Important Vitamins and Minerals for Pet Birds

Just like people, pet birds need certain vitamins and minerals in order to maintain proper nutrition and health. Birds can receive many of these needed vitamins and minerals within a pelleted diet, but some birds might require additional nutritional supplements. Vitamin supplementation is an easy and inexpensive way to ensure that your bird is receiving the vitamins that he needs.

Crucial Vitamins for Your Bird

Vitamins that your bird needs include vitamin A, E, D3, and B-complex.

Vitamin A is considered an important skin vitamin that helps with the health of the eyes, feathers, reproductive system, and immune system. Vitamin A can be provided as beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A as needed. The rest is excreted. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common deficiency seen in pet birds. Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include white spots that catch infection, swollen eyes, dullness of feather color, wheezing, and weight loss.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and its prime function is to scavenge free radicals. Vitamin E regulates and protects vitamin A; it also prevents the B vitamins and vitamin C from oxidation. Although vitamin C usually breaks down before being consumed, it is important for strong cell walls and blood vessels.

Vitamin D3 is essential for healthy bones, feathers, and egg laying. This vitamin helps birds absorb calcium and use it in their bodies. Birds create vitamin D with the help of the sun or full-spectrum lighting. However, keep in mind that windows filter out the sun's UV rays, so birds will not receive sufficient vitamin D3 through a window.

Another group of vitamins that is important for birds are the B-complex vitamins, which include vitamins B6, B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and biotin. Although each acid has its own important function, B-complex vitamins as a whole help break down food and nutrients for your bird's body to use. B-complex vitamins should be given to your bird on a daily basis because they are continually excreted from the body.

As for minerals, calcium is the most important for birds. Calcium is needed for strong bone formation, blood clotting, feather growth, and healthy eggs. Birds can receive calcium through supplements, cuttlebone, and mineral blocks.

Lastly, birds will benefit from balanced fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega fatty acids assist the immune system and the body's ability to respond to disease. In the right proportions, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can help keep your bird healthy.

There are numerous beneficial products that contain supplemental vitamins and minerals for your bird. For example, Lafeber Avi-Era Bird Vitamins contains vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin B12, calcium, and other minerals and vitamins that are crucial for your bird's health. Another beneficial supplement is Nekton Bio, which contains vitamin A, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12. Both of these products promote feather growth.

We carry numerous vitamin supplements to complement your bird's diet and health. Providing your bird with essential vitamins and minerals can help you ensure that he is receiving the proper nutrition to maintain his health. A healthy bird is a thriving, beautiful, and happy bird!

Discover More!

Tips for Feeding Your Bird

Bird Feather Health and Anatomy

Pet Bird Nutrition

Return to Bird Articles