Can budgies eat cashews as well as larger parrots?

Yes, but in smaller, broken pieces rather than a whole nut, and less often than a larger parrot might have one. The high fat content is proportionally a bigger deal for a smaller bird's daily calorie needs.

Are salted cashews safe for parrots in small amounts?

It is better to avoid salted or flavoured nuts altogether. Birds are sensitive to excess salt, and even a small salted nut adds up when a bird's whole body weight is so much lower than a person's.

How can I tell if a cashew has gone off?

Discard any nuts that smell musty, taste bitter, or show visible mould, since old or poorly stored nuts can develop toxins that are dangerous to birds. Buying nuts in smaller quantities and storing them in an airtight container helps keep them fresh.

What other nuts can parrots eat?

Plain, unsalted almonds and walnuts are also commonly given to larger parrot species in moderation, following the same rules as cashews — fresh, unseasoned, and offered as an occasional treat rather than a regular feature of their diet.

Can parrots eat cashews?

Yes, parrots can eat cashews, and many larger parrot species enjoy them as an occasional, high-value treat. They need to be plain and unsalted, offered in moderation because of how calorie-dense they are, and fresh, since stale or poorly stored nuts carry a mould risk.

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Vitakraft Parrot Cocktail Fruity

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Vitakraft Kracker Feather Care for Cockatiels & Parrots

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Vitakraft African Parrot Honey Stick 180g

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Johnson's Parrot Bumper Rings

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Why cashews work well as a treat

Nuts like cashews are a natural part of the diet of many parrot species in the wild, and their high fat and protein content makes them a satisfying, high-value treat that many parrots find genuinely rewarding, including as a training reward.

That same fat and calorie density is exactly why they should stay a treat rather than a staple. A cashew-heavy diet would deliver far more fat than a parrot needs day to day, alongside an incomplete range of the other nutrients a formulated diet provides.

What to check before offering any

Always choose plain, unsalted, unroasted-in-oil cashews rather than the salted or flavoured varieties sold for people, since the added salt and seasonings are not suitable for birds. Check the nuts look and smell fresh — nuts that are old or have been stored poorly can develop mould that produces toxins dangerous to birds.

Smaller parrot species, and budgies in particular, do better with a cashew broken into smaller pieces rather than a whole nut, both to reduce the calorie load in one go and to make it easier and safer for a smaller bird to manage.

How often to offer them

One or two cashews a week is a reasonable amount for most larger parrots, kept as an occasional treat rather than a regular addition to meals. For smaller species, offer smaller pieces less often.

If your bird is overweight or on a vet-recommended restricted diet, it is worth checking with an avian vet before adding nuts of any kind, since the extra calories can work against a weight management plan.

Other nuts and seeds worth knowing about

Cashews sit alongside a wider group of nuts commonly offered to parrots, including plain almonds, walnuts and Brazil nuts, all following the same basic rules — fresh, unsalted, unroasted with oil, and offered as an occasional treat rather than a daily feature. Different species show different preferences, so it is worth trying a small selection to see what your particular bird enjoys.

Nuts still in their shell can double as enrichment as well as food for larger parrots strong enough to crack them, giving a bird something to work at rather than a treat that disappears in one bite. This is less suitable for smaller species, who do better with the shell already removed.

Watch how your bird responds to anything new

As with any new food, keep an eye on your parrot after the first time they try cashews. A change in droppings, reduced appetite, or a bird who seems quieter than usual over the following day or two is worth a call to an avian vet rather than assuming it will pass on its own.

This is worth doing whenever you introduce a food your bird has not had before, nuts included, since it is the easiest way to catch a genuine reaction early rather than only noticing once it has become a bigger problem.

More for your pet

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Johnson's Parrot Bumper Bell

A large seed and honey bell treat with a cage clip, for parrots

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Johnson's Parrot Bumper Bar

An extra-large seed, nut and honey treat bar for parrots and other cage birds

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Johnson's Cockatiel/Parrot Nut & Honey Bell

A 50G bell-shaped seed, nut and honey treat for cockatiels, parrots and similar birds

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Johnson's Cockatiel/Parrot Nut & Honey Bar

A 50G seed, nut and honey bar treat for cockatiels, parrots and similar birds

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Common questions

Can budgies eat cashews as well as larger parrots?: Yes, but in smaller, broken pieces rather than a whole nut, and less often than a larger parrot might have one. The high fat content is proportionally a bigger deal for a smaller bird's daily calorie needs.
Are salted cashews safe for parrots in small amounts?: It is better to avoid salted or flavoured nuts altogether. Birds are sensitive to excess salt, and even a small salted nut adds up when a bird's whole body weight is so much lower than a person's.
How can I tell if a cashew has gone off?: Discard any nuts that smell musty, taste bitter, or show visible mould, since old or poorly stored nuts can develop toxins that are dangerous to birds. Buying nuts in smaller quantities and storing them in an airtight container helps keep them fresh.
What other nuts can parrots eat?: Plain, unsalted almonds and walnuts are also commonly given to larger parrot species in moderation, following the same rules as cashews — fresh, unseasoned, and offered as an occasional treat rather than a regular feature of their diet.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.