Can sugar gliders eat blueberries? That’s a common question most sugar glider owners will have asked themselves.
Many people consider blueberries a superfood. They have many nutrients, from vitamins to calcium and other nutrients.
But would fresh blueberries be a superfood to gliders as well? Would your furry friends take to highly beneficial succulent fruits, or would the fruit be harmful?
What sugar glider eat is a question that we will answer on this article, so read on.
Those are the questions this article will answer, so read on.
Check: Sugar Glider Yogurt Drops and Other Healthy Treats
Table of Contents
Can Sugar Gliders Have Blueberries?
Most glider owners want to know the best meals for them. You’re likely to have heard some owners wondering what their pets can or can’t eat.
“Can sugar gliders eat fresh pineapple? Are blueberries good for sugar gliders? What of mangoes?”
If you own one, there must be a time you’ve had such questions. So, can sugar gliders eat blueberries? Yes, they can.
Sugar gliders are famous for having a sweet tooth- the sweet tooth gives them their name. Blueberries are quite sweet, which makes them such a treat.
Besides being sweet, blueberries pack a lot of health benefits (2). They contain high levels of fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids.
Jo Lewin (1), a registered nutritionist, says blueberries are extraordinarily rich in phytochemicals.
So, if you want a healthy diet for your glider, then blueberries should be your go-to fruit for fruit sugars.
You can add some yogurt before giving the fruit to your pet. Yogurt and greens can also form part of the ideal tpg diet for sugar gliders. You didn’t think only toddlers love yogurt, did you?
Although plain yogurt is also a good enough accompaniment, it’s also better to get some Greek yogurt.
We have established gliders can eat the blue fruit. But do they like eating blueberries? Will they willingly eat the blueberries, or will you have to force them?
Here’s a video of a sugar glider eating blueberries
Do Sugar Gliders Like Eating Blueberries?
It is one thing being able to eat something and another to enjoy eating it. I see it with humans all the time.
While children can and should eat vegetables, I see how hard my sister has to struggle to convince her toddlers to try some veggies.
It is the same with your sugar babies. Some will love eating the blueberries, and some won’t. That doesn’t mean the blueberries or the pet have a problem.
If your pet doesn’t want to eat blueberries, don’t force it. Try something else instead. Sugar gliders, like humans, also need time to get used to different food.
So, if, at first, your sugar glider appears not to enjoy eating blueberries, give them time. But then the sugar content in the blueberries is often enough to have your omnivore pet scrambling for them.
RELATED ARTICLE: Can Sugar Gliders Eat Fresh Pineapple?
Are Blueberries Toxic for Sugar Gliders?
Blueberries in their natural state aren’t toxic for gliders. But if the blueberries contain even a trace of pesticides or other chemicals, they will be toxic for them.
Captive sugar gliders have sensitive digestive systems, unlike wild sugar gliders. Even the tiniest chemicals could be harmful to your sugar baby.
Thoroughly clean the blueberries before giving them to your pet sugar glider. Washing under running water for a few minutes should be enough.
Also, no need for warm water since cold water will do just fine. Beware of chlorine in tap water, though. It is also a chemical and might cause problems.
A better option is only to feed them organic blueberries. But then, that isn’t possible for most people. Organically grown blueberries aren’t cheap and can be hard to come by.
Therefore, blueberries are an entirely safe option for a sugar glider diet. They will raise their calcium levels, a component of healthy food for gliders.
But if they contain any chemicals, that makes them toxic.
Can Baby Sugar Gliders Eat Blueberries?
Yes, baby sugar gliders can eat blueberries. Of course, that will depend on the age of the joey. Fruits will already be a part of its diet if it has already been weaned.
The important thing is to ensure you offer the blueberries in moderation. Include some dairy products, oranges, or fresh vegetables if you can.
Like with baby human food, you need to get a perfect balance for all the nutrients. Occasional treats of blueberries will also boost the pet’s calcium to phosphorus ratio as this video says.
What About the Frozen Blueberries?
Frozen blueberries are okay to give to your glider. However, you need to ensure you defrost them first—the same thing for other fruits. Dry blueberries are also okay, even if a bit low in water content.
What you can’t give to your pet glider is canned or processed fruit. Such fruits have artificial sugar that’s harmful to them.
The same applies to other foods. If you’re feeding them leafy vegetables or meat, use only fresh or frozen foods. Gliders aren’t fussy animals and will love the healthy treats.
Of course, sometimes they’ll need a special treat. But since they are your babies you won’t begrudge them that, will you?
ALSO CHECK: Can Sugar Gliders Have Grapes?
Blueberries For Sugar Gliders: Things to Consider
Although it is okay to feed your glider blueberries, there are some things you need to consider.
How Often Can Sugar Gliders Eat Blueberries?
Gliders, like children, can eat fruits all the time if you don’t control their intake. Toddlers don’t mind having ice cream for supper. But then, a balanced diet for your pet shouldn’t hinge too much on one food type.
That can lead to health issues because of a lack of all the required nutrients. Therefore, you need to strike the perfect balance with each meal. (4)
I know you love your sugar babies but you shouldn’t let them eat blueberries all the time. Yes, you can feed them blueberries every day, but only if you carefully manage the rations.
Mix up with other fruits to ensure they get all the variety of nutrients they need. Blueberries don’t carry all the nutrients gliders need for all their sweetness. For instance, they don’t have sodium (3).
Although gliders need relatively small amounts of sodium, a blueberry-exclusive diet will deny them the little sodium they need.
That’s why your furry friend needs a variety of fruits besides blueberries. The best way to do this is to monitor the effect of blueberries on the nutrient ratio and adjust accordingly.
How Much Can Sugar Gliders Eat Blueberries?
Gliders being small animals, don’t eat that much. So, you won’t need too many blueberries to feed one.
A tablespoon of the fruit with another tablespoon of vegetables should be enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sugar gliders eat fruit every day?
Yes, they can. But you need to mix the fruits with other foods like vegetables, worms, or insects for protein.
Can sugar gliders eat just fruit?
Yes, they can. But that won’t be a balanced diet. Even if some fruits are excellent sources of protein, your pets only need them in moderation. That’s why it’s best to have a variety of foods to give them.
Conclusion
Can sugar gliders eat blueberries? The answer is an emphatic yes. You can give them blueberries so long as you balance them with other fruits and foods.
If you were considering feeding your glider blueberries, go right ahead! It will love them!
Have you tried feeding your sugar glider some blueberries? Let us know how it went down in the comment section!
Resources
- 1. Lewin J. The health benefits of blueberries [Internet]. BBC Good Food. 2021. Available from: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-blueberries
- 2. Ware M. Blueberries: Health benefits, facts, and research [Internet]. www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2017. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287710
- 3. Food and Diet – SUGAR GLIDER INFORMATION [Internet]. nhsugargliders.com. [cited 2022 Apr 14]. Available from: http://nhsugargliders.com/estore/glider-information/food-and-diet.html#:~:text=Good%20fruits%20include%20apple%2C%20strawberries
- 4. Dierenfeld E. (PDF) Feeding Behavior and Nutrition of the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) [Internet]. ResearchGate. 2009. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24253523_Feeding_Behavior_and_Nutrition_of_the_Sugar_Glider_Petaurus_breviceps
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