The fact is that Budgies are picky eaters. They don’t immediately eat new foods unless they see other budgies eat them.
When introducing new foods, make sure to offer these with whatever their current diet is.
The best parakeet food is varied: pellets, seeds, greens, and treats. Always consult with your local store/breeder first.
We Recommend
Best Parakeet Food
1. ZuPreem Natural with Vitamins, Minerals & Amino Acids Medium Bird Food
The ZuPreem Natural with Vitamins, Minerals & Amino Acids Medium Bird Food is another great option if you have a Parakeet.
This food is made only from a range of natural ingredients, with no added fillers or chemicals.
This provides safer food for your Parakeet and ensures your pet gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
The food does not only focus on minerals and vitamins but also contains a range of amino acids. These amino acids are important for the well-being of a bird.
The food comes in the form of pellets and contains adequate ingredients to make up 80% of the daily diet you feed your Parakeet.
What we liked
- Only contains a range of natural ingredients
- Added amino acids to keep a Parakeet healthy
- Can make up 80% of the Parakeet’s daily diet
- Made locally in the United States
- No added artificial flavors
- No coloring agents or dyes used
- Provides a range of essential nutrients
Food form: Pellets
Main ingredients: Ground corn, soybean meal, ground millet, ground oat groats, ground barley, ground wheat.
Lifestage: Adult
2. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Bird Greens
Next up is another option from the Kaytee brand.
The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Bird Greens is a natural food option that provides the most essential nutrients a Parakeet needs.
While not specifically formulated for a Parakeet, this food is generally good for a wide range of bird types.
It is available in the form of dried veggies, which most Parakeets tend to enjoy.
The main vegetables that are used in the food include kale, parsley, sweet potatoes, and alfalfa. These vegetables are all added in a dried form. This ensures the food can last for a longer period.
Chia seeds are also added, contributing to omega-3 fatty acids in your Parakeet’s diet. There are also several minerals and vitamins included in the food.
What we liked
- Small bag for testing the food
- Includes chia seeds
- Uses vegetables
- Provides omega-3 fatty acids
- Promotes better eye health
- Keeps the Parakeet mentally sharp
- Provides a balanced nutritional profile
Food form: Dried vegetables
Main ingredients: Kale, parsley, sweet potatoes, alfalfa, kale
Lifestage: Adult
3. Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries co*ckatiel Bird Food
If you would like to treat your Parakeet, then take a closer look at the Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries co*ckatiel Bird Food.
This product is great for any type of Parakeet and delivers quite an impressive amount of nutrients – all essential to the well-being of your bird.
This product does not use chemicals or any type of synthetically-produced compounds.
Instead, it is a formula based on a range of natural ingredients only. It helps to provide a more balanced and wholesome diet for your Parakeet, without the dangers that come with chemical exposure.
The food also contains omega 6 and 3, which helps to promote digestive, heart, brain, and heart health.
What we liked
- A great way to treat your Parakeet
- Made from real berries
- Also contains 26% pellets
- Balanced nutrition
- Helps with digestive health
- Supports the bird’s heart health
- Keeps the brain sharp
Food form: Pellets and berries
Main ingredients: berries, seeds, grains
Lifestage: Adult
4. Kaytee Fiesta Variety Mix Parakeet Bird Food
The Kaytee Fiesta Variety Mix Parakeet Bird Food is an excellent option for busy people who are unable to chop up veggies every day.
This food is made with real fruits and veggies, which provides a more wholesome diet for the Parakeet.
It also includes a variety of other food times, including sees, to help provide the right combination of nutrients for a Parakeet.
The food uses coconut, apples, and carrots as the main vegetables and fruit. Added prebiotics and probiotics help to support the digestive tract of the bird.
The food also offers a high amount of omega 3 fatty acids, which support heart health, eye health, and brain function.
What we liked
- Formulates to support the Parakeet’s digestive tract
- Helps to keep your pet’s brain sharp
- Provides a Parakeet seed mix
- Includes a range of real veggies and fruit
- Supports heart health
- Helps to keep the eyes healthy
- Offers omega-3 fatty acids
Food form: Variety
Main ingredients: Millet, buckwheat, papaya, apples peanuts, corn, prebiotic, probiotics.
Lifestage: Adult
5. Lafeber Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries co*ckatiel Bird Food
The Lafeber Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries co*ckatiel Bird Food is a premium product that delivers essential nutrients by only using top-quality ingredients.
The product contains natural ingredients with no added fillers or synthetics. This means it is also a much safer option for your Parakeet.
The bag is relatively small, which is why many people decide to use the Lafeber Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries co*ckatiel Bird Food as a treat.
It is the best food for Parakeets when you find yourself in need of a premium option. They contain omega 3 and 6, stabilized vitamins, as well as chelated minerals.
What we liked
- Premium-quality bird food
- Variety of shapes
- Developed by a veterinarian
- Uses real sun-dried fruits
- Includes omega 3 and 6
- Provides stabilized vitamins
- Chelated minerals also included
Food form: Dried fruit and seeds
Main ingredients: Cranberries, dates, apricots, seeds
Lifestage: Adult
6. ZuPreem Smart Selects Parakeet Bird Food
The ZuPreem Smart Selects Parakeet Bird Food is an affordable option and is available in a relatively small bag.
This makes it an ideal option if you only own a single Parakeet – ensuring food does not go bad or to waste, which often happens when you buy in bulk.
The food contains added probiotics. This helps to improve the gut flora and support digestive function in your Parakeet.
The product also delivers healthy fats, as well as the nutrients a Parakeet needs.
What we liked
- An affordable option
- Provides the Parakeet with the most essential nutrients
- Made specifically for smaller birds
- Rich in antioxidants
- Includes a range of healthy fats
- Includes both vitamins and minerals
- Small packet for feeding a single bird
Food form: Seeds and dried vegetables
Main ingredients: Seeds, dried fruit, dried veggies, pellets
Lifestage: Adult
7. Brown’s Gourmet Parakeet Food
For a high-quality option that does not make you dig deep into your pocket, the Brown’s Gourmet Parakeet Food is an excellent option that you should look at.
This food is also an all-natural formula that provides your bird with essential vitamins and minerals from whole food sources.
The food primarily includes a range of dried fruits and vegetables.
These include bananas, carrots, papaya, and more. Peanuts are also added to provide your Parakeet with high-quality protein.
What we liked
- Affordable bird food
- Made for Parakeets
- Provides a combination of vegetables
- Balanced nutritional profile
- Peanuts added for protein
- Also include some fruits
- Rich in minerals and vitamins
Food form: Dried fruit, dried veggies
Main ingredients: Carrots, peanuts, banana, papaya
Lifestage: Adult
8. Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Bird Food
If you want high-quality food for your Parakeet without spending too much money, then the Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Bird Food is a great option to consider.
The food comes at a lower price than many alternative options and provides five pounds of the bird food per pack.
What makes this particular product also stand out is the fact that it delivers a high-quality protein from real eggs.
The dried whole egg is added to the food, which provides protein for your bird. The product also contains a wide range of other ingredients, including herb seeds and oilseeds. These are able to deliver critical minerals and vitamins to the Parakeet.
What we liked
- Five-pounds bag
- Specially formulated for Parakeets
- Uses natural ingredients to deliver essential nutrients
- Provides high-quality protein
- An affordable option
- No chemicals or harmful ingredients
- Does not use artificial flavorants
Food form: Seeds and pellets
Main ingredients: Canary grass seed, white millet, oat groats, dried whole egg, red millet, ground wheat, flaxseed, ground corn
Lifestage: Adult
9. Roudybush Daily Maintenance Bird Food Crumble
The Roudybush Daily Maintenance Bird Food Crumble can be fed to your Parakeet each day.
It offers a range of the essential nutrients that Parakeets and other smaller bird species need.
The food is 100% edible, which also helps to reduce the mess made by your Parakeet.
There are no sugars, flavoring agents, or artificial colorants added to the formula.
The product also includes a few fortified nutrients, ensuring your Parakeet gets enough minerals and vitamins in their diet.
What we liked
- Available in two bag sizes
- Does not contain any artificial ingredients
- No animal by-products
- 100% edible with no waste
- No added sugars
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Fortified with additional nutrients
Food form: Crumble
Main ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, soy meal, soy oil
Lifestage: Adult
10. Dr. Harvey’s Our Best Parakeet Food
Dr. Harvey’s Our Best Parakeet Food is made by one of the more reputable bird food brands that have been around for many years.
Dr Harvey’s Parakeet Food was made specifically with Parakeets in mind, which means it offers your pet the nutrients it needs to stay strong and maintain a healthy body.
The food is balanced and can be used in your Parakeet’s diet on a daily basis.
It contains 13 different millet and seed varieties, along with nine different nut types. There are also 12 different vegetables and fruits added to the food’s formula.
The company does not use dyes, synthetic ingredients, or chemicals in the production of Dr. Harvey’s Our Best Parakeet Food.
What we liked
- An all-natural blend that can be used in a Parakeet’s daily diet
- Enriched with several ingredients for a better nutritional profile
- There are no added dyes or chemicals in the formula
- Specially developed for Parakeets
- Made by a reputable brand
- Uses a variety of fruits and vegetables
- Does not contain any type of synthetic ingredients
Food form: Variety
Main ingredients: Seeds, millet, nuts, fruits, vegetables
Lifestage: Adult
11. Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food
If you have a baby bird that is still growing, then the Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food is essential.
This food was developed by a trusted brand and contained the nutrients a baby bird needs to grow up healthy and strong.
The product contains several added nutrients, including probiotics, vitamin B12, vitamin C, copper, manganese, and vitamin E.
These all contribute to improved growth of the bird’s beak, muscles, and bones.
What we liked
- Made specifically for baby birds
- Provide nutrients to help bones grow
- Support the growth of beaks
- No need for overnight feedings
- Contains vitamin E
- Probiotics for better digestive health
- Include two essential minerals
Food form: Mix
Main ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, ground oat groats, wheat middlings, soy oil, dried whole egg
Lifestage: Baby
12. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Bird Food
The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Bird Food is a great option if you own multiple birds.
This is a large bag that provides 25 pounds of food, making it a better choice if you need to buy in bulk.
The food contains a range of natural ingredients and is provided as both pellets and seeds in a single food product.
This baby Parakeet food does not contain hard ingredients that the small bird cannot eat. It is the best food for budgies as babies too.
The food uses safflower seeds, corn, oat groats, millet, canary grass seed, and other ingredients to deliver essential nutrients that a Parakeet needs. There are added omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics too.
What we liked
- Large bag
- Variety of food types
- Promotes healthy feathers and skin
- Supports the immune system
- Helps muscles stay strong
- Contains essential fatty acids
- Added probiotics
- Include prebiotics to promote a better gut flora
Food form: Seed, pellets
Main ingredients: Canary grass seed, safflower seed, corn, oat groats, millet
Lifestage: Adult
13. Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food
Last on our list is the Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food, another great option from a reputable brand.
This food does not utilize seeds as most of the other Parakeet food options. Instead, it rather relies on canary grass seeds, ground corn, and white millet.
The combination helps to reduce the calorie intake of the bird while still providing the essential nutrients that are needed.
There is a high concentration of protein in the food, as well as fiber. Healthy fats are added through the addition of oils.
What we liked
- A budget-friendly option
- Great for buying in bulk
- Protein-rich food
- Made specifically for a Parakeet
- Includes fiber
- Healthy fats added
- Uses natural ingredients
Food form: Seeds, pellets
Main ingredients: canary grass seed, white millet, ground corn
Lifestage: Adult
14. Volkman Avlan Science Parakeet Food
Next up is a scientifically formulated food made for Parakeets, as well as Bourkes, Budgies, and Parrotlets.
The food is based on scientific research – which means it offers one of the most balanced options that you will find on the market.
It includes a variety of ingredients to deliver nutrients to your Parakeet.
The main ingredients in the Volkman Avlan Science Parakeet Food include cracked corn, sunflower chips, millet, and Nyjer seed. The Parakeet seed in the food provides a range of nutrients.
The food also contains carrots and spinach flakes. Only clean ingredients are used. The product contains added amino acids, minerals, and vitamins.
What we liked
- Scientifically formulated Parakeet food
- Combines sunflower chips, real vegetables, and other nutritional ingredients
- This is a natural food for Parakeets
- Clean ingredients with rich flavors
- No artificial flavorants
- Does not use dyes
- Rich in minerals and vitamins
Food form: Seeds
Main ingredients: Millet, Nyjer seeds, carrots, spinach flakes, sunflower chips, cracked corn
Lifestage: Adult
15. Planet Pleasures Pineapple Foraging Bird Toy
The first option is not really a food product, but rather a toy that can help to keep your Parakeet busy for hours, while still ensuring they get the nutrition their body needs.
The Planet Pleasures Pineapple Foraging Bird Toy was designed to help promote foraging in your Parakeet – which is an essential instinct in these birds.
The toy features multiple hiding spots where you can add treats for your bird to find. Thus, while not a food itself, you can add any type of food you prefer to feed your Parakeet to the toy.
The toy is interactive too.There is a selection of different size options available. These include small, medium, large, and x-large.
For a Parakeet, most people find that the small option is appropriate. For a bigger Parakeet, the medium option might also be good.
What we liked
- A unique toy or your Parakeet’s cage
- Features multiple hiding spots for treats
- Available in different sizes
- Comes in various color options
- Can be used with different types of food
- Affordable option
- Colorful design
Food form: Foraging Toy
Main ingredients: Natural materials
Lifestage: All life stages
Types of Parakeet Food
There are a few types of Parakeet food that you will need to choose from. It is important that you understand the difference between the various food types. This will ensure you understand what foods are best for your Parakeet – and which to feed them at certain times.
The common foods that you can include in a Parakeet’s diet include (1):
- Pellets: Pellets are rather commonly used since they offer a range of nutritional content packed into small food particles that parakeets generally tend to enjoy. Some organic Parakeet food will contain fortified pellets.
- Seeds: Seeds are important for a Parakeet and provide some of the most important nutrients that are needed. Most Parakeet feed products will contain seeds.
- Vegetables: A wide range of vegetables can be provided to your Parakeet. These veggies contain essential nutrients that your pet needs. Romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, sprouted seeds, and dandelion leaves are all great options to consider. Some budgie pellets contain dried vegetables.
- Fruits: Fruit also offers a range of nutrients that help to promote healthier Parakeets. Consider pears, kiwi, oranges, berries, melon, grapes, and apples. These offer your Parakeet vitamin K, C, and A. They also contain some important minerals. Budgie food may also sometimes contain dried fruits.
How To Choose The Best Parakeet Food?
There are a couple of things to consider when looking to buy the best foods for Parakeets. When you know what to look for, you ensure your pet gets the nutrients they need. This also ensures you do not feed your Parakeet anything that could be harmful to their health.
Some things to look for when buying Parakeet food include:
- Ingredients: The ingredients in Parakeet food tells you what type of nutrients will be offered to your Parakeet. Make sure the ingredients are natural. Many people prefer to opt for organic Parakeet food. Consider the type too. Parakeet food pellets differ from seeds, for example.
- Fillers: Always look at the extended ingredient list and see if fillers are used in the Parakeet food. These fillers add no value and reduce the nutrients your Parakeet gains when eating.
- Variety: Make sure there is not just a single seed used in the food. Your Parakeet needs a variety of seeds and other foods for an appropriate nutritional profile.
What NOT To Do
While choosing the best budgie food available is important, it is also crucial that you understand some of the more common mistakes that people make. A diet that is not strategically developed may not be in the best interest of your Parakeet’s health.
One of the most common mistakes people make when they feed their Parakeet is to only use seeds. Parakeet bird seed does offer some nutrition, but not all that is needed. Sure, Parakeets are generally fed seeds – but this should not be the only type of food in their diet.
You need to add variety to your Parakeet’s diet, preferably. This is the best strategy to help them remain healthy and to avoid potential health problems in the future.
Providing your Parakeet with some vegetable now-and-then is a great way to boost their health and add some variety to their diet. You can add some chopped carrots, broccoli, and other dark leafy green veggies to the cage. Some Parakeets also love to eat sweet potatoes.
There are also pellets that can be used. A Parakeets diet should not only consist of pellets, however. Parakeet pellet food should only be a part of the healthy bird food you feed your pet. Too many Parakeet pellets may not be good for your pet.
Ideally, an equal combination of herb seeds, oilseeds, legumes, and grains should be provided. Up to 60% of the diet should consist of grains (2). Food for Parakeets needs to offer a variety. This includes vegetables and fruits for Parakeets too.
What Is The Best Parakeet Food Brand?
There are a few brands that make Parakeet and bird food. Some of these brands have a better reputation than others, especially when it comes to producing higher quality food products.
For many people, the best Parakeet food brand is Kaytee. This brand has a few foods that are specifically formulated for Parakeets. Wild Harvest Parakeet Food and Dr Harvey’s bird food ranges are also great for Parakeets. It is important to note that Parakeet diets need to add a variety of foods – so be sure to look for this when choosing Parakeet food to feed your pet.
Do not limit your search to only these brands. Parakeet diets need to include a wide range of high-quality ingredients. If you do not find the bird food that seems good for your Parakeet from these brands, you should also consider a few of these:Brown’s,Lafeber,Zupreem,Volkman.
When looking at brands for Parakeet favorite foods, always do your research. You should also take note that each brand may offer multiple food products that are good for a Parakeet – make sure you buy one that is appropriate for your Parakeet. Consider the ingredients, as well as the life stage of the food – feeding an adult Parakeet food made for babies will not offer your pet the right nutrients.
Related:
What Are Parakeets Favorite Food?
Parakeets enjoy eating a wide variety of foods. Parakeets food can include anything from fresh wholefoods to store-bought and packaged pellets. While they do like to eat seeds on a regular basis, there are a few other foods that they may enjoy even more.
Fresh fruits for Parakeets are generally considered an excellent option. Most Parakeets seem to love eating some fresh fruit. A lot of these birds also enjoy eating fresh vegetables that are added to their cage.
Favored fruits among many Parakeets tend to include pears, oranges, apples, and grapes. Do be careful not to overfeed them when adding fruit to the cage, as some fruit contain a lot of sugar.
Treats are great when training a Parakeet too. There is a large number of recipes that you can consider making if you want to train your Parakeet. Some shops may also sell pre-made treats that you can give your Parakeet. An example of a homemade treat would be a celery stick with some peanut butter.
