There are several different theories on what you should feed a sugar glider on a daily basis. But most sugar glider experts agree that these wonderful animals, when raised in captivity, require a fresh diet variety of fruit, fresh vegetables and protein. We recommend The Pet Glider Diet every day with The Pet Glider Multi-vitamins with calcium sprinkled on top, staples in the habitats at all time, mealworms and healthy treats. We have one of the top reputations for healthy gliders and we believe it is because of this diet and of course the loving care we give our sweethearts on a daily basis. We know that our sugar glider food takes a little more time to prepare than powdered versions, but it is well worth your time. Your sugar gliders will thank you, always give compliments to the chef. Avoid feeding anything with preservatives, sugar or color additives. Gliders in the wild eat very low fat diets and get lots of exercise gliding through the rain forest. Gliders raised in captivity, without a healthy diet, can become fat and develop health problems.
Sugar gliders are very active animals with high metabolisms. Therefore it is important that you keep sugar glider food in their cage at all times. For the primary meal, we recommend you serve them the fresh diet listed here on a daily basis in the late afternoon, periodically providing healthy treats and mealworms. And of course make sure they have fresh filtered water at all times. In addition to the primary meal, keeping brunch and glider biscuits in their cage as “free feed” options is highly recommended.
The Pet Glider Fresh Diet: The Pet Glider Fresh Diet consists of apple sauce, yogurt, orange juice concentrate, oatmeal, protein (chicken, turkey or eggs), fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits. 1 ½ tablespoons per glider per day served in late afternoon.
Vitamins: You must sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium, on your gliders food everyday (1/8 teaspoons per sugar glider). These are made specifically for sugar gliders with calcium to phosphorous ratio of at least 2:1. DO NOT USE REPTILE VITAMINS FOR YOUR SMALL MAMMAL! The Pet Glider Complete Multi-Vitamin with Calcium is the only human grade vitamin supplement on the market. It is sold by many other breeders and supply companies all over the United States. We cannot stress enough how important additional vitamins are to the health of your sugar gliders. The sugar gliders high diet of fruits and vegetables contains inverse amounts of phosphorous to calcium. High phosphorus and low calcium leaches calcium from their bones making the bones brittle and easily broken or fractured. Calcium deficiency will make your glider sick, then will cause hind leg or total paralysis, and will kill them. If you notice any trembling or shaking (on a consistent basis, not just when scared), or any trouble climbing in the cage or hanging on to the perch, contact your exotic animal vet immediately. Neocalglucon or Calciquid (calcium glubionate in a sweet syrup), is an excellent product to rebuild calcium quickly, your vet (one who is very knowledgeable in sugar gliders) can instruct you on how much and how often to give this calcium supplement. Do not feed these high phosphorous foods: beef, most seeds, nuts and cottage cheese – eliminate these foods from your gliders diet. Corn is also high in phosphorus and should be fed sparingly and an occasional almond is fine. Just think moderation. Prevention is your safest bet, so use vitamins daily and we feel ours is the best. Click here for The Pet Glider Multi-Vitamin with Calcium.
Fresh Water: You must be sure to provide your sugar glider with fresh water daily. We recommend you use filtered water and never let your water bottle be empty. As an additional beverage, you can mix ½ filtered water with ½ 100% fruit juice; like 100% apple juice, but we recommend that only 3 times per week. WE DO NOT recommend Glideraide because it is high in sugar and it contains an unspecified amount of vitamins which could be too much when combined with other vitamins given on a daily basis. We recommend the Lixit glass water bottle and it is available on our store on our website in the 08 oz. Bottle or the 16 oz. Bottle.
Brunch (Cereal) & Glider Biscuits: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is our own limited ingredients, specially formulated as a healthy all day brunch snack for your special sugar gliders. Taste great, small sized for a sugar glider. Keep Sugar Glider Brunch available for your gliders at all times. It’s an “all day sugar glider brunch snack”. We only serve the best! Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 teaspoon per glider per day, this also depends on the gliders individual preference. Throw out old brunch & glider biscuits, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in. These are not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, it is a nutritional staple food they can snack on between meals. You can order Brunch & Glider Biscuits HERE.
Mealworms: The favorite healthy treat of a sugar glider (and they have told us this) is the live giant mealworm. It is a high protein treat and can be given to them on a daily basis – no more than 3-4 giant sized mealies per glider. It is also a great treat to use when bonding with your sugar glider or having fun hand feeding your pet. You can order mealworms HERE.
Treats: Excellent treats for sugar gliders include yogurt drops, dried fruits such as blueberries and apples, freeze dried meats, and more. The Pet Glider store carries all of these treats along with other sugar glider supplies. Also cutting up fresh fruit such as watermelon and oranges, or sweet potatoes will make your sugar gliders jump for joy. A variety of treats are available HERE
As an exotic pet owner, I’m always curious whether I can share tidbits of my own meals with my sugar gliders Since turkey is a lean protein that’s part of many human diets, it’s natural to wonder whether these tiny marsupials can enjoy a taste as well. In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to sugar gliders and turkey based on glider nutrition, preparation methods, health risks, and portion control.
Sugar gliders are omnivorous creatures that thrive on diversity. In the wild, they enjoy:
- Tree sap and gum for carbohydrates
- Fruits and veggies for vitamins and fiber
- Protein from insects and small vertebrates
To mimic this varied diet pet gliders need a balanced menu of produce, animal proteins and specialty supplements. Staple diets exist, but variety is key. The question is – can lean turkey be part of that variety?
Can Sugar Gliders Have Turkey?
Turkey offers some potential benefits
- As a lean, low-fat meat, turkey provides quality protein for growth and repair.
- The meat offers more nutrients than plant proteins alone.
However, there are also some risks with turkey:
- As a new food, turkey could cause digestive upset or allergic reactions.
- Too much protein stresses small glider digestive systems.
- Preparation is key – seasonings and bones are toxic!
So turkey can’t be a staple, but with precautions, it can supplement a glider’s nutrition.
Feeding Guidelines for Sugar Gliders and Turkey
When adding turkey to your glider’s menu, adhere to these tips:
- Consult an exotic vet on proper turkey portion sizes and frequency. Start slowly.
- Select plain, cooked, unseasoned turkey breast. No deli meats.
- Remove all bones, skin, fat, and seasonings – these items can choke or poison gliders.
- Mix turkey with familiar ingredients and watch for negative reactions at first.
- Chop or shred turkey into tiny, swallow-safe pieces – no bigger than a pea.
- Feed turkey 1-2 times weekly as a supplement, not a staple.
- Monitor your glider’s stool, behavior, and appetite closely for any issues.
- Discontinue turkey if soft stool, low appetite, or other concerns arise.
By introducing turkey slowly and properly, it can provide extra nutrition without disrupting your glider’s dietary balance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Gliders and Turkey
To expand on turkey dos and don’ts, here are some common questions glider owners have:
How often can I feed turkey?
Consult your vet, but 1-2 times per week is likely safe as an occasional treat.
What’s the best turkey preparation method?
Plain cooked breast, chopped small, with no bones, skin, fat, or seasoning.
What portion of turkey is suitable per glider?
Start with 1-2 teaspoons of chopped pieces per glider and adjust based on vet advice.
Can I feed turkey deli meat or lunch meat?
Avoid processed deli turkey due to hazardous preservatives like nitrates.
Can I give turkey baby food?
Yes, but only additive-free kinds approved by your exotic vet.
What if my glider gets diarrhea after eating turkey?
Stop turkey immediately and call your vet if diarrhea occurs after consumption.
Conclusion: Limited Turkey as a Supplementary Treat
So can sugar gliders eat turkey? In moderation, plain turkey can provide extra protein as part of a balanced diet. Just be sure to follow proper preparation, portion, and monitoring guidelines. With your vet’s guidance, a taste of turkey can be a safe and nutritious supplement. But the main diet should still consist of diverse fruits, veggies, insects, and specialty foods.
With some care and limitations, sharing a nibble of holiday turkey with your sugar glider can be a nice way to include them in the festivities! Just be sure to focus on their unique nutritional needs first.
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There are several different theories on what you should feed a sugar glider on a daily basis. But most sugar glider experts agree that these wonderful animals, when raised in captivity, require a fresh diet variety of fruit, fresh vegetables and protein. We recommend The Pet Glider Diet every day with The Pet Glider Multi-vitamins with calcium sprinkled on top, staples in the habitats at all time, mealworms and healthy treats. We have one of the top reputations for healthy gliders and we believe it is because of this diet and of course the loving care we give our sweethearts on a daily basis. We know that our sugar glider food takes a little more time to prepare than powdered versions, but it is well worth your time. Your sugar gliders will thank you, always give compliments to the chef. Avoid feeding anything with preservatives, sugar or color additives. Gliders in the wild eat very low fat diets and get lots of exercise gliding through the rain forest. Gliders raised in captivity, without a healthy diet, can become fat and develop health problems.
Sugar gliders are very active animals with high metabolisms. Therefore it is important that you keep sugar glider food in their cage at all times. For the primary meal, we recommend you serve them the fresh diet listed here on a daily basis in the late afternoon, periodically providing healthy treats and mealworms. And of course make sure they have fresh filtered water at all times. In addition to the primary meal, keeping brunch and glider biscuits in their cage as “free feed” options is highly recommended.
The Pet Glider Fresh Diet: The Pet Glider Fresh Diet consists of apple sauce, yogurt, orange juice concentrate, oatmeal, protein (chicken, turkey or eggs), fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits. 1 ½ tablespoons per glider per day served in late afternoon.
Vitamins: You must sprinkle The Pet Glider Vitamins with calcium, on your gliders food everyday (1/8 teaspoons per sugar glider). These are made specifically for sugar gliders with calcium to phosphorous ratio of at least 2:1. DO NOT USE REPTILE VITAMINS FOR YOUR SMALL MAMMAL! The Pet Glider Complete Multi-Vitamin with Calcium is the only human grade vitamin supplement on the market. It is sold by many other breeders and supply companies all over the United States. We cannot stress enough how important additional vitamins are to the health of your sugar gliders. The sugar gliders high diet of fruits and vegetables contains inverse amounts of phosphorous to calcium. High phosphorus and low calcium leaches calcium from their bones making the bones brittle and easily broken or fractured. Calcium deficiency will make your glider sick, then will cause hind leg or total paralysis, and will kill them. If you notice any trembling or shaking (on a consistent basis, not just when scared), or any trouble climbing in the cage or hanging on to the perch, contact your exotic animal vet immediately. Neocalglucon or Calciquid (calcium glubionate in a sweet syrup), is an excellent product to rebuild calcium quickly, your vet (one who is very knowledgeable in sugar gliders) can instruct you on how much and how often to give this calcium supplement. Do not feed these high phosphorous foods: beef, most seeds, nuts and cottage cheese – eliminate these foods from your gliders diet. Corn is also high in phosphorus and should be fed sparingly and an occasional almond is fine. Just think moderation. Prevention is your safest bet, so use vitamins daily and we feel ours is the best. Click here for The Pet Glider Multi-Vitamin with Calcium.
Fresh Water: You must be sure to provide your sugar glider with fresh water daily. We recommend you use filtered water and never let your water bottle be empty. As an additional beverage, you can mix ½ filtered water with ½ 100% fruit juice; like 100% apple juice, but we recommend that only 3 times per week. WE DO NOT recommend Glideraide because it is high in sugar and it contains an unspecified amount of vitamins which could be too much when combined with other vitamins given on a daily basis. We recommend the Lixit glass water bottle and it is available on our store on our website in the 08 oz. Bottle or the 16 oz. Bottle.
Brunch (Cereal) & Glider Biscuits: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is our own limited ingredients, specially formulated as a healthy all day brunch snack for your special sugar gliders. Taste great, small sized for a sugar glider. Keep Sugar Glider Brunch available for your gliders at all times. It’s an “all day sugar glider brunch snack”. We only serve the best! Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 teaspoon per glider per day, this also depends on the gliders individual preference. Throw out old brunch & glider biscuits, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in. These are not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, it is a nutritional staple food they can snack on between meals. You can order Brunch & Glider Biscuits HERE.
Mealworms: The favorite healthy treat of a sugar glider (and they have told us this) is the live giant mealworm. It is a high protein treat and can be given to them on a daily basis – no more than 3-4 giant sized mealies per glider. It is also a great treat to use when bonding with your sugar glider or having fun hand feeding your pet. You can order mealworms HERE.
Treats: Excellent treats for sugar gliders include yogurt drops, dried fruits such as blueberries and apples, freeze dried meats, and more. The Pet Glider store carries all of these treats along with other sugar glider supplies. Also cutting up fresh fruit such as watermelon and oranges, or sweet potatoes will make your sugar gliders jump for joy. A variety of treats are available HERE
The Pet Glider does not recommend the following:
Chocolate of any kind, candy of any variety, bread, cat food, dog food, seeds or any food with high sugar content. Any vegetable that is high in phosphorous is not good for sugar gliders. And we ask (pretty please) that you do your homework before you buy any item that is pre-mixed, has more than one ingredient, claims to be the answer to all your needs, or seems to be too good to be true. Your new best friend(s) depend on you to keep them safe, healthy and happy.