Shared a few bits of my sauteed zucchini and garlic with Tucker two nights ago and pheeew! He STILL REEKS! Total garlic breath. Anyone know where I can buy some birdy breath mints? LOL

Jen

I don't think garlic is safe to give to your bird. Check out this article: http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-h...and-garlic.aspx

this is a statement from the article above:"Although I have not seen any scientific studies performed on any avian species, there is the chance that disulfides could also cause this Heinz body hemolytic anemia in birds. For that reason, I feel that is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to feed birds onions, leeks, garlic or chives, as they don't contain any nutrients that are vital for the health of our pet birds that cannot be found in other food items."

Actually Garlic is ok in moderation raw. I am thinking cooked onions and Garlic are both bad.

I always gave my guys garlic in moderation-about once every couple months, on tenth of a medium clove cut up fine and mixed with veggies.

GARLIC-- Has anti-oxidant properties as well as anti-parasitic properties which kill intestinal parasites. Protects the liver from the damage of chemical pollutants in the air and in food and water supply. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England found that garlic juice is as strong as the antifungal drugs, Amphotericin and Nystatin, against Candida, a fungal problem sometimes found in parrots. Should be used sparingly and in the form of fresh garlic, not the concentrated garlic powder. Garlic belongs to a family of plants that may cause anemia in animals if given for long periods of time.

That's good to know. I'm sure it's fine in moderation, but I think it isn't necessary for their diet and they can get whatever nutrients/anti-oxidants they can get from garlic/onion can be found elsewhere. I think the risk of red blood cell diseases are more serious. I'm not willing to give my QP, or any other animal, foods that have not been tested for that specific type of animal. Why risk it?

what's done is done, and i wouldn't get too up in arms about it. jen, last time louie had garlic breath it lasted at least a full week. i had to hold my breath when i gave him kisses cuz he was one funky monkey

i give my birds garlic bread (very, very rarely, but they do love it) and use garlic in almost all my cooking. i would never do anything to intentionally harm any of my pets or family members. i checked (and still do if i'm not completely certain) for foods that were ok and foods to avoid at all costs, and garlic was not on the avoid list. onions, yes. garlic, no. matter of fact, i was under the impression, as cheryl posted, that garlic was a good thing to give them on occasion. i agree, tho, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our little feathered buddies.

kris

But keep in mind that garlic and onion are related. I am not disputing the fact that garlic has potentially good effects for our birds, but it has not been tested with birds. It does however, have known negative effects (granted in large quantities, but still) so I wouldn't risk it just in case. On the flip side though, I don't think the negative effects have been tested on birds either, so I would just be careful if I were you, that's all I'm saying

No worries, everyone! I checked to make sure garlic was safe and even then he only got a few little nibbles. But enough to "fowl" his breath, apparently! (Pun intended!)



Jen

Jen--Elliot has peanut butter breath at the moment! He stole some of my toast and ran like he was in trouble!! haha so cute

As for the discussion.. I try and stay away from garlic...the breeder we got Elliot from was very stern about this topic and said it has killed bird he had. He said no raw garlic or onion. But who knows?!

better to be safe than sorry!

Caution is an absolute must, and remember the efects may be residual also. So what may have been fine previously my be the straw that broke the camel's back. I use a lot of garlic in my food. I probably have atleast 10 heads of garlic right now on me. The fids have their veggies, and I have mine.

Tucker has garlic breath?! Hmmm, Ava says she is thinking twice about kissing him now!

Yeah I've heard bad things about garlic. I won't give Verde or the other birds any. At least you know that the vampires will leave Tucker alone. Rofl...

This is in the newest Bird Talk magazine on Page 36: "Never give a bird onion or garlic, as these items contain aromatic sulfur compounds that can cause red blood cells to rupture. While this is a bigger problem in mammals, which do not have nucleated red blood cells found in birds and reptiles, it is best to avoid these items anyway. "

LOL thanks for the laugh. poor guy.

Sam gets nasty broccoli breath when we give it to him :/