Freeze-Dried Cookies

[What is freeze-drying?]
Freeze-drying is a method in which food is first frozen and then dried under vacuum by sublimating the ice (turning it directly from solid to vapor). Foods made this way are called freeze-dried.

[Why do we recommend it?]
Pellets were once commonly recommended to make up about 70% of the diet, but that view has been shifting. Today, many recommend keeping pellets around 30% and making 70% or more of the diet from whole foods—vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, coconut, and mealworms.

A range of expert opinions and research in Europe and North America has fueled a growing movement among some bird keepers to reduce pellet ratios and favor whole foods.

Many people find it burdensome to buy several kinds of organic whole foods every day and prepare them (washing and chopping). In those cases, freeze-dried foods are a practical alternative.

[Nutritional value of freeze-drying]
Freeze-drying can retain about 95% of a food’s original nutrients. If fresh produce is considered 100%, only about 5% is lost. Recent advances also allow these foods to be made without additives, and because little heat is used, nutrient and flavor loss is minimal. Color, aroma, and nutritional value are well preserved, so you can feed with confidence.

[Palatability]
Individual responses vary, but we’ve received many reports of birds that dislike fresh vegetables enjoying the texture of freeze-dried foods. Birds often need time to recognize a new item as “food,” so introduce it gradually. Try offering it powdered or lightly moistened to find what your bird prefers.

Suitable for a wide range of birds, including finch, budgerigars, cockatiels, and medium- to large-sized parrots.

Lories and lorikeets can also have the Orange Cookies.

Other small animals may be able to enjoy these as well—please review the ingredients and use your discretion as the owner.

In bird nutrition, “whole foods” are ingredients that wild birds could obtain in nature—fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, coconut, edible flowers, insects, and items that are soaked or sprouted. In short, foods you can recognize at a glance.

With the exception of processed products such as pellets, supplements, and bird cookies, most of these are considered whole foods. (Seeds count as whole foods, too.)

For best results, moisten freeze-dried food before serving. We do not recommend offering it completely dry.

Reason 1: To help prevent dehydration. Because it is very dry, it can draw water from the body and may increase water intake.

Reason 2: To support enzymes. When kept dry, the natural enzymes in whole foods are largely inactive (dormant). If you want to provide optimal nutrition, adding water may help reactivate enzymatic activity.

Feeding it dry is not “wrong,” but this guidance has been updated from a nutritional perspective. Eating comes first. If you do serve it dry, please make sure your bird stays well hydrated.

Avian experts recommend the following amounts as a general guideline:

Small parrots: 1 tablespoon
Medium parrots: 2 tablespoons
Large parrots: 3 tablespoons

Suggested routine:
In the morning, aim to offer foods with higher moisture content.

Morning: A variety of fresh, raw whole foods
Evening: Freeze-dried food

Pellets should make up no more than 30% of the total diet, or be used simply as treats.

Introduce freeze-dried food gradually into daily meals to help your bird get used to vegetables over time.

Tips:
Small birds such as finches and budgies (budgerigars) may find the original pieces too large. If so, crush them by hand, place them in a bag and press, or grind them into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.

Our top recommendation is to soak freeze-dried food to rehydrate it before feeding.

Store at room temperature, away from heat and humidity. Once opened, use promptly; reseal the zipper tightly or transfer to an airtight container. For reference, our team keeps it in airtight jars from IKEA.

All ingredients are pesticide-free, non-GMO whole foods.
All vegetables and fruits are washed with apple cider vinegar or baking soda. All items are freeze-dried and not baked.

• Green Cookies (110–120 g): *Sprouted rolled oats, *Banana, *Baby kale, *Baby spinach, *Baby chard, *Almond.
“Baby” indicates young leaves harvested before full maturity (typically about 15–30 days after sprouting). Compared with mature leaves, they have a milder flavor with less bitterness or astringency, making them easier to eat.

• Orange Cookies (70–80 g): *Carrots (raw & steamed), *Apples, *Sweet potatoes (raw & steamed), Bee pollen.
We include both raw and steamed carrots/sweet potatoes because their nutrient profiles differ—this is a thoughtfully crafted cookie!

• Purple Gray Cookies (90–100 g): *Grapes, *Cauliflower, *Zucchini, *Yellow squash, *Chia seeds.
Chia seeds are pre-soaked. Please note this variety is more fragile than the other two.

* = USDA-certified organic ingredients.

These cookies help preserve each ingredient’s natural color, aroma, and nutritional value.

Green Cookies
• Rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K
• Key minerals—calcium, magnesium, and potassium—to support bones, blood vessels, and muscles
• Healthy fats and proteins

Orange Cookies
• High in vitamin A (beta-carotene), a nutrient many birds lack
• Antioxidants: vitamins A, C, and E, plus polyphenols and flavonoids
• Supports digestive health (pectin + dietary fiber)
• Supports energy metabolism (carbohydrates + B vitamins)

Purple Gray Cookies
• Antioxidants: vitamin C, polyphenols, sulforaphane, and carotenoids
• Supports digestive health (dietary fiber + soluble fiber from chia seeds)
• Cardiovascular support (omega-3s, potassium, polyphenols)
• Bone and muscle health (calcium, magnesium, vitamin K)

June 2026

Please consume as soon as possible after opening, regardless of the best-by date.

Q: Can I feed this as part of a regular meal instead of just as a treat?
A: Yes. We call it a “treat” because it’s fruit-forward to boost palatability, so we don’t recommend using it as the sole staple. It can be given daily as part of a balanced meal. Our team at Pego also serves it at dinner.

Q: Is it okay to serve it dry without adding water?
A: Because it’s an ultra-dry food, we recommend adding moisture whenever possible. If you serve it dry, please make sure your bird is drinking enough water.

Q: Do you recommend specific options for particular parrot species?
A: We don’t offer species-specific recommendations. Choose the cookie that includes ingredients your bird doesn’t usually get in its regular diet.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets maximum “defect action levels” for incidental insect matter, and those limits vary by food type and manufacturing process. Because this product uses pesticide-free ingredients and contains no additives, incidental insects may occasionally be present. Insects associated with produce or herbs (i.e., whole foods) are a natural source of animal protein and are generally not harmful to birds; however, please remove them if you prefer. Returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for issues related to incidental insects.