Thinking fresh cucumbers would make a great treat for your furry friend but can sugar gliders eat cucumbers?
Will it harm them? Or is this refreshing fruit a good healthy treat?
In this fact-based guide, I will help you decide whether you should feed your babies cucumbers.
Table of Contents
Are Cucumbers Safe for Sugar Gliders?
The answer is a resounding YES. Cucumbers are safe for your sugar baby to eat.
When it comes to these fresh fruits, there are two types of cucumbers available. They are American cucumbers and English cucumbers.
You can feed your fur babies either type of cucumber.
Like any other food for gliders, you should feed the amounts of fruit in moderation.
Is Cucumber Toxic For Sugar Gliders?
When given as an occasional treat, cucumbers are not toxic for your pet.
As glider owners, you must maintain a balanced diet for your babies. An improper diet can upset your sugar baby’s calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Learn from a vet, what food you need to avoid to keep your pet healthy.
OK, so you know it is safe for your glider to eat cucumber, but is it healthy?
What’s in a Cucumber? Is it Healthy for Sugar Gliders?
We know the fruit’s benefits for humans. What about the small creatures?
Medical writer Mary Jo Dilonardo shared the nutritional facts found in a single, medium, raw cucumber. [1]
Curious? Here’s an illustration for you.
- Calories (30) are enough for a person to run up the stairs for 5 minutes.
- It consists of protein (3 grams of protein) for muscle repair and strong bones.
- Cucumber has 2 grams of fiber content for good digestion.
- It has essential vitamins like Vitamin K for blood health.
- The fruit has enough amounts of Vitamin C as an antioxidant.
- It also makes an excellent source of potassium, manganese, and magnesium.
- The fruit is 96% water. Feeding with cucumber is also like hydrating your pet with fresh water.
Aside from that, one key player of the cucumber plant is that it is an excellent source of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is thought to aid vision, the immune system, and reproduction. It also ensures that organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys function well.
Carrots are also a good source of vitamin A. Now that is making you think “can sugar gliders have carrots?” That’s covered in another guide.
Convinced enough to feed them cucumbers?
Or do you want to learn more? Let’s keep going.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cucumber Seeds?
Yes, your sugar babies can eat cucumber seeds.
There is nothing toxic in the seeds. So, you can leave them on for feeding.
What About the Cucumber Skin?
Gliders can eat cucumber skin but you need to take precautions. Yet, keep this fact in mind.
Supermarkets coat many cucumber skins with edible wax to keep them fresh.
Whether waxed or not, make sure the skin is spotless when feeding your baby any produce. Some farmers spray cucumber plants with chemicals that your pets are sensitive to.
Harmful substances have the potential to kill your pet. You would not want to feed your furry companion pesticides.
To make feeding with cucumber safe, always peel the skin before feeding.
Another alternative is always to buy organic fruits & vegetables. It will save you from worry.
TRY READING: Can Sugar Gliders Have Celery?
Do Sugar Gliders Like Eating Cucumbers?
It is impossible to know if all sugar gliders like cucumbers. You won’t know if your glider will enjoy eating cucumbers until you try. Each of your pet sugar gliders has a different appreciation of food.
They could be picky eaters at first, so don’t let this worry you.
Let your fur baby take time to become familiar with a cucumber treat. Adding a feeding option to your furry friend’s varied diet could take many attempts.
Here’s a tip. To activate the cucumber’s juices, squish it.
This can help tempt your pet to taste a piece of cucumber.
Glider owner Nyonya TV shared their YouTube video about the pet tasting cucumber for the first time. It’s pretty adorable.
The caption talks about the pet’s excitement about the treat.
It says, “When he [glider] sensed I was peeling the fruit, it would jump. He would take it from my hand before I could lift the cage gate.”
This is one of the lucky instances where food introduction went well.
If your experience isn’t the same, it’s okay. Your patience will pay off soon.
Cucumbers For Sugar Gliders: Things To Consider
There are things to consider when feeding your baby with cucumber.
You could ask me why the right serving size and timing matter.
Rosemary J. Booth is a board-certified Veterinarian that handles exotic animals.
She said, “Many disorders and diseases that occur in sugar gliders are related to dietary imbalances, including malnutrition, obesity, and vitamin and mineral imbalances. Others are related to infection with bacteria, fungi, or parasites.” [2]
A well-balanced diet will prevent disorders in sugar gliders.
High calcium levels in small animals can lead to kidney or urinary stones. But, calcium deficiency will weaken their bones and teeth.
This is the main reason why sugar glider diets should be closely watched and balanced.
How Often Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cucumbers?
You can feed your sugar baby with cucumber, at most, every other day.
For starters, you can give cucumbers as a special treat.
Because these safe fruits are low in calories, there isn’t much of a risk of overfeeding. Even if your glider eats too much, it won’t get fat. Yet, always look for alternatives to cucumbers as variety is important.
There are alternative fruits in the market with essential nutrients for your pet. Also, too many cucumbers cause diarrhea due to the high water content.
For first-time feeding, start with a little slice of cucumber to observe how they react. If they like it, give them more the next time.
Introducing new foods to their diet gradually gives their digestive system time to adjust.
How Many Cucumbers Can Sugar Gliders Eat?
A slice of cucumber will do. If you’re chopping them in cubes, feed your pet with a tablespoon of the fruit per serving.
You can serve them fruits and greens as an evening snack.
FAQs
Is Cucumber Healthy For Your Sugar Glider?
Yes, cucumber is healthy food for your glider pets. But, there are better glider food options with extra nutrients as a healthy treat.
The best food for sugar gliders is a correct, balanced diet.
What are sugar gliders’ favorite foods?
Bananas, strawberries, and leafy greens are among the best foods for sugar gliders. They also love to feed on nectar from tree saps and pollen as part of their natural diet.
Because they are omnivorous, gliders also love to feed on insects and small reptiles.
What do I feed my sugar glider daily?
An ideal meal should consist of excellent sources of protein. Add some sugar glider pellets with a tablespoon or slice of fresh vegetables and fruit per day.
To avoid a lack of nutrients in the diet, sugar glider owners feed their pets with a BML sugar glider diet.
You may also see if sugar gliders can eat tomatoes. The fruit makes a good food choice for your pet.
What Other Cucumber Alternatives Can Sugar Gliders Eat?
Give fresh carrots, raw corn, and apples for the best sugar glider treats. Also, try strawberries, mango, and papaya.
Conclusion
Just to sum everything up.
The answer to “Can sugar gliders eat cucumbers?” is an absolute yes!
Always remember to feed fresh and organic ones in moderation.
Happy eating!
Can sugar gliders eat cucumbers? Please let us know your opinion below!
Resources
- Mary Jo DiLonardo. “Health Benefits of Cucumber.” WebMD, WebMD, 23 July 2019, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cucumber-health-benefits.
- “Disorders and Diseases of Sugar Gliders – All Other Pets.” Veterinary Manual, www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/sugar-gliders/disorders-and-diseases-of-sugar-gliders.
My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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