Parakeets, also known as budgies, are popular and colorful pet birds that require a balanced and varied diet to stay healthy and happy. While seeds are often considered the staple food for parakeets, they are not enough to provide all the essential nutrients that these birds need. Seeds are high in fat and low in protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Therefore, it is important to supplement the seed diet with other types of food, such as pellets, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Pellets are specially formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for parakeets. They contain grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and other ingredients that are ground and shaped into small pieces. Pellets can make up to 80% of a parakeet’s daily diet, while seeds can be reduced to 10-20%. Pellets come in different flavors, colors, shapes, and sizes to suit different preferences and needs.

Greens are another important part of a parakeet’s diet. They provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that help support the immune system, digestion, skin, feathers, and overall health. Greens include leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, lettuce, parsley, cilantro, and dandelion greens. They can be offered fresh or dried, depending on availability and convenience.

Fruits and vegetables are also beneficial for parakeets. They provide natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and water that help keep the birds hydrated and energized. Fruits and vegetables include apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, berries, carrots, broccoli, corn, peas, and squash. They can be offered fresh or dried as well.

Treats are a great way to reward your parakeet for good behavior or to bond with them. Treats can include seeds, nuts, dried fruits, millet sprays, honey sticks, or Nutri-berries. Treats should be given sparingly and in moderation, as they are high in calories and can cause obesity or health problems if overfed.

To help you choose the best bird food for your parakeet, we have reviewed some of the top products available on the market based on their ingredients, quality, price, customer reviews, and ratings. Here are our top picks for the best parakeet food in 2023.

Best Overall: ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Pellets Bird Food

ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Pellets Bird Food is our top pick for the best overall parakeet food. This product is made from natural grains and fruits that provide balanced nutrition for your bird. It contains 14% protein, 4% fat, and 10% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that support the health and well-being of your parakeet.

ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Pellets Bird Food comes in different shapes and colors that appeal to your bird’s senses and encourage them to eat. The pellets are easy to digest and lower in fat than seeds, which helps prevent obesity and cardiovascular problems. The pellets can make up 60-80% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest can be supplemented with seeds, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Pellets Bird Food is available in two sizes: 2-lb and 10-lb bags. It is suitable for medium-sized birds such as parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, and conures. It is made in the USA and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Pros:

• Nutritionally balanced
• Lower in fat than seeds
• Multiple shapes and colors for a variety
• Made from natural grains and fruits
• Contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Some birds may not like the fruity flavor or smell
• Some pellets may be too big for smaller parakeets
• Some bags may contain dust or crumbs

Best Natural Pellets: Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Parakeet Food

Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Parakeet Food is our top pick for the best natural pellets for parakeets. This product is made from natural ingredients such as corn, soybean meal, wheat flour, oat groats, millet, canola oil, and egg products that provide complete nutrition for your bird. It contains 14% protein, 5% fat, and 12% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids that support the immune system, skin, feathers, brain, and heart of your parakeet.

Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Parakeet Food comes in small round pellets that are easy to eat and digest for your bird. The pellets are coated with molasses that add a natural sweetness and flavor that your bird will love. The pellets can make up 70-80% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest can be supplemented with seeds, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Parakeet Food is available in two sizes: 1.25-lb and 5-lb tubs. It is suitable for small birds such as parakeets, canaries, and finches. It is made in the USA and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Pros:

• Made from natural ingredients
• Coated with molasses for flavor and sweetness
• Contains vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Small round pellets for easy eating and digestion
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Some birds may not like the molasses coating or smell
• Some pellets may be too hard or dry for some birds
• Some tubs may contain dust or crumbs

Best Seeds: Hagen Original Blend Budgie Seed

Hagen Original Blend Budgie Seed is our top pick for the best seeds for parakeets. This product is made from a blend of seeds such as white millet, canary grass seed, oat groats, red millet, flax seed, and hemp seed that provide a variety of nutrients for your bird. It contains 12% protein, 6% fat, and 12% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that support the health and well-being of your parakeet.

Hagen Original Blend Budgie Seed comes in a resealable bag that keeps the seeds fresh and prevents moisture and insects from getting in. The seeds are clean and dust-free, which helps prevent respiratory problems and allergies in your bird. The seeds can make up 10-20% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest should be supplemented with pellets, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Hagen Original Blend Budgie Seed is available in one size: a 3-lb bag. It is suitable for small birds such as parakeets, canaries, and finches. It is made in Canada and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Pros:

• Made from a blend of seeds
• Contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
• Resealable bag for freshness and convenience
• Clean and dust-free seeds
• Made in Canada
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Some birds may not like some of the seeds or pick out their favorites
• Some bags may contain stems or shells
• Seeds are high in fat and low in protein

Best Mix: Living World Premium Parakeet/Budgie Mix

Living World Premium Parakeet/Budgie Mix is our top pick for the best mix for parakeets. This product is made from a mix of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and extruded granules that provide varied and balanced nutrition for your bird. It contains 13% protein, 7% fat, and 12% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids that support the immune system, skin, feathers, brain, and heart of your parakeet.

Living World Premium Parakeet/Budgie Mix comes in a stand-up zipper bag that keeps the mix fresh and prevents moisture and insects from getting in. The mix is colorful and appealing to your bird’s senses and encourages them to eat. The mix can make up 50-60% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest should be supplemented with pellets, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Living World Premium Parakeet/Budgie Mix is available in two sizes: 2-lb and 4-lb bags. It is suitable for small birds such as parakeets, canaries, and finches. It is made in the USA and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Pros:

• Made from a mix of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and extruded granules
• Contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega-fatty acids
• Stand-up zipper bag for freshness and convenience
• A colorful and appealing mix
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Some birds may not like some of the ingredients or pick out their favorites
• Some bags may contain dust or crumbs
• The mix may not be consistent in every bag

Best Snacks: Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food

Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food is our top pick for the best snacks for parakeets. This product is made from a blend of seeds, grains, fruits, nuts, and pellets that provide a nutritious and delicious treat for your bird. It contains 12.5% protein, 6% fat, and 14% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support the health and well-being of your parakeet.

Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food comes in small round balls that are easy to hold and eat for your bird. The balls are coated with natural molasses that add a natural sweetness and flavor that your bird will love. The balls are also crunchy and chewy, which helps stimulate your bird’s beak and tongue and prevent boredom and feather plucking. The balls can make up 10-20% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest should be supplemented with pellets, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food is available in two sizes: 10-oz and 4-lb tubs. It is suitable for small birds such as parakeets, canaries, and finches. It is made in the USA and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Pros:

• Made from a blend of seeds, grains, fruits, nuts, and pellets
• Coated with natural molasses for flavor and sweetness
• Contains vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• Small round balls for easy holding and eating
• Crunchy and chewy texture for stimulation and fun
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Some birds may not like the molasses coating or smell
• Some balls may be too hard or dry for some birds
• Some tubs may contain dust or crumbs

Best for Small Birds: Harrison’s Bird Foods Adult Lifetime Super Fine

Harrison’s Bird Foods Adult Lifetime Super Fine is our top pick for the best food for small parakeets. This product is made from organic ingredients such as ground yellow corn, ground hulled white millet, ground soybeans, ground shelled peanuts, ground sunflower seeds, ground chia seeds, ground alfalfa, and quinoa that provide complete and balanced nutrition for your bird. It contains 14% protein, 6% fat, and 10% moisture. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and probiotics that support the immune system, digestion, skin, feathers, and overall health of your parakeet.

Harrison’s Bird Foods Adult Lifetime Super Fine comes in super fine pellets that are easy to eat and digest for small birds. The pellets are certified organic by the USDA and have no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The pellets can make up 80-90% of your parakeet’s daily diet, while the rest can be supplemented with seeds, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

Harrison’s Bird Foods Adult Lifetime Super Fine is available in one size: 1-lb bag. It is suitable for small birds such as parakeets, canaries, and finches. It is made in the USA and has no GMOs, pesticides, or herbicides.

Pros:

• Made from organic ingredients
• Certified organic by the USDA
• Contains vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
• Superfine pellets for easy eating and digestion
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• No GMOs, pesticides, or herbicides

Cons:

• Some birds may not like the bland flavor or smell
• Some pellets may be too small or crumbly for some birds
• Some bags may contain dust or crumbs

Conclusion

Parakeets are wonderful pets that need a varied and balanced diet to stay healthy and happy. While seeds are often considered the staple food for parakeets, they are not enough to provide all the essential nutrients that these birds need. Therefore, it is important to supplement the seed diet with other types of food, such as pellets, greens, fruits, vegetables, and treats.

We have reviewed some of the best bird food products available on the market based on their ingredients, quality, price, customer reviews, and ratings. Our top picks for the best parakeet food in 2023 are:

• Best Overall: ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Pellets Bird Food
• Best Natural Pellets: Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Parakeet Food
• Best Seeds: Hagen Original Blend Budgie Seed
• Best Mix: Living World Premium Parakeet/Budgie Mix
• Best Snacks: Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food
• Best for Small Birds: Harrison’s Bird Foods Adult Lifetime Super Fine

We hope this article has helped you choose the best bird food for your parakeet. Remember to always consult with your local store/breeder or veterinarian before changing your bird’s diet or introducing new foods. Happy feeding!