Last Updated on: 25th November 2023, 11:12 pm
Aloe vera has many beneficial properties, so it’s widely considered a “pharmacy in a leaf.” The essential nutrients and healing properties of aloe support a parrot’s health and well-being.
The aloe vera plant is safe for parrots. Aloe vera gel may heal wounds, stop feather-destructive behavior, boost the immune system, treat damaged claws, and soothe the GI tract.
Aloe vera also contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and polyphenols. The yellow sap is mildly toxic.
How Is Aloe Vera Good for Parrots?
If you’re a “natural remedies” person, you’ll be excited about the benefits aloe vera (Barbadensis) can offer a parrot. Perhaps the best way to give aloe to a parrot is via a spray.
Here’s why aloe vera is good for parrots:
Feather Picking
Feather-destructive behavior (feather plucking) is exclusively observed in captive birds as a means of self-soothing. It’s common among stressed-out and unhappy parrots.
Watch Bird stated that spraying a parrot with aloe vera discourages feather-destructive behaviors. The magnesium lactate in aloe stops parrots from releasing histamines, which cause itching.
Healing Wounds
Aloe contains Auxins and Gibberellins, hormones that promote wound healing. The amino acids in aloe also reduce inflammation and promote skin renewal.
The plant gel has antiseptic agents that ward against wound infections. Aloe vera can promote faster healing when treating minor wounds.
Pain Relief
Aloe vera is an analgesic. It’s nature’s painkiller for parrots.
Immune System
This nutrient-rich plant is suitable for a parrot’s external and internal health. Aloe vera is an “immunostimulant” that strengthens the immune system.
According to Science Direct, aloe forms the basis of a drug called “Acemannan”– an immunostimulant sometimes used to treat tumors.
Broken Nails
Broken claws are common in parrots, and they can become infected. Aloe is a good treatment for broken nails because it numbs the pain, promotes healing, and prevents infection.
Digestive Health
Aloe vera taken orally can soothe a parrot’s GI tract and reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamins A, B9, B12, C, E, and choline.
Is Aloe Vera Poisonous for Parrots?
One part of the aloe vera plant is mildly toxic for parrots due to the yellow sap.
The yellow sap (or aloe bitters) is a laxative, so it could be considered mildly toxic or at least irritating. The rest of the aloe plant is non-toxic for parrots.
Parts of The Aloe Vera Plant
Let’s dissect the parts of the aloe plant to determine whether they’re healthy or unhealthy:
Leaves
The leaves (stalks) are comprised of 3 parts:
- Outer green skin, which is tough and waxy.
- Latex is the layer between the outer green skin and the inner gel. It contains yellow sap.
- Aloe gel – The clear gel in the middle of the stalk.
Flowers
If you have an aloe plant at home, it may bloom flowers. Aloe vera flowers are usually red, orange, or yellow and can attract birds. Aloe vera flowers are safe for parrots.
Roots
The roots of an aloe vera plant are usually partly visible above the soil. The roots grow this way to make it easier to absorb water. There’s no evidence that aloe vera roots harm parrots.
The only part of the plant considered mildly harmful is the sap of the leaves (aloe bitters).
Can Parrots Eat Aloe Vera Plants?
If you have an aloe plant, a parrot can eat it. However, it’s best to prepare the aloe leaf. That way, you can remove the yellow sap that could cause stomach issues.
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 the yellow sap.
The remaining clear gel can be given to the parrot.
Is Aloe Vera Juice Good for Parrots?
The “aloe vera juice” 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.
Aloe juice is safe for parrots and could help with the following:
- Soothing the GI tract – This could be beneficial if the parrot has digestive problems.
- Increasing the parrot’s intake of vitamins A, B9, B12, C, E, and folic acid.
- Boosting the immune system will assist with illness prevention and recovery.
Some people find a gel or juice easier than harvesting aloe vera from their plant. Some gels or juices contain preservatives, so aloe vera from a house plant may be 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 doses:
- One drop per 100g of body weight 3-5 times daily.
- It can be added at 2 ml per 4 ounces of drinking water.
Regularly giving the parrot aloe vera gel/juice is okay, but don’t exceed the stated dosage.
In addition to giving aloe vera orally, it can be administered externally as a spray. Aloe vera spray can help treat wounds and prevent feather-destructive behavior.
How to Make Aloe Vera Spray for Parrots
Some health stores make ready-made aloe sprays. Always check the ingredients list to ensure nothing toxic for parrots has been added.
If you want to make an aloe spray, there are 2 types:
Aloe Spray (Option 1)
You need the following items:
- A clean spray bottle.
- Steam-distilled, additive-free aloe vera juice (not gel).
- Filtered water.
To make a spray, combine the ingredients. Aim for 3 parts water to 1 part aloe juice. Choose a quality aloe vera juice free from additives.
Aloe Spray (Option 2)
You need the following items:
- 1 liter of filtered water.
- 1 large piece of aloe vera leaf (skin and sap removed).
- Spray bottle.
- Glass jar.
To create this aloe vera spray, follow these instructions:
- Add the filtered water to the glass jar.
- Add the aloe vera leaf. Then, put it in the fridge for 24 hours.
- Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle once the leaf has sunk to the bottom.
Spray the parrot’s feathers several times daily to reduce the likelihood of feather picking.
Most parrots tolerate being sprayed well, and many love it. Applying aloe gel rather than spray is recommended if you’re targeting minor wounds or broken claws.
