Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cantaloupe?

Whether you are eating a slice on the rind, as part of a salad or wrapped in prosciutto, cantaloupe is always a delicious treat.  If you’re lucky enough to get a perfectly sweet, freshly picked cantaloupe from a farm side stand, even better!

You love cantaloupe, and you love your sugar gliders.  So, why not feed cantaloupe to your lovable suggies?  It is a good habit to always make sure the food you are going to feed your pets is safe and healthy for them before giving it to them.

So, what about cantaloupe?  Can sugar gliders eat cantaloupe?  The quick and easy answer is: Yes, sugar gliders can eat cantaloupe, but avoid giving them the rind and seeds.  And, like most treats, make sure you feed your sugar glider cantaloupe in moderation.

Why Can’t Sugar Gliders Eat Cantaloupe Rind and Seeds?

Most produce that is store bought has been treated with pesticides and fertilizers.  A good rinse can usually remove enough of this to make it safe for human consumption.  Unfortunately, our little wide-eyed buddies are much more likely to be affected by even trace amounts of pesticides. 

Since most people are not in the habit of thoroughly washing their melons before serving them, it’s best to remove the flesh of the cantaloupe from the rind before serving it to your sugar glider.

What is wrong with serving cantaloupe seeds to sugar gliders?  The rule of thumb when it comes to feeding fruit and vegetables to your sugar gliders is to only feed them the parts of the plant you eat yourself.  We remove the seeds from a cantaloupe before we eat it, so it is best to do the same for your sugar gliders.

How Do I Feed Cantaloupe to Sugar Gliders?

When it comes feeding sugar gliders cantaloupe, and all other fruit and vegetables, fresh and frozen are the best.  Always try to avoid feeding your furry friends anything canned. 

Avoiding canned foods rules out some of our favorite, though not always healthy, ways to eat cantaloupe.  Sugar gliders should not have any sort of cantaloupe jams, jellies, or preserves. 

After cleaning the seeds from the cantaloupe and cutting away the rind, you can give your sugar glider a small slice.  Some owners prefer to cube the cantaloupe.  Cubing the cantaloupe will make it easier for you to control the portion your sugar glider eats.

As with all safe treats, sugar gliders should have cantaloupe as part of a rotating diet.  No single food will give your sugar glider all the nutrients it needs to live a healthy life. 

Additionally, make sure your sugar glider eats more than just cantaloupe in a day.  As you can see, 1 cup of cantaloupe (way more than you would feed a sugar glider!) doesn’t have a lot of the nutrition your suggies need.  So, they will need to save room for other food. 

If your sugar glider doesn’t like cantaloupe, there is no need to worry.  Some sugar gliders are just picky eaters. 

Many sugar glider owners try to maintain a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1 in their furry friend’s diet.  If this is you, be aware of how cantaloupe will change the ratio when added to their daily diet. 

Summary: Can Sugar Gliders Have Cantaloupe?

Can sugar gliders eat cantaloupe? In a word: Yes!  Sugar gliders can eat cantaloupe in moderation.  Be sure to clean out the seeds and remove the rind before giving it to your sugar glider. 

As with most produce, avoid feeding your sugar glider canned cantaloupe.  And keep track of their overall calcium to phosphorus ratio.

Remember, not every human likes cantaloupe (as crazy as that sounds!), so don’t worry if your sugar glider doesn’t either.