Introduction
It is important to understand the large role that
nutrition plays in a sugar glider’s life.
Sugar gliders are quite capable of living 10 to 15 years in
captivity. The majority of
health issues that occur in sugar gliders have been traced back to
nutritional improprieties. Problems
that stem from improper diet not always become rapidly apparent.
Many times, these issues build over an extended period of time and
actual physical complications become visible only after irreparable damage
has occurred. A responsible
approach to providing a proper diet is to verify that a sugar glider’s
nutritional needs are being met on a daily basis.
The following text provides an up close look at a sugar glider’s
nutritional requirements.
Micronutrients
Sugar gliders require high calcium levels.
Therefore, calcium (a micronutrient) becomes an integral part of
the sugar glider’s diet. Another
micronutrient, phosphorus, can inhibit the absorption of calcium into the
body. In order to prevent
this, a sugar glider’s diet should present these two micronutrients in a
2:1, calcium to phosphorus ratio. That means for every one part phosphorus present in their
diet, there should be 2 parts calcium included. Supplying lower levels of
calcium will result in a calcium deficiency over time.
Calcium deficiencies can be both debilitating and life threatening
for a sugar glider. The best way to supply a sugar glider with calcium is
to select fruits and vegetables that are rich in calcium and incorporate
those into the sugar glider’s diet.
Even still, some calcium supplementation may be required to achieve
a proper ratio. However, the
sugar glider’s body more efficiently processes natural sources of
calcium. An accurate listing of the calcium and phosphorus amounts
found in many common foods is available through the USDA’s nutritional
database. The database can be located at the following links:
Calcium
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR16/wtrank/sr16a301.pdf
Phosphorus
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR16/wtrank/sr16a305.pdf
A
comparison example of select foods and their calcium to phosphorus ratios
can be found at the bottom of this page.
Vitamins
Vitamin D is a
necessary component for the proper absorption of calcium.
Sunlight naturally stimulates the body to manufacture vitamin D.
This poses a problem for nocturnal animals like the sugar glider. Sugar gliders rely heavily upon the nourishment that they
receive to supply their bodies with vitamin D.
The most logical solution would seem to be implementing the use of
reptile vitamins. Reptile
vitamins generally contain an ample amount of vitamin D, but using them is
a bad idea. Reptile vitamins are designed for use in reptiles, not sugar
gliders. The high levels of
vitamin D that most reptile vitamins provide will cause vitamin D to build
up in the sugar gliders body over time and generate other health issues. The best way to supply a sugar glider with vitamin D is to
select foods that are a good source of vitamin D.
Naturally occurring vitamin D, when found in suitable food sources,
is the safest for a sugar glider and the most readily absorbed into its
body.
Protein
Currently,
American sugar glider diets trend toward supplying only 25% protein and
75% fruits and vegetables. However,
it has been discovered that captive sugar gliders that are fed diets so
low in protein tend to display a greater number of incidences directly
related to calcium deficiency. Proteins
play an integral role in the absorption of calcium.
Diets that supply a higher ratio of 50% protein sources to 50%
fruits and vegetables have been shown to provide a marked decrease in the
number of calcium deficiencies that occur in sugar gliders. Increased protein levels also have been shown to beneficially
influence the reproduction process. In
the wild, sugar gliders typically breed during the period of their highest
protein consumption. In
captivity, the maintenance of higher protein levels has shown an increase
in sugar gliders’ reproductive rates.
During periods of lactation, the female sugar glider’s body uses
additional protein. Therefore,
it has been suggested that the female sugar glider’s diet be modified to
supply a 60% protein to 40% fruits and vegetables composition throughout
lactation.
Insects
Insects are an
important part of any sugar glider’s diet.
It has been discovered that sugar gliders in the wild will consume
a diet composed almost entirely of insects as long as availability of that
food source exists. Insects
are not only a good source of highly digestible protein, but they also
provide necessary mental stimulation to captive gliders.
Approximately 20 to 30 extra-large mealworms, or another insect in
equivalent proportions, should be fed to each individual glider at a rate
of three times per week. If
the glider is overweight, the amount of mealworms should be reduced
accordingly. Be careful to
supply insects that are captive raised and of known origin in order to
ensure that they are free of harmful pesticides and other potential
toxins.
Supplements
More research is now
being done on the dietary requirements of captive sugar gliders. As a result, supplementation is increasing in its popularity.
Many of the most balanced diet regimens are still forced to rely on
some form of supplementation in order to meet all of the nutritional goals
required by a sugar glider. Supplementation
can be a beneficial part of a proper nutritional regimen provided that
three simple rules are followed. First,
never use supplements that are designed for anything other that a sugar
glider unless specifically instructed to do so by the diet of choice.
Secondly, never mix and match supplementations.
Use only the exact supplementation that corresponds to the diet
that was chosen. Last, but
not least, never over supplement! To avoid future health complications, use only the precise
amount of supplement that the chosen diet calls for.
Red
Flagged Food Sources
In
order to meet a sugar glider’s nutritional needs and still keep its diet
interesting, a variety of different foods are required.
However, some food can be harmful to a sugar glider.
As a responsible owner, it is necessary to be aware of which of
these foods can pose a health risk to them.
Some of the things that should never be fed to a sugar glider are
quite obvious, such as tea, coffee, and soda.
All three of these items can prove toxic to a sugar glider once
ingested. Other issues can
result simply from the improper preparation of their food.
Protein sources such as meat and eggs should never be served raw
due to the numerous health issues that could result.
All fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, should be
thoroughly washed to remove pesticides and to prevent parasitic or
bacterial infections from occurring.
Red meat, cottage cheese, avacados, nuts, and sunflower seeds
should all be avoided due to their high fat content and/or phosphorus
levels, among other potential problems. Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peas, and turnips are
all fine when served in moderation, but have been said to repress thyroid
functioning when served too frequently.
Stay away from foods that are high in artificial preservatives and
sugar. Canned foods are a
good example of these. Do not
feed sugar gliders peanuts or insects that are raised on corn mash. Peanuts and these types of insects can contain toxic
metabolites, called aflatoxins, which are known to cause liver disease.
Hard foods, such as cat food, can cause an impacted salivary gland
condition referred to as “lumpy jaw” and pose a risk for intestinal
blockage. Birdseed and millet
are also capable of causing intestinal blockage in sugar gliders.
Fruits and vegetables should be peeled and pitted whenever
possible. Pitting the fruits
reduces the risk of choking and prevents the glider from ingesting
potentially dangerous toxins contained within the pit or seed. Peeling both fruits and vegetables aids in removing
parasites, bacteria, pesticides, and other toxins that may be present
either in or on the skin. It
is also believed that sugar gliders have difficulty processing milk
proteins. They may experience digestive problems, such as diarrhea,
from the excessive consumption of dairy products.
Nectar should be served in moderation as well. Due to its extremely high sugar content, nectar should be
served in moderation in an effort to prevent diarrhea or obesity from
occurring. Garlic and members
of the onion family, including scallion, chives, leeks, and ransoms, have
been found to promote the development of anemia in many domestic animal
species and could prove fatal to a sugar glider.
Be sure that these items are not present if baby food is used as a
lickable bonding treat. Finally,
never serve your sugar glider insects caught inside or outdoors.
These insects may have been in contact with fertilizers or
insecticides and could prove harmful to a sugar glider.
A complete listing of “danger food” is available through the
Glider University website. To access this listing, please click the
following link: http://www.glideruniversity.org/nutrition/recipes.htm#danger
|
