Milly Gaines
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced diet for sugar gliders. It is important for sugar gliders to have staple food in their cage at all times due to their high metabolisms. The TPG diet recommends a fresh diet daily as the main source of nutrients, with occasional treats like mealworms, dried fruits, and fresh fruits such as watermelon and oranges. It is also recommended to sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium on the glider's food every day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Diet | Well-researched, nutritionally balanced |
| Food | Fresh fruits and vegetables, apple sauce, yoghurt, orange juice, oats, flaxseed, monkey biscuits, mealworms, dried fruits, freeze-dried meats |
| Vitamins | Calcium (with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 2:1 or 4:1) |
| Water | Fresh water must be available at all times |
| Food Availability | Food must always be available in the cage |
| Food Quantity | One teaspoon of premium, high-protein, low-fat cereal per glider; 1/2 to 1 biscuit per glider |
| Food Preparation | Food can be frozen in ice cube trays or small containers and then transferred to freezer bags |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of calcium
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced diet for sugar gliders. It is important that sugar gliders have staple food in their cage at all times, with fresh food provided daily as their main source of nutrients. The TPG diet recommends sprinkling The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium on the glider's food every day.
Calcium is a vital mineral, most often associated with healthy bones and teeth. It is one of the most important nutrients required for bone health. Bones are constantly being broken down and built up in a process known as remodelling. Bone cells called osteoblasts build bone, and other bone cells called osteoclasts break down bone if calcium is needed. In healthy individuals who get enough calcium and physical activity, bone production exceeds bone destruction up to about the age of 30. After that, destruction typically exceeds production, leading to bone loss. Getting enough dietary calcium may help slow the degree of bone loss.
The body gets the calcium it needs in two ways: by eating calcium-containing foods or supplements, and by drawing calcium from the body. If one does not eat enough calcium-rich foods, the body will remove calcium from the bones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the Daily Value (DV) for calcium at 1,300 mg for adults and children aged 4 and older. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium for women aged 19-50 is 1,000 mg daily; for women 51 and older, it is 1,200 mg. For pregnant and lactating women, the RDA is 1,000 mg. For men aged 19-70, the RDA is 1,000 mg; for men 71 and older, it is 1,200 mg.
In addition to bone health, calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, helping muscles to contract, and regulating normal heart rhythms. Some literature reviews have suggested a possible link between calcium intake and lowering high blood pressure. However, more research is needed to confirm this relationship and to address concerns about the potential negative impact of calcium supplements on heart health.
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Fresh food
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced fresh food diet for sugar gliders. It consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables and protein.
For the main meal, sugar gliders should be fed a fresh diet daily. This should be their primary source of nutrients. The meal should be served in the late afternoon. It is recommended to include apple sauce, yogurt, orange juice concentrate, oatmeal, protein (chicken, turkey or eggs), and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. It is important to note that the diet should not include preservatives, sugar or colour additives.
In addition to the main meal, it is recommended to keep staple food in the cage at all times for the sugar gliders to munch on. This can include premium cereal, which is high in protein and low in fat, and monkey biscuits, which help keep the gliders' teeth clean and healthy.
It is important to sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium on the glider's food every day. These vitamins are specifically formulated for sugar gliders, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 4:1.
Sugar gliders also enjoy treats such as yogurt drops, dried cherry drops, dried mango chunks, dried mealworms and dried crickets. Fresh fruit such as watermelon, oranges and sweet potatoes can also be given as treats, but these should be used sparingly and not as a main diet.
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Treats
Mealworms
Live giant mealworms are a favourite treat for sugar gliders. They are a high-protein snack that can be offered daily, with no more than 3-4 giant mealworms per glider. Mealworms can also be dried or freeze-dried and are a great way to offer variety in texture and taste while still providing the same nutritional benefits.
Dried Fruits and Fresh Fruits
Sugar gliders enjoy a variety of dried and fresh fruits. For dried fruits, options such as blueberries, apples, cherry drops, mango chunks, and even dried crickets can be offered. When it comes to fresh fruits, sugar gliders particularly enjoy watermelon, oranges, and sweet potatoes. It is important to remember that while these treats are nutritious, they should not make up the main bulk of their diet and should be given sparingly.
Yogurt Drops
Yogurt drops are a tasty treat for sugar gliders and can be purchased or made at home. When making yogurt treats at home, sugar glider owners can mix yogurt with fruits and vegetables and freeze them into small portions.
Monkey Biscuits
Monkey biscuits, such as the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits, are recommended as a staple food for sugar gliders. They consist of 25% protein and help keep the glider's teeth clean and healthy. The recommended serving is 1/2 to 1 biscuit per glider.
It is important to remember that while treats are an essential part of the TPG diet, they should be given in moderation and should not replace the staple food that should always be available in the sugar glider's cage.
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Vitamins
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced diet for sugar gliders. It is important to closely follow the diet's instructions to avoid deviating from the recipe and causing nutritional imbalances, which may lead to health issues.
Sugar gliders have a high diet of fruits and vegetables, which contain inverse amounts of phosphorus to calcium. The high phosphorus and low calcium can leach calcium from their bones, making them brittle and easily broken or fractured. Calcium deficiency will first make your glider sick, then cause hind leg or total paralysis, and may even be fatal.
To avoid calcium deficiency, it is recommended to use The Pet Glider Complete Multi-Vitamin with Calcium, sprinkling 1/8 teaspoon per sugar glider on their food every day. This is the only human-grade vitamin supplement on the market and is specifically made for sugar gliders, with a calcium to phosphorous ratio of at least 2:1. It is important to note that reptile vitamins should not be used for small mammals like sugar gliders.
The Pet Glider Vitamins can be purchased from many breeders and supply companies worldwide, including in the United States. While vitamins are not a nutritional requirement, they are an important staple food that sugar gliders can snack on between meals.
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Staple foods
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced diet for sugar gliders. It is important to keep staple foods in their cage at all times, as sugar gliders are very active animals with high metabolisms.
Some staple foods for the TPG diet include:
- Cereal: A premium, high-protein, and low-fat cereal containing human-grade chicken. The standard serving is one teaspoon per glider.
- Monkey biscuits: Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits consist of 25% protein and help keep your sugar glider's teeth clean and healthy. It is recommended to feed ½ to 1 biscuit per glider.
- Brunch & Glider biscuits: These can be ordered online and are a nutritional staple food that sugar gliders can snack on between meals.
- Mealworms: Live giant mealworms are a favourite treat for sugar gliders and can be given daily—no more than 3-4 giant-sized mealies per glider.
In addition to these staple foods, it is recommended to serve a fresh diet daily, which is the main source of nutrients for sugar gliders. This fresh diet includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, oranges, watermelon, and sweet potatoes. It is important to avoid feeding anything with preservatives, sugar, or colour additives.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet is a well-researched and nutritionally balanced diet for sugar gliders. It consists of fresh food, occasional treats, and supplements.
The TPG diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, oranges, watermelon, and sweet potatoes. It also includes protein sources such as chicken, eggs, and mealworms.
The Pet Glider Vitamins with Calcium are a necessary supplement for the TPG diet. These vitamins have a calcium to phosphorous ratio of at least 2:1 and are essential for the health of sugar gliders.
Meals for the TPG diet can be prepared by blending fruits and vegetables with apple sauce, yogurt, and orange juice. Oats and flax seeds can also be added to the mixture. The blended mixture can then be portioned and frozen for later use.
