Since they are omnivores, they like many different types of food, including meat. Some of the foods that Sugar Gliders, in general, seem to enjoy include, but are NOT limited to:

Apples, applesauce (baby food formula only), apricots, bananas, berries, bread, cantaloupe, carrots, cherries, corn, dates, dried fruit, eggs, figs, grapes, honey, molasses, insects, lettuce (romaine or leaf only, Head or Iceberg can cause diarrhea), mealworms, meats (lean turkey, boiled chicken, skinless, and feed mice), melons, nuts (assorted, unsalted, and raw), oranges, papaya, peaches (not the pits, they are toxic), peanut butter, pears, pineapple, prunes, pure fruit juices, raisins, strawberries, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes.

I do not suggest broccoli cauliflower or cabbage due to the gas producing properties once ingested, no one likes to have gas, even Sugar Gliders.

One of the things that might work well for you is to have a few different containers and chop different fruits and vegetables into each one until they are full. Then all you have to do each night is open the containers you want to feed from and cut up some of the pieces you want to feed. I would like to add here that I consider it cruel not to feed some kind of insect (at least) during the week. In the wild they will eat fruits and animals and should not be denied that while in captivity. It doesn’t have to be done every day, but it should be done often.

Sugar Gliders can gain weight more easily in captivity due to the lack of movement they would experience in the wild. Babies born to overweight parents can sometimes be born blind or with vision problems caused by fatty deposits in the eyes. This can be corrected with a controlled diet and measuring weight with a small scale. One of the things that help cause this condition is feeding it lots of nuts, which are high in protein and fat. To reduce your weight you need to reduce your fat and protein and try to increase your exercise. It can take a few weeks to lose weight.

Don’t get frustrated when trying to feed your pet. They are peculiar with their diet, as they can voluntarily accept a food for a few days and then not take the same after a week and then eat it the following week. The bottom line is that everyone has their own personality and tastes, and it will take time to figure out what they like. You may find it easier to go to your local grocery store and buy a bag of frozen mixed greens and use them alongside fresh fruit. You should also make sure your Sugar Glider has fresh water every day. Keep in mind that tap water may not be the best, as it is usually treated with chemicals to clean the water.

A couple of suggestions I’ll make regarding any type of feeding bowls would be that you should at least have a bowl that won’t tip over or spill easily. Most sugar gliders will tend to climb onto the bowl and perch on the edge of the bowl. If the bowl is not heavy enough to support your weight, it will tip over and the food will spill out causing a mess or creating a situation where the food falls through the bottom of the age and the Sugar Glider will not be able to eat. Another suggestion that has worked well for me is to have a type of feeder that hangs on the side of the cage. I have done this because as the Sugar Glider goes up around the cage it will excrete and the droppings will fall to the bottom of the cage hitting anything in its path including the food bowl. My feeders are located at the top of the cage with enough space for a Sugar Glider to sit, on the edge, without feeling uncomfortable while eating. This prevents them from climbing on top of the food (most of the time) and reduces the chance of them getting on the food.

A sample Glider formula that works well is as follows:

Adult formula:

• 4-8 ounces applesauce
• 1/2 cup Gerber dry cereal (for protein)
• 1/4 cup rice
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
• 4 ounces isomil or secure more
• Apple or orange juice to make soup

Puree in blender until liquid forms and place in ice cube trays and freeze and feed 1-2 times per week. Take out one for morning feeding and one for afternoon feeding. Discard after 5 hours. It is also a good idea to offer them some type of solid food, as this will help keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Some people suggest feeding once a day in the evening, while others will feed twice a day. The method you choose should depend on your Sugar Gliders. Are you still hungry in the morning? Feed them a small amount in the morning or give them a little more at night. If I give mine too much food, they tend to make their cage dirty, so I feed them less at each feeding, but I feed them twice a day. Try mixing up a few things that your Sugar Glider likes and is good for him, mix and freeze. You can get a couple of ice cube trays pretty cheaply and use them for freezing.