Jeffrey Salazar
Sugar gliders require a varied diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, and protein. The Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (HPS) is a popular choice for sugar glider owners, as it can be used to balance the calcium to phosphorus ratio in their diet. The Wombaroo Small Carnivore Food can be used as a replacement for live insects, which are a natural part of a sugar glider's diet. The Wombaroo mix can be added to a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, and sweet potatoes, to create a nutritious and balanced diet for sugar gliders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Sugars and complex carbohydrates |
| Carbohydrate sources | Fruits and vegetables |
| Fruit and vegetable ratio | 75% fruit and 25% vegetables |
| Fruits | Berries, apple, pear, citrus, stone fruits, rockmelon (cantaloupe), paw paw (papaya) |
| Vegetables | Cucumber, sweet potato, carrot |
| Protein supplement | Wombaroo High Protein Supplement™ (HPS™) |
| Calcium supplement | Neocalglucon or Calciquid (calcium glubionate in syrup) |
| Foods to avoid | Beef, seeds, nuts, cottage cheese, corn, chocolate, candy, bread, cat/dog food |
| Insect replacement | Wombaroo Small Carnivore Food™ |
| Live insects | Crickets, moths, cockroaches, mealworms |
| Pollen | Native plant pollen |
| Water | Fresh water daily, preferably filtered |
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What You'll Learn
The Wombaroo High Protein Supplement
The Wombaroo diet for sugar gliders includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, with about 75% fruit and 25% vegetables. This can include berries, apples, pears, citrus fruits, stone fruits, and vegetables like cucumber, sweet potato, and grated carrot. It is also recommended to provide native Australian blossoms and foliage, such as eucalypt, acacia, and banksia, as well as pollen from native plants, which is a natural part of the sugar glider's diet.
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Insects and other live food
Sugar gliders are omnivores, and insects are a natural part of their diet. They are a favoured food that offers behavioural enrichment. It is important to offer a variety of insects as feeding one type alone may be nutritionally deficient.
The larval stage of insects (e.g. mealworms, fly pupae) tend to be higher in fat, so should only be used as treats. Mealworms are high in phosphorus, which partially blocks calcium absorption, so it is suggested to add a 'no-phosphorus' calcium supplement to the food, such as Glider-Cal. Adult-stage insects (e.g. crickets, moths, cockroaches) have a higher protein content and provide better nutrition in a captive diet. Sugar gliders also feed on spiders in the wild, which contain elevated levels of the amino acid taurine, beneficial for the growth and development of young gliders.
Wombaroo Small Carnivore Food can be used as a live food (insect) replacement. It has the advantage of being fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, whereas insects are generally deficient in calcium. However, live insects are a natural part of a sugar glider's diet and are a favoured food.
Sugar glider pellets are available from pet stores, but should be supplemented with proteins, nectar, and vegetables. Insect and sugar glider pellets should make up about 50% of the total diet. Sugar gliders also need about 1 tablespoon of insects per day.
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Fruits and vegetables
Sugar gliders require a well-balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein. The Australian Wombaroo Diet recommends a mix of 75% fruit and 25% vegetables, supplemented with Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (HPS) to ensure all essential nutrients are properly balanced.
A wide variety of fruits are suitable, including berries, apples, pears, citrus fruits, stone fruits, rockmelon (cantaloupe), and paw paw (papaya). These fruits can be fed with their seeds, except for apples and cherries, where the seeds and pits should be removed. Other fruits that can be fed are grapes, watermelon, honeydew, blueberries, and frozen pitted cherries.
When it comes to vegetables, options include cucumber with seeds, sweet potato, grated carrot, corn, peas, green beans, and carrot. It is important to note that vegetables high in phosphorus, such as corn, should be fed sparingly to avoid intestinal problems and calcium deficiency.
The actual weight of fruits and vegetables can vary, and it is recommended to weigh portions each evening when preparing meals. It is also beneficial to rotate and vary the fruits and vegetables to ensure a diverse range of vitamins and nutrients.
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Calcium and other supplements
Sugar gliders require a calcium supplement in their diet to prevent calcium deficiency and hind leg paralysis. Calcium supplements are available in syrup form, such as Neocalglucon or Calciquid (calcium glubionate in a sweet syrup), or as an ultra-fine powder, such as Glider-Cal, which can be easily mixed with food. Glider-Cal is 96.5% calcium carbonate and 3.5% magnesium carbonate. It is recommended to use 1/2 a teaspoon of Glider-Cal per pound of food.
The Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (HPS) is another supplement used in sugar glider diets. It contains safe levels of iron, with less than 40ppm, and added levels of the amino acid taurine, which is beneficial to the growth and development of young gliders.
It is important to note that sugar gliders should not be fed human supplements, as these often contain high levels of iron. Commercial human foods, such as baby foods, are often fortified with iron and should be avoided.
In addition to calcium, sugar gliders also require a multi-vitamin supplement. The Pet Glider Multi-Vitamin with Calcium can be sprinkled on top of the food served each day. It is recommended to use 1/8 of a teaspoon of vitamins per sugar glider.
A healthy sugar glider diet should consist of a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein. It is recommended to feed about 75% fruit and 25% vegetables, but this can vary depending on seasonal availability and the glider's preference. Good fruits to include are berries, apple, pear, citrus, stone fruits, and rockmelon (cantaloupe) with seeds. Vegetables such as cucumber with seeds, sweet potato, and grated carrot are also suitable. It is important to avoid high-phosphorus foods such as beef, most seeds, nuts, and cottage cheese, as well as foods with high sugar content.
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Commercial human foods to avoid
Sugar gliders have sensitive digestive systems, and their owners should be careful about what they feed them. Many commercial human foods (e.g. baby foods) and supplements are fortified with iron and should be avoided when feeding sugar gliders.
Chocolate of any kind, candy, ice cream, cheese, or any other dairy products should be avoided as sugar gliders are generally lactose intolerant. Even healthy foods can become dangerous if they are contaminated with pesticides or chemicals, so always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and opt for organic options when possible.
Sugar gliders also should not be fed processed foods, chips, crackers, or sugary treats meant for humans, as these can lead to obesity, dental issues, or other long-term health problems. While sugar gliders can have small amounts of yogurt, it should be limited to no more than 2 teaspoons, 2 times per week for the first 6 weeks, as their small digestive systems are not yet fully developed, and a small change in diet can cause diarrhea.
Some specific foods that should be avoided include:
- Garlic, onions, and leeks, as they can damage red blood cells in sugar gliders, leading to anemia.
- Artificial sweeteners like xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum and candies, as they are extremely dangerous to sugar gliders and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
- Rhubarb, as it contains oxalates that can interfere with calcium absorption, potentially causing kidney problems.
- Unripe fruits, such as green tomatoes, as they may contain harmful compounds like solanine, which can upset the digestive system of sugar gliders.
- High-acid fruits like citrus fruits (lemons and limes), which can cause digestive discomfort due to their high acidity levels.
- Beef, most seeds, nuts, and cottage cheese, as these are high in phosphorus. While an occasional almond is fine, it is best to feed these foods in moderation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Wombaroo Diet (AWD) is a diet for sugar gliders that includes the Wombaroo High Protein Supplement (HPS) powder, which is imported from Australia. The diet consists of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, with about 75% fruit and 25% vegetables.
The HPW (High Protein Wombaroo) Diet is a diet for sugar gliders that is claimed to contain the High Protein Wombaroo Supplement powder. However, some sources suggest that this diet does not actually contain the legitimate Wombaroo powder, and it is recommended to buy the powder separately and mix it in yourself.
The main difference between the AWD and HPW diets is the source of the Wombaroo High Protein Supplement powder. The AWD diet uses the legitimate powder imported from Australia, while the HPW diet may not contain the real Wombaroo powder.
It is important to provide a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, with about 75% fruit and 25% vegetables. Sugar gliders also need a source of protein, such as small pieces of cooked lean meat, poultry, hard-boiled eggs, or yogurt. It is recommended to sprinkle a multi-vitamin with calcium on top of the food served each day.
Some things to avoid in the sugar glider's diet include raw sugar, sugar substitutes, candy, chocolate, seeds, nuts, most seeds, and high-phosphorus foods like beef and cottage cheese.
