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The subject of the “Diet of Sugar Gliders” is a very controversial subject. It need not be difficult however. There are many ways to feed a glider and maintain good health. Some are easier than others and some cause more or less animal odor than others. For a complete discussion of this subject please read FEEDING YOUR SUGAR GLIDER.

Tropical Attitude Pets has been raising Sugar Gliders consistently since 1993 when they were first introduced to the United States. Over those years we have fed almost all of the possible diets that have been offered or described on other websites. Some are perfectly fine, but are too time consuming, or too expensive, or make the Sugar Glider have a strong musky odor. Some others are just not healthy and make the gliders get obese or emaciated over time. A healthy Sugar Glider in the wild is a lean animal with good muscle structure and light enough to be able to glide up to 150 feet from tree to tree. Some of the most ardent supporters of the bad diets have Sugar Gliders that are far too heavy to ever be able to glide long distances in the wild. I have often been criticized by a glider owner concerning my diet, only to see their animals at a show and find that they were totally obese and definitely unhealthy. Fat is not good in the life of a Sugar Glider.

Any diet that contains a significant quantity of meat for the glider’s protein will almost surely cause them to have a strong musky smell. Our gliders are fed Glider Grub for their protein. It is a pellet food that is primarily a soy bean protein. As a result of eating this food for the protein instead of animal protein, our gliders do not have a musky smell. In fact they smell like a new puppy most of the time. Often, when I let people smell Blanco, Ann Bolin, Buddy, or Belle at the shows we attend, they say they smell like baby powder. (Frankly, this is probably due to people, especially women holding them, and their hand creams or perfumes cause them to smell sweeter as the day goes on). But none of these four pets have ever had a bath. Buddy is the oldest and is an intact male “True Blonde” and he is 8 years old at the time of this writing. Even though he is an intact male and has never had a bath, he has no offensive odor.

In addition to the protein source, Sugar Gliders need to be fed about 75% fresh fruits and vegetables. I prefer fresh, but frozen is perfectly fine. I do not feed canned vegetables due to the possibility of preservatives, salt, and spices. Canned fruit however, is fine. The syrup is not a problem and they love it.