Vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in parrots on an all seed diet. Parrots generally have high dietary needs for Vitamin A.

Inadequate Vitamin A in a parrot diet can lead to various health problems and affect mortality. Thus it is extremely crucial to introduce parrots to healthier foods that are high in Vitamin A.

Kacy, my Black Capped Conure loves carrots! I am really glad that she enjoys healthy fruits and vegetables, probably because I started introducing a wide variety of healthy foods to her when she’s at a young age.

As I mentioned earlier, parrots lacking in Vitamin A in their diet can be subjected to health problems like:

• Appear weak and lethargic
• Poor feather coloration and structures
• Nasal discharge
• Night blindness
• Poor bones development
• Skin problems
• Kidney problems
• Bacterial infections (like Candida, a yeast infection)
• Impaired fertility

Although providing parrots with high potency multi-vitamins supplements can solve vitamin deficiencies, but it can also cause vitamin toxicity when overdosed. Parrots suffering from Vitamin A Toxicity (also known as hypervitaminosis A) may have symptoms like:

• Loss of appetite
• Poor growth
• Weight loss

It is advisable to always consult with an avian veterinarian first before using such supplements.

The most ideal way to combat Vitamin A deficiencies (without the fear of possible vitamin toxicity) in parrots is to provide them with natural healthy food sources in their daily diet like:

• Carrot (Kacy’s Favorite)
• Pumpkin (Kacy’s Favorite)
• Sweet Potatoes (Kacy’s Favorite)
• Red Peppers
• Kale
• Apricots
• Mangoes (Kacy’s Favorite)
• Broccoli

These fruits and vegetables listed above are rich in Beta-Carotene, an inactive form of Vitamin A.

Beta-Carotene will only be converted into Vitamin A by the parrot’s body when required. Therefore, Beta-Carotene is considered as a very safe source of vitamin A and high intakes will not lead to Vitamin A Toxicity. Excess Beta-Carotene is stored in the liver, when there is enough Vitamin A in the parrot’s body.

Start making changes and give your parrot a healthy diet if you haven’t been doing in the past!

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Kacy The Conure Likes Watermelon