Are Lemons Good for Parrots?

Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Kathleen R. asks:

Do you like lemons?

Dear Kathleen ~ Do we like lemons?

Well, yes, they smell nice, are very useful to flavor foods, and make a nice beverage.

Are you asking if lemons are okay for parrots?

They won’t hurt them, but why would you give them to parrots?

They may pick up a bit of lemon due to curiosity and taste them.

But parrots only have about 250 taste buds.

The average person has about 10,000 taste buds and they’re replaced every 2 weeks or so.

Thus a parrot may not enjoy the flavor as much as humans although the texture and moisture will be attractive.

On the downside, lemon pulp will reside in a parrot’s crop for up to 6 hours.

Acid can cause pain (think heartburn) which possibly triggers feather plucking.

What Human Foods And Spices Are Good For Pet Birds

Citrus fruit includes lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and even tomatoes.

Here is a list of Citrus fruits.

What Can I Use for Bird-Safe Air Fresheners?

Citrus fruits should only be given to parrots and other birds in small portions, figure a dice cube size for a medium parrot.

And only give during the day time so it is not consumed at night. Citrus fruit in a bird’s crop without other foods to dilute it can cause birdie heartburn.

You won’t know it other than your bird may be cranky, lash out, or not be his usual self while it recovers.

Remember to think ahead when serving citrus.

I hope this helps

Catherine