Sugar Glider Care Guide

Diet for Sugar Gliders

There are several theories on what to feed sugar gliders daily, but most experts agree that a FRESH DIET is essential. This should consist of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources (see recipe at the end). We recommend The Pet Glider Exotic Fresh Diet as the main food source, topped with The Pet Glider Vitamins (which include minerals, calcium, bee pollen, acacia gum, fresh ground milk thistle, and probiotics). Avoid feeding any food that contains preservatives, sugar, or artificial color additives. In the wild, sugar gliders consume a low-fat diet and get plenty of exercise by gliding through the rainforest. In captivity, they can easily become overweight and develop health problems if not fed a balanced and healthy diet.

Sugar gliders are very active and have high metabolisms, so it’s important to always have a staple food available in their cage. Along with their fresh diet, we recommend offering healthy treats and mealworms occasionally. Always make sure they have fresh water available at all times.

Staples

  • Cereal: The premium cereal we recommend at The Pet Glider is high in protein and low in fat, containing human-grade chicken. A standard serving is one teaspoon per glider.
  • Monkey Biscuits: We recommend Mazuri Growth and Repro Biscuits, which contain 25% protein. These biscuits also serve as a dental guard, helping keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. We suggest offering ½ to 1 biscuit per glider. Both cereal and monkey biscuits are available at The Pet Glider store. Always keep these staples available in your glider’s cage and replace the food daily. Store your Brunch in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a year, or at room temperature for up to six months.

Fresh Water

Provide fresh, filtered water daily. We recommend using filtered water and never letting the water bottle run dry. Clean water bottles every week to prevent bacteria growth. We do not recommend Gliderade, as it is high in sugar and contains an unspecified amount of vitamins. We use water bottles, not bowls, for our gliders because bowls can cause drowning or bacterial growth. Glass water bottles are highly preferred.

Mealworms

Mealworms are a sugar glider’s favorite treat! They are a high-protein snack that can be given daily—about 7-8 large mealworms per glider. Mealworms are a great bonding tool and are fun for hand-feeding your pet.

Treats

Occasional treats that sugar gliders enjoy include yogurt drops, dried cherry drops, dried mango chunks, dried mealworms, and dried crickets. Fresh fruit such as watermelon, oranges, and sweet potatoes will also delight your sugar gliders. Keep in mind that these treats should not make up their main diet and should be given sparingly.

Vitamins

It is essential to sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium on your sugar glider’s food every day. These vitamins are specifically formulated for sugar gliders, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 4:1. Do not use reptile vitamins for your small mammal! Our vitamins are sold by breeders around the world in 30, 90, 180, and 360-day supplies. Bulk quantities are available for breeders and small businesses.

The sugar glider diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, tends to have a higher phosphorus-to-calcium ratio. This imbalance can lead to brittle bones, which are prone to fractures. Calcium deficiency can make your glider sick, and can eventually cause hind leg or full paralysis, and even death. If you notice shaking or trembling (especially when not scared), or if your glider struggles to climb or hold on to a perch, contact an exotic animal vet immediately. Always store your multi-vitamins with calcium powder in the refrigerator, but do not freeze as this may affect the probiotics.

Our vitamins include a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral formula, along with calcium, amino acids, freshly ground bee pollen for immune support, milk thistle for liver health, high-grade probiotics for nutrient absorption, acacia gum powder (rich in calcium), 100% whey protein isolate, and coconut nectar (a low glycemic index nutrient). These vitamins also contain natural vitamin K, organic kelp, and spirulina.