Nutritional deficiencies from all-seed diets cause significant disease burden in companion parrots, yet dietary improvement remains underadopted despite clear evidence.
Nutritional disease in companion parrots represents a preventable source of chronic suffering that persists primarily because of outdated dietary advice and owner reluctance to change established feeding patterns. An all-seed diet high in fat and low in vitamins A, D, and calcium causes progressive disease: respiratory infections from compromised immune function, reproductive failures, neurological signs from calcium deficiency, and shortened lifespan. The welfare improvement from dietary reform is substantial and achievable: transitioning to a pellet-based diet supplemented with fresh foods addresses nutritional deficiencies, and many parrots successfully make this transition with patient management. Veterinarians specializing in avian medicine are essential partners in nutritional assessment and diet transition guidance.