While calcium is an essential mineral in your sugar glider’s diet, you must be aware that it can be inhibited by the mineral phosphorous. While some vegetables are rich in calcium, they also contain phosphorous. The right balance of calcium and phosphorous is crucial for the health of your glider. Too much of either one can be harmful to your glider’s body and waste calcium. Here are some food tips for your sugar glider.
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Avoid sugar glider calcium food
The most common food a sugar glider should not eat is chocolate or dairy products. They may eat vegetables, but avoid canned fruit or processed snacks that contain high levels of sodium and preservatives. Fruits and vegetables that contain high levels of calcium are green beans, beets, carrots, lettuce, and sprouts. Broccoli and cauliflower are also acceptable, but do not overdo it. Garlic and onions should be avoided, as they cause excess gas in sugar gliders.
Several vegetables are high in calcium, and it is essential that your glider receives an adequate amount. Calcium and phosphorus work in tandem to maintain bone health. When your sugar glider is deficient in either of these minerals, its body will attempt to supplement the missing calcium by dumping it into the bloodstream, causing soft bones, hind limb paralysis, and other ailments. If you can’t separate the two minerals, try varying your glider’s diet to keep them healthy and happy.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of calcium for a sugar glider’s diet. You should try to include at least three different kinds of fruit each day. Avoid giving your sugar glider rhubarb, lima beans, and potatoes, and avoid Asian-style fruits. Also, avoid feeding your glider raw seafood or other food that may contain toxic chemicals. Make sure to thoroughly cook any products you choose to use as part of your sugar glider’s diet.
Gliders will also enjoy eating fruit and vegetables. These natural foods are high in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Some brands of these foods contain acacia gum, which is a vital carbohydrate source. Fruits and vegetables can be mixed with their basic diet to make them more accepting of new foods. The most popular options include Fruit Medley, Island Blend, and Veggie Blend.
Mealworms are a treat
Mealworms are an excellent treat for sugar gliders, but they can be dangerous if they have fatty deposits in their eyes. Instead, feed your sugar glider a calcium-rich cricket diet. This cricket diet comes from Fluker. It contains high calcium content. Female gliders breed more frequently during the warmer months, so a high protein diet may improve fertility. For more information, please read Sugar Glider Care: Calcium Supplements
Mealworms are an excellent treat for sugar gliders and other small animals. The mealworms are high in calcium and provide the calcium that your glider needs. Sugar gliders are picky eaters and sometimes don’t get enough of the nutrients in their diet. Besides mealworms, you can also provide other snacks for your glider to enjoy. For example, you can give them small pieces of apples and carrots.
Veggie Blend
Your sugar glider needs to get a good balance of calcium and phosphorus in its diet, and a Veggie Blend is the perfect supplement to help them achieve this balance. While calcium is an important nutrient for sugar gliders, some vegetables can also have high calcium levels. Broccoli, cabbage, and green beans are all excellent sources of calcium. However, make sure you don’t overfeed your glider, as too much phosphorous can cause calcium deficiency, a condition which can lead to hind limb paralysis.
If you’d like your sugar glider to get a good amount of calcium, it’s essential to offer it a balanced diet with 50% insect protein and 50% animal protein. Commercial protein products for sugar gliders contain essential vitamins and minerals, which are superior to unsupplemented animal foods. Alternatively, you can mix live adult insects into your glider’s diet. But remember to keep the larval form of insects to a minimum.
Blueberries
When it comes to feeding your sugar glider the proper diet, there are several things you can do. First of all, you need to provide adequate calcium and phosphorus ratios. While calcium and phosphorus are essential for proper digestion and bodily functions, they often get mixed up in the body, and the result can be a deficiency in one or the other. While these two are unavoidable problems, they are easily remedied with the use of supplements.
When it comes to rations, one of the easiest ways to provide adequate calcium to your sugar glider is by giving them blueberries. Luckily, blueberries are low in calories and packed with health benefits. You can give your gliders fresh or frozen blueberries. Always make sure you buy organic blueberries to ensure your glider is getting only essential nutrients. Besides, blueberries are low in calories and easy to digest, which is great news for you and your sugar glider. Blueberries should be served alongside calcium-rich foods.
