Is it ok if the pellets i feed my gliders are not especially for sugar gliders? like rabbit or other rodent pellets?

Oh boy ... this is a heated topic, but I'm very interested in what people say.

O boy........

I'm not a big fan of pellets in general but I would think that the foods made for rabbits and rodents wouldn't be so good for gliders simply because I would imagine they are more plant/veggie based, and gliders are omnivores,...they need animal protein in their diet.

But I'm just guessing and using logic...and my logic may be flawed.

would you feed your dog mealies? your snake dog food? how about feeding your rat turtle food? Hopefully not...

There is a really good section in the gliderpedia all about what to feed your babies. There are also loads of threads on here that are searchable discussing this same topic. Please dont feed your gliders rabbit or rodent pellets. Feed them one of the "official" diets. Those diets are tried and true....you really cant go wrong.

great, thanks.

Is there something else i can feed them during the day?

You really shouldn't need to feed them during the day. I don't think most of our babies wake in the daytime.

But if it makes you feel better to leave something in the cage, I'd suggest a high quality GLIDER Pellet. Or you could get the dried fruits to leave in the cage at all times.

My gliders get up during the day from time to time to snack. I would suggest the same as Jazz - a high quality glider specific pellet. I would never feed any animal something made for another animal, but that's just my 2 cents!

I have heard and read that pellets aren't ideal. However, there was a time where I ran out of the HPW powder and waiting for it to come in (maybe one or two nights) I was using the pellets mixed with the veggies and fruits I typically give them. Again, I ran out of honey, so I'm back to feeding the pellets for a night or two til I can get to the store. They don't seem to like them as much but will tolerate it for a short period. I hope I'm ok in doing such??!!

Just realized that the question was for non glider pellets. When I substitute it is only with glider pellets, not another animals food.

Now the question I have is: what would be considered a quality glider pellet?

quote:

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Originally posted by rickylu

I have heard and read that pellets aren't ideal. However, there was a time where I ran out of the HPW powder and waiting for it to come in (maybe one or two nights) I was using the pellets mixed with the veggies and fruits I typically give them. Again, I ran out of honey, so I'm back to feeding the pellets for a night or two til I can get to the store. They don't seem to like them as much but will tolerate it for a short period. I hope I'm ok in doing such??!!

Just realized that the question was for non glider pellets. When I substitute it is only with glider pellets, not another animals food.

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Till you get your stuff in, feed protein with fruits veggies.

~Erica~

Check the first 5 ingredients. If they're mainly corn and fillers, junk it. I've had my gliders 5 1/2 years and have never once had anything in the cage for them in the daytime. I'd rather them eat the nutritious food they need at night when they're supposed to be eating. If they start snacking during the day, especially on empty fillers, they won't be as hungry for their real food.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladyjag88

would you feed your dog mealies? your snake dog food? how about feeding your rat turtle food? Hopefully not...

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A lot of experienced breeders on this forum offer high quality dog kibble as an occasional protein source. I feed high quality cat kibble to my gliders. Most of the 'recognised diets' advise feeding BABY food to gliders - is that not the same principle?? Or is that one allowed because you possibly feed HPW or BML ....


I wouldn't advise feeding pellets, they don't contain much protein and they don't contain much goodness in the way of vitamins/minerals, they're mainly just a filler. If you're looking for something to feed in the day, look at high quality kibble, at least it's high in protein so can be used alongside a diet.

As I said, most sugar glider pellets don't hit the nutritional needs of gliders, so I very much doubt a pellet designed for another animal will be beneficial at all, it will more than likely do damage.

I think baby food is a little different. I feed babyfood if we're away from home for a night, because it's so easy. But baby food (at least what I've bought) is usually the main ingredient (chicken, green beans, banana, etc.) plus water. So it's basically pureed foods. And I know some people puree their gliders' foods anyway.

I think ExoticNutrition.com has some good glider pellets. As far as offering something in the day, some people do, and some don't. Personally, I hand feed mine a few treats during the day, usually mealies or some dried fruit. Mine never wake up to go snack, but I have them in my shirt all day most days, and I figure the couple treats I give them will hold them over until evening when they get their big meal again.

Whats the difference in feeding baby food and feeding a high quality cat/dog kibble?

With baby food the ingredients are simple. Fruits or veggies that many people already feed with some water mixed in. Pellets are more complicated. There's a whole lot more ingredients to consider. Baby food usually has like two ingredients fruit/veggie/animal protein plus water. Every pellet I've looked at had at least six or seven ingredients. So it's easy to decide if baby food is something you want to give, but pellets take more research.

I agree pellets aren't great, but I said high quality kibble.

Baby food can substitute fruits and veg in a glider diet. Cat/dog kibble can substitute protein in a glider diet. Neither are designed for sugar gliders but yet both are suitable and have been used in diets with great results for over 10 years.

So again, and maybe not to you som3randomp3rson, but to Ladyjag88, why is it acceptable to feed a glider baby food but not cat/dog kibble??