Is Gatorade Zero okay for conures?

[Qwordy]

I recently rescued a Sun Conure and I drink a lot of gatorade zero. I had the cap on the desk and she decided to play with it but then started licking it so I took it away just in case but wanted to check if it's really bad for them or if her tasting that cap is okay.

 

[HeatherG]

Gatorade is ok for birds and actually a decent way to rehydrate if they are sick or stressed. I hear pedialyte is even better.

I buy powdered Gatorade because I don’t manage heat very well. I have shared it with my birds. They’ve even gotten a slurp of diet soda at times! It’s not great, but it’s better than no liquid at all if we are out and they’re thirsty.

 

[wrench13]

Licking a cap from a bottle is a far cry from sharing a glass of something. Licking from a cap of Gatoraide Zero is likely not going to affect your parrot. Drinking a cap full, well you're on your own there. I personally can't drink anything with artificial sweeteners, they trigger an asthma event for me. Personally, I would never let Salty drink anything with man made chemicals like sweeteners; its bad enough that commercially prepared pellets have some.

 

[Flboy]

Gatorade itself may be OK, but, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, and Sucrose Acetate?
I highly recommend you not! You may want to research what it is doing to you! Even for diabetics, these sugar substitute ‘savior‘ really do more damage than good!

 

[Laurasea]

Artificial sweetners are dangerous for parrots.

Top 10 Toxins for Birds - Vetstreet

Our exotics veterinarian shares the foods and household products that can be poisonous for birds. See which items make the list here.

www.vetstreet.com

As stated below , a random lick of cap is ok. But don't offer it to term for them to drink.

I've developed a late life allergy to artificial sweetners ( seems like all of them)( vomiting)
my gi specialist said all artificial sweetners should be banned..said they also cause liver damage, linked with cancer triggers autoimmune conditions.. so I hope you might limit your exposure to them too.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Licking a cap should be okay. If they were drinking the whole bottle, I'd worry!

 

[HeatherG]

Artificial sweetners are dangerous for parrots.

Top 10 Toxins for Birds - Vetstreet

Our exotics veterinarian shares the foods and household products that can be poisonous for birds. See which items make the list here.

www.vetstreet.com

As stated below , a random lick of cap is ok. But don't offer it to term for them to drink.

I've developed a late life allergy to artificial sweetners ( seems like all of them)( vomiting)
my gi specialist said all artificial sweetners should be banned..said they also cause liver damage, linked with cancer triggers autoimmune conditions.. so I hope you might limit your exposure to them too.

The author is concerned about xylitol, which is in chewing gum. Not in diet soda. I’m more concerned about sugar than a couple liters of diet soda a week.

I appreciate your thoughts but soda settles my stomach. And if I’m outside and it’s hot I think a drink of something is better than nothing.

 

[Laurasea]

I don't want to take over the thread lol
But sorbitol, and many other artificial sweetners are linked with Inflammation, cancer. I believe most developed countries besides America banned them.

American foods have so much added sugar, our bread, ketchup, our chocolate..so many foods.

 

[Flboy]

And for those who are afraid of sugar, artificial sweeteners make you much more susceptible to the disease!

 

[clark_conure]

mehh it's fine.... but I'd use it as a training treat.....not fill their water bowl with it. Conures are hardy parrots but let,s not go to extremes.

 

[Icca]

I'm not familiar with the exact ingredients of Gatorade zero but all electrolyte drinks contain salt so please be sure to check that list.
Tho I think a taste is not likely to cause a problem