Honey for treats?

[GreenWing]

I gave Tiki one of those honey seed treats, and she went crazy for it, but now that I see the responses, I am uncertain about giving it to her again. This is something I will ask the avian vet about during Tiki's next checkup.

I'm curious about the responses concerning lactose; while it makes sense that birds, not being mammals can't have milk, but I've also read that hard cheeses and medium cheddar cheese in very small amounts (and once in a blue moon) is okay. Does anyone know for sure?

[livingwaters]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, it's been a little hectic around here.
My mother is a nutritionist and this is one of the things she was taught in her studies.

As for the issue of hard cheeses, indeed the harder the cheese the less lactose it contains.
Personally, while I know it is not the end of the world to feed it to a parrot once in a blue moon, I would still not take the risk.
I believe in a natural parrot diet and hard cheese is not really something you come across in the wild. Besides, there are usually added substances you are not aware of in any cheese and if cheese is hard for people to digest (and by the way, it sets in your joints and causes arthritis) I see absolutely no justification to risk it with parrots.

[gabbagabbawill]

Even if you disregard all the warnings given here, don't forget honey contains lactose and birds are loactose-intolerant.
I'd say you'd be better safe than sorry but as far as I know it is used for bird treats and such.

Really? I never knew that honey contains lactose. Are you sure about that?

I looked this up and found that it is like .01% lactose. So, there is BARELY any lactose in honey. But I was surprised to find that out too.

[marie83]

Besides, there are usually added substances you are not aware of in any cheese and if cheese is hard for people to digest (and by the way, it sets in your joints and causes arthritis) I see absolutely no justification to risk it with parrots.

To be honest there is stuff added to most foods that shouldn't be there/isn't needed.

The bit about cheese setting in your joints is frankly ridiculous, although I do agree parrots shouldn't have it.

[elizabethmm85]

Honey contains natural bacteria that can be harmful to birds. I read about it recently..it is dangerous for babies birds and some other smaller animals.

[Pricey_boy]

I give my birds the hanging seed treats all the time I'm sure it's fine If you only use enough to be a bonding agent

[GreenWing]

Yeah... I think it's one of those things to really, really limit or avoid altogether in favor of other, healthier treats...

[friend2parrots]

I agree with Greenwing - honey sounds like its more trouble than its worth after reading this post - and also, what Liz posted earlier in the thread - that you are not supposed to give honey to wild birds, that it makes them sick - is something i have heard myself elsewhere. our parrots may have similar negative reactions to honey.