We love our little chipper mini parrots. It’s only natural that you want them to eat top-notch, tasty nutrition. After all, a better diet means better health—and you want your little guy or gal around for a long time.
Here, we rounded up 10 of the best parakeet foods we could get our hands on. Look at these reviews to see how these products differ and which one is most beneficial. We think one of these recipes is sure to be just what you’re looking for.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food
Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
Contains healthy grains
Targets skin and feather health
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Best Value
All Living Things Seed & Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet
Targets everyday health
Affordable
Perfect size pieces
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ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food
Only 10% sunflowers
High protein
Size reduces overall waste
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Best for Hatchlings
KAYTEE Exact Hand Feeding Baby Bird Formula
Added digestive enzymes
Excellent omega fatty acids
Builds muscle and feathers
Check Price
Vitakraft Complete Nutrition
Foraging blend
High calcium content
Targets parakeet species
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The 10 Best Parakeet Foods at PetSmart
Our best overall food for parakeets at PetSmart was the KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food. It will work the best for a larger variety of parakeets and has a reasonable price that most families can budget.
Main Ingredients: Canary grass seed, white millet, oat groats
Protein: 14.0%
Fat: 4.0%
Fiber: 8.0%
Moisture: 12.0%
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This bag has lots of variety, appealing to your budgies with delicious seeds and grains with lots of fiber. It contains both prebiotics and probiotics for additional gut support. We think most consumers will love the product, so it gets a big thumbs up from us.
This feed should be an interesting pick as it offers several different kinds of grains and goodies for your parakeet to pick out—like canary grass seed, oat groats, and white millet. Your parakeet’s feathers should glow vibrantly.
If you have a picky parakeet, they’re getting their essential vitamins and minerals every day, and they aren’t leaving out all the good stuff. It definitely gets our vote for ideal everyday health.
Pros
Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
Contains healthy grains
Targets skin and feather health
Cons
Picky parakeets may not like it
If a bargain is what you can’t resist, let us introduce you to All Living Things Seed and Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet. We think it’s the best parakeet food at PetSmart for the money. But you can decide if it’s the same value—let us brag it up.
Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
Contains healthy grains
Targets skin and feather health
- Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
- Contains healthy grains
- Targets skin and feather health
Picky parakeets may not like it
- Picky parakeets may not like it
Main Ingredients: White proso millet, oat groats, canary grass seed, red millet, flaxseed
Protein: 14.5%
Fat: 5.0%
Fiber: 10.0%
Moisture: 12.0%
We adore all the textures, colors, and sizes of the pellets. There is so much variety for your parakeets to enjoy—enhancing their appetite and keeping their attention. It’s also loaded with a perfect balance of seed and grain to yummy, colorful sweet chunks.
This bird seed targets it all—gut, brain, immune and heart health. It’s perfectly pieces, making healthful bit-sized bits. In addition to this, there are live probiotics and probiotics for gut health.
You can see it’s the best price for this kind of quality.
Pros
Targets everyday health
Affordable
Perfect size pieces
Cons
Some parakeets may not like it
The aim of ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food is to provide perfectly bite-sized pieces to avoid wasting. They do just that with a blend of nutritious seeds and fruit blend pieces. This recipe is desirable to your parakeet and a very healthy choice as well.
Targets everyday health
Affordable
Perfect size pieces
- Targets everyday health
- Affordable
- Perfect size pieces
Some parakeets may not like it
- Some parakeets may not like it
Main Ingredients: canary grass seeds, white milo, white proso millet
Protein: 12.0%
Fat: 3.0%
Fiber: 9.0%
Moisture: 15.0%
With only 10% sunflower seeds, this recipe is a flavorful experience for parakeets. It has a unique FruitBlend, with natural flavors that accentuate the tastes—like dried oranges, grapes, and apples.
It contains a high amount of protein, helping your little budgie stay lean and energetic. It also contains a higher moisture content than some competing recipes—so they get a little more in each serving.
We really enjoyed the size of these pellets, as it seemed to reduce waste and create less mess—which maybe makes up for the increase in cost.
Pros
Only 10%sunflowers
High protein
Size reduces overall waste
Cons
Pricey
Raising budgies can be so rewarding, but diet is of vital importance. For your little ones’ younger days, this is specially formulated to wean them to health.
Only 10%sunflowers
High protein
Size reduces overall waste
- Only 10%sunflowers
- High protein
- Size reduces overall waste
Pricey
- Pricey
Main Ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, ground oat groats
Protein: 22.0%
Fat: 9.0%
Fiber: 5.0%
Moisture: 10.0%
An increase in protein gives the ease of real building blocks to create strong muscle and develop flight feathers. It also contains all the necessary ingredients to replace natural foods during this stage.
The base of the ingredients includes ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, and ground oats. It also contains ground flaxseed—a form of omega 3s—to aid in skin health and feather growth.
It’s totally dairy-free. The added digestive enzymes help your babies regulate the nutrient distribution and regulate digestion. So, if you have some hatchlings to raise, it’s a stupendous recipe choice.
Pros
Added digestive enzymes
Excellent omega fatty acids
Builds muscle and feathers
Cons
Not for all life stages
VitaCraft is designed for parakeets, so it’s not a mixture for a handful of bird species—it’s specific. Your parakeet can reap the rewards of a well-tailored diet matching their nutritional food profile in captivity solely.
Added digestive enzymes
Excellent omega fatty acids
Builds muscle and feathers
- Added digestive enzymes
- Excellent omega fatty acids
- Builds muscle and feathers
Not for all life stages
- Not for all life stages
Main Ingredients: White millet, oat groats, canary grass seed
Protein: 12.0%
Fat: 5.0%
Fiber: 9.0%
Moisture: 12.0%
While this product contains some excellent fiber and protein content, another aspect is the high calcium content to create solid beaks and healthy bones. It also has fatty acids, oils, and flaxseed for a shiny, gorgeous set of feathers.
This particular recipe is a foraging blend, meaning your parakeet gets lots of the same nutrients they would in the wild.
Overall, we really think that this parakeet food is a steal. It’s tailored for parakeets specifically instead of being a mixed bird bag. And it has all the valuable nutrients you hope for in everyday nutrition.
Pros
Foraging blend
High calcium content
Targets parakeet species
Cons
Expensive
If you have a parakeet that won’t stop picking at their birdseed, being really selective about what they eat, try out Roudybush Maintenance Crumble Bird Food. It delivers all the right aspects parakeets need without pickiness being an option.
Foraging blend
High calcium content
Targets parakeet species
- Foraging blend
- High calcium content
- Targets parakeet species
Expensive
- Expensive
Main Ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, soybean meal
Protein: 11.0%
Fat: 6.0%
Fiber: 3.5%
Moisture: 12.0%
It is all mixed together, so your parakeet has no choice but to eat at all. Luckily, parakeets seem to love the flavor, making it a desirable pick.
These crumbles are good year-round, providing the proper nutrients for daily maintenance. It’s recommended for adult birds only with no known sensitivities.
The formula is completely natural, avoiding any artificial colors and preservatives. Some parakeets might not be as interested due to each bite tasting the same—but spice it up with fresh foods to enhance appetite.
Pros
All-natural
Easy even nutrient distribution
Cons
Boring taste
Lafeber’s Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries Parakeet & Cockatiel Food is a flavorful selection any parakeet is sure to love. This is a smart pick if your bird loves a variety due to its tasty ingredients list.
All-natural
Easy even nutrient distribution
- All-natural
- Easy even nutrient distribution
Boring taste
- Boring taste
Main Ingredients: Corn, hulled white proso millet, red millet
Protein: 10.0%
Fat: 6.0%
Fiber: 5.0%
Moisture: 14.0%
This recipe didn’t skip out on necessary grains—there’s plenty to go around. In addition to smart grains that nourish the total body—head to toe—there are also some yummy fruits. Some of them include apricots and raisins for a tropical feel.
You’ll be happy to know that there are no artificial flavors, colors, and other additives with all the fruits and additives.
While the recipe is nutritionally complete, it doesn’t contain some of the perks of competitors—like the gut support given by probiotics.
Pros
Nutritionally complete
Contains real fruit
Nothing artificial added
Cons
Not for selective birds
This bird seed has everything you would want for daily health. It provides omega fatty acids to nourish the feathers and skin, probiotics for gut health, and essential vitamins and minerals for overall well-being.
Nutritionally complete
Contains real fruit
Nothing artificial added
- Nutritionally complete
- Contains real fruit
- Nothing artificial added
Not for selective birds
- Not for selective birds
Main Ingredients: White Millet, oat groats, Canary grass seed
Protein: 12.0%
Fat: 5.0%
Fiber: 7.0%
Moisture: 12.0%
This robust bird food really crosses everything off the list—from quality nutrients to flavor. This recipe has a little more fiber than competitors, which really helps digestion. Plus, there are extra probiotics to aid in gut health.
We love that this recipe is for all life stages–so you can feed it to your young budgie or older birdie. It has all the right nutrients to get them by beautifully–like vitamins, minerals, and essential oils.
While we love the recipe, it is a little on the more expensive end.
Pros
All life stages
excellent ingredient list
Great for general health
Cons
A little more expensive than some
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Parakeet Food Definitely packs flavor in this recipe. It has lots to offer in terms of both nutrition and flavor-enhancing appetite. Birds will love pecking away at all of the delicious little kernels and crumbs.
All life stages
excellent ingredient list
Great for general health
- All life stages
- excellent ingredient list
- Great for general health
A little more expensive than some
- A little more expensive than some
Main Ingredients: White Millet, Oats, Canary seed
Protein: 12.0%
Fat: 6.0%
Fiber: 6.0%
Moisture: 10.0%
This bird seed contains DHA, which aids your bird’s brain health and provides immune support. It also has lots of terrific probiotics to aid in gut health.
The only downfall here is that it is a tasty, tasty meal for your parakeet. It has lots of tropical fruits to munch on, like papaya and pineapple. Once you spoil them with all the delicious flavors, they might not want to go back to regular crumble.
Also, make sure they aren’t overeating or picking at the goodies and leaving the rest.
Pros
DHA for brain development and maintenance
Sweet flavors
Enhances overall health
Cons
Might cherry-pick ingredients
Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food is at the bottom, yes, but still noteworthy. It has a lot to offer, but it falls a little short of some competitors with the price combined with sweet ingredients. Let’s talk about its upsides—like colorful composition and bold flavors.
DHA for brain development and maintenance
Sweet flavors
Enhances overall health
- DHA for brain development and maintenance
- Sweet flavors
- Enhances overall health
Might cherry-pick ingredients
- Might cherry-pick ingredients
Main Ingredients: Canary seed, white proso millet, oat groats
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 7.5%
Fiber: 8.5%
Moisture: 12.0%
Parakeets must get a well-rounded diet. This bird seed has tons of dried fruits and goodies in it—just make sure your bird isn’t being picky and only eating a few ingredients. It is super healthy if they seem to be evenly eating the food.
This parakeet food is properly fortified with probiotics and antioxidants for a rich eating experience, but it won’t work for every bird. Prevent overeating and cherry-picking, and remember to offer other goodies, too.
Pros
Colorful, bold recipe
Dried fruits and natural flavors
Cons
A little costly for quality Parakeet might overeat sweet ingredients
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Parakeet Food at PetSmart
Buying a savory, nutritionally friendly diet for your parakeet doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it’s good to know the basics of your parakeet’s diet to know what to avoid and what to gravitate towards.
Colorful, bold recipe
Dried fruits and natural flavors
- Colorful, bold recipe
- Dried fruits and natural flavors
A little costly for quality Parakeet might overeat sweet ingredients
- A little costly for quality
- Parakeet might overeat sweet ingredients
Basic Parakeet Diet
When you offer a diet to your parakeet, you’ll want it to be the base where they receive an abundance of their daily nutrition. But in addition to feeding a commercial feed, you also want to make sure you’re adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their diet. Since commercial foods lack the proper moisture, giving them fresh foods provides an extra kick of hydration.
Common Ingredients: Good & Bad
Your parakeet can eat a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables. While they primarily rely on seeds and grains for the base of their nutritional needs, fresh foods are equally as important. Even though common bird seed offers a few common ingredients, adding in additional food items to their diets will help keep them healthy and happy. It doesn’t hurt to spruce things up a bit since seed-only diets can get boring.
As long as you’re keeping up with the proper measurements, your parakeet should have a very well-balanced diet without excessive nutrients from either side. Grains should make up at least 50% of your bird’s daily diet. If your parakeet doesn’t get enough grain, it can cause diarrhea and malnutrition.
Likewise, if they don’t get enough fresh fruits and vegetables, it can cause them to get backed up and slow digestion.
Corn
Corn is a highly nutritious selection for your birds, although it is higher in natural sugar. It provides a bountiful dose of protein and fiber. Corn is often used as the base of many commercial parakeet foods.
In addition to enjoying dried corn in their meals, you can also offer your parakeet fresh corn on the cob as a snack. They love taking off the kernels, and it provides hydration and additional fiber in their diet.
Millet
- White
- Red
Millet has some pretty interesting nutritional benefits. It is known as a calming agent which can help birds through stressful periods, such as when they are molting. Millet is also a highly digestible grain than some others and their daily diets. Having millet and the recipe helps break up the contents to provide a well-balanced diet.
Wheat
Wheat is a fibrous grain found in most commercial parakeet diets. It’s full of protein, B vitamins, and natural fiber, all of which bind together to ensure your parakeet’s system is moving smoothly.
Canary Grass Seed
Canary grass seed has a variety of benefits for your parakeet. It might be one of the single most common ingredients you’ll see and traditional bags of parakeet food. This magnificent little seed is stuffed with beneficial ingredients like high protein and unsaturated fats.
Oat Groats
Oat groats are easily digestible grains that soothe your parakeet’s system.
Dried Egg
It might seem a little odd to see dried egg as an additive to a parakeet recipe. But eggs actually offer tons of nutrients, like high calcium, for your bird.
Crumble vs. Seed
The biggest thing is knowing what crumble and seed-based diets are. There are some tricks to knowing which to get your parakeet, but ultimately it’s up to your preference.
Crumble
Crumble is where all of the ingredients have been combined to form a mixed variety in every bite. This type of food helps with even nutrient distribution.
Seed
The type of bird food with whole pieces you can see typically has a variety of seeds and fruit or vegetable bits. While this is a very good way of providing flavor variety, a picky bird might pick out all of the good stuff and leave the rest, missing out on vital nutrients.
Conclusion
Overall, we liked KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food best as far as PetSmart goes. It had just the right nutrients to create a well-rounded diet with a friendly price tag fitting most budgets.
If saving is important to you, you can try All Living Things Seed and Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet. It has all the regular benefits of a well-balanced diet and is cost friendly.
No matter what you pick from PetSmart, you can buy the options both in-store and online.
Sources
Neeness Omlet
Featured Image Credit: trinadh tata, Unsplash
- Neeness
- Omlet
