Can cockatiels eat apples?

Yes, but only a little: cockatiels can eat apples. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) lists apples as fruit for cockatiels. So does the Swiss animal welfare society (STS). The RSPCA includes de-seeded apples for parrots, and RSPCA Australia names apples among fruits that are digested slowly. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) mentions small pieces of fruit, the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends 5–10% fresh fruit for small birds such as cockatiels, and RSPCA Australia calls fruit a treat because of its sugar. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), on the other hand, lists fruit as part of the daily diet, so we err on the side of caution.

How to serve it: washed, cored, a small piece

Good to know: Remove the seeds or pit first – according to the AAV, they contain small amounts of cyanide and shouldn’t be given on purpose.