Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are small, nocturnal marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea. They are affectionate and very intelligent, making them excellent pets for the right family. Providing proper nutrition is a very important aspect of keeping your glider happy and healthy. This article will explore various aspects of sugar glider diets, including recipes and feeding guidelines.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Sugar Gliders
In the wild, gliders feast on a combination of insects, pollen, nectar, acacia gum, and eucalyptus sap. Approximately 40-50% of their diet should be protein-based. Good sources of protein include crickets, mealworms, hard-boiled eggs, pinky mice, commercial sugar glider diets, and monkey chow low in iron and vitamin D. Chopped-up fruits, leafy vegetables, and sugar-free, preservative-free juices should make up no more than 10-15% of the diet. The remaining portion of the diet should be nectar and sap-type foods such as Nekton-Lori® or Gliderade®.
Fresh food should be offered daily at a maximum of 15-25% of the sugar glider's body weight.
Key Dietary Components
A balanced sugar glider diet should include the following components:
- Protein: Essential for muscle development and overall health.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Nectar and Sap-Type Foods: Offer energy and essential nutrients.
- Water: Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Water bottles should be placed so they are easily accessible.
Leadbeater's Formula: A Supplement
Leadbeater's formula was originally developed by an Australian zoo as part of an extensive, varied diet for captive sugar gliders. There are many different recipes involving Leadbeater’s mix; however, when the product is refrigerated or frozen, vitamins lose some potency. Therefore, Leadbeater’s formula should only be offered as a supplement to the main diet.
Read also: The Definitive Guide to Flourless, Sugar-Free Dieting
Leadbeater's Formula Recipe:
- 1 tsp vitamin/mineral supplement
- Mix warm water and honey.
- Blend egg until homogenized in a separate container.
- Gradually add honey/water, then vitamin/mineral supplement, then baby cereal.
Modified Leadbeater’s Mixture Recipe:
- 1⁄4 cup apple juice
- 1⁄2 cup honey
- 1 hard-boiled egg (shell removed)
- 4 oz. Mixed Fruit Yogurt Gerber Juice
- 1 tsp. Rep-Cal Herpivite Vitamin Supplement (blue label)
- 2 tsps. Rep-Cal Calcium Supplement Non-Phosphorous with Vitamin D3 (pink label)
- 2- 0.5 oz.
Directions:
Blend the honey, egg, and apple juice in a blender until smooth. Turn off the blender and add the Gerber juice and Rep-cal Herpivite Vitamin Supplement. Blend until smooth and then turn off the blender. Add the Rep-cal Calcium Supplement, the chicken baby food, wheat germ, and dry baby cereal.
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet
All of our sugar gliders are fed The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet. It is a well researched, nutritionally balanced fresh food diet that our gliders love and is very healthy for them! It is very important to closely follow your diet’s instructions. Deviating from the recipe will cause your diet to be imbalanced, which may lead to a multitude of health issues for your glider.
Examples of other approved diets for sugar gliders include Bourbon’s Modified Leadbeater’s Diet (BML), Critter Love Complete (CLC), or Original HPW (O-HPW).
TPG Diet Components
The components of The Pet Glider Diet are:
- TPG Staple
- TPG Vitamins with calcium
- Brunch or Monkey biscuits for a dry snack
- Mealworms
- Treats -yogurt drops, dried fruits such as pineapple and mango, dried vegetables, fresh watermelon and oranges, or sweet potatoes
TPG Fresh Diet Staple
The Pet Glider Fresh Diet Staple consists of Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium, apple sauce, yogurt, calcium-fortified orange juice, oatmeal, protein (chicken, turkey, or eggs), fresh or frozen vegetables, and fruits. The recommended serving size is approximately 1 ½ tablespoons per glider per day, served in the late afternoon.
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TPG Diet Recipe
The Pet Glider Exotic Fresh Diet Recipe
The Pet Glider Exotic Fresh Diet consists of chicken, turkey or eggs, fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits, yogurt, calcium-fortified orange juice, oatmeal and apple sauce. Feed approximately 1 ½ tablespoons per glider per day, served in the late afternoon or early evening. Remember that every animal is different, so you or your vet may want to adjust the amount to maintain optimal body condition.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups / 16oz Fresh or Frozen Fruit (not canned). Oranges, papayas, tangerines, pineapples, mangos, cantaloupes, kiwi, peaches, watermelon, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries. Choose 3-4 different types. If you peel a fruit before you eat it, then cut it in half for your sugar glider. DO NOT FEED RHUBARB.
- 2 Cups / 16oz Fresh or Frozen Vegetables (not canned). When using frozen vegetables, get plain mixes (no sauces or Asian flavoring). Chose at least 4 different types. Sweet potatoes, kale, collards, green beans, beets, peas, lima beans, carrots, jicama, bok choy, squash, red bell pepper and snow peas. Small amounts of corn, broccoli and cauliflower are okay but feed in moderation. DO NOT FEED GARLIC, LEEKS, OR ONIONS OF ANY KIND.
- 6 - 8oz Plain Whole Milk Yogurt
- 6 Tablespoons Calcium-fortified Orange Juice Concentrate
- 6 - 8 Tablespoons Uncooked Oatmeal
- 4 Cups / 32oz Unsweetened Applesauce (optional, may substitute extra veggies and fruit)
- 6 - 8oz Cooked Protein. You can use cooked chicken (boil/broil/roast), ground turkey (pan cook in coconut/MCT oil), or eggs (scrambled in coconut/MCT oil). We do not recommend using pork or beef due to high fat content.
- 1 - 2 Tablespoons Ground Flax Seed, Wheat Germ, or Ground Chia Seeds (optional but very beneficial form of fiber)
Directions:
Chop your fruits and vegetables into very small pieces. We recommend using a food processor. Remember the size of the animal you are preparing food for.
Always cook your protein - chicken, ground turkey, or scrambled eggs. (No seasonings). In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together (save oatmeal for last). You want to make sure all ingredients have been incorporated and mixed thoroughly. You do not want a runny or super thick mix, but one that has the consistency of cake batter. Add more or less oatmeal depending on the consistency.
You will want to divide the mixture in smaller containers to freeze. Here are some recommendations: a) Fill ice trays with your mixture. After they have frozen, you can pop them out, put them in a freezer bag, then place the bag into a plastic freezer container and take out to thaw daily to feed your babies. b) Or you can divide your mixture into 10 smaller containers and freeze. Each container will last 2 gliders for 3 days. You do not want to divide your mixture into larger containers because the mixture needs to be fresh when you feed. You do not want the mixture to be in the refrigerator for longer than 2-3 days.
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Sprinkle The Pet Glider multi-vitamin with calcium on top of the food you serve each day. Use 1/8th teaspoon of vitamins per sugar glider. Remember that your multi-vitamins with calcium powder should be kept in the refrigerator, never frozen.
The Pet Glider DOES NOT RECOMMEND
The Pet Glider DOES NOT RECOMMEND the following: Red meats, chocolate of any kind, candy, bread, seeds or any food with high sugar content. We do not feed our gliders any type of nuts. An occasional non-seasoned raw almond would be okay, but our rule of thumb is NO NUTS. Any vegetable that is high in phosphorous is not good for gliders. Prevention is your safest bet, so use vitamins daily. We feel that ours are the best available.
BML (Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's) Diet Recipe
- 1/2 cup Honey
- Do not use honeycomb, raw or unfiltered honey.
- 2 Oz. 2 oz. Dannon Plain Yogurt or2 oz of Activia Mixed Berry Yogurt (1/2 of 4 oz.
- 2 teaspoons Rep-Cal Calcium Supplement non-phosphorus with Vit. D3
- 2 2½ oz jars of Stage 1 or 2 Beechnut, Gerber or Heinz Chicken baby food The chicken will say either Chicken & Chicken Gravy or Chicken with Broth.
- 1 Egg hard-boiled. Do not use the shell.
- For the next 2 ingredients alternate them, a little cereal with a little juice, a little cereal with a little juice, going back and forth until both ingredients are mixed in.
- 1/4 cup of Apple Juice, just the regular apple juice that you and I would drink. Do not use frozen or baby juice, just regular bottled apple juice.
- 1/2 cup dry baby cereal Heinz or Gerber (Rice or Oatmeal) ***NOTE: Most gliders do not like the taste of the oatmeal.
Blend well for 5 minutes. Turn off blender, then pour into Tupperware bowl or ice cube trays and FREEZE. It will freeze to the consistency of ice cream.
1 cube is approximately 2 tablespoons, depending on your ice cube trays.
Staples
- Cereal: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is high protein and low fat, containing human grade chicken. A standard serving is one teaspoon per glider.
- Monkey Biscuits: We recommend and sell the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits which consists of 25% protein. This staple contains a dental guard and will help keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. Our recommendation is ½ to 1 biscuit per glider. You can purchase both the cereal & monkey biscuits at The Pet Glider store. Always keep these items available in your gliders’ cage and replace the bowl with fresh food daily. Sugar glider Brunch should be stored in an air tight container in the freezer to maintain the one-year shelf life. Your Brunch can be kept at room temperature for 6 months.
Importance of Vitamins and Supplements
You must sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium on your glider’s food every day. These are specifically made for sugar gliders, with a calcium-to-phosphorous ratio of at least 4:1. DO NOT USE REPTILE VITAMINS WITH YOUR SMALL MAMMAL! The sugar gliders’ diet, which requires a high volume of fruits and vegetables, contains inverse levels of phosphorous to calcium. High phosphorus and low calcium will lead to brittle bones which are easy to break or fracture. Calcium deficiency will first make your glider sick, then will cause hind leg or total paralysis, and eventually will kill them. If you notice any trembling or shaking (on a consistent basis, not just when scared), or any trouble climbing in the cage or hanging on to the perch, contact your exotic animal vet immediately. Always keep your multi-vitamins with calcium powder in the refrigerator. DO NOT freeze because of the probiotics.
The Pet Glider nutritional supplement contains a multi vitamin and multi mineral with calcium and amino acids, freshly ground bee pollen for the immune system, freshly ground milk thistle for healthy liver function, high grade probiotic powder for absorption of nutrients & healthy intestinal flora, acacia gum powder high in calcium (nutrients eaten by sugar gliders in the wild), 100% whey protein isolate, and coconut nectar (nutrient with a low glycemic index).
Treats
Mealworms are the favorite treat of a sugar glider! It is a high protein treat that can be given daily, 7-8 giant-sized live mealies per glider. Mealworms are a great tool to use when bonding with your sugar glider or to have fun hand-feeding your pet.
Other treats that seem to make sugar gliders happy are yogurt drops, dried cherry drops, dried mango chunks, dried mealworms, and dried crickets. Cutting up fresh fruit such as watermelon and oranges, or sweet potatoes will make your sugar gliders jump for joy! Remember that these are not their main diet, so use sparingly.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid feeding anything with preservatives, sugar, or color additives. Gliders in the wild eat very low-fat diets and get lots of exercise gliding through the rain forest. Gliders raised in captivity can become overweight and develop health problems if not given a healthy diet.
- Red meats
- Chocolate of any kind
- Candy
- Bread
- Seeds
- Any food with a high sugar content
- Nuts (occasional non-seasoned raw almond is okay)
- Vegetables high in phosphorus
- Rhubarb
- Garlic, leeks, or onions of any kind
Greens in the Diet
Greens are a very important part of your pet sugar glider’s diet. They provide important nutrients, increase water intake, and help provide interesting variety in your pet’s diet. We generally recommend feeding about 1⁄2 cup of greens per two pounds bodyweight daily.
Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the role that the mineral content of greens plays in the development of urinary tract disease in small mammals. The focus has been primarily on calcium and oxalates, since these are the common components of urinary stones in small mammals.
In general, we recommend feeding greens that are lower in calcium and oxalates as the basis of your pet’s salad and rotating through the higher calcium/oxalate greens in smaller quantities, unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.
Fresh Water
You must be sure to provide your sugar glider with fresh filtered water daily. We recommend you use filtered water and never let your water bottle get empty. Bottles should be dumped out and cleaned every week to prevent bacteria growth. WE DO NOT recommend Gliderade. It is high in sugar and contains an unspecified amount of vitamins. The Pet Glider uses water bottles for our gliders vs bowls. Bowls can lead to drowning and bacterial growth. Glass bottles are highly preferred.
General Feeding Guidelines
- Fresh Food Daily: Offer fresh food daily at a maximum of 15-25% of the sugar glider's body weight.
- Nocturnal Feeding: Food should be offered in the evening.
- Constant Access to Staples: Sugar gliders are very active animals with high metabolisms. Therefore, it is important that you have staple food in their cage, always available for them to munch on.
- Variety: Nutritional variety is important for healthy, happy sugar gliders. We recommend that you try making several versions of this recipe (changing the fruits, veggies and protein for variety) at one time so you can feed your gliders a variety during the month. However, if time does not allow for this, be sure you change up your recipe monthly and give them a variety of healthy foods & giant mealworms!
Housing and Environment
Sugar gliders need ample space to climb, jump, and glide, so it is important to provide the largest cage possible. A tall cage is better than a wide one. The cage should be made of galvanized steel with bars no wider than ¼ inch to prevent escape. Avoid screen-type mesh, as claws tend to catch in the squares. Glass aquariums do not work for gliders since they are unable to hold on to the sides and move about normally. Make sure at least part of the cage is at eye level since gliders need at least the illusion of height.
Sugar gliders do well at room temperatures between 18-24˚C (65-75˚F). Place the cage out of the path of drafts, and away from direct sunlight and heating sources. Provide several nesting boxes for sleeping and hiding throughout the cage. Wood, plastic, and wicker all work well. A cloth pouch with a slit cut in the front can also be anchored to the side of the cage. A soft washcloth or sock may serve ideal bedding within the nest box. Shredded paper or aspen shavings also work, but frequent changing is required. Branches and ropes for climbing/perching should also be positioned vertically and horizontally throughout the cage. A variety of toys should also be provided such as bird toy ladders and hanging toys which are glider favorites, but make sure there is nowhere for little feet to get caught. Changing the type and location of the toys every couple of months will add variety to your glider’s environment.
The bottom of the cage should be lined with recycled paper bedding. Fleece pouches or nest boxes should be provided for sleeping.
Socialization and Veterinary Care
Sugar gliders are social animals that do well housed in pairs or groups as long as the cage space is adequate. Spot clean the cage daily. Nest boxes should be cleaned out at least twice a week. Sugar gliders are gregarious, outgoing creatures that bond well with humans. Make sure to spend lots of quality time with your glider. Since gliders are nocturnal, plan on spending time playing with them in the evenings. When initially picking up a glider, support the entire body by cupping it in the palm of your hand. Carry them around on your shoulder, or in a fanny pack-type sack. Gliders are very quick and love to climb on top of your head, so be prepared when taking them out. They also love to jump onto other people or objects in the vicinity, so be aware. Frightened gliders will make a funny sound called “crabbing”; if you hear this, make sure to go slowly and use a soothing voice. While gliders do not tend to bite, they are capable of doing so.
Sugar gliders require significant socialization in order to make good pets. They should be handled for at least 30 minutes every day.
Sugar gliders should have yearly veterinary exams to evaluate their overall health and well-being. It is very difficult to do an exam on a sugar glider that is not accustomed to being handled, so please help your veterinarian by socializing your animals well at home.
Health Considerations
- Low Blood Sugar: Sugar gliders that aren’t feeling well often stop eating and can run out of energy reserves very quickly. Your sugar glider should be seen right away if he/she stops eating, especially if you notice weakness, tremors, or seizures.
- Self-Mutilation: Sugar gliders are very prone to self-mutilation when stressed or in pain. Sugar gliders are a social species and will often develop problems with self-mutilation if housed alone. Sugar gliders do best in family groups of 2-6 animals.