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GliderGossip GliderGossip
Sugar Gliders
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Food, Diet
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Jun 14 2012
01:59:10 AM
Hi, I'm new to the forums and the Glider world. I'm still not technically in it either. I'm still in the research phase of owning a glider. My girlfriend and I are thinking about purchasing two of them come August.

We just went to a local pet chain today looking for food, toys, cages, etc., etc., for our pets when we get them. No, we're not purchasing them from a pet chain but, from a local breeder here in SLC.

My question is this: we saw this food ( www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16629 ) on the shelf out there and after looking online, it appears that it has decent reviews and I'm wondering what the actual owner community thinks about this product.

I understand that pellet food should not be the sole of a glider's diet but if this particular brand will suffice as a base diet.
Default, miscellaneous
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Jun 14 2012
11:10:06 AM
TJones09 Goofy Gorillatoes Visit TJones09's Photo Album 3524 Posts
First, great job for doing your research first, that's so important with any pet that unfortunately there's not enough people doing it. And welcome.

Second, I know you already said you knew not to use pellets as sole diet, sorry if this is long, but it's my personal experience in regards to research & getting my gliders.

I found that after thorough research on gliders that it was very confusing at first to know which side to trust with so much conflicting info on the internet, especially when it comes to diets (along with some other factors). I have a friend who has had 2 sugar gliders between them both for about 3 years that she got from PP and sticks with their diet, she swears by it. So, that's what I originally did for the first 6 weeks about when I switched to one of the recognized diets listed in the Gliderpedia.

Why did I switch? After actually joining this forum I noticed photos of gliders that were fluffier than mine, and I didn't realize what "crackling fur" meant until I saw photos of before/after diet changes. My girls have "crackled fur" and are not as fluffy as some of the ones I've seen on here, so I thought maybe I could be doing better for my girls. Even though my girls appeared & acted healthy (they were a little chunky when I got them, but was told they ate a lot of meal worms). I just feel that good health is reflected in an animals coat, so I wanted mine to have something better. My girls loved their pellets though, so I give them on most days (not every) about 10 (5/glider) usually in the am when they've eaten all the main meal they're going to (usually all with exception of f/v mostly fruit they don't care for) they are scattered around in their toys for them to forage for. The only other treat they get, a few days/week is spoon fed fruit blended yogurt (w/o aspartame).

I chose for main staple the original HPW, because that's just what was easiest for me out of recognized diets, there are several to choose from, so it's a factor of convenience to make & serve as long as they like it and will eat it. So the important factors in choosing would be:
1. Recognized diet
2. Gliders like it and will eat it.
3. Most convenient for you, because you'll have to stick with it.

After you have chosen your diet you can follow the fruit/vegetable suggestions or instruction included in particular diet.
I recommend reading the ingredients, instructions on mixing & storing, and serving. These will help you factor in what's more likely that you can be consistent with.

Now, as for the pellets you mentioned, I think there is a chart that lists different brands, so maybe it's on there. I know only how to copy & paste
www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/Pellet%20Food%20Analysis%20-%20Quick%20View.pdf

Some people leave some dry/pellet food in the cage at all times or during the day, some others may use for foraging treats, and many others don't feed any pelleted food.

Last note, my girls have been on the O HPW diet for almost 10 weeks, I haven't really noticed a change in their fur per say, but they love this diet and I'm going to stick with it as long as they do and are doing so well with it, and it might take some more time to make a difference.
Food, Diet
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Jun 14 2012
11:30:02 AM
JazzNZoeysmom Zippy Glidershorts GliderMap Visit JazzNZoeysmom's Photo Album USA 5354 Posts
You will notice when you get your babies that when they eat they chew, smoosh, & suck the liquid from their foods then "spit" out what they cannot or do not digest.... these cresent shaped discards are called "spittings."

So I think the main consensus is, how can they extracate any type of liquid from a hard, dry pellet?

None of us use a pellet as any part of their staple diet but many leave a good quality pellet in the cage for them to nibble on for dental health.

I personally use Monkey biscuits & Happy Glider...I also recently got some Insectivore-Fare...it's a moist food but they are if-y about it. I'll attach the link directly to it but you can go under Sugar Glider Foods on the site and get many more options. (they also sell the monkey biscuits here)

http://www.exoticnutrition.com/r12946.html
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GliderGossip GliderGossip
Sugar Gliders
Sunseed Sunscription Vita Sugar Formula