Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cucumbers?

Cool and refreshing, cucumbers have several health benefits for humans. They are a great addition to many meals and also make a great snack.  Anytime you’re munching on a tasty treat, it’s tempting to share it with your sugar gliders. 

They’re so cute and sweet, surely your sweet suggies deserve a taste of your cucumber.  Before you give your sugar glider any food, it’s important to make sure that the new food isn’t harmful in any way to your wide-eyed friends.

So, what about cucumbers?  Can sugar gliders eat cucumbers?  The quick and easy answer is: Yes, sugar gliders can eat cucumbers, be sure to wash the skin so it is free of wax and pesticides. Like most treats, don’t go overboard with just one type of food.  Be sure to rotate through many fruits and vegetables throughout the week. 

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Cucumber Seeds and Skin?

When it comes to feeding sugar gliders fruits and vegetables, a good rule of thumb is if we eat it, they can eat it.  Cucumber seeds fit this rule perfectly.  Sugar gliders can eat cucumber seeds without problems. 

There are of course other things to consider when feeding your wide-eyed friends fruits and vegetables.  Yes, sugar gliders can eat cucumber skin however there are some things to be aware of.

First, many cucumbers purchased at a grocery store are coated with edible wax.  Grocers use wax to help keep produce fresh.  Though not harmful to humans, sugar gliders should not eat the wax.

The second thing to remember when feeding your sugar glider any produce, whether it has wax on it or not, is to fully wash the skin.  Sugar gliders can’t handle the pesticides found on produce. 

Many sugar glider owners opt to purchase organic produce for their suggies.  Another option is to simply peel the cucumber before feeding it to your sweet pal. 

If you do peel the cucumber before giving a slice to your sugar glider, don’t worry about your pet missing out on a tasty part of the cucumber, your sugar baby won’t even notice.  Most sugar gliders only nibble at the cucumber skin while devouring the rest. 

Can Sugar Gliders Eat Pickles?

With few exceptions, sugar gliders should not have any canned produce.  This is unfortunately true with pickled cucumbers as well.

The canning process uses additives and preservatives that generally aren’t healthy for sugar gliders.  The added vinegar, salt and other ingredients of pickling brine have not place in your sugar glider’s diet. 

What if My Sugar Glider Does Not Like Eating Cucumbers?

Of course, not every sugar glider will go crazy for cucumbers.  For some sugar gliders, new foods need to be offered multiple times before they will even try a bite.  If this is the case with your sugar glider, a good trick is to offer a cucumber treat that is squished a little.  This will help release the juices that could tempt them to give the cucumber a try.

Remember, not every human likes cucumbers, so it is natural that some sugar gliders won’t enjoy them too.  And just like humans, some sugar gliders are very picky eaters.

If your furry friend doesn’t enjoy eating cucumbers, there is nothing to worry about.  Avoiding cucumbers by itself isn’t a sign your sugar glider is sick.

Summary: Can Sugar Gliders Have Cucumbers?

Can sugar gliders eat cucumbers? In a word: Yes!  Sugar gliders can eat cucumbers occasionally.  Cucumber skin and seeds are also fine for your suggies.  Be sure to wash the cucumber well before giving your sugar glider a slice.  Better than washing the cucumber, peel it to make sure you don’t accidentally feed your sweeties pesticides and wax.

As with all produce, fresh cucumbers are the best.  Avoid feeding your sugar glider canned produce.

Many sugar glider owners try to maintain a diet that consists of a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1.  If this is you, you’ll need to weigh adding cucumber to their regular meal in order keep track of their overall calcium to phosphorus ratio.

Remember, not every human likes cucumber, so don’t worry if your sugar glider doesn’t either.