Pet owners may think the best way to bond with their pets is through food and diet. While this can be true, people should still know how to control the food intake of their pets, especially with the teeny tiny bodies of sugar gliders.
Read on to learn what foods are toxic to sugar gliders that a responsible pet owner should avoid.
Wildlife Diet
When sugar gliders are in their natural habitat in the wild, they have a seasonal wildlife diet. According to a study done to observe gliding marsupials in Australia (Smith, 1982), insects are for warm summer nights, while plant exudates are for cold winter nights.
That same study found that sugar gliders prefer to feed on insects if available. They will only resort to eating sap and nectar during colder months when insects are less abundant.
Now, flying marsupials that are kept as pets should have a diet that nearly resembles their food intake in the wild. However, pet owners should know what foods are toxic to sugar gliders to avoid health-related complications.
Regulated Food For Your Gliders
The small body that your pet has is a literal reminder that having anything too much is terrible. Too many carbohydrates and excessive sugar intake could lead to health problems for your sugar glider.
Therefore, you should avoid giving the following foods in an excessive amount to your marsupial pet:
- Bird seeds (contain a high level of fat)
- Corn (has low nutritional value)
- Fruits like Figs and Pears (too much sugar)
- Fruits like Orange (too much in citrus)
- Lettuce (has no nutritional value)
- Nuts (contain a high level of fat)
- Mealworms (too much fat yet small amount of calcium)
- Pork (contains too much sodium)
Foods To Avoid At All Costs
The foods listed in the section above are only harmful to your gliding pet if taken too much. Be familiar with what foods are toxic to sugar gliders. Remember, even the most minuscule portion of it could harm your sweet glider.
Chocolates, especially dark chocolate, can be lethal to your sugar glider. Just like in dogs, products that contain caffeine, like coffee, soda, and tea, are too dangerous for your pet.
Garlic and Onion are also fatal for your pet as they can cause abnormalities in their bloodstream, specifically in their red blood cells.
Even though wild sugar gliders typically feed on insects, the domesticated ones should not eat bugs or insects outside your house. These vermin could be exposed to insecticides, which can be deadly for your pet.
Urinary stones could also develop in your pet’s bladder and kidney when given foods high in oxalates. These stones can be harmful and even deadly if not immediately treated.
Foods that contain a high level of oxalates are Chard, Collard Greens, Kale, and Spinach, and as a responsible pet owner, you should avoid giving them to your sugar glider.
Conclusion
After knowing what foods are toxic to sugar gliders, you should be able to take extra care of them. Be mindful of what you feed them, and ensure that they do not find themselves in front of these dangerous foods. Show your love to them by providing what they need and protecting them from toxic foods!