The TPG diet is a popular sugar glider feeding plan from The Pet Glider that combines a daily fresh mix, a multivitamin with calcium, glider biscuits and a few mealworms. It was developed by sugar glider breeder Priscilla Price and is one of several widely used staple diets.
What the TPG Diet Includes
According to The Pet Glider’s published plan, each glider gets:
- Fresh mix (one meal a day, late afternoon): a blend of applesauce, plain yogurt, oatmeal, a protein such as cooked chicken, turkey or egg, and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The plan lists about 1.5 tablespoons per glider.
- Multivitamin with calcium: about 1/8 teaspoon sprinkled on each glider’s portion, not mixed into the whole batch
- Glider biscuits: about 1 teaspoon per glider, left in the cage
- Mealworms: a few live ones per glider per day
- Fresh water every day
Check The Pet Glider’s current instructions for exact recipes and amounts, since they can change.
Why Calcium Matters
Sugar gliders are prone to calcium deficiency, which causes weak bones and hind-leg paralysis. The TPG plan aims for a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of at least 2 to 1. Use a supplement made for gliders, not reptile vitamins. If a glider trembles, loses grip or has trouble climbing, see an exotic-pet vet right away.
Foods to Avoid
- Chocolate, candy, bread and anything with added sugar
- Cat and dog food
- Rhubarb, garlic, leeks and onions
- High-phosphorus foods such as beef, most seeds and nuts, and cottage cheese
- Canned produce and anything with preservatives or dyes
- Large amounts of broccoli or cauliflower, which can cause gas
Tips for Success
- Feed in the evening, since gliders are nocturnal.
- Rotate fruits and vegetables so gliders get a variety. Wash produce well.
- Remove uneaten fresh food in the morning to avoid spoilage.
- Weigh your glider regularly. Obesity is a common problem.
- Don’t mix several diet plans together without advice. Mixing can throw off the calcium balance.
Is TPG the Only Option?
No. Other staple diets, such as the Leadbeater’s mix or a pellet-based plan, are also used, and exotic-pet vets don’t all agree on one. Whatever plan you pick, follow it closely and ask a vet who treats sugar gliders to check your glider’s weight and calcium health. This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
Bottom Line
The TPG diet gives gliders a daily fresh mix, a calcium-rich vitamin, biscuits and a few mealworms. Follow the official measurements, avoid the listed foods, and watch for signs of calcium problems.
Related reading: what fruits and vegetables sugar gliders can eat, whether sugar gliders eat mealworms and the sugar glider food web.
