasoning.

I know that raw onions are more a worry then cooked and that a small piece of cooked onion typically won't kill a decent size parrot. Again, not feeding Ivory cooked onions... but if she swipes one of these flavored pretzels, is this essentially a non concern?
 

ruffledfeathers

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This is an interesting question, and I can't say I have a specific answer (although Gilbert is going for a nail trim tomorrow so I could mention it). I hadn't known onions were on the 'bad' list for many years and my Georgie had many things cooked with onion (although she never ate onion, she had something like a bean or pasta that was cooked in a soup with onion). She never had a problem, nor were there any signs of illness or problems with organs at her necropsy. So I can't say that something like onion powder is a non concern if the bird ate it daily but I would almost guarantee that it is fine if they take nibbles of things occasionally. (because I did it w/o even knowing!)
 
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jenphilly

jenphilly

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Oct 15, 2013
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BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
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thank you so much for your post!! I kinda thought what you posted, but thought I would ask to be safe! I am so sensitive to food allergies, I may worry too much at time! :)

Thank you again, very much appreciate your time and sharing your experience!
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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I don't think the occasional pretzel with onion powder will harm Ivory.

Kiwi once grabbed an onion ring when I wasn't looking, ripped off the breading and gulped up the onion. I was freaking out and waiting for him to keel over and die, but he was totally fine (and rather smug with himself). I think onions are one of those foods that isn't acutely toxic, rather builds up in their system over time if they are fed them frequently.
 
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jenphilly

jenphilly

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Oct 15, 2013
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Lehigh Valley, PA
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BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
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Thanks for that!! Definitely would not be often or regularly enough to build up. But a pretzel or goldfish every so often, so guess we're safe!!
 

ruffledfeathers

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Gilbert Oliver, Blue Crown Conure; Georgie, Sun Conure (2/8/01-8/8/12) RIP little girl; Percy, budgie 1993-1999. RIP Pepito-spanish timbrado canary
I actually did ask the vet today. He said onion was like avocado as being on the danger list because it is so toxic in some birds. Some have eaten a lot of raw onion with no ill effect. But he said because many birds have the reaction they always advise completely against onion to be safe.
So we were right in our assumption but since I was at the bird hospital anyway I just asked. :)
 

ruffledfeathers

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Gilbert Oliver, Blue Crown Conure; Georgie, Sun Conure (2/8/01-8/8/12) RIP little girl; Percy, budgie 1993-1999. RIP Pepito-spanish timbrado canary
So yesterday Gilbert decided to be a daredevil when i wasn't looking and he tested the onion theory. After people had left, my friend and i were just sitting in my kitchen talking, with Gilbert hanging out with us. I hadn't cleaned up all the food yet from Easter dinner and there was a tiny bit of salad hanging out in a serving bowl. Gil was picking the little match stick carrots out and i had some craisins and almonds in there too that he was nibbling on (then tossing to the dogs). I was not really paying attention and next thing i know, he is snacking on a raw onion. I took it away and he barely ingested any of it but.....it gave me a tiny scare for a moment.
 

Taw5106

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Kiwi is a character, lol. I shared his busted pics with my husband and he is now a fan of Kiwi. We've had no problem with onion or food theft yet. Buddy isn't that comfortable and I keep telling my husband to wait. My cockatiel Sam was always trying to take my dinner, lol. I would even catch her walking through my plate of food if I had my back turned. Thanks for the smile with Kiwi and Gilbert.
 

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