 | Posted by: | collette, a412@webtv.net | | Subject: | dieting | | When: | 6:26 AM, 02 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 209.240.220.199 |
i found a vet in fort worth who does sugargliders, 5 minutes from my house. he gave me the bad news that alex needs a diet and lucy is close behind, 185 and 130 grams. i knew alex was a chuffers but i didn't know how chuffy. i feel guilty cutting down their food. i was putting three bowls of food in there. one with meats and veggies and fruit assortments. one with juice or glideraide and one with yogurt or some baby food fruit mixture, that is the bowl i've eliminated, and stopped the nectur (high in sugar!) i give the yogurt, fruit thing once a week or so. i know two of my guys get in the wheels, but don't think alex does. can't tell cos the lights are off when they play. the vet said i needed to give them live crickets to eat cos that's how they get thier exercise in th e wild, chasing thier food, but no way will i chase crickets around the house that they missed!!!!! don't let your little guys get chuffy!!!
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| Posted by: | KarenE, KarenElfrank@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 6:45 AM, 02 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 64.12.104.26 |
Collette,
I also have a glider who is definitely much larger than the other two. Linus has always been on the heavy side and extremely laid back compared to the other two. He also did not seem as interested in playtime as the other two.
Since I make sure they don't get the sweet treats very often or the foods high in fat, I could only deduct that it was the exercise he was needing.
My problem was how to solve this problem ...
When I first purchased a wodent wheel my other two immediately made good use of it but not Linus. He seemed content just to observe.
Realizing that one wheel was not enough for the two that were using it, I purchased another one.
Finally, Linus decided this new toy was pretty interesting afterall. Now, Linus has taken over exclusive use of the second wheel  I have noticed that over the past couple of months, Linus seems to be slimming down. This past week I have really paid attention and he is definitely losing weight. He is still larger than the other two, but at least now I am certain he is getting the exercise he needs and hopefully will continue to slim down until he reaches his ideal weight.
If you haven't purchased a wodent wheel yet, I really encourage you to do so. I will be well worth your money.
| Posted by: | Gliderlover, Angie_nightgirl@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 5:19 PM, 02 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 24.65.233.144 |
Collette,
what kinds of meat are you giving them? Meat can be quite high in fat and isn't needed in their diet if you are feeding the leadbeaters mix. There is already chicken and egg in this mix. I have one female who was a little overweight and the way I have helped her overcome this is by taking the egg yolk out of her leadbeaters and giving her only the low-fat leadbeaters, vegetable and fruit and lots of insects. Chasing insects is good exercise so if you are worried about finding crickets around the house you can supervise them. I put a bunch of crickets at the bottom of my gliders cage (the crickets cant really get out usually unless they make it through the bars when jumping). My gliders run and chase them and of course chow down. Also an extended play time is good for helping a chubby glider slim down. Good luck!
Angie 
| Posted by: | Mary/Beck, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | none | | When: | 8:50 PM, 04 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.82.205 |
Are you feeding leadbeaters? It doesn't sound like it. Swithcing to a complete balanced diet would help you. Try using Bourbons diet. Also juice and glideraid should not be given more than 2 times a week..and yogurt should not be fed more than two times a week.
A good diet plan should help you a lot:
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/leadbeat.html>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/leadbeat.html</a>
| Posted by: | Jane | | Subject: | none | | When: | 11:50 AM, 05 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 63.84.193.2 |
Use a critter holder for the crickets. The clear containers with a plastic slitted lid with a carry handle. Tip in the crickets (no handling) pop in the glider through the top and watch the carnage. Gliders really do have a killing instinct for insects. One glider of mine, Luci used to kill as many as possible but didnt care to eat them all but refused to leave one alive. Another glider of mine, Ms , we used to think was too scared to kill them until we saw her sneak in and snarf up a bundle when we were not paying attention.
But yes buy many wodent wheels, my case, 2 glider cage has two wheels, my five glider cage has four!!!!!!!
| Posted by: | collette, a412@webtv.net | | Subject: | none | | When: | 5:13 PM, 06 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 209.240.220.240 |
my guys don't like the leadbeatters, i feed scrambled eggs or canned 98% fat free chicken, rinced to get rid of some of the salt and i have two whodent wheels that run all night, but i'm not sure "chuffers" alex uses it. i get him to exercise by closing the cage door when he gets out so he has to run all over it to get back in. i guess i'll try the crickets, how many, and how often?
| Posted by: | Mary/beck, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | none | | When: | 12:09 PM, 07 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 161.45.207.54 |
Well if they don't like the leadbeaters you could feed a different proven balanced diet.
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