Can Sugar Gliders Eat Watermelon? [+ Nutrition Facts]

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Can sugar gliders eat watermelon? This delicious fruit is loved by millions of people around the world for good reasons.

I love an occasional treat by snacking on this wonder fruit because it offers so many health benefits. Besides, it’s so refreshing.

And yes!

My sugar glider loves it just as much.

Follow the discussion to understand why a sugar glider can eat watermelon.

READ MORE: Can Sugar Gliders Eat Blueberries?

Can Sugar Gliders Have Watermelon? 

In case you are asking yourself whether sugar gliders have watermelon, the definite answer is yes!

@adlezhylia Watermelon 🍉 #petaurodoaçucar #petauro#cutepets #cutepet #cute #sugarglider #sugerglidermoment #sugargliderlovers ♬ Watermelon Sugar – Paul Moonlight

Sugar gliders have a taste for sweet things and watermelon is one of their favorite treats.

In addition, there are many reasons why sugar gliders like melons. 

  • Easy to munch

Unlike other fruits such as oranges, which have many fibers, watermelons are soft and spongy.

As you can see in this YouTube video, the sugar glider is munching and chewing a watermelon with his tiny, delicate teeth. 

  • Easy on the stomach

Sugar gliders have sensitive stomachs. Turns out, the naturally occurring protozoa 5 live in their digestive tract and may upset their tummies. [1]

For this reason, a soft diet like watermelon is ideal to avoid stomach problems.

  • High water content

Although sugar gliders are resistant to many diseases, they are susceptible to dehydration and hypothermia. [2]

This is because they are in the wild, where the weather can be so inclement.

What I love about watermelons is the high water content that keeps them hydrated.

A snack of the melon on a hot summer afternoon has the glider jumping from branch to branch with excitement.

  • Packed with nutrients

With a watermelon snack, I do not have to worry about a nutrient deficiency in my little pet because they are packed with nutrients.

In the video below, Dr. David Burst ( a professional vet with over 20 years of experience) explains facts about nutrition and how you should feed your pet.

He states that 90% of health problems in sugar gliders are due to improper diet. Therefore the diet for sugar gliders should be well balanced for their overall wellbeing.

Watermelons, for example, contain vitamin C, which boosts the pet’s immunity and protects them from disease. Also, these fruits are rich in calcium, which is good for your pet’s bones. 

And that’s not all of it.

Watermelons also contain sugars such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose in relatively small amounts.

So you do not have to worry about your pet adding pounds of body weight.

However, the fruit also provides a small amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, you can serve it along with other foods such as ripened bananas.

You can also throw a little romaine lettuce and corn on the cob for a balanced diet.

The following table shows the nutritional value of a serving of watermelon slices.

Type of NutrientContent
Calories46
Total fat0.2g
Sodium1.5mg
Carbohydrate12 grams
Dietary fiber0.6 grams
Sugar9.6 grams
Protein0.9 gram
Vitamin D0 mg
Calcium11 mg
Iron0.4 mg
Potassium172gm

Is Watermelon Toxic for Sugar Gliders?

a set of cut watermelons

Watermelon is a summer favorite, but is it safe for sugar gliders?

As summer’s in full swing now with watermelon season, many of you may have been wondering if this fruit is safe for your adorable sugar gliders to eat

I’ve already discussed the whole array of watermelons. But everything has to be done in moderation.

Gliders are small-bodied and overfeeding can result in excess weight gain that can cause health complications that can even result in premature death.

Most farmers also use pesticides on watermelons. The pesticides are toxic to sugar gliders. So always make sure to thoroughly clean the fruits or alternatively ensure you buy organic fruits.

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Watermelon Seeds?

watermelon seeds laying around the ground

Often your fascinating sugar glider eats the whole fruit, including the fresh and the seeds, without caring about anything. 

However, because they are tiny, their throats are equally small. Therefore, there is a risk of choking which can be fatal if you are not nearby. 

Also, the seeds contain a dose of cyanide, a naturally occurring compound that can have deadly consequences. [3]

Instead, feed your pet sugar glider with a few watermelon pieces.

ALSO CHECK: Can Sugar Gliders Have Strawberries?

Are Watermelon Rinds Safe for Sugar Gliders?

a set of uneaten watermelon rinds

Watermelon rinds are hard and can burp their sensitive mouths as they eat it.

Worse still, they can interfere with their digestive systems since the pieces take a long period of time to be broken down.

In my own experience, I always remove the rind and seeds and then cut the fruit into small pieces.

Although this seems like a lot of work, it can save you a trip to the vet!

Do Sugar Gliders Like Eating Watermelon?

sugar glider eating a watermelon

I’m sure you’re wondering if sugar gliders like watermelon. The answer is, yes! Sugar gliders love watermelon because it’s sweet and refreshing.

Considering the little critters love to nibble on sweet things, it seems obvious that they would naturally like watermelons.

But just as there are people who do not necessarily like the taste and feel of the fruit, some gliders may not like it.

So it’s best to give your pet glider the fruit in small amounts for it to get accustomed to it.

In no time your fur baby might get a liking to it, but if they don’t then just try other fruits.

Sugar Glider and Watermelon: Things to Consider

person thinking

Before you hop from one grocery shop to another to find a juicy melon, there are a few things to keep in mind.

How often you can feed this watermelon to your pet glider?

You can feed your sugar glider pieces of watermelon on a daily basis. However, a varied diet is recommended for overall health. 

It is important to give your pet a balanced diet so that they get enough nutrients. 

Safe Quantity to Eat

quantity sign

Unlike canned food, which contains traces of chemicals, and organic watermelon is a natural diet and is safe for your pet.

However, you must limit the amount of watermelon you feed your pet without causing complications.

In general, sugar gliders eat up to 20% of their body weight daily. This is not really much, as they only weigh about 5 ounces. [4]

Therefore, 2 to 3 teaspoons of fresh watermelon per day are sufficient.

Of course, gliders are picky eaters, so introduce new fruits or foods in small pieces.

Here’s why!

If they like fruit, there is a good chance they will over-eat it, causing digestive problems. 

FAQs 

Can sugar gliders eat the white part of watermelon?

It’s not recommended because it’s somewhat rough and your glider may have trouble chewing and swallowing.

Can sugar gliders eat watermelon seeds?

watermelon seeds laying around the ground

As with the rind, your small pet may choke when eating watermelon seeds.

Can baby sugar gliders eat watermelon?

Baby sugar gliders, or joeys, feed exclusively on their mothers’ milk for the first eight weeks of their lives.

After that,  you can feed them small portions of melon.

Be careful not to overfeed your sugar baby, though!

What should I not feed my sugar glider?

canned food stacked up

Avoid feeding your sugar glider canned food, as it can contain crazy chemicals that can harm your pet.

Also avoid chocolate, soda, and all human beverages as they are toxic.

Conclusion

Can sugar gliders eat watermelon?

Yes, sugar gliders can eat melon as long as you get rid of the rind and seeds. Be sure to offer small pieces to avoid ingestion.

Although sugar gliders can eat a wide variety of plants, do not worry if your small pet prefers some over others. [5]

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Watermelon

Have you tried feeding your sugar gliders some watermelon? How was their response? Please share with us down below!

Resources

  • 1. Protozoal Parasites [Internet]. GliderCENTRAL. Available from: https://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/162462/protozoal-parasites
  • 2. Pocket Pets | Nation’s Leading Source for Sugar Glider Supplies [Internet]. Pocket Pets. [cited 2022 Apr 29]. Available from: https://www.sugargliderinfo.org/pages/signs-of-a-sick-sugar-glider
  • 3. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Cyanide-content-mg-100-g-of-the-watermelon-Citrullus-lanatus-rind-and-seed-result_fig1_282462386
  • 4. Tynes VV. Behavior of Exotic Pets [Internet]. Google Books. John Wiley & Sons; 2010. Available from: https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=kPFW95tjKpQC&oi=fnd&pg=PA181&dq=sugar+gliders+eat+up+to+15-20%25+of+their+body&ots=wUocw3FsCc&sig=cCazVpyRZV9g6zYvprK-OhqBO-8&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=sugar%20gliders%20eat%20up%20to%2015-20%25%20of%20their%20body&f=false
  • 5. Dierenfeld ES. Feeding Behavior and Nutrition of the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice. 2009;12:209–15.
Ben Roberts
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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