Can Sugar Gliders Eat Strawberries? Is it Safe to Feed Them?

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Sugar gliders are marsupials from Australia.

In the wild, they feed on eucalypt leaves and insects, but the diet has been expanded to include more nutritious foods in captivity.

These include such as fruits, vegetables, and commercial sugar glider food.

So, can sugar gliders eat strawberries?

Do Sugar Gliders Like Eating Strawberries?

Yes, these pets like strawberries because it is a sweet treat!

To show you how much these babies love strawberries, YouTuber Katie Scarlet compiled videos of Sugar Gliders Eating Strawberries.

However, your furry companion has its taste and choice like us people.

Some gliders can be picky eaters. In fact, many of these nocturnal animals are not very fond of strawberries.

If you’re trying to feed your glider with strawberries and they refuse to eat, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean that they’re unwell or in discomfort.

To familiarize them with the fruit, give strawberries as an occasional treat. Offer a small slice of fruit a few times, squeezing it slightly to allow your sugar glider to smell the sweet foods’ nectar easily.

By feeding the glider from time to time, you’ll help them adjust to the new flavor.

According to Board Certified Veterinarian Rosemary Booth, “Sugar gliders kept as pets are more likely to have veterinarian issues(1), especially if their housing and diet aren’t right.”

The challenge to owners is to provide their pets with a healthy food experience through a balanced diet.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Fresh Strawberries, and Should They?

The quick answer is YES. This fruit is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals.

It is also a good source of fiber and has amounts of fiber for better digestive health.

Curious about what’s in a strawberry? Let me break down the essential nutrients I am talking about.

The Nutritional Benefits of a Strawberry

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (2), the extra nutrients are found in 100 grams of strawberry.

First, you get 32 amounts of calories. To people, 32 calories are enough for running up the stairs for three straight minutes. Think of how much energy this equates to your glider.

Next, it is 91% water. What a delicious hydrating treat you can give your sugar baby!

It also consists of protein  0.7 grams of protein, to be exact.

Not only that. Do you know that the fruit’s amount of sugar is 4.9 grams of fruit sugars, with 2 grams of fiber and 0.3 grams of fat?

Strawberries also have tremendous amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin E and are a great source of Vitamin K, Manganese, Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Potassium.

Aside from being a delicious food for the cute messy eaters, strawberries really have a great nutritional profile.

The fruit makes a good part of a natural diet for your sugar baby.

Are Strawberry Tops Calyx Okay For Your Glider?

No, the strawberry calyx is not okay for your glider.

The calyx itself will not kill or harm your pet’s health. However, farmers usually spray pesticides on this part.

It prevents insects from damaging the fruit, keeping them presentable as commercial food for the market.

Be a responsible pet owner. Don’t feed your furry friend pesticides. Their bodies are vulnerable to toxins.

If you want to feed them with calyx, buy organic strawberries.

The nutritional content of these toppers is unknown, So it’s best to take them off to protect your babies.

ALSO CHECK: Can Sugar Gliders Have Bananas?

Are Dried Strawberries Good for Your Glider?

Yes, if the dried strawberries are all-natural, no artificial sweetener is added.

Fresh fruits and fresh greens are always the best options for your furry omnivore companion.

Artificial sugars in processed strawberries can cause high blood sugar levels. It can lead to pet disorders.

If you’re planning your sugar glider snacks,  give dried strawberries in moderation.

Remember that excess sugar, fatty foods, imbalanced calcium levels, and other vitamins and minerals can give your pet health risks.

With any meat, vegetables, and products you feed your baby, make sure that you’re serving a balance of nutrients.

What About Frozen Strawberries for Sugar Gliders?

Yes. Frozen strawberries and blackberries are okay for your babies, though fresh ones are always the best option.

Frozen strawberries are an excellent sweet treat for your furry friends. They will enjoy this refreshing fruit as much as we do.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Strawberry Applesauce?

Your pet can consume strawberry applesauce, unlike strawberry jelly and strawberry jam.

Applesauce is lighter than the other jams due to its watery texture.

However, keep in mind not to overdo it and be aware of the sugar content of this food source.

RELATED ARTICLE: Can Sugar Gliders Have Tomatoes?

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Strawberry Yogurt?

Yes, sugar gliders can eat strawberry yogurt and greek yogurt, plain yogurt, homemade yogurt, and other naturally flavored yogurts.

Again, with this type of food, feed them in moderation. These nocturnal mammals are lactose intolerant, to begin with.

Rather than a meal, you can serve them yogurt as an occasional treat. Natural yogurt is also the most excellent choice of feed among all the options.

Speaking of treats, try looking for the best sugar glider pellet foods that are helpful to your furry friend’s digestion.

Strawberries For Sugar Gliders: Things To Consider

Here’s an overview of the recommended serving size and frequency when feeding your sugar gliders strawberries.

One piece of the fruit is enough to keep them whole for fresh and frozen strawberries.

Don’t overfeed sugar gliders by giving them a whole strawberry every day.

The ideal strategy is to give your buddies a strawberry as part of a changing diet.

Many sugar glider owners aim to keep their sugar gliders’ diets at a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio for good bone health.

Giving a strawberry treat once a week is ideal. For dried strawberries, the perfect feeding is twice a month. 

Even when the strawberry is naturally dried with no artificial sweeteners, the natural sugars are enhanced with dehydrated fruits.

Even though the sweetness of dried strawberries would make your pet munch a lot,   it is not suitable for their fragile health.

It is always best to keep their health intact by feeding them a nutritional sugar-glider diet.

FAQs

Are blackberries suitable for sugar gliders?

Yes. Like strawberries, blackberries are also suitable for sugar gliders.

What foods are harmful to sugar gliders?

Chocolates and dairy products like cheese and milk are harmful to sugar gliders. Also, foods that are treated with pesticides can kill them.

If you’re curious to know if sugar gliders can have bananas or can sugar gliders, have tomatoes and other greens, those with high oxalates impair their calcium absorption.

Conclusion

There’s no more wondering to the question, can sugar gliders eat strawberries?

The answer is a BIG YES! Strawberries are safe for your furry pets to eat as long as feeding is in moderation.

Try feeding your sugar gliders strawberries! Let us know what their reaction is down in the comments!

Resources

• 1. Booth R. Sugar gliders. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine. 2003;12:228–31.
• 2. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central [Internet]. Usda.gov. 2019. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html

Barry Stingmore

Barry Stingmore is a British content writer living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats and has a passion for writing about animals big and small.

Barry loves finding answers to your animal-related questions, the more research involved the better! You can rely on him to find the facts.

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