Madeleine Hull
Sugar gliders have specific dietary requirements that need to be met by their owners. One such diet is the OHPW, or Original High Protein Wombaroo Diet, which is a widely used replacement nectar inspired by PML. This diet is not without its faults, however, as it is low in calcium and must be fed with calcium-rich fruits and vegetables that are also low in phosphorus and oxalates. This diet may also contain excess cholesterol and fat. There are other diets for sugar gliders, such as The Pet Glider Diet, which consists of apple sauce, yogurt, orange juice concentrate, oatmeal, protein, and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. Sugar glider owners must also be mindful of the dental health of their pets, as some diets can lead to dental disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Original High Protein Wombaroo Diet |
| Alternate Names | Critter Love Original, GOHPW, Green Original HPW Diet |
| Base Ingredient | Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (WHPS) |
| Diet Type | Replacement Nectar |
| Pros | One of the more widely used replacement nectars |
| Cons | Low in Calcium, may have excess cholesterol and fat |
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What You'll Learn
OHPW is a modification of the PML diet
OHPW, also known as Critter Love Original, is a modification of the PML diet. It is also referred to as the Original High Protein Wombaroo Diet. The diet uses Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (WHPS), which is a high-protein supplement for marsupials made in Australia. It is often fed as a frozen block alongside fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
The OHPW diet is inspired by PML and is one of the more widely used replacement nectars for sugar gliders. It is not without its faults, however. It is low in calcium, so it must be fed alongside vegetables and fruits that are high in calcium but low in phosphorus and oxalates. This can lead to a lack of variety in the diet. It may also contain excess cholesterol and fat.
The Critter Love Original diet plan was created by Peggy Hernandez Brewer, an active member of the Facebook glider community. The Critter Love Plus diet follows the same recipe as OHPW but uses Critter Love Plus supplement instead of Wombaroo. GO-HPW, or Green Original HPW, is another variation that uses less honey and adds green juice to the recipe. This version is better suited for portioning out into ice cubes.
Sugar gliders in the wild eat very low-fat diets and get lots of exercise gliding through the rainforest. Captive gliders require a fresh diet of fruit, vegetables, and protein. It is important to keep sugar glider food in their cage at all times, as they are very active animals with high metabolisms.
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It is a high-protein diet
The OHPW diet, also known as the Original High Protein Wombaroo Diet, is a widely used replacement nectar for sugar gliders. It is inspired by the PML diet and is a high-protein diet.
The OHPW diet consists of a frozen main mix that is fed alongside fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. While this diet is high in protein, it is also low in calcium, so it must be supplemented with calcium-rich vegetables and fruits that are also low in phosphorus and oxalates. This can be achieved through the use of various veggie and fruit "relishes" that are balanced for this diet.
Sugar gliders have high metabolisms and require a diet that includes protein. The OHPW diet recommends using the Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (WHPS), which can be purchased online. This supplement is made in Australia and is specifically designed for marsupials.
It is important to note that the OHPW diet may have excess cholesterol and fat, and it is recommended to limit the amount of honey in a sugar glider's diet to prevent dental issues. Overall, the OHPW diet is a popular option for sugar glider owners, but it should be carefully supplemented with calcium and low-phosphorus foods to ensure the health of these active animals.
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It is low in calcium
The OHPW (Original High Protein Wombaroo) diet is a widely used replacement nectar for sugar gliders. It is inspired by the PML diet and is also known as Critter Love Original.
This diet is low in calcium, so it must be supplemented with calcium-rich vegetables and fruits that are also low in phosphorus and oxalates. This can be challenging due to the limited options and variety available that meet these criteria. To simplify this process, there are many vegetable and fruit "relishes" that are balanced for this diet and can be served as side dishes.
Sugar gliders require calcium to maintain healthy bones. A high phosphorus and low calcium diet can leach calcium from their bones, making them brittle and prone to fractures. Calcium deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including hind leg or total paralysis. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that sugar gliders receive an adequate amount of calcium in their diet.
The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium can be sprinkled on their food daily to ensure they receive the necessary calcium intake. It is important to use supplements specifically designed for sugar gliders, as using reptile vitamins or other supplements not intended for small mammals can be harmful. Additionally, fresh filtered water should always be available, and treats such as mealworms can be offered periodically.
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It may have excess cholesterol and fat
The OHPW (Original High Protein Wombaroo) diet is a widely used replacement nectar for sugar gliders. It is inspired by PML (Pocket's Modified Leadbeaters). However, it has some drawbacks. One of the main issues is its low calcium content. As a result, it needs to be supplemented with calcium-rich vegetables and fruits that are also low in phosphorus and oxalates. This limitation reduces the variety of side dishes that can be served with the diet.
While the OHPW diet is convenient and widely used, it may have excess cholesterol and fat. This is a concern because sugar gliders, when raised in captivity, require a balanced diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, similar to their diet in the wild. Gliders in the wild eat a very low-fat diet and get plenty of exercise gliding through the rainforest.
Captive sugar gliders have high metabolisms and are very active, so they need access to food at all times. Their primary meal should be served in the late afternoon and consist of fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits, protein (such as chicken, turkey, or eggs), and healthy treats like mealworms. It is important to monitor their weight and adjust their diet as needed, as obese sugar gliders can develop health problems.
To maintain a healthy weight, sugar gliders should consume approximately 15-20% of their body weight daily. A balanced diet for a sugar glider includes 1/3 nutritionally balanced pelleted kibble, 1/3 nectar/sap-based mixture, and 1/3 insects, calcium-based multivitamins, and fresh produce. It is important to prioritize vegetables over fruit, as sugar gliders will often overeat fruit due to their sweet taste. Additionally, calcium supplements may be necessary, as calcium deficiency can lead to bone fractures and paralysis.
In summary, while the OHPW diet is convenient and widely used, it may have excess cholesterol and fat. To ensure the health of captive sugar gliders, it is important to prioritize a balanced diet that mimics their natural diet in the wild, with plenty of exercise and access to fresh, low-fat foods.
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It is fed alongside calcium-rich fruits and vegetables
The OHPW, or Original High Protein Wombaroo Diet, is a widely used replacement nectar for sugar gliders. It is inspired by the PML diet and is also known as Critter Love Original.
OHPW is low in calcium, so it must be fed with calcium-rich fruits and vegetables. These should also be low in phosphorus and oxalates. There are many vegetable and fruit "relishes" that are balanced for this diet. Calcium is essential for sugar gliders as a high-phosphorus and low-calcium diet can leach calcium from their bones, making them brittle and easily broken or fractured. Calcium deficiency can lead to paralysis and death.
Sugar gliders also require a source of protein in their diets. The Pet Glider Diet recommends chicken, turkey, or eggs as sources of protein. It is also important to provide sugar gliders with vitamins, specifically calcium supplements.
Sugar gliders in the wild eat very low-fat diets and get lots of exercise gliding through the rainforest. Captive sugar gliders can become fat and develop health problems if they do not have a healthy diet.
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Frequently asked questions
OHPW, also known as Critter Love Original, is a modification of the PML diet. It is a high-protein diet that uses Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (WHPS).
The OHPW diet consists of a frozen main mix that is fed alongside fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. It is low in calcium so it must be fed with vegetables and fruits that are high in calcium but low in phosphorus and oxalates.
The OHPW diet is one of the more widely used replacement nectars. It is easy to feed as there are many veggie and fruit "relishes" that are balanced for this diet.
The OHPW diet may have excess cholesterol and fat. It is also high in honey, which has been linked to dental issues.
