Deadly Delicacies: 10 Toxic Foods That Can Harm Your Pet Parrot

Parrots are some of the most charming and intelligent pets you can have. With their vibrant feathers, quirky behaviors, and gift for mimicry, it’s no wonder so many of us fall in love with them. But when it comes to their diet, parrots are surprisingly sensitive. What may seem like a harmless treat to us can, quite literally, be a death sentence for them. So before you offer your feathered friend a bite of your snack, take a moment to read about ten common foods that can be toxic—and sometimes fatal—to parrots.

1. Avocado (All Species)

Avocados are a go-to health food for humans, but for parrots, they’re anything but healthy. The fruit contains a toxin called persin, which may not affect us at all—but even tiny amounts can wreak havoc on a bird’s heart and lungs. Parrots that nibble on avocado (especially the skin or pit) can quickly develop breathing difficulties, weakness, and in severe cases, die suddenly from heart failure. While some bird owners debate the safety of avocado flesh in small quantities, most avian vets agree—it’s simply not worth the risk.

2. Chocolate (All Species)

It’s no surprise that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but it’s equally—if not more—toxic for parrots. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can overstimulate a bird’s central nervous system and heart. Even a small bite of dark chocolate (which contains higher levels of theobromine) can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures, and heart arrhythmias in parrots. Chocolate treats, cookies, or drinks might seem harmless on the surface, but for a bird, they can be a fast-acting and lethal toxin.

3. Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks)

You might love your morning coffee, but keep it well away from your parrot. Birds are extremely sensitive to caffeine, whether it comes from tea, soda, energy drinks, or even chocolate. A single sip can cause a parrot’s heart rate to skyrocket, leading to hyperactivity, seizures, or cardiac arrest. Unlike us, parrots have a much lower tolerance for stimulants—and there’s no known safe dose for them. So if you’re sipping something caffeinated, keep it out of reach, and make sure your parrot has only fresh water in its dish.

4. Alcohol (Even in Food Prep)

It might seem obvious, but it's worth emphasizing: alcohol and birds do not mix. Even a small amount of alcohol—such as from a soaked dessert or a splash of wine—can be dangerous. Parrots metabolize alcohol very differently from us. In fact, just 1 ml per kg of body weight can cause symptoms like disorientation, loss of coordination, respiratory trouble, and coma. Whether it's in food, drink, or even from an unattended glass at a party, it’s best to treat alcohol as a strict no-go zone for your bird.

5. Onions and Garlic (Raw or Cooked)

Onions and garlic might smell delicious while cooking, but they’re incredibly harmful to parrots. Both contain sulfur compounds, like thiosulfates, that can damage red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia. Birds that ingest even small quantities—raw, cooked, powdered, or dried—can develop weakness, pale gums, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Garlic bread, seasoned rice, or leftovers might seem tempting to share, but for your parrot, these popular kitchen staples could cause more harm than you’d expect.

6. Salt and Salty Snacks

A pinch of salt may be harmless to us, but for parrots, salt can be a serious threat. Birds have very small bodies, and even minimal amounts of sodium can upset their fluid and electrolyte balance. Feeding your parrot salted chips, popcorn, crackers, or processed human snacks could lead to excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney stress, or worse. While some owners believe a tiny bite won’t hurt, repeated or large exposures add up—and can become fatal. Always offer unsalted, bird-safe treats instead.

7. Fruit Seeds and Apple Pips

Fruits like apples and pears are generally great for parrots, but the seeds are definitely not. Apple seeds, along with the seeds of cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots, contain cyanogenic glycosides—compounds that release cyanide when digested. While we can usually handle a seed or two without much harm, parrots are far more vulnerable. A few seeds can result in breathing difficulties, seizures, or even sudden death. Always remove seeds before feeding fruit to your parrot—better safe than sorry.

8. Xylitol (Sugar-Free Gum, Candy, Toothpaste)

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many “sugar-free” products like chewing gum, toothpaste, peanut butter, and baked goods. In dogs, it causes rapid insulin release, leading to dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage. While data in parrots is limited, experts believe it’s likely to be toxic to them as well. Because birds are so small and metabolically fast, even a small amount can have serious effects. Avoid feeding your parrot anything labeled “sugar-free,” and never let them near your bathroom counter.

9. Dairy Products

Parrots are lactose intolerant—meaning they don’t produce the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. While dairy isn’t necessarily toxic, it can cause digestive upset, diarrhea, and crop issues. Cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products might not kill your bird, but they can definitely make them sick. There’s no nutritional benefit in feeding dairy to parrots, so it’s best to leave it off their menu entirely.

10. Rhubarb

Rhubarb might look like a vibrant, healthy vegetable, but it’s off-limits to birds—especially the leaves. Rhubarb contains oxalates, which bind with calcium in the body and interfere with kidney function. In parrots, ingestion can result in tremors, lethargy, kidney failure, or death. Even the stalks, while less toxic than the leaves, still pose a risk to small, sensitive systems like those of birds. This is one garden crop that should stay far away from your feathered companion.

🩺 What To Do If Your Parrot Eats Something Toxic

If your parrot accidentally nibbles on any of the above foods, don’t wait and watch. Birds often hide symptoms until it’s too late, and by then, the damage might be irreversible. Call your avian veterinarian immediately. Be prepared to tell them what was eaten, how much, and when. In most cases, fast action can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.

❤️ Final Feathered Thoughts

Our parrots trust us with their lives—and part of that trust involves knowing what’s safe and what’s not. Many of the foods we enjoy are dangerous or deadly to birds, even in small amounts. When in doubt, it’s always safer to stick with fresh fruits (seedless), vegetables, and a vet-approved parrot diet.

At MyAnimagi, we believe in blending heart with science—and spreading awareness is one of the kindest things we can do for our animal companions. Share this post with your fellow bird lovers, and help keep every beak safe and every feather vibrant.