Sugar gliders can eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, but these should only be a supporting part of the diet, not the main course. Offer a small portion of fresh produce daily, choose calcium-rich vegetables, and pair it with a balanced staple diet, a protein source such as insects and a calcium supplement. Too much fruit and not enough calcium can lead to serious bone disease.
How much fresh food do gliders need?
A common rule of thumb is that fresh fruits, vegetables and treats make up roughly a quarter of the diet, with the rest coming from a nutritionally complete staple diet and insects or other protein. Portions are small: about a tablespoon or two of chopped fruit and vegetables per glider per night, depending on size and diet plan. See our guides to the BML diet and the TPG diet for two widely used plans.
Safe fruits
- Apple (no seeds), pear, melon, grapes
- Papaya, mango, kiwi, peach (no pit)
- Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
- Pomegranate seeds, figs and dates in tiny amounts
Gliders love sweets, so offer fruit sparingly. A fruit-heavy diet can lead to obesity and dental problems.
Safe vegetables
- Sweet potato (cooked), carrots, squash and zucchini
- Green beans and peas
- Bell peppers and cucumber
- Kale, collard greens and dandelion greens, in moderation
Choose vegetables higher in calcium than phosphorus where you can. The overall balance of calcium to phosphorus in a glider’s diet should be about 2 to 1. Our list of calcium-rich foods for sugar gliders and our guide to calcium supplements explain how to get this right.
Foods to avoid
- Chocolate and caffeine
- Dairy products (gliders are lactose intolerant)
- Onion and garlic
- Fruit pits and seeds, which can contain toxins
- Processed, salty, fried or sugary human foods
- High-oxalate foods in large amounts, such as spinach and rhubarb, which can bind calcium
- Raw or dried beans
Ask your exotics vet about avocado, nuts and citrus, which some feeding plans limit or avoid.
Preparing fresh food
- Wash all produce thoroughly, and choose organic when you can.
- Cut into small, bite-size pieces.
- Remove uneaten fresh food from the cage by morning to prevent spoilage.
- Provide fresh water daily in a bottle or a sturdy dish.
Protein and insects
In the wild, gliders eat insects and plant sap. Pet gliders need a regular protein source such as gut-loaded mealworms, crickets or cooked egg, offered in small amounts. Because mealworms are high in phosphorus, they should be dusted with calcium or balanced with calcium-rich foods.
For a bigger picture, see our fruits and vegetables sugar gliders can eat and what do you feed sugar gliders pages.
Bottom Line
Offer a small mix of safe fruits and calcium-rich vegetables each night alongside a balanced staple diet and protein. Skip toxic foods, balance calcium and phosphorus, and talk to an exotic pet vet if your glider has weak legs or trouble climbing, which can be signs of metabolic bone disease.
This article is general information and not veterinary advice.
