The Scoop On Seeds
Seeds are the staple of your pet’s diet -- and with good reason.

Not only are seeds tasty, and easy to digest, they’re also filled with the nutrients that your bird needs to remain active and healthy. But be careful, all seeds are not created equal. Choosing seeds that aren’t appropriate for your pet’s species, or seeds that are of inferior quality, can make life harder and more stressful for your feathered friend.

Since every species of bird has different dietary requirements, you should make certain that the seed mix or pellets that you buy will meet the nutritional needs of your pet. Some seeds such as sunflower and spray millet are so appealing that many birds will eat them to the exclusion of other foods. This jeopardizes the health of birds, since it deprives them of a balanced diet. That’s why it’s a good idea to limit the amount of "treat seeds" that you give your bird.

You should also give your bird his treats someplace other than in his usual feeding dish, since this will encourage him to view the goodies as something "special" and not as "regular food."

Seeds will loose some of their vitamin content over time, so be careful to rotate the supply you keep at home. Store your seeds in enclosed containers, kept in a cool, dry and dark place. Direct sunlight and damp conditions will make seeds spoil more quickly.

You should avoid buying seed mixes that contain a high level of dust. The best, most nutritious seeds are clean and dust free, with no cracked shells.

If you want to increase your bird’s intake of vitamins A and D, add a small amount of cod liver oil to your seed mix. Take less than one teaspoon of cod liver oil and mix it thoroughly with one pound of seed. Let the mix sit for 24 hours before serving it to your pet.

Visit Pet Supplies "Plus" to find a large selection of fresh, seeds and pellets. You’ll see why we believe that for birds, a good diet "plants the seed’ for a long and healthy life.