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 formula only), apricots, bananas, berries, bread, cantaloupe, carrots, cherries, corn, dates, tree nuts, eggs, figs, grapes, honey, molasses, insects, lettuce (romaine or single leaf, head or iceberg can cause diarrhea), mealworms, meats (low-fat turkey, boiled and skinless chicken), melons, walnuts (assorted, unsalted and raw), oranges, papayas, peaches ( not the bones, they are toxic), peanut butter, pears, pineapple, plums, pure fruit juices, raisins, strawberries, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes.

I do not suggest broccoli or cabbage cauliflower 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 that you want to feed from and cut out some of the pieces that 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 does have to 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 by a controlled diet and by measuring weight with a small scale. One of the things that help cause this condition is feeding lots of nuts, which are rich in protein and fat. To reduce your weight you need to cut down on fat and protein and try to increase your exercise. It may take a few weeks to reduce your weight.

Don’t get frustrated when trying to feed your pet. They are peculiar with their diet, since 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 vegetables and use them along with fresh fruit. You should also make sure that 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 will make regarding any type of feeder would be that it should at least have a bowl that won’t tip over or spill easily. Most sugar gliders will tend to climb up the bowl and settle on the edge of the bowl. If the bowl is not heavy enough to support its weight, it will tip over and the food will spill causing a mess or creating a situation where the food falls out at the end 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 feeding stand that hangs on the side of the cage. I’ve done this because as the sugar glider crawls around the cage they will excrete and the droppings will fall to the bottom of the cage and hit whatever is in their way, including the food bowl. My feeders are located at the top of the cage with enough room for a sugar glider to sit, on the edge, without feeling uncomfortable while eating. This prevents them from rising above the food (most of the time) and reduces the chance that they will become soiled with food.

An example Glider formula that works fine is as follows:

Formula for adults:

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

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 evening 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 it once a day in the evening, while others will do it twice a day. The method you choose will depend on your sugar gliders. Are you still hungry in the morning? Feed them a small amount in the morning or a little more in the evening. If I feed mine too much food, they tend to make their cage dirty, so I feed less at each meal, but twice a day. Try mixing up some things that your Sugar Glider enjoys that are good for them and mixing and freezing them. You can get a couple of ice cube trays for a fairly inexpensive price and use them for freezing.