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My budgie only eats seeds. How do I get him to eat healthy pellets?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male | unneutered

How can I get my budget to switch to pellets. I have tried every method and he is very defiant. Please help as I have noticed a decline in his plumage coloration and I think it is due to malnutrition. He only eats the mullet out of his seed mix, and he was like that when I got him. He also won't eat any healthy fruits or veggies. I have tried several brands of pellets, as well as many ways to try and convert him.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on May 19th, 2017

The only way i know of that works is a pretty simple one. you mix the pellets with his old food mix. first day 10% pellets and 90% old food. every day you increase the pellets by 10% and decrease the o;d food by 10% until you switch to pellets completely.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 6th, 2018

    Most parrots will usually pick the less healthy bits if given that option. the solution is to gradually switch her to bird pellets (e.g. pretty bird), i usually recommend doing it in a course of 10 days. the first day you keep 90% of the old food and put in 10% of the pellets. every day you increase the pellets by 10%. by day 10 you remain with 100% pellets.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on July 26th, 2019

    It will require both patience and persistence. Since your bird is young, it may be easy. Offer a bowl of pellets along with seeds. In the meantime, you can introduce new foods such as fruit, vegetables and pastas to get Guacamole acclimated to new textures and flavors. Offer the pelleted diet from your hand. He may see them as treats this way. Try different sizes, flavors and textures of pellets. Gradually reduce the amount of seed offered until he is eating pellets. You can offer a small amount of a fortified seed mix occasionally.

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