What to Feed Sugar Gliders?

Feeding sugar gliders isn’t just about filling a bowl with random fruits or snacks—it’s about replicating the natural, well-balanced diet they’d have in the wild. These charming, nocturnal marsupials are omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods like nectar, tree sap, insects, fruits, and even small animals in their natural habitat. Each component of their diet plays a vital role in their health, energy, and longevity. In captivity, offering a proper diet is one of the most important responsibilities for any sugar glider parent. A poor diet can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, calcium deficiency, and even early death. But don’t worry—with the right knowledge and a little planning, you can give your sugar gliders a menu that’s both nutritious and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll break down everything from protein sources and fruits to essential supplements and treats, so you can confidently care for your tiny companions.

1. Understanding the Balanced Diet

A balanced diet for sugar gliders should consist of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and a proper calcium-phosphorus ratio. Their food intake should roughly be 40-50% protein, 25-30% fruits and vegetables, and the rest from supplements and treats. The key is variety and balance—an unbalanced diet can lead to serious health problems like obesity, calcium deficiency, and hind leg paralysis. A healthy sugar glider diet mimics the nutritional complexity they would find in nature, ensuring they live a long, active life.

2. Fruits and Vegetables – Fresh and Colorful

Fruits and vegetables bring essential vitamins, minerals, and hydration to your glider’s diet. Offer a colorful mix of glider-safe produce daily. Good fruit options include apples (seeds removed), berries, mango, papaya, melon, grapes (in small quantities), and pear. For vegetables, go with sweet potato (cooked), carrots, bell peppers, green beans, kale, and zucchini. Corn is okay occasionally but high in sugar. Always avoid onions, garlic, avocado, and rhubarb—these are toxic to sugar gliders and should never be fed. Wash all produce thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

3. Protein – The Power Fuel

Protein is essential in a sugar glider’s diet because it fuels their energy, supports healthy growth, and maintains muscle strength. In the wild, sugar gliders consume insects and small vertebrates as part of their protein intake, so it’s important to offer similar sources in captivity. Here are safe and effective ways to meet their protein needs:

Boiled or Scrambled Eggs

A simple and affordable protein source. Eggs should be plain, cooked without oil, salt, or spices. Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are both fine. Offer them a small portion a few times a week—too much can lead to excess fat in the diet.

Cooked Lean Meats

Plain, skinless chicken or turkey breast is a good protein choice. It must be thoroughly cooked and unseasoned. Shred it into small pieces for easy eating. Avoid processed meats like sausages, ham, or anything with preservatives.

Insects – A Natural Favorite

Live or dried mealworms, crickets, and black soldier fly larvae closely mimic their wild diet. These are high in protein and mentally stimulating to hunt or forage. If using dried insects, make sure they’re unsweetened and unsalted. Don’t overfeed insects as they can be fatty—treat them more like supplements than staples.

Commercial Insect-Based Foods

There are insect-based commercial diets specifically made for sugar gliders, often in dried or pellet form. These can be a good addition if you want a convenient, consistent protein source. Make sure you choose a reputable brand with no artificial colors or harmful fillers.

Yogurt Drops – Treat, Not Staple

While small amounts of sugar-free yogurt drops are okay occasionally, they should be offered sparingly. Sugar gliders are lactose-sensitive, and too much dairy can upset their digestive system. Stick to once or twice a week in very small portions.

Avoid

Never feed raw meat, seasoned foods, or processed meats. Avoid any protein source high in fat or sodium. These can cause long-term health issues including kidney damage and obesity.

4. Calcium and Vitamins – Essential for Strong Bones

Sugar gliders are prone to calcium deficiency, which can lead to bone weakness and paralysis. To prevent this, it's important to ensure their diet has the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (about 2:1). Reptile-safe calcium supplements can be lightly sprinkled over their food a few times a week. If your glider doesn’t get natural sunlight, choose supplements that include Vitamin D3. Multivitamin powders designed for sugar gliders are also useful, especially when feeding homemade diets. Some nectar replacement formulas like HPW, Critter Love, and BML are fortified with vitamins and minerals, helping simplify your feeding routine while meeting their nutritional needs.

5. Popular Homemade Diet Plans

Over the years, sugar glider experts have developed several homemade diet plans to simplify balanced feeding. The most well-known include:

BML Diet (Bourbon’s Modified Leadbeater): A mix of protein powder, baby food, and supplements.
HPW (High Protein Wombaroo): Based on Wombaroo protein powder and bee pollen.
Critter Love Diets: Easy-to-prepare, freeze-friendly blends rich in nutrients.
TPG (The Pet Glider) Diet: Fruit, veggie, and protein-based diet with calcium and vitamins.

These plans usually require prepping a batch in advance and freezing it into daily portions. They help ensure consistent nutrition and make feeding quicker and easier.

6. Treats – Fun but in Moderation

Treats are great for bonding, training, and enrichment—but should only be offered occasionally. Treats should not make up more than 5–10% of their diet. Suitable treat options include a dab of natural applesauce, a small piece of honey, sugar-free yogurt drops, or a bit of dried fruit (with no added sugar or sulfur). Insect treats like dried mealworms are a favorite, too. Avoid sugary cereals, chips, salty snacks, chocolate, and anything with xylitol, which is extremely toxic to sugar gliders.

7. Feeding Time and Routine

Sugar gliders are nocturnal, so the best time to feed them is in the early evening, just as they’re waking up. This is when they’re most active and ready to eat. Serve fresh food every night, and remove leftovers in the morning to prevent spoilage or attracting insects. Clean water should always be available, either in a water bottle or a spill-proof dish. Observe their eating habits regularly—changes in appetite or weight could signal health issues.

8. Dangerous Foods to Avoid

While many foods we eat are harmless to humans, some can be extremely dangerous—or even fatal—for sugar gliders. It's essential to avoid feeding them chocolate, avocado, garlic, and onions, as these can be toxic and cause serious health problems. Similarly, alcohol and caffeine should never be given, even in small amounts, as sugar gliders are very sensitive to these substances. Stay away from processed, fried, or sugary foods, as well as any kind of junk or fast food, which can lead to obesity, digestive issues, and other complications.

Artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, are particularly dangerous and can be deadly even in tiny quantities. Before introducing any new food to your sugar glider’s diet, always do your research or consult an exotic pet vet to ensure it’s safe. Prioritizing their safety in what they eat is key to keeping them healthy and happy.

Feeding your sugar gliders the right way is more than just about nutrition—it’s about love, care, and building trust. A varied, balanced, and species-appropriate diet will keep them active, healthy, and happy. When you feed with attention and affection, you’ll not only meet their physical needs but also create a strong emotional bond that lasts a lifetime.

At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.

Our specialty is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.

Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!