18 May 2023

Forbidden foods for nymphs

By Killian

Forbidden foods for nymphs

The nymphs are granivorous birds that must have a very varied diet that includes foods such as: feed, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, sprouts, etc. However, there are certain foods that are toxic or harmful to the organism of these birds and, therefore, should never be part of their diet.

If you want to know which foods should not be used as food for nymphs, join us in the following AnimalWised article, in which we will talk about the main forbidden foods for nymphs or carolinas.

Avocado

the avocado contains persin, a compound that is harmless to humans, but is highly toxic to many other species. Birds are the animals that are most frequently affected by this poisoning, since they are especially sensitive to persine.

The persian is a cardiotoxic compound capable of damaging the heart muscle. Its consumption causes increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, generalized congestion, hydropericardium and anasarca (generalized edema).

The severity of the poisoning depends on the amount of avocado the bird has consumed, although in general, usually occur serious pictures. High doses cause an acute respiratory syndrome, with death in just 12-24 hours.

As we have mentioned, the nymphs or carolinas are graniphorous birds, so if you want to know other Birds that eat seeds, do not hesitate to consult this post.

Garlic and onion

Surely you have heard about the toxicity of onion and garlic in dogs and cats, however, these animals are not the only ones that can be affected by such foods.

Birds are sensitive to the effects of the alkaloids contained in these foods. Your ingestion causes anemia and other blood disorders They are accompanied by weakness, lethargy, paleness of the mucous membranes, and in severe cases, coma and death. Its toxic dose has not yet been established in birds, although as a precaution, it is advisable to keep these foods out of the diet of these animals.

You may be interested in taking a look at the following AnimalWised article on “Garlic and onion poisoning in dogs: symptoms and recommended dose”.

sugary foods

Although sugar is not, in itself, a toxic food for the organism of the carolinas or nymphs, the truth is that it is not beneficial for them either. Foods loaded with sugar, such as pastries, candies, sweets, soft drinks, juices or honey, favor obesity and the appearance of endocrine diseasessuch as diabetes mellitus. For this reason, foods rich in sugar should not be part of the normal diet of nymphs.

Foods rich in carbohydrates (such as bread, pasta, rice or legumes) should not be part of the nymphs’ usual diet, although they can be offered occasionally (once a week, maximum). . Therefore, if you are wondering if nymphs can eat bread, the truth is that they can, but only in small quantities (3-5 grams per nymph) and sporadically (once a week). In addition, whenever possible, an unsalted wholemeal bread should be chosen.

Foods with xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener often used in “sugar-free” foods to provide a sweet taste. It is also frequently used for the formulation of chewing gum or chewing gum. This product is harmless to humans, however, it is responsible for numerous cases of poisoning in our pets.

Most xylitol poisonings occur in dogs and cats, however birds appear to be sensitive to this product as well. Xylitol promotes the release of insulin, which causes a sudden drop in blood glucose levels. As a consequence, a picture of depression, weakness, ataxia, seizures and, finally, death occurs. In addition, xylitol is capable of causing liver damage.

salty foods

Salt is a commonly used ingredient in bird diets, as a source of sodium and chlorine, two important minerals for the organism of these animals. However, too high a concentration of salt in the diet can lead to cause a picture of intoxication in birds, with diarrhea, dehydration, neurological disorders, hypertension and renal failure.

In serious cases, it can cause the death of the affected birds, which makes it one of the prohibited foods for nymphs. For this reason, foods rich in salt (such as pickles, sausages, salted nuts, etc.) should always be kept out of the reach of pet birds.

Chocolate

The chocolate contains methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine, which can cause a picture of intoxication characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, seizures and, finally, the death of the animal. The purer the chocolate, the higher the concentration of these toxins and, consequently, the more serious the intoxication picture that is triggered.

Forbidden foods for nymphs - Chocolate

Fruit pits or seeds

Fruits must be part of the nymphs’ regular diet, as they are a great source of vitamins and minerals, and allow adding variety to the diet of these animals.

However, it is important to know that the bones or seeds of certain fruits can be dangerous, since they contain amygdalin, a compound that is converted to cyanidewhich can be lethal for these animals.

Some of the fruits that contain amygdalin in their bones or seeds are:

  • peaches
  • apricots
  • apples
  • pears
  • cherries

However, the pulp of these fruits is free of this compound, so they can be safely included in the diet of the nymphs. We give you more details about some of the “Diseases of the Carolina nymph” below.

raw potato

Another of the forbidden foods for nymphs are raw potatoes. These tubers contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid which acts by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and causing a picture of intoxication with diarrhea, anemia, weakness and anorexia.

However, it is important to note that solanine is a thermolabile and water-soluble compound, which means that it disappears when cooked. Therefore, if you want to include the potato in your nymph’s diet, you can do so as long as you provide it cooked.

You may be interested in taking a look at this post that we suggest resolving the question about whether “Do nymphs talk?”.

Eggplant

Eggplants are the last of the prohibited foods for nymphs that we included in our list because they contain the same toxic alkaloid as potatoes, solanine. In addition, they contain oxalates that can favor the appearance of urinary stones and kidney problems. For this reason, it is a food that should not be part of the nymphs’ diet.

If you want to know more about them, don’t hesitate to watch the following AnimalWised video on caring for nymphs. Attentive!



If you want to read more articles similar to Forbidden foods for nymphswe recommend that you enter our section on balanced diets.

Bibliography

  • Martorell, J. (2009). Poisoning in birds. clin. vet. small Anim. 29(3)172-178