Ask Lafeber

Picky Parrot Webinar – Grit

Do parrots need grit with their food? Either mineral (sand/gravel) or animal sourced (cuttlebone, eggshell, oyster, snail shell etc) and how often?

Hi Priit,

No, parrots do not need grit. It used to be recommended, based on findings in the digestive system of wild parrots, but it has been determined that any grit or rocks found were likely accidentally consumed. Grit is actually not safe to offer at all. Vets have determined that grit can collect in the ventriculus(gizzard) of a parrot, and it never passes through the system. It will eventually fill the entire ventriculus causing an impaction, and the bird slowly starves to death. A cuttlebone is something different. It is a calcium source, and is fully digestible. This is fine to have available in your bird’s cage.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda