Nutrition
DIET
A good diet is essential to the long, healthy life of a Sugar Glider. Sugar Gliders tend to be high maintenance when it comes down to their diet. The calcium and phosphorus ratios in their diet have to be just right. There are many proven diets out there that are made and formulated especially just for Sugar Gliders, but there is not one staple diet that contains all the vitamins and nutrients that a Sugar Glider needs. Here at Lucky You Gliders, all of our gliders are fed the Critter Love Complete diet (HPW).
CRITTER LOVE DIETS
For more information on the Critter Love diets and to buy ingredients, visit www.critterlove.com. HPW type diets without the Critter Love name are not a good choice.
OTHER DIETS
There are many other diets to choose from. The only diets that I recommend are:
OHPW (Original HPW): http://www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/sugar-glider-hpw-diet-high-protein-wombaroo-recipe.html
BML: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugargliders/bml/leadbeat.html
Pet Glider Diet: http://www.thepetglider.com/index/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27
!!DO NOT BUY ANY EXOTIC NUTRITION BRAND FOOD SUPPLIES!!
SAFE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Along with each diet you must also offer fruits and veggies. Not all fruits and veggies are safe for Sugar Gliders. Here is a list of safe fruits and veggies for your Sugar Glider along with their ca:ph ratios. Each glider should be offered 1 Tablespoon of fruits every night.
Safe Fruits
Acerola 1:1 ; Apple (with Skin) 1:1 ;Apple (without Skin) 0.5:1 ; Apricots 0.7:1 ; Banana:0.3:1 ; Blackberries 1.5:1 ; Breadfruit 0.5:1 ; Cantaloupe 0.6:1 ; Carambola 0.2:1 ; Carissa 1.5:1 ; Casaba Melon 0.7:1 ; Cherimoya 0.5:1 ; Cherries (Sweet) 0.7:1 ; Crab Apples 1.2:1 ; Cranberries 0.7:1 ; Currants (European Black) 0.9:1 ; Currants (Red & White) 0.7:1 ; Currants (Zante) 0.6:1 ; Custard Apple 1.4:1 ; Dates 0.8:1 ; Elderberries 0.9:1 ; Figs 2.5:1 ; Grapes (American (Slip Skin)) 1.4:1 ; Grapes (European) 0.8:1 ; Grapefruit (Pink & Red): 1.2:1 Grapefruit (white): 1.5:1 Ground Cherries 0.2:1 ; Honeydew Melon 0.6:1 ; Jackfruit 0.9:1 ; Java Plum 1.1 ; 1 Jujube: 0.9:1 ; Kiwifruit 0.6:1 ; Kumquat 2.3:1 ; Lemon 4.0:1 ; Lemon Peel 11.1:1 ; Lime 1.8:1 ; Longans 0.04:1 ; Loquats 0.5:1 ; Mammy Apple 1:1; Mango 0.9:1 ; Mulberries 1:1 ; Nectarine 0.3:1 ; Oheloberries 0.7:1 ; Orange Peel 7.6:1 ; Orange (Navel) 2.1:1 ; Orange (Valencia) 2.3:1 ; Papaya 4.8:1 ; Passion Fruit (Purple) 0.1:1 ; Peach 0.4:1 ; Pear 1:1 ; Persimmon 1:1 ; Persimmon (Japanese) 0.4:1 ; Pineapple 1:1 ; Pitanga 100 grams 0.8:1 ; Plantain 0.1:1 ; Plum 0.4:1 ; Pomegranate 0.3:1 ; Prickly Pear 2.3:1 ; Prunes 0.6:1 ; Pummelo 0.2:1 ; Quince 0.6:1 ; Raisins (Golden Seedless) 0.4:1 ; Raisins (Seeded) 1:1 ; Raisins (Seedless) 0.5:1 ; Raspberries 1.8:1 ; Rose Apple 3.6:1 ; Roselle: 5.8:1 ; Sapodilla 1.7:1 ; Sapote 1.4:1 ; Soursop 0.5:1 ; Strawberries 0.7:1 ; Sugar Apple 0.7:1 ; Tamarind 0.6:1 ; Tangerine 1.4:1 ; Watermelon 0.9:1
Safe Vegetables
Alfalfa (Sprouts) 0.5:1 ; Amaranth 4.3:1 ; Artichoke 0.2:1 ; Asparagus 0.4:1 ; Avocado (California) 0.3:1 ; Avocado (Florida) 0.3:1 ; Bamboo Shoots 0.2:1 ; Beats 0.4:2 ; Beet Greens 2.9:1 ; Broccoli 0.7:1 ; Broccoli (Spears) 1.1:1 ; Brussels Sprouts 0.6:1 ; Burdock Root 0.8:1 ; Cabbage (Green) 2.0:1 ; Cabbage (Red) 1.2:1 ; Carrots 0.6:1 ; Cauliflower 0.5:1 ; Celery 1.6:1 ; Chayote 1.0:1 ; Chicory Greens 2.1:1 ; Chinese Cabbage 2.8:1 ; Collard Greens 14.5:1 ; Coriander 2.7:1 ; Corn (Yellow) 0.02:1 ; Cucumber (with or without Skin) 0.7:1 ; Dandelion Greens 2.8:1 ; Dock 0.7:1 ; Endive 1.9:1 ; Eggplant 0.3:1 ; French Beans 0.6:1 ; Ginger Root 0.7:1 ; Green Beans (Snap Beans) 1.0:1 ; Jew's Ear (Pepeao) 1.1:1 ; Jute (Potherb) 2.5:1 ; Lettuce (Butter Head) 1.4:1 ; Lettuce (Iceberg) 1.0:1 ; Lettuce (Loose Leaf) 2.7:1 ; Lettuce (Romaine) 0.8:1 ; Lupines 0.4:1 ; Kale 2.4:1 ; Kohlrabi 0.5:1 ; Mushrooms 0.2:1 ; Mustard Greens 2.4:1 ; Mustard Spinach 7.5:1 ; Napa Cabbage 1.5:1 ; Okra 1.3:1 ; Parsley 2.3:1 ; Parsnips 0.5:1 ; Peas (Green) 0.2:1 ; Peppers (Sweet) 0.5:1 ; Pumpkin 0.5:1 ; Radish 1.2:1 ; Rutabaga 0.8:1 ; Soy Bean (Green) 1.0:1 ; Soy Bean (Sprouts) 0.4:1 ; Spinach 2.0:1 ; Squash (Acorn) 0.9:1 ; Squash (Butternut) 1.5:1 ; Squash (Hubbard) 0.7:1 ; Squash (Spaghetti) 1.9:1 ; Squash (Summer, All Variety) 0.6:1 ; Squash (Winter, All Variety) 1:1 ; Squash (Zucchini) 0.5:1 ; Sweet Potato 0.8:1 ; Swiss Chard 1.1:1 ; Tofu (Firm) 1.1:1 ; Tofu (Regular) 1.2:1 ; Tomato (Green) 0.5:1 ; Tomato (Red) 0.2:1 ; Turnip 1.1:1 ; Turnip Greens 4.5:1 ; Watercress 2:1 ; Yams 0.3:1
PROTEIN
In addition to a proven diet, fruits, and vegetables, a Sugar Glider also needs to be offered another source of protein. A gliders favorite protein treat is meal worms. I don't know of a glider that doesn't go crazy over mealworms. Other good sources of protein are eggs(cooked) and chicken(cooked with no additives). Your glider should be offered a source of protein everyday.
TREATS
Treats should be given sparingly to your Sugar Glider so you don't spoil their appetite for supper. My glider's favorite treat is Yogies. Yogies are also know as yogurt drops, they look like a chocolate ship except that they are yogurt and are usually vanilla or fruit flavored. You can find Yogies in your local PetCo or you can order them from Nuts.com. You can can also use white chocolate baking chips, or other flavors like peanut butter, and butterscotch AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT CONTAIN COCOA. You can also offer your gliders a array of dried fruits as a treat. Pine nuts are also a good treat for your gliders. Pine nuts are high in fat so only give them about 4-5 a day. You can f ind pine nuts at your local Wal-Mart, either in the baking section with the nuts or with the packaged salads.
DRY FOOD
A dry food can be offered in addition to a proven diet for a daytime snack. The only dry food that I recommend is Happy Glider pellets sold by WWW.Pet-Pro.COM. Mention my name when you order to receive 10% off. I keep this in my cages at all times. I use a coffee mug and fill it half way full so they can't dig it out and waste it when it drops to the drop pan.
WATER
Most gliders will drink from a water bottle with no problems at all. Make sure you have a water bottle that does not leak. Give you gliders fresh water daily and sanitize the water bottle every week or so with mild bleach water. The Lixit glass water bottles are the absolute best in my opinion. They are glass so they can be sterilized and I've had some for many years that have never leaked. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21311
Water Bottle Safety
Sugar gliders have get dehydrated within 24 hours of not having any water, which can lead to permanent illness or death. One of my joeys that I sold died at only 9 weeks old because of a failed water bottle. You must check your water bottle every single night to make sure that it is not leaking and it not clogged. It is best to have 2 water bottles or a water bottle and a dish of water just in case your water bottle would default. I use Lixit glass water bottles, they have lasted me many many years and still do not leak.
CHECK YOUR WATER BOTTLE EVERY NIGHT!