Ask Lafeber

Chamomile Tea

Is it safe to give our cockatiel chamomile tea and if so how much and how often. Thank you

Hi Pam,

There is actually a company that makes teas for pet birds. However, tea should be considered an alternative medicine, because it can have benefits, but needs to be used under the advice of your Avian Vet, who can give you a recommended dosage. It has been observed that chamomile tea can reduce a female cockatiel’s hormones, although it is not yet understood how.

Dr. Stephanie Lamb shared some information on tea, and does use this company’s products.

Dr. Lamb wrote: I actually have used this company’s product on a couple patients. In particular I have used the “Iron Out” tea for iron storage disease in an African Grey and I know the national aviary has used a similar product as well for this condition. As for all the other teas….there are good and bad things about them…For example, their “Serene Tea” has St. John’s Wort in it which is supposed to help for mood but too much of this can be toxic to the liver. So I think these have their place but I also think they should be used with caution and under the direction of someone (a  vet) who knows what they are using them for, how often to use them safely and why.

https://www.greywoodmanor.com/avian-teas

An occasional sip of tea would be fine as long as it isn’t strong, sweetened, or too hot. But the bird should not be allowed to drink it freely.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda