is Greek yogurt safe for parrots?

[KikaMoran]

I never give my babies Greek yogurt but every morning I have a breakfast smoothie. I make it with frozen fruit water Greek yogurt and sometimes sugar. I always share with my babies and they love it. But I’m not sure f te Greek yogurt in the smoothie is good or bad for them.

 

[Scott]

Dairy products in general are not part of a bird's natural diet. Some folks totally avoid feeding while others may give just a taste periodically. Most of my birds enjoy a tiny piece of string cheese once weekly.

The smoothie is probably loved because of extreme flavor and lots of sugar, but I wouldn't give more than literally a taste once in a long while.

 

[Kiwibird]

A *little* plain yogurt is OK occasionally unless your bird as an individual gets an upset stomach from it. What I'd be more concerned about is the amount of sugar in most flavored yogurts out there (and I know they have flavored greek yogurt). And you say you add sugar to the smoothies too? I would venture to say you should not share your smoothies at all. Parrots can have the naturally occurring sugars in fruits but shouldn't have anything with added sugar. That will cause health problems and if nothing else, can significantly exacerbate hormonal behaviors.

 

[KikaMoran]

I do use honey flavored Greek yogurt In all my smoothies and sugar sometimes so I think ill just make them their own birds safe smoothies from time to time with no yogurt or sugar. Thank you guys for your help

 

[Flboy]

Work on the sugar issue for yourself also! I am to the point, diet wise, right now I really dislike the taste of anything that is sweet! I do not use any honey, sugar, or any artificial sweeteners! Even the so-called, natural, Stevia!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I don't give Skittles ANY dairy products. For 'bad' food treats, he gets pizza crust or pasta once in a while.

I have recently taken to Almond milk. I asked the vet if it was okay to give Skittles some of the unsweetened one (thats the one I drink). They said it should be fine. So if you make a fruit smoothie with that (without any added sugars) you could share it that way.

The 'natural' sugars from fruits/veggies are much different than the added sugar or sweeteners that we often eat. The natural ones are okay for them (in moderation), but the added sugars and especially sweeteners should be avoided as much as possible.

I mostly drink unsweetened seltzer as well. But Skittles doesn't like carbonated drinks. He does have juice every day though. I buy him the all natural ones that have fruits and vegetables in them with NO added sugar or preservatives. It's a little more expensive, but he loves it and its much safer. The vet told me he can have a 'thimble' of it daily.

 

[syakti]

Our doctor told us yogurt is actually very good for birds to keep healthy bacteria balance in their bodies. the plain natural yogurt. No sugar no additives (I make my yogurt myself and my birds eat as much as they want).


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[Skittys_Daddy]

But birds cannot process lactose, so unless the yogurt is dairy-free- I'd still avoid it as the dangers far outweigh any supposed benefit.

 

[bug_n_flock]

lactose is the sugar that the bacteria eat when they turn milk into yogurt. yogurt(and cheese) naturally have lower lactose levels than milk or other dairy products. It is why many lactose intolerant people can eat things like frozen yogurt if they want that ice cream taste without uhm,,, yeah. Gonna stop there.

 

[wrench13]

Only Greek Orthodox yougurt. Kidding. If you dont get yougurt in the wild you dont get it captivity. IMHO.