Possums are frequent nocturnal visitors in many backyards, and while their adaptable nature might suggest they can eat anything, certain human foods pose significant health risks. Knowing which foods are toxic can help prevent accidental harm if they access human environments, protecting these unique marsupials from serious illness or even death.
Specific Foods to Avoid
Several common human foods contain compounds highly toxic to possums. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant possums cannot metabolize efficiently. Even small amounts can cause theobromine poisoning, leading to increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and potentially cardiac arrest. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are particularly dangerous due to higher concentrations.
Avocado is another harmful food due to a fungicidal toxin called persin, found in the fruit, seed, leaves, and bark. Persin can cause respiratory problems, cardiac distress, vomiting, and diarrhea in possums. Onions, garlic, and chives, all members of the Allium family, contain thiosulphates that can damage red blood cells in possums, leading to anemia. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Fruit pits and seeds from items like apples, cherries, and peaches contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when digested. It is safer to avoid giving possums any fruit with pits or large seeds. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol used as an artificial sweetener in sugar-free gum, candies, and baked goods, can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver failure in some animals. Due to its known toxicity in other species, xylitol should be avoided for possums.
Harmful Food Categories
Beyond specific toxic items, several broader categories of human food are unsuitable for possums and can lead to long-term health issues. Processed foods, including many snacks and convenience meals, are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. These are detrimental to a possum’s digestive system and overall health, potentially leading to obesity, dental problems, and nutritional imbalances.
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, should not be given to possums because most are lactose intolerant. They lack the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, resulting in digestive upset like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, posing a choking hazard or causing internal injuries to a possum’s digestive tract.
Fried or greasy foods are high in unhealthy fats that can cause digestive distress, pancreatitis, and long-term obesity in possums. Similarly, sugary snacks and candy offer no nutritional value and contribute to dental issues and metabolic imbalances. These items can lead to a dependence on human-provided food and neglect of their natural, balanced diet.
Natural Diet and Safe Alternatives
Possums are omnivores, meaning their natural diet in the wild is diverse, consisting of both plant and animal matter. Their typical foraging includes insects, small vertebrates like lizards and bird eggs, as well as a variety of fruits, berries, leaves, and carrion. This varied intake provides them with the necessary nutrients, including a high amount of calcium. Wild possums are adapted to find their own food, and consistent human feeding can disrupt this natural behavior.
If one chooses to offer food occasionally, it should be plain, unprocessed items in very small quantities that mimic their natural diet. Safe options include small pieces of certain fruits like apples (without seeds), pears, berries, and melon, and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, and leafy greens. Cooked eggs (without the shell) and insects like mealworms can also provide protein. It is important to avoid acidic fruits which can be bad for their teeth.
Water should always be fresh and clean, as hydration is vital for their overall health. However, it is generally recommended to allow wild animals to forage naturally to maintain their health and independence. Overfeeding or providing inappropriate foods can lead to dependency and health problems that undermine their survival in the wild.