sugar glider diets?

[paws7007]

I recently got 2 sugar gliders about 2 weeks ago. they are awsome. everyday we bond more and more. the little boy is alittle slower to bond with and will only go on my hand but the little girl is all over me. I did months and months of extensive research before i got them and i am following the bonding guidlines exactly. they are in great health but i would like to keep it that way. that is why i would like a few opinions on the best diet available to them. right now they are eating happy glider food. which the breeder i bought them from swore it is the best thing but i have read about alot of differnt diets and all seem to swear by each one... along with the glider food i give them some vegetables such as broccoli and carrots and throw in a fruit which they seem to love.. i have found the best bonding fruit is grapes because they absolutely love them.. and if u have a biter like my little boy was.. give them alittle yogurt on your finger (which i know is contraversal) and they will be licking you in no time instead of biting you... so on that note any advice and experiences on diets would help me greatly.. thanks

[ChristynLola]

Since gliders are relatively new to the pet circuit, There is no research saying, do this and not that, for the most part about diet. I feed her pretty much what you said, I give her a monkey biscuit in fruit juice, which she loves, everynight. I also give her a sample size of my dinner most nights (if it's not too bad for me!) She loves enchiladas lol, and hates tomato sauce on her spaghetti. I think the most important thing is variety and keeping it mostly healthy (who would want a life with no snacks?) I give her a piece of a pecan on her bad nights, which are few and far between, but that seems to calm her down when nothing else will. I have read that too much fatty stuff can make fat deposits in their eyes, so I never give more than one half of a pecan in one night (and even 1/2 is generous i think!) Let me know if you object or have any suggestions for me!

[glidergrl1513]

ChristynLola, I'm a little worried about some of the foods you're giving your glider, what sort of spices and ingredients do you put in your foods? You need to avoid onions, garlic, salt, and a lot of other things. I would suggest both of you get your gliders on a proven diet (although ultimately it's up to you) like BML (what I feed) Suncoast or Darcy's Diet. Do a search on google and read up about them, they're fairly easy, and BML is fairly cheap, after you buy the supplements (someone figured it to be around 10 cents a day for each glider) Any way you go, you'll have to give them fresh fruits and veggies, which you seem to be doing, but be careful with brocolli, its gassy, and gliders can't handle too much of that. Some veggies mine like are sweet potatoes, sugar snap/snow peas, carrots (sometimes). And fruits: mango, papaya, apples, grapes, etc. Licky treats are a great bonding tool, mine love it. My girl was a biter, and hardly ever does it now, I use baby foods and yogurt. Have you tried tent playtime yet? It's so much fun and works wonders.

Christy, if you want to share some of your food with your gliders, just stick one of those Yoplait Whips in the freezer, and share dessert w/ your gliders! Mine go CRAZY for it, they'll jump into the container.

[ChristynLola]

I have purchased several books and spoken with a few breeders of gliders and they all said that it was fine to give them a taste of what I eat. I do tend to eat pretty bland foods though, so maybe that's why I have never had a problem with giving it to her. I have had her for over a year and that is what I have fed her every night since I got her, so maybe it's my lack of spices that makes it ok. I do also feed her a regular glider diet and I have never given her pizza or a hamburger or anything too out there. :sun: Hope I don't ji myself and have her suddenly get sick now!!! Also, my vet said not to feed them live crickets because they can carry a parasite. :dead: Oh, and she really likes plain white rice with her veggies. She doesn't really have much of a thing for brocolli, so that's not really a problem. She likes steamed carrots and califlower though. And I am sure that you know, but anyone else reading this that doesn't... citrus is bad, can cause the runs and all kinds of lovely things in the bottom of the cage. Thanks for your concern!!! :hug:

[glidergrl1513]

Some citrus is fine, a little once a week is a good amount, but as long as their over 6 months old, before that, they shouldn't have any. Its good that you have her on a staple diet, but is it hard? If so, soak it in water or apple juice (if you're not already doing that) Hard foods can cause an abcess in the mouth, known as lumpy jaw. Some crickets are fine, as long as their not kept on corn bedding, then you run the risk of them carrying aflotoxins.

[paws7007]

thank u both for your suggestions...I have the fruit and veggie part down but what i was really looking for is a food with all the vitamins they need.. right now i am feeding them Happy glider brand which the breeder said is good but i want to make sure they are getting enough calcium and vitamins so they stay healthy and i am alittle worried about HLP. so if u could suggest a daily food and the site to order it from that would be great... thanks alot.

[glidergrl1513]

A good choice is BML, you can find the recipe at www.sugargliderinfo.com/NutritionandDiets/leadbeat.html you can't order it, but it's very easy to make.

Zookeepers secret is a proven diet too, and you can buy it already made www.sugar-gliders.com/zookeepers-secret.htm

[paws7007]

thank u for the link. i just ordered some.. ;)