Can Sugar Gliders Eat Kiwi?
Kiwis, they are juicy and sweet with just enough tartness to balance them out. Truly, they are amazing little fruits. Not only are kiwis very delicious, but some also even consider them a superfood.
Since you enjoy eating kiwis, which have the added benefit of also being good for you, you’ve likely wondered if your sugar gliders would also enjoy eating a kiwi. Even better if it’s also a very healthy snack for them too!
Before you offer any of your food or snacks to your sugar gliders, always look into whether or not your sugar gliders can eat it as well. While most of the raw fruit and vegetables we eat is fine for sugar gliders, not all of them are.
So, what about kiwis? Can sugar gliders eat kiwi? The quick and easy answer is: Yes, sugar gliders can eat kiwis. Be sure to remove the skin from any bite you offer your furry friends. Also, kiwi should be treated to sugar gliders in small amounts.
Contents
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Kiwi Skin and Kiwi Seeds?
When it comes to fruit and vegetables that are safe for sugar gliders to eat there’s a good rule of thumb to follow. While it doesn’t apply to all produce, it does apply to most.
Luckily, it also goes for kiwis as well. If you can safely eat a part of the fruit, your sugar glider can too. Just like you wouldn’t eat the skin, it is best to remove it from any piece you want to treat your suggies to.
While sugar gliders will likely ignore the skin, you don’t want to tempt. Especially considering the various pesticides and herbicides used in today’s farming. Your sugar gliders really shouldn’t be consuming them.
Kiwi seeds are safe for sugar gliders to eat. While some seeds, such as apple seeds shouldn’t be fed to sugar gliders, kiwi seeds are fine. However, many sugar glider owners say that their wide-eyed pals will leave the seeds behind.
If this is the case with your sugar gliders, you’ll need to decide what is easier to clean up. Seeds left behind by your sweet friends, or cleaning the seeds (such as with tweezers) from kiwi beforehand.
Can Sugar Gliders Have Cooked Kiwi?
While kiwis are most often eaten raw, there are a number of recipes that call for cooked kiwi. Not to mention compotes and jellies. Kiwi raw or cooked is fine for your lovable sugar gliders, however, the kiwi needs to be only kiwi. Usually when cooking kiwi sugar or other ingredients are added that do not belong in your sugar gliders’ diets.
Jelly, jams and canned kiwi should not be fed to sugar gliders at all. All of these involve adding preservatives, additives or extra ingredients that could be harmful to your suggies.
So, if you find your sugar gliders prefer kiwi that is slightly cooked. Go ahead and treat them to it without worries. Just remember to not let your little buddies have cooked kiwi that has anything added to it.
Why Should Sugar Gliders Should Eat Kiwi in Moderation?
While some sugar gliders will absolutely love kiwi, there are a few reasons you should make sure they eat more than just kiwi for each meal.
Many sugar glider owners try to maintain a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1 in their lovable friends’ diets. Kiwi is nearly the opposite of that at about 0.7 to 1. So, you’ll need to find more calcium rich foods or supplements to offset any kiwi you treat your sugar gliders to.
Next, some sugar glider owners report kiwi giving their tiny friends diarrhea. While this won’t happen with every sugar glider, you don’t want to chance it. If you’ve had to clean up after this mess before you know it isn’t fun. Make sure there are other foods in your sugar gliders meal to lower the chances of this.
Finally, sugar gliders need many nutrients to live long and healthy lives. Kiwis alone simply won’t provide everything your furry friends need. Though kiwi is still a fine addition to your sugar glider’s meal or a good treat.
How Can I Get My Sugar Glider to Like Eating Kiwi?
If your sugar glider doesn’t like kiwi don’t worry, not every sugar glider does. If you often enjoy kiwi and would like to share it with your picky friend be sure to offer it more than once.
Some sugar gliders need to be around a new food a few times before they even give it a taste! If your sweeties are like this, be sure to also slightly squish the kiwi bite before giving it to them.
This will get the juices flowing a little and release more of that delicious kiwi smell. With a little luck, it’ll tempt your reluctant eater to try a bite.
Summary: Can Sugar Gliders Have Kiwi?
Can sugar gliders eat kiwi? In a word: Yes! Sugar gliders can eat kiwi and kiwi seeds as long as it is in moderation. Be sure remove the skin before feeding it to your sugar glider.
Cooked kiwi is also fine for your lovable pals as long as there is no sugar or anything else added to it.
As with most produce, avoid feeding your sugar glider canned kiwi, they shouldn’t be eating the extra additives the canning process uses.
Don’t worry if your sugar glider doesn’t gobble up kiwi. Not every sugar glider will love it.
Finally, be sure to keep track of your sugar glider’s overall calcium to phosphorus ratio.