My little girl, Maya, is about 5 months old. I have done tons of research about sugar glider diets but every website tells something different. Right now her diet consists of Sugar Glider pellets, nectar, canned fruits & veggies, babyfood, and a calcium supplement. Should I do something different? I don't want her getting tired of the same old thing. Also, she doesn't seem to drink much water. How much should she be drinking, and how can I get her to drink more if needed? Thanks :)

I didn't see this post until I had already answered on your other one. Please go there and read.

Here is a link to more information about diets and what diets are available:
http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?Diet

Here is the diet I use:
http://www.thegliderinitiative.org/Australian%20Wombaroo%20Diet.pdf

Pellets are not good for your glider. It is dry and gliders need wet/fresh food.

Canned fruit and vegetables aren't good for your glider unless it's animal approved (so not the kind you get at a human grocery store)

Some diets allow baby food.

Pick a diet you feel comfortable with and go by that diets directions. You can switch diets if you don't feel like the one your on is working, but don't combine diets.

Yep, I answered you on your other thread also.

I have been soaking her pellets with water lately to add some liquid to her diet. And I have tried mealworms but she doesn't seem to like them.

Gliders get most of their fluids from the foods they eat so if she's eating baby food I'm sure she's getting plenty of liquids.

You can gently pull up the skin on the back of her neck...if it stays "tented" for more than a second or two then it's an indication that she's dehydrated.

Can you delete this thread? It's confusing to go back and forth between 2 posts about the same thing. You also don't need to soak her pellets. Just chuck them.

I have read on multiple sites that the pellets are a good staple food to keep in her cage at all times as a supplement to her daily meals. Has anyone tried the leadbeater's diet? I was thinking about doing "Ruth's Modified Leadbeater's Diet"

TheHomerMomma: I'll delete the other post, and keep this one going.

First, stop giving canned fruit & veggies, better to do frozen (unseasoned) if can't do fresh. I use combo of fresh & frozen.
Please choose a diet from the list of reputable diets under "diets" in the Gliderpedia.

If you need to order ingredients, while waiting try using cooked egg or chicken, baby food chicken, and yogurt for a licky treat (use your finger, or a spoon as I do, if your glider bites you) this is great for bonding. As mentioned supplement with f/v and may still need cal sup until you have your glider on appropriate glider.

I personally like the original HPW, I purchase the kit made by Exotic Nutrition and purchase it from Sugar Glider Super Store website. All you need is the honey, bottled water & eggs. Follow the instructions on package. The kit contains the correct amounts of Wombaroo & bee pollen. I find it's fairly economical and easy to purchase, prepare & serve.
On this diet there is no need for added supplements, just fruit & veggies. I do leave a few of the pellets my girls love scattered around in some of their play things/area for a foraging treat.

That's just what I find works for me, you may find something else works better for you

I put Maya on Ruth's Modified Leadbeater's Diet and she seems to like it. I give her a side of fruit/vegetables along with it. And I keep a mix of dry pellets and dried vegetable medley in her cage at all times. Does this sound like a good diet to keep her on long term? Thanks guys :)

It does....sounds like you're on the right track.

You may want to take the pellets and dried vegetables out of the cage at night when you serve their fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables and their staple mix. That would encourage them to eat the main source of nutrients first. Leave the pellets and dried vegetables in the cage during the day in case your gliders wake up for a 'snack'.

Once they are eating their regular diet well, you may find the dry food is not necessary. My gliders do not get up during the day unless I disturb them for cage cleaning or nail trims - then I give them a treat to make up for waking them from their sound sleep.

Ok, I will try that too. Any other useful diet information, tips, or suggestions??

So I need some advice on feeding also. I feed Glider Complete Sugar Glider Food from the sugar glider store. But I also feed fresh veggies or fruit daily. Is that balanced enough?

You need to make sure your glider is getting enough calcium and vitamins

Cee - most of us feel that any pellet food is not the best choice as a primary source of protein for sugar gliders. Most pellets contain inadequate amounts of protein or protein from poor sources.

Take a look at the various glider staple recipes and choose one that you are comfortable making for your gliders.

I have links to the original instructions for most of these feeding plans on my web page to help you review the information.

http://www.gliderkids.com/contact.html

These feeding plans ensure your gliders will get the nutrients including protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.

Gliders get much of their daily fluid needs from the foods they eat - the staple mixes provide much of that and the rest comes from the fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables that are fed with the various staple recipe feeding plans.

Hey Candy! I guess I didn't realize it was so detailed of a process. I feed them fruit one nite dusted with calcium. Then the next nite I will give them some carrots and some peas. I will add some organic baby for chicken or meal worms for protien. They yet yogurt here and there too. Plus always have the pelleted food but rarely eat it.