Do parakeets need Grit?

No. Parakeets are hookbills, and they shell their seeds before eating them. The inside of the seed is easy to digest.

Flatbills like pigeons and finches eat seeds whole, so they need grit to break down the seeds in their crop before digesting them. It does absolutely nothing for parrots.

If you haven't seen any difference in the food or water levels after a few days, talk to a vet to ask their opinion. It's normal for birds to stop eating and drinking under stress, and still normal after several days, but at the same time it can pose a problem because the bird will start losing weight and become more vulnerable to illnesses.

A tip: Feed your keets pellets instead of seeds (you can get pellets at your local pet store). If they eat seeds, it is very likely they will develop liver disease later on in life because of all the fats and oils they are consuming. If they are on an all-seed diet right now, offer them a bowl of mixed pellets and seeds for a week or two, slowly decreasing the concentration of seeds and increasing the pellets.

I use vitamin supplements with my birds when they are under stress, just make sure it is a reputable brand. Can you look up the product and find plenty of good reviews? What bird shops tell you is not always what's effective, so just verify anything that sounds unusual.

My very first parakeet died because there was no grit to help digest it's food - I've become more educated in my later years and always provide mine with gravel and grit. I buy a good quality parakeet seed that has dried fruits and is fortified with vitamins and my budgies have lived to ripe old ages - my youngest right now is 12 years old. I also raise ringneck doves and have never given them grit after the first introduction because they showed no interest in it and I have doves in my aviary that are over 10 years old, so I guess I'm doing them right, too. If your parakeets have a good seed mix that is made for them, fresh water and gravel and grit, a cage big enough to flap around a bit and some toys, they should be just fine - you shouldn't have to give them any special liquids - just don't leave them in drafts!! Good luck!

Parakeets do not need grit.

I currently own 34 Parakeets and none have ever used grit.

-- PA