When it comes to feeding sugar gliders, there’s a lot of conflicting information online. From well-meaning pet owners on social media to bold claims from questionable brands, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. At Exotic Nutrition, we believe in transparency, science-backed nutrition, and empowering pet owners to make informed decisions.
With over 24 years of hands-on experience, we’ve developed premium sugar glider diets in collaboration with veterinarians, nutritionists, and exotic animal professionals. Our goal is simple: to provide safe, healthy, and balanced nutrition that helps sugar gliders thrive. We do not breed or sell pets—our exclusive focus is on creating the best nutrition possible.
Myth #1: “Pellets Will Harm Your Glider”
One of the most persistent myths in the sugar glider community is that pellet diets are unsafe. Some forums and Facebook groups may claim that pellets "will kill your glider"—but these statements are rarely supported by real data or credible sources.
The reality is that there is no universally agreed-upon perfect sugar glider diet. However, many pellet-based diets have been used successfully for decades with consistently positive results. Products like ZooPro Glider Essential and Glider Complete are specifically formulated with sugar gliders' nutritional needs in mind. They contain a balanced mix of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for maintaining health.
Thousands of gliders have thrived on these diets, and the evidence is clear in long lifespans, active behavior, and glowing customer reviews. If these foods were truly harmful, customers would stop buying them, and the products would disappear from the market. The continued popularity and success of these diets speak volumes.
Myth #2: “Fresh Foods Are Always Better”
There is a common belief that feeding sugar gliders only fresh fruits, yogurt, and juices is more "natural" or beneficial. While it’s true that some variety is good, these foods often lack the critical balance of nutrients gliders require. They also don't reflect a sugar glider's natural diet in the wild.
Fruits and sweet treats may be enjoyable, but they can lead to nutritional imbalances when not paired with a complete diet. Unlike homemade mixes, a high-quality pellet or kibble diet offers consistency, balance, and reliability. It's not just about offering something that looks healthy—it's about ensuring the proper levels of calcium, protein, fiber, and other essentials are met.
Exotic Nutrition diets like Instant-HPW and Garden Fresh Re-Hydrate can be used alongside our staple diets to add variety without compromising nutrition. This hybrid feeding approach gives your glider the best of both worlds.
Understanding Natural Feeding Behavior
Many people think gliders are sap-suckers that don’t chew food and should only be given soft meals. However, in the wild, gliders rip and chew bark to access sap and insects. Even dried sap is eaten if they return to the source later.
This instinctive chewing and extracting behavior is mirrored in captivity. Sugar gliders often chew their food, extract moisture and nutrients, and spit out the fibrous remains—a behavior known as "spittings."
Pellets and kibble can be consumed in this way too. If your glider seems to leave behind bits of food, it doesn’t mean they aren’t benefiting from it. It’s a normal, healthy behavior that helps satisfy their need to gnaw and extract.
Ingredient Quality: Why Corn Isn’t Ideal
Many low-cost glider foods list corn as the first ingredient. While corn is inexpensive and palatable, it is not a biologically appropriate staple. Corn is high in sugar and starch, which can lead to digestive issues and organ stress in sugar gliders.
What’s worse, some of the most expensive glider diets on the market rely heavily on corn. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it’s nutritious. These products rely on corn as a filler to cut costs and boost palatability.
Exotic Nutrition uses superior protein sources such as chicken, egg, soy, and insect meal—ingredients that are rich in essential amino acids and more bioavailable. Our Bug Blend, Gummivore-Fare, and ZooPro High Protein Supplement offer well-rounded nutrition without relying on cheap fillers.
The Pitfalls of Bulk Feeding Supplies
Some companies sell food in large 180-day supply packages. This may seem convenient, but it’s not ideal. Over time, even sealed food can lose nutritional potency as vitamins break down and fats become rancid.
We recommend buying food in 4–8 week quantities to ensure optimal freshness and nutrition. Our resealable packaging and small-batch production help guarantee that your glider receives the highest quality diet at every meal.
How Exotic Nutrition Makes Its Foods
Our diets are created using two main methods: compression pelleting and extrusion. In pelleting, ingredients like grains, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are mixed and pressed into dense pellets. In extrusion, the food is cooked and puffed into a kibble-like consistency. Both methods preserve nutritional content and provide consistency in every batch.
Every Exotic Nutrition product is the result of careful formulation and years of testing. We never cut corners, and our sole focus is always on pet nutrition. Our products are compatible with many feeding routines and are designed to be flexible and convenient.
Our Commitment to Gliders and Their Owners
At Exotic Nutrition, we’re proud to support animal rescues, nonprofit organizations, and pet owners across the country. We offer discounts to help these groups care for sugar gliders with high-quality, affordable nutrition.
Whether you're a new owner or a long-time glider parent, our goal is to provide accurate information and premium products to help your pets thrive. We encourage owners to stay informed by reading updated materials, seeking diverse sources, and questioning unsubstantiated claims.
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Notice: Exotic Nutrition cannot provide specific care guidelines on an individual basis. Please consult a veterinarian or experienced breeder.
Exotic Nutrition is proud to serve hundreds of universities, zoological parks, veterinarians, research centers and other institutions seeking to advance the health and well-being of exotics worldwide. See a full list of institutions using our products here.
Exotic Nutrition has a heart for animals in need. Through regular donations to rescues, rehabilitators, and special fundraiser events, Exotic Nutrition is making a significant impact in the lives of animals. See a full list of our charitable donations here.
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