Can sugar gliders eat bananas
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas?
You made it here so you may have the following questions
CanBanana Be Included in Your Sugar Gliders Diet?
AreBananas Good For my Sugar Gliders Health?
You may also be thinking of adding bananas as a potassium supplement in your pet sugar gliders diet.
Bananas are highly nutritious and readily available throughout the year. They are a great source of potassium and proteins; many pets go crazy for bananas!
If you have a sugar baby and are wondering whether or not bananas are safe for him to have, youre in the right place!
This article will answer the question, Can sugar gliders eat bananas?in detail.
Read on to know more!
Yes or No: Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas?
The answer is yes.
Like various other fruits, such as watermelons, apples, etc. bananas are safe for your sugar glider to munch on.
No research study would advise you against feeding bananas to your sugar baby.
But, theres one thing that youve got to keep in mind.
You cant give the banana to your sugar glider as is. Youll have to peel the skin off, and cut it into small pieces so that your furry little munchkin can enjoy the fruit!
We recommend the Stainless Steel 5 oz hanging pet bowl to put the banana slices in for your sugar bear!
Thats it; you can let him nibble away!
But, Would They Eat Them?
Sugar Gliders are curious eaters.
Theyd nibble on anything they get their mouths on. So, the chances are that your sugar baby would enjoy munching on some banana.
But, not all sugar gliders are the same.
While some enjoy the taste of bananas, others dont care for the taste. So, dont be surprised if your sugar glider doesnt taste or even touch the bananas that youve left for him.
Keep in mind that your gliders tastes and preferences may even change over time.
Or, he could be a little moody when it comes to food.
All you can do is try and hope they accept the treat youre offering!
Does your little munchkin go bananas for a banana? Let us know in the comments!
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas? (Peels, Dried, and Frozen)
Sharing is caring!
Gliders love fruit but can your pet sugar gliders eat bananas?
It is important to follow a strict diet to keep your furbaby happy and healthy so as a glider parent you need to know what food is safe, like bananas.
Here, I will focus on bananas, if theyre safe, their nutrient profile, and how much you can feed.
So lets get started!
Can Sugar Gliders Have Bananas?
The quick answer is: yes! Your sugar baby can havethis sweet fruittreat.
In fact, the TikTok Community is obsessed with sugar gliders eating bananas. Theyve been sharing pet videos all over the platform.
If you regularly consume fresh bananas, you are surely aware of their health benefits. In fact, the term superfood came from promoting them!
The fruit is low in fat and calories but high in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber.
Heres a quick video about a sugar glider eating a banana.
ALSO CHECK: Can Sugar Gliders Eat Strawberries?
The Good Thing About Bananas
This food is a nutrient-dense fruit that is widely available all year. For the nutritional benefits, it is an excellent source of potassium and proteins.
Wondering about the fruits nutritional profile? (1) Here is an overview of what a 100-gram serving of the fruit contains, according to Healthline Medical Research Manager Atli Anarson.
The energy equivalent to this many calories is enough to help a person do a 9-minute run. What more energy can it give your little friend?
In a way, the fruit keeps your baby mammals hydrated as well. This is good, especially during the summer heat.
The fruit treat will help make them strong. Proteins are an essential part of muscle repair and building. These building blocks also help make hormones and enzymes and strengthen the bone.
Carbohydrates provide glucose to the body, used for metabolic and physical tasks.
Ripe bananas contain three main types of sugars sucrose, fructose, and glucose.
This fruit contains a high percentage of resistant starch, which passes through your intestines undigested.
Fat gives the body energy, protects the organs, promotes cell growth, and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It also aids in absorbing essential nutrients.
This wonderful tropical fruit is rich in potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C, which you can find more information on the video provided below.
Why Should You Feed Sugar GlidersBananas in Moderation?
Excited to feed your sugar pal some bananas? Before you go to the supermarket to buy a bunch of bananas, let me share this fact with you.
Sugar gliders can eat bananas, but like with any other food, you must take precautions in feeding. Too much intake of this fruit can be harmful to your pet.
Like most fruits, you must feed your gliders in moderation.
The biggest reason is that bananas have horrible calcium to phosphorus ratio, which can endanger your pets overall health.
Arbor View Animal Hospital stressed that Maintaining a Ca:P ratio of 2:1 is critical in sugar gliders.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Catherine Love added that Calcium and phosphorus are opposed in the body, which is why gliders should avoid phosphorus-rich supplements and meals.(2)
What Happens When Theres Calcium: Phosphorus Imbalance?
Some gliders have issues with calcium absorption. Calcium deficiency weakens their back, legs, and limbs. On the opposite end of the scale, high calcium levels in their bodies are fatal.
The ideal diet should always have a balanced protein supply, favorable calcium and phosphorous ratio, vitamin B6, and fat. Other extra nutrients are also needed to achieve a healthy nutritional profile.
When feeding, make sure to compensate for the bananas poor Ca:P ratio with something that brings the diet to the correct 2:1 ratio stated above by DMV, Catherine Love.
Feed your glider every fruit in moderation. No single fruit can provide the correct balance of essential nutrients that your pet needs.
ALSO READ: BML Diet for Sugar Gliders
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Banana Peels?
Sugar gliders can not eat banana peels. This is because they are often sprayed with pesticides.
Feeding your furry companion the peels can cause serious health problems and even lead to death.
The best way to offer this fruit to your petis to remove the peels and give them only the banana slices.
What About Banana Seeds?
Yes, gliders can eat banana seeds!
If it is a part of the fruit that is safe for sugar glider owners to eat, it is usually safe for gliders. However, always check with a vet with experience in the sugar glider diet if in doubt.
Do you eat the seeds? And even if you dont they are absolutely ok for your pet sugar glider!
There is no need to remove the seeds, thankfully, as that is a tedious, time-consuming task.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Dried Bananas?
Yes, you can definitely feed your fur baby with dehydrated banana chips. However, keep this to one or two feedings are enough every month.
The sugar content of bananas skyrockets when they are sliced and dried. While this gives the gliders a sweeter flavor, it isnt exactly good for them.
Your furry pals will end up eating more sugar due to the higher concentration. When this happens, it will lead to health issues in the future.
This sugar glider enjoys the banana chips!
This brings me to another question, Ive seen many glider parents ask.
What about the commercial food version of banana chips? All dried fruits, from orange peel to banana chips or anything made for human consumption, are preserved with added sugar content.
As I already mentioned, captive sugar gliders can get sick from too much sugar. So, refrain from feeding them commercially made banana chips.
Additionally, other preservatives that sugar gliders should avoid are sometimes added to dehydrated fresh fruits. Make sure your sugar gliders arent eating anything else than a pure dehydrated banana.
One solution is to cook banana chips at home to avoid the extra sugar. Theyre simple to make in a food dehydrator.
This will ensure that the banana treats you feed your sugar gliders are entirely made of bananas.
Heres a Tiktok Video on how to dehydrate bananas.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Plantain?
Of course! A cooked banana is okay. Just make sure that there are no added sugars or other harmful preservatives in your recipe.
A plain, boiled banana treat is enough to make your sugar babies happy.
What About Frozen Bananas?
Opt for fresh rather than frozen bananas.
Why are frozen bananas such a big deal? Theyre still bananas, right?
Well, the reason it is a problem has to do with digestion. Frozen bananas are hard for gliders to chew; therefore, they leave chunky amounts of bananas in their stomach.
Do Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas?
Youve patiently read about bananas, but do sugar gliders like bananas?
When giving your sugar glider a banana treat, consider that many sugar gliders dislike bananas. So, if this is the case with your adoring but finicky eater, dont be alarmed.
Rather than giving up on this choice after one attempt, serve them to your sugar gliders several times. Some sugar gliders require a few exposures to a new food before trying it.
Bananas For Sugar Gliders: 2 Things To Consider
1. How Often Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas?
The ideal, maximum frequency for feeding bananas is once a week or every other week if youre offering fresh ones. However, you must always take care of and monitor your pets nutritional ratio.
Keep feeding of dried or dehydrated bananas to once a month at most. You dont want to harm your furry friends health with too much sugar.
2. The Serving Size
How much is one serving? One tablespoon of cubes or a few slices is enough for each of your pets. Bananas make excellent snacks and add variety to the sugar glider diet.
FAQs
What fruits are best for sugar gliders?
The best fruits for sugar gliders include bananas, grapes, apples, cantaloupe, cherries, plums, and pears. They can also eat strawberries. Find out more about how sugar gliders can eat strawberries in this guide
What can I feed my sugar glider?
There are several types of glider diets from meats, fruits, vegetables, and snacks for sugar gliders availablein pet stores or that you can make yourself.
Each food is packed with good sources of protein, source of fiber, and other nutrients for your little friend.
Conclusion
Going back to the question, Can sugar gliders eat bananas? the answer is a BIG YES!
Always remember that part of the yes is a responsibility.Feeding should be in moderation for any amounts of fruit.
Does your glider like bananas?
Have you tried feeding your sugar glider with bananas? Let us know how it went down in the comment section!
Resources
- Bananas 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits. (n.d.). Bananas 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits; www.healthline.com. Retrieved April 5, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bananas
- Sugar Gliders (n.d) Retrieved April 5, 2022, from https://arborviewah.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Sugar-Gliders.pdf.
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 theyre all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.FIND HIM ON: FACEBOOK and TWITTER.Read his latest ARTICLESLearn more about Benhere
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas?
Banana, that delightful and tasty fruit. If you eat bananas on a regular basis, you are probably well aware of how healthy they can be for us humans. In fact, the term superfood originated as a way to promote bananas!
Surely, since bananas are healthy for humans, they must be healthy for sugar gliders as well, right? While these often go hand in hand, not every food that is healthy for us is also healthy for our furry friends.
Before you give your sugar gliders any new food or treat, be sure to look up that new food first. Youd hate to accidentally make your suggies sick!
So, what about bananas? Can sugar gliders eat bananas? The quick and easy answer is: Yes, sugar gliders can eat bananas, but be sure to follow the precautions outlined in this article. And, like the majority of fruit you treat your sugar gliders to make sure you feed your buddies bananas in moderation.
Why Should Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas in Moderation?
First it is important to realize that sugar gliders should have every type of fruit in moderation. There isnt one single fruit that can make up a diet full of all the nutrients a sugar glider needs to thrive.
When it comes to bananas though, about once a week is plenty for sugar gliders. One of the main reasons for this is that bananas have a terrible calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Most sugar glider owners work hard to maintain a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1 for their wide-eyed pals. Coming in at a ratio of 0.3 : 1, bananas can wreak havoc on this plan. So be sure to make up for the banana treat with something that has much more calcium than phosphorus in it.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Dehydrated Banana Chips?
Yes, sugar gliders can have dehydrated banana chips, but due to the reasons outlined below, make your own banana chips and only treat your suggies to banana chips once a month or so.
When bananas are sliced and dehydrated, the sugar concentration goes up quite a bit. And while this results in a sweeter flavor, it isnt exactly healthy for your sugar gliders. With the high concentration of sugar, your fury friends will end up eating more sugar. When overdone, this can obviously lead to health problems down the road.
Commercially available bananas, and other fruits, that are dehydrated for human consumption also usually have added sugar. This is definitely something youll want to avoid feeding your sugar gliders.
Sugar gliders should be able to get all of the sugar they need naturally from their diets. Added sugar (as well as other flavor enhancers such as salt) do not belong in your wide-eyed pals meals.
Sometimes there are also other preservatives that sugar gliders shouldnt eat added to dehydrated fruits. Make sure you arent feeding your sugar gliders anything but pure dehydrated banana.
To avoid the added sugar you can make banana chips at home. They are quite easy to do in a food dehydrator. This will help you make certain that the banana chips you treat your sugar gliders to are purely banana.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Banana Seeds and Banana Peels?
When it comes to most produce if you eat it so can your sugar gliders. Fortunately, this also applies to bananas. So, just like you dont pick out banana seeds for yourself, dont worry about picking them out for your sugar gliders.
The skin follows the same rule. While your sugar gliders will most likely ignore the skin and eat around it, dont tempt them. Bananas are often heavily treated with pesticides. While the skin protects the fruit on the inside, it will still be coated in pesticides itself.
You dont want your sugar glider ingesting any pesticides. Because they are so small, sugar gliders are much more susceptible to the negatives effects of eating pesticides.
Tips For Treating Sugar Gliders to Bananas
One thing to keep in mind when you offer your sugar glider a banana treat is that that a lot of sugar gliders dont actually like banana. So, if this is the case with your lovable, but picky eater, there is no need for alarm.
However, rather than give up on bananas after one try, be sure to offer banana to your sugar gliders a few times. Some sugar gliders need to be around a new food a few times before they will give it a try.
Also try blending bananas with other fruits. Many sugar gliders enjoy strawberries blended with bananas!
If your sugar glider does love bananas, you know they can make quite a mess when they gobble the banana treat up. One good way to cut down on the mess a bit is to freeze banana treats ahead of time.
This way, when you give your lovable friend the banana it wont be as soft and mushy which will cut down on the mess quite a bit.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Bananas That Have Been Cooked?
Cooked banana is fine for sugar gliders as long as nothing is added to it. Just like with banana chips, no added sugar or anything else should be added to the cooked banana you treat your sugar gliders to.
However, like banana chips, cooked banana will have a higher concentration of sugar, so your furry friends should have it sparingly.
When it comes to treating your sugar gliders to any produce, fresh and frozen are the best and do not feed your sugar gliders any canned bananas.
That also means if youre lucky enough to have some banana jam around the house, you cant feed it to your sugar gliders. All of the additives used in the canning process and in jam recipes have no place in your sugar gliders diet.
What About Plantains? Can Sugar Gliders Eat Plantains?
Yes, plantains are also fine for sugar gliders. Follow all of the precautions about bananas mentioned in this article when treating your suggies to plantains and they will be fine.
Summary: Can Sugar Gliders Have Bananas?
Can sugar gliders have bananas? In a word: Yes! Sugar gliders can have bananas as long as it is in moderation about once a week. Sugar gliders can also have banana chips but only about once a month due to the higher sugar concentration.
Be sure to remove the banana peel from any piece you treat your sugar glider to. And avoid feeding your wide-eyed pals canned or jammed bananas.
Remember, bananas have very little calcium as compared to phosphorus so be sure to keep an eye on your sugar gliders overall calcium to phosphorus ratio.
A lot of sugar gliders dont like plain banana, so dont worry if your sugar glider is one. Try mixing or blending it with other fruit to see if you sugar glider enjoys banana that way.
