Most of the aloe vera plant is safe and healing for parrots. Aloe vera gel can heal wounds, stop feather pulling, boost immunity, treat broken nails, and soothe a parrot’s GI tract.
Aloe vera is also a source of vitamins and amino acids. However, the yellow sap is mildly toxic for parrots.
If you’re a “natural remedies” type of person, you’ll love the benefits aloe vera (Barbadensis) can offer a parrot. Perhaps the best way to give aloe to a parrot is via an aloe vera spray.
How Is Aloe Vera Good for Parrots?
Aloe vera has many beneficial properties, which is why it’s considered a “pharmacy in a leaf.” It contains vitamins, amino acids, and healing properties that support parrots’ health.
Here are the main reasons why aloe vera is good for parrots:
Feather Picking
If you’ve ever owned a stressed-out parrot, you’ll know that feather picking is common in captive birds.
It’s seen in stressed-out parrots and parrots who are overstimulated, sleep-deprived or have mild skin conditions. It also sometimes occurs during the breeding season.
According to Watch Bird, spraying your parrot with an aloe vera spray will discourage feather picking.
This is because damp feathers are less satisfying to pluck, and the magnesium lactate in aloe vera stops parrots from releasing histamines which cause itching.
Healing Wounds
Aloe vera contains Auxins and Gibberellins, hormones that promote wound healing. Aloe amino acids also help reduce inflammation and promote skin renewal.
This powerful plant gel is packed full of antiseptic agents that can protect against wound infection. So, if you’re treating a small wound on your parrot, aloe vera will help to heal the wound faster.
Pain Relief
Aloe vera is an analgesic (pain reliever). It’s nature’s gentle pain killer and works for parrot and parrot owners, as it’s useful for treating painful parrot bites.
Immune System
This wonderful, nutrient-rich plant is good for your parrot’s external health and internal health. Aloe vera is a powerful “immunostimulant” that strengthens the immune system.
According to Science Direct, aloe vera forms the basis of a drug called “Acemannan”– a powerful immunostimulant that helps treat tumors in birds.
Broken Nails
Broken nails are quite common in parrots, and they can become infected.
Aloe vera is a good treatment for broken nails because it numbs the pain, promotes healing, and prevents infection. It’s also natural and unlikely to cause any side effects.
Digestive Health
Aloe vera taken orally can soothe your parrot’s GI tract and reduce inflammation. It’s also a source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as B12, folic acid, and choline.
Is Aloe Vera Poisonous for Parrots?
Aloe vera is a health-enhancing for parrots. That said, one small part of the aloe vera plant is mildly poisonous for parrots due to the yellow sap.
The yellow sap (or aloe bitters) works as a laxative, so it could be considered mildly toxic or at least potentially irritating to parrots. That said, the rest of the aloe plant is non-toxic for parrots.
Parts of the Aloe Vera Plant
To understand which parts of the aloe plant are safe for parrots and which are less so, let’s dissect the basic parts of the aloe vera plant:
Leaves
The leaves (some people call these stalks) are made up of three parts:
- Outer green skin, which is quite tough and waxy.
- Latex is the layer between the outer green skin and the inner gel. This is where the yellow sap is located; this part isn’t given to parrots.
- Aloe gel – The clear gel in the middle of the stalk that most people are familiar with when they think of “aloe vera.” This part of the plant is given to parrots in different forms.
Flowers
If you have an aloe vera plant at home, it may begin to bloom flowers under the right conditions.
Aloe vera flowers are usually red, orange, or yellow and can attract birds. Aloe vera flowers are safe for all birds, including parrots.
Roots
The roots of an aloe vera plant are usually partly visible above the soil, and the roots grow like this so they can take on water easily.
There’s no evidence to suggest that aloe vera roots harm parrots. The only part of the plant that could be considered dangerous is the sap of the leaves (aloe bitters).
Can Parrots Eat Aloe Vera Plants?
If you have an aloe vera plant at home, your parrot can eat it. However, it’s best to prepare an aloe vera leaf before you give it to your parrot.
That way, you’ll be able to remove the yellow sap that could cause stomach issues for your parrot.
To do this, you can peel the green waxy layer off the leaf. Then, place the leaf under running water to remove the yellow-looking sap. You could use a paper towel to remove this yellow sap.
The remaining clear gel is ready to give to your parrot.
Is Aloe Vera Juice Good for Parrots?
The “aloe vera juice” you buy in health stores is aloe gel blended into a juice. In other words, it’s the clear gel you’d get by peeling an aloe leaf and removing the yellow sap (see above).
This aloe vera juice is safe for parrots and could help with the following:
- Soothing the GI tract – This could be helpful if your parrot has digestive problems.
- Boosting your parrot’s intake of vitamins and minerals, especially A, C, E, B12, and folic acid.
- Nurturing your parrot’s immune system will help with disease prevention and recovery.
Some people find buying a gel or juice easier than harvesting aloe vera from their plant. Some gels or juices contain preservatives, so aloe vera extracted from a house plant is often slightly purer.
How Much Aloe Vera Juice Can I Give My Parrot?
According to Avian Medicine, aloe gel or juice can be given in the following dose:
- One drop per 100g of body weight 3-5 times daily.
- It can be added at 2 ml per 4 ounces of drinking water.
It’s okay to give aloe vera gel/juice to your parrot regularly but don’t exceed the stated dose.
In addition to giving aloe vera orally, it can be administered externally in the form of a spray. Spray aloe vera helps treat wounds and prevent feather picking.
How to Make Aloe Vera Spray for Parrots
Some health stores make ready-made aloe sprays, so you could consider buying one. Always check the ingredients list to check that nothing toxic for parrots has been added.
If you want to make your aloe spray, there are two recipes:
Aloe Vera Spray (Option 1)
You will need the following items:
- A clean spray bottle
- Steam-distilled, additive-free aloe vera juice (not gel)
- Filtered water
To make this spray, combine the ingredients. Aim for three parts water to one part aloe juice. Remember to choose a good-quality aloe vera juice that is free from additives.
Aloe Vera Spray (Option 2)
You’ll need the following items:
- One liter of filtered water
- One large piece of aloe vera leaf (skin and sap removed)
- Spray bottle
- Glass jar
To create this aloe vera recipe, follow these instructions:
- Add the filtered water to the glass jar.
- Add the aloe vera leaf and place it in the fridge for 24 hours.
- Once the leaf has sunk to the bottom, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
Regardless of the recipe, you can spray your parrot several times daily to prevent feather picking.
Most parrots tolerate being sprayed very well, and many love it. If you’re targeting wounds or broken nails specifically, it may be better to apply aloe gel directly rather than use the spray.
