Hi everyone,
I've not been around for a while but I intend to stay now I'm back!

I have an odd question. My grandmother gave her cat "Friskies Tartar Control treats" and the Amazon was begging for one. So, she let him have one! And, he not only loved it, but begged for another one. She was scared in case it wasn't safe for him (but only after he already had one...)

Anyway, she asked me to ask some parrot people if it's safe for him to have one once in a while.
Here are the ingredients:
Friskies Crunchy Tartar Control Indoor Cat Treats - Treats - Cat - PetSmart

Any opinions gratefully received.
Michele

Hi there - nice to see you around again. I look forward to all your updates *hint*

I am not an expert - as you probably know. But I have heard that foods made for other animals does not figure really well for the nutritional needs of a bird. I know you are thinking it's a treat but it has supplements in there & colouring. I kind of wonder [??] about the 'fiber & tartar buster part'

If it was my bird I'd get a treat that looked the same but was for birds. The bird may be just wanting to fit in & get what is going around.

Nice that the bird is willing to try new things. I'd keep that up.

Hi Michele, so nice to see you again!

As far as the treats, if it were me, I wouldn't give them. The protein is very high and I don't feel the meat and fish sources in any dog or cat food have the strictest standards. Also Taurine is essential for cats but not birds.

i would never give anything labeled "dog" or "cat" to my birds. these things are not formulated for them and could be potentially harmful. just because the bird likes it, doesn't mean it's good for her

Hi Michele, glad to see you back. I wouldn't recommend feeding him animal treats. Maybe he just likes the neat container. When it is empy, fill it with some delicious birdie treats.

Never feed food meant for a carnivore to a vegetarian animal and most especially, never cats stuff because cats natural diet is very, very high in protein (they are what is called obligate carnivores wiith a very, very short intestinal tract). Very bad for birds! Not even dogs should be allowed to eat cat food.

Good to see you here. It is not the first treat that causes harm, but 29% is killer stuff for a parrot. Maybe bake bird treats that seem the same.

This has happened here also, Banjo badly wants the dog food which now has to be hidden from her. Sometimes I think it is more about jealousy than a desire for the particular food.

Thanks everyone. I will print these out and show them to my grandmother. Now, I need to get her to stop giving him 'treats' of doritos, cheese curls, etc. She thinks I'm just fussy and overprotective.

Basically, when my grandmother (in her 80s) can no longer care for him, this will be my bird, so I would like to keep him healthy. I already adore him. It will also be his LAST home, considering that poor bird has been passed through my family. Now that I live in the USA, I can have him, although I do have my hands full with these 3 lunatics already (ekkies currently fighting over a paper bag), and Leo barking...yes, barking.

Michele

WELCOME BACK MICHELE!!! ♥