Most of the time, pets can share each other’s food. However, for Sugar Gliders, the issue of what is good for their consumption is important.
These pets are not ordinary pets that you can find anywhere. Firstly, the marsupials are unique to specific geographical locations.
This implies that these systems are uniquely adapted to specific foods that have been available in their traditional habitats.
While you can take them in as pets, you will have to understand them better based on their unique attributes. Secondly, these creatures are adorable and charming.
You cannot have it in your conscience that you would have fed them a wrong meal that affects their health and potentially their life.
There are many physiological similarities between Sugar Gliders and rabbits. Nevertheless, there are also distinct differences.
Because of the similarities, there is always the thought that there is a possibility that their dietary needs and the foods that they eat are the same.
With these perceptions and lines of thinking, you may find yourself thinking that you could feed your Sugar Glider your rabbit food. Can you? Let us talk about that.
Can you feed your rabbit food to Sugar Gliders?
Your Sugar Gliders can feed on your rabbit food. It is possible for the two pets to share their respective foods.
However, you should ensure that the rabbit pallets are not toxic and you should know the chemical components of your rabbit food pellets before offering them to Sugar Gliders.
The main and essential ingredients that should be in a Sugar Gliders diet are calcium, vitamins, and proteins.
When you are offering your Sugar Glider rabbit food, these should be your nutrients of concern.
The other option that you have is to feed the Sugar Gliders commercially available pet foods. These foods come mostly in pellets that are clearly defined based on their nutritive content.
The other option for your Sugar gliders is fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods may be for your rabbit and the two pets can share.
However, if the fruits and vegetables contain pesticides of any form then you should avoid feeding the Sugar Gliders.
It is thus recommended that if you want to share your rabbit food with Sugar Gliders then just make sure that the foods are organic and that you can trace any additives that have been added or used in any way in the production of the foods.
Sugar Gliders have a sweet tooth; this means that to fully satisfy these pets, sweet foods will be necessary. Fresh sweet fruits will suffice in providing the needed sweet diet.
Avoid canned foods and vegetables because these foods have preservatives and additives that most likely will be harmful to the pets.
It is thus important to get fresh fruits. You may consider homemade nectar which would provide your pet with a variety of nutrients making the pet healthier instead of canned food.
The homemade nectar can be frozen to preserve it and ensure the continuous supply of the necessary food.
While you are sharing food between your Sugar Gliders and rabbit, it is important to also consider water and not share the same quantity and quality of water.
Gliders should be kept hydrated especially if you have caged the pet. If you have a young Sugar Glider then you will need to provide it with water through a bottle.
However, older ones can be trained to drink water through a water dish. The water should be clean and accessible to the Gliders to ensure that they maintain the necessary levels of hydration.
Sugar Gliders need protein. This may not be part of your rabbit diet. If you are strictly feeding your Sugar Gliders your rabbit food, then you should consider providing alternative sources of proteins that might not be contained in the rabbit food.
Meat, eggs, or even poultry should be provided in consistent amounts to supplement the type of rabbit food that you are offering the Sugar Gliders.
It is important that you understand the difference between the two types of food needs for the animals and know what you can share between the two pets.
What you should not feed your Sugar Gliders
It is not enough to know what you should feed your Sugar Gliders; it is also important that you know what to avoid.
If you are experimenting with foods for your rabbit or purchasing new foods that you have not known, it is essential that you know what to avoid.
Unlike rabbits, Sugar Gliders are delicate with their diet and can experience extensive effects if they are fed the wrong food.
There are various types of ingredients and foods that you should completely avoid because they may have extensive negative effects on your Sugar Gliders. The following are foods and ingredients that you should avoid.
There are some foods that are intended for rabbits and even hamsters that should not be fed to Sugar Gliders. Rabbits do not have the same nutritional needs.
Sugar Gliders are omnivores this means that there are variations from what rabbits would ordinarily eat.
However, this depends on the type of food that you offer your rabbits because rabbits have a wide spectrum of foods that they eat. However, there are several foods that you should particularly avoid.
Sugar Gliders should not be fed various forms of dairy foods. You should not feed these pets milk, cheese, and chocolate.
These foods are not right for the Sugar Gliders even though you may have the notion that chocolate would be good food for this sweet tooth pet.
The pets do not react well to these foods and their metabolic system is not intended for these forms of dairy products.
What foods are toxic to sugar gliders?
Foods that are seasoned with onions and garlic should also be avoided. Sugar Gliders react differently from other omnivores to onions of various forms.
It is thus important to avoid foods that are seasoned with garlic and onions even if you are feeding your rabbit these kinds of foods.
Sugar Gliders are some of the adorable pets that you can have in your home. If they are caged, then you have the responsibility to provide the right food for these pets.
They are delicate pets that need a specific menu and a specific dietary need that match their anatomical issues.
Being a unique pet that originates from a different ecosystem, the sharing of its food and diet with other pets that appears to be similar is an issue that should be extensively considered and informed position consulted before the decisions are made. Otherwise, your pet might suffer health complications that may even lead to death.
To know whether Sugar Gliders can eat your rabbit food, you must ensure that the food is organic, especially for vegetables and fruits.
Sugar Gliders react differently to pesticides or any other additives that might have been added to the fruit or vegetable during its growth.
If the food that you have is commercially purchased then it is critical that you know the ingredients and the nutritive content of the rabbit food before sharing.
You should also avoid canned foods because of the preservatives. Otherwise, it is advisable to stick to the usual Sugar Girders foods or make vegetable and fruits from home. Watch your dietary needs and provide water to your pets.
94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day. In 2007, I realized that I was made for saving Animals. My father is a Vet, and I think every pet deserves one. I started this blog, “InPetCare”, in 2019 with my father to enlighten a wider audience.