Parrots can drink decaffeinated and naturally caffeine-free teas without milk, sugar, sweeteners, and flavorings. The decaffeination process doesn’t make tea caffeine-free, but it’ll be less than 2.5% (by law).
Herbal tea (like Rooibos) and chamomile tea reduce stress, ease stomach issues, and improve blood circulation. Decaffeinated green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants, which reduce oxidative stress.
We’ll assess the most popular varieties to discover which teas are healthiest for parrots. You can give a pet a small amount of parrot-safe tea, like Rooibos or chamomile, once or twice a week.
Can Parrots Drink Tea?
Many owners want to give tea to parrots, but the ones humans drink are high in caffeine and contain some theobromine, which is highly toxic to birds.
There are safer teas for pet birds, including the following:
- Chamomile tea (naturally caffeine-free).
- Rooibos tea (naturally caffeine-free).
- Peppermint tea (most are caffeine-free, but check the ingredients list).
- Herbal tea (most are caffeine-free, but check the ingredients list).
- Herbal tea (most are caffeine-free, but check the ingredients list).
- Decaffeinated green tea (in moderation).
- Decaffeinated black tea (in moderation).
According to Chinese Medicine, tea contains:
- Calcium.
- Magnesium.
- Manganese.
- Iron.
- Copper.
- Zinc.
- Potassium.
These minerals are essential to a parrot’s health and development.
Calcium
According to the International Journal of Avian Science, calcium is essential for avian reproduction because shells comprise mostly calcium carbonate.
Calcium is also essential for the following purposes:
- Strong bones.
- Nerve, brain, and muscle function.
- Heart health.
Tea is another way to add calcium to a parrot’s diet.
Iron
Iron creates hemoglobin, allowing the blood to carry oxygen around the body.
Too little iron can cause anemia, while too much iron can cause Iron Storage Disease (ISD). This is where excess iron accumulates around the parrot’s liver. Also, oxidative damage is caused by ionic iron.
Potassium
Potassium is required for bone and muscle growth and controlling blood flow due to an accident or injury. For example, accidentally cutting the ‘quick’ when trimming its claws.
Potassium combines with sodium to regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. It also reduces urinary calcium excretion and plays a vital role in calcium absorption.
Is Tea Bad for Parrots?
The substances found in tea can be harmful to parrots, including the following:
Caffeine
Many human teas contain caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. Caffeine belongs to a chemical class of alkaloids called methylated xanthines, stimulating the central nervous system and heart.
Caffeine is responsible for cardiac malfunctions in parrots because it’s absorbed rapidly by the intestinal tract, causing too much work for the kidneys to function properly.
Caffeinated drinks should be avoided because it causes:
- Increased heart rate.
- Heart arrhythmias.
- Hyperactivity.
- Cardiac arrest.
As parrots are energetic birds, caffeine can lead to them becoming aggressive, destructive, and claustrophobic inside the cage. They’ll also struggle to sleep because their sleep routine is out of sync.
Milk (Lactose)
Parrots shouldn’t drink milk because they lack the enzyme (lactase) to digest the sugars in milk. Instead, fluids are drawn into the digestive tract, causing diarrhea and other digestive complaints.
Added Sugars
If parrots consume refined sugar, they may reject other nutrients, leading to malnutrition. It can also give them excessive energy, making them noisy and hyperactive.
What Types of Tea Can Parrots Drink?
Many different teas are available, so knowing which varieties are safe for parrots is important. If you want to share tea with a parrot, here are some considerations:
Can Parrots Drink Green Tea?
Green tea contains 7.61 mg of caffeine, which is about 80% less than black tea. While it’s a low-caffeine tea, only give green tea to pet parrots when decaffeinated.
Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants (catechins), like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that reduce oxidative stress, preventing illness and disease.
When looking for a parrot-safe green tea, check the ingredients list. Avoid additives, preservatives, and colorings that may have side effects.
The safe ingredients in green tea include:
- Probiotics.
- Dextrose.
- Green tea extract.
- Rooibos extract.
Can Parrots Drink Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile tea is extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant and is naturally caffeine-free.
It comes in black, white, and green varieties, depending on when the leaves were picked. Black chamomile tea is the most nutritious because it’s extracted from the youngest leaves.
Chamomile tea is among the best teas for parrots due to its:
- Sedative properties that enable a parrot to sleep better.
- Its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, which can reduce destructive behaviors like feather plucking.
Misting chamomile over a parrot with a spray bottle can ease feather and skin problems.
Can Parrots Have Peppermint Tea?
Peppermint tea isn’t usually given to parrots due to its strong, minty flavor. As a natural tea, it contains no toxic ingredients, but check the ingredients list for added caffeine.
Peppermint tea boasts a range of health benefits, including:
- Soothes stomach upsets.
- Relieves clogged sinuses.
- Boosts energy levels.
- Fights bacterial infections.
- Improves sleep quality.
If a parrot’s poop becomes runny or changes color, it’s unsettling the digestive system.
Can Parrots Drink Black Tea?
Black tea stimulates blood circulation and can soothe stressed parrots. However, 100 ml of black tea contains 37 mg of caffeine. Only drink decaffeinated black tea in the presence of pet birds.
Can Parrots Drink Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea, also called red bush or red tea, is a herbal tea with a distinctive nutty taste. Due to its flavor, many parrots enjoy the taste of Rooibos, which resembles nuts and seeds.
While rooibos tea is rich in natural antioxidants like aspalathin, it lacks vitamins and minerals. As a result, drinking red bush tea in high quantities can cause parrots to become deficient.
Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a good alternative to black and green tea. It’s also tannin-free. Tannins are natural compounds that interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption.
Rooibos is among the safest and most nutritious teas to give parrots.
Can Parrots Drink Herbal Tea?
There are many types of herbal tea, which are usually caffeine-free and safe for parrots to drink. Which herbal tea you give a parrot depends on its ailments.
It should only be offered once or twice a week to allow the parrot’s body to absorb and digest the ingredients. Too much herbal tea can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea.
Many shop-bought herbal teas are flavored with artificial colorings and additives to give them a fruity flavor. While you may think fruity teas are suitable because parrots eat fruits, flavorings can be unhealthy.
How To Give A Parrot Tea
To make tea for parrots, do the following:
- Add 1 teaspoon of decaffeinated herbal tea to 8-10 ounces of water.
- Stir and strain it to remove any loose leaves.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- To get a parrot to drink tea, place it in a shallow bowl inside the cage.
Avoid giving parrots the tea that many of us drink, especially if it’s caffeinated. Instead, opt for a decaffeinated variety or, better still, a herbal variety (like Rooibos) that’s naturally caffeine-free.
