Can Sugar Gliders Eat Tomatoes? (Proper Feeding Guide)

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Can sugar gliders eat tomatoes? They are picky eaters, so you must be curious about what they can or cannot eat.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to whether or not sugar gliders can eat tomatoes.

Spoiler alert: yes, they can! But there are a few things to keep in mind before feeding them this fruit. Read on to learn more.

Do Sugar Gliders Like Eating Tomatoes?

You’re not alone. Every pet owner thought about this.

Naturally, you would like to know if your pets will enjoy a particular food before feeding it. The answer is that each glider is one-of-a-kind.

They’re all unique individuals with their preferences and dislikes. Maybe your glider will eat a tomato, and perhaps it won’t.

Don’t be concerned if it doesn’t. You can give it a variety of fruits and veggies as alternatives.

Before you give it a try, let me tell you about the health benefits for your pet.

Here’s a quick look at a sugar glider casually eating a tomato.

Also Check: Yogurt Drops for Sugar Gliders and Other Healthy Treats

Is Tomato Good for a Sugar Glider?

Yes. Aside from being beautiful, delicious, and versatile vegetables, tomatoes are packed with essential vitamins and extra nutrients.

Sugar gliders are omnivores. In the wild, these little guys eat insects and nectar primarily.

As a sugar glider parent, you know the struggle of getting human food options with significant health benefits for your pet.

What makes fresh tomatoes stand out? It is packed with a wide variety of essential nutrients for your pet glider.

Tomatoes are a great feeding option because it is an excellent source of fiber, and they make excellent sources of protein.

The fruit also has high amounts of Vitamin A and generous amounts of Vitamin C to keep your furry pal away from health risks.

It doesn’t end there. Here is a detailed list of the Nutrition Facts (1) a small (100 gram) tomato has.

First, a tomato has 18 calories and 9 grams of carbohydrates, which means energy enough to do a non-stop 5-minute boxing exercise. What more power can it give your furry pal?

It also consists of 95% water to keep your babies hydrated and refreshed! It also has 6 grams of sugar and 2 grams of insoluble fiber to keep them safe from dietary-related diseases.

Tomatoes are high in protein (9 grams) and low in fat (2 grams), which is good to help your pet become strong.

What a wonderful thing to have a low-calorie, low-fat vegetable on your furry friend’s diet.

No, we’re not done yet! Micronutrients should not be overlooked (vitamins and minerals). Check out these vitamins and minerals they have in good supply.

1- Folate (Vitamin B9)

It keeps the gliders going! This vitamin assists metabolism, allowing your sugar glider to get energy from the food you provide.

2- Vitamin K1

Vitamin K1 is necessary for healthy bones! Tomatoes also have a good level of vitamin K1 in them.

3- Antioxidants

This food for gliders gives them a shield against diseases and disorders in sugar gliders.

Vitamin C is abundant in tomatoes. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that protects your glider from DNA damage that causes age-related diseases.

Beta carotene, lycopene, and chlorogenic acid are some of the other antioxidants in this diet.

Antioxidants also promote healthy skin development. Your fur babies will have a shiny, glowing coat.

4- Potassium

The mineral K. The potassium-rich vegetable keeps the glider’s heart healthy and strong.

Now that you know that tomatoes are safe to eat, let’s talk about whether or not all types and parts of tomatoes are suitable for your baby. 

Here’s a quick rundown on the benefits of consuming tomatoes

Do I Need to Peel Grapes and Tomatoes for Sugar Gliders?

Yes. If the food items came from a commercial or grocery store, you should peel grapes and tomatoes for sugar gliders before you feed them.

When feeding tomato peel, you must be more cautious. To help tomatoes keep moisture on their journey from field to store shelf, some grocers apply wax to the skin.

While this wax is safe for people, it can be harmful.

To safeguard their tomatoes, many producers employ pesticides and fungicides. These, in particular, should not be consumed by your buddies.

Sugar gliders are more susceptible to unpleasant side effects than people.

To avoid chemicals, properly wash any tomato before feeding. (it doesn’t make sense)

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, it’s standard advice to peel them before giving them to your babies to ensure you don’t mistakenly feed them something harmful.

If you’re wondering how, here’s a YouTube video on how to easily peel a tomato.

Unfortunately, peeling tomatoes without making a mess is practically difficult. So, the best option for your babies is to buy organic tomatoes.

This will ensure that you don’t give your glider friends anything they shouldn’t eat.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Grape Tomatoes?

Yes. You can feed your sugar gliders with grape tomatoes.

A grape tomato is a type of tomato shaped like an oval plum. It is smaller and sweeter than a cherry tomato. 

In one Washington Post feature article, writer Carole Sugarman describes the tomatoes like this:

“They have a higher sugar content than conventional tomatoes, and their smaller, bite-sized shape makes them easier to eat,” which is ideal for your furry companion. (2)”

Remember to take off the grape skins before feeding, or buy the organic ones to keep your gliders safe.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cherry Tomatoes?

Yes! You can feed cherry tomatoes to sugar gliders.

Cherry tomatoes have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. These types of tomatoes are also rich in an antioxidant called lycopene.

Unlike carrots or other simple leafy greens, there are thousands of tomato types when feeding your pet.

The good thing is that all varieties of tomatoes are safe for your babies to eat!

Anything from cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, green tomatoes, or large beefsteak tomatoes will do.

As long as it came from a tomato plant, you can give any raw tomato to your pet guilt-free.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Tomato Sauce?

No. Tomato sauce is filled with additives and sugars that will ruin your babies’ diet.

Feeding canned tomatoes to your pets is not a good idea. Blend a fresh tomato and give them the juice if you want to offer them sauce.

Try sun-dried or dehydrated tomatoes if you want a different tomato flavor. Ensure they don’t have any additional salt, taste enhancers, or other substances.

The nocturnal animals’ natural diet provides all the salt they require. You need not feed them any salty treats.

Tomatoes For Sugar Gliders: What to Consider

There are several things to consider when giving your pet a treat. Like when feeding them bananas, oranges, or any vegetable, you always have to provide them with a balanced diet.

RELATED ARTICLE: Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cucumbers?

How Often Should You Feed Your Furry Friends Tomatoes?

Always feed in moderation.

Despite the health perks that eating tomatoes provide for your furry companions, the high acid level in tomatoes can be harmful if gliders consume too much.

You should include tomatoes in your pet’s regular diet. You can feed them once or twice a week at most.

Many pet owners are even more cautious, limiting tomato consumption to once a month.

Tomatoes are acceptable as a snack, a side dish, or even combined with their typical veggie salad. Make sure tomatoes aren’t the main course at any meal or day.

Note: Beware of the Calcium Phosphorus Ratio

When feeding, it’s critical to consider the calcium to phosphorus ratio.

This is critical because if they don’t get the right balance in their diet, calcium deficiency can lead to issues like hind leg paralysis.

High levels of calcium can be fatal to your pet too.

Your glider’s diet would contain 1 to 2 times higher calcium than phosphorus in an ideal world. In other words, your glider’s diet should not have less calcium than phosphorus.

How Many Tomatoes Can Sugar Gliders Eat?

Here’s what you have to note about feeding your gliders with tomatoes.

The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in green tomatoes differs from that of red tomatoes. Please take a closer look at their respective proportions.

• 4 mg calcium – 50.4 mg phosphorus in 1 cup green – 0.5:1 ratio
• 9 mg calcium – 43.2 mg phosphorus in 1 cup red – 0.2:1 ratio

As you can see, green tomatoes offer higher calcium to phosphorus ratio. 

You can also believe that tomatoes are sour for your nocturnal pet since they don’t follow the calcium/phosphorus ratio.

However, just because a food does not fit into the ratio does not mean it is off-limits. They can, as long as their overall diet follows the balance.

FAQs

Conclusion

Will you ask me again if sugar gliders can eat tomatoes? 

Well, definitely YES! Sugar gliders can eat tomatoes in moderation.

For the best interest of your lovely pet, always choose the natural and organic ones.

Have you tried feeding your sugar glider with tomatoes? Let us know how it turned out in the comment section below!

Resources

• 1. Bjarnadottir A. Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits [Internet]. Healthline. 2019. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/tomatoes#nutrition
• 2. Sugarman C. Attack Of the Grape Tomatoes. Washington Post [Internet]. 2001 Sep 12; Available from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/food/2001/09/12/attack-of-the-grape-tomatoes/f568663b-148f-4625-8342-6f9ba930b753/

Ben Roberts

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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