History of Popular Sugar Glider Diets
Sometimes it is easier to understand things when you know the history behind it. There are numerous diet plans for sugar gliders, some of which are "community approved", others have gone by the wayside and not widely used any longer. We will discuss those that are still popular within the online glider community.
BML - Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's Diet
Diet Creator: Bourbon Hackworth
The BML diet was created in approximately 1998. Bourbon worked with her veterinarian to modify the Original Leadbeater's diet. This diet required modification for use in the United States because the ingredients are not available for purchase here in the USA.
This diet was modified several years ago to eliminate the use of egg shells as a source of calcium. The vegetables and fruits were also limited to the current specific list (excluded oranges, pears, pineapple, peaches and lima beans and added watermelon, honey dew, blueberries, and cherries - see website for current list) to maintain the balance the diet is intended to provide. For this reason, BML is a very specific diet that limits variety. The BML mixture itself has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 3.6:1 and 16% protein. The fruits and vegetables that must be used in this diet plan were selected to create the 2:1 ca:p ratio and maintain a specific balance within the other nutrients it provides. Modifications should not be made to this list nor the ingredients of this diet plan.
BML has undergone some laboratory testing with favorable results. Glider Nursery had blood assays conducted on twelve of our personal sugar gliders. Test were ran by Michigan State University – Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health (DCPAH) with the results being interpreted by Dr. Ellen Dierenfeld, PhD. Results were compared to the ranges in the Glider Complete Vet Guide (all target ranges have not been fully determined to date) and BML fell within the recommended ranges.
The BML diet was created in approximately 1998. Bourbon worked with her veterinarian to modify the Original Leadbeater's diet. This diet required modification for use in the United States because the ingredients are not available for purchase here in the USA.
This diet was modified several years ago to eliminate the use of egg shells as a source of calcium. The vegetables and fruits were also limited to the current specific list (excluded oranges, pears, pineapple, peaches and lima beans and added watermelon, honey dew, blueberries, and cherries - see website for current list) to maintain the balance the diet is intended to provide. For this reason, BML is a very specific diet that limits variety. The BML mixture itself has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 3.6:1 and 16% protein. The fruits and vegetables that must be used in this diet plan were selected to create the 2:1 ca:p ratio and maintain a specific balance within the other nutrients it provides. Modifications should not be made to this list nor the ingredients of this diet plan.
BML has undergone some laboratory testing with favorable results. Glider Nursery had blood assays conducted on twelve of our personal sugar gliders. Test were ran by Michigan State University – Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health (DCPAH) with the results being interpreted by Dr. Ellen Dierenfeld, PhD. Results were compared to the ranges in the Glider Complete Vet Guide (all target ranges have not been fully determined to date) and BML fell within the recommended ranges.
HPW™
Creator: Peggy Brewer, Critter Love®
In 2005, Peggy Brewer worked with her veterinarian, Dr. Tim Tristin, DVM to create a diet for captive sugar gliders in the United States. She created this diet as a modification of another diet (PML) at that time that used native Australian plants that could not be obtained in the United States. The HPW™ diet was a recipe that uses an ingredient manufactured in Australia by Paswell called Wombaroo High Protein Supplement. (Today this powder is referred to as WHPS.) Originally, this diet plan allowed for a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Users were instructed to calculate the Ca:p ratios of their vegetables and fruits to maintain a balance of 2:1. However, over the years, it has been found that calculating nutrients on paper at home is typically not accurate at all.
Importing the WHPS has at times become an issue for sugar glider owners. The product would run out of stock and take months to import. The route of entry into the United States was through one supplier, making it difficult to obtain when needed. So in 2010, Peggy began working on an American made product very similar to the WHPS. Working with a nutritionist. laboratory, and food manufacturer, she created HPW Plus™. This is the "American version" of the WHPS but does have a few nutritional improvements for our captive gliders. The recipe for the HPW Plus™ is the same as the original HPW (hence how HPW became known as Original HPW™, or OHPW) with the exception that you use the Plus rather than the WHPS.
From there, additional products were created. HPW Complete™, HPW Breeder's Forumla™, and HPW Lo-Cal™.
Naturally, with the success of a diet plan, imitation products were created. These imitation products are not interchangeable with the Critter Love® diet plans, nor are they nutritionally equal.
To reduce the confusion of all of the various "HPW" diets, when Peggy had her company name federally registered in December 2014, all of her diet plans underwent the official branding and name change from "HPW" to "Critter Love®".
Extensive testing has been done on the Critter Love® diet plans. Results were presented in April 2016 as well as posted on the site linked below. As a result of the testing phases, ALL of the plans include the use of salad mixes. These mixes were created specifically for the use of all Critter Love® products to ensure an overall diet that provides the proper nutrient composition for captive sugar gliders. Testing has proven that feeding just any variety of vegetables and fruit will provide a nutritionally imbalanced diet. Therefore, Critter Love® only recommends their salad mixes with their products and diet plans. For more information please go to HPW Diets.
In 2005, Peggy Brewer worked with her veterinarian, Dr. Tim Tristin, DVM to create a diet for captive sugar gliders in the United States. She created this diet as a modification of another diet (PML) at that time that used native Australian plants that could not be obtained in the United States. The HPW™ diet was a recipe that uses an ingredient manufactured in Australia by Paswell called Wombaroo High Protein Supplement. (Today this powder is referred to as WHPS.) Originally, this diet plan allowed for a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Users were instructed to calculate the Ca:p ratios of their vegetables and fruits to maintain a balance of 2:1. However, over the years, it has been found that calculating nutrients on paper at home is typically not accurate at all.
Importing the WHPS has at times become an issue for sugar glider owners. The product would run out of stock and take months to import. The route of entry into the United States was through one supplier, making it difficult to obtain when needed. So in 2010, Peggy began working on an American made product very similar to the WHPS. Working with a nutritionist. laboratory, and food manufacturer, she created HPW Plus™. This is the "American version" of the WHPS but does have a few nutritional improvements for our captive gliders. The recipe for the HPW Plus™ is the same as the original HPW (hence how HPW became known as Original HPW™, or OHPW) with the exception that you use the Plus rather than the WHPS.
From there, additional products were created. HPW Complete™, HPW Breeder's Forumla™, and HPW Lo-Cal™.
Naturally, with the success of a diet plan, imitation products were created. These imitation products are not interchangeable with the Critter Love® diet plans, nor are they nutritionally equal.
To reduce the confusion of all of the various "HPW" diets, when Peggy had her company name federally registered in December 2014, all of her diet plans underwent the official branding and name change from "HPW" to "Critter Love®".
Extensive testing has been done on the Critter Love® diet plans. Results were presented in April 2016 as well as posted on the site linked below. As a result of the testing phases, ALL of the plans include the use of salad mixes. These mixes were created specifically for the use of all Critter Love® products to ensure an overall diet that provides the proper nutrient composition for captive sugar gliders. Testing has proven that feeding just any variety of vegetables and fruit will provide a nutritionally imbalanced diet. Therefore, Critter Love® only recommends their salad mixes with their products and diet plans. For more information please go to HPW Diets.
The Pet Glider Fresh Diet
Creator: Priscilla Price, The Pet Glider
Originally called the Sugar Glider Exotic Diet, The Pet Glider Nutrition System was created in early 2003 and is commonly referred to as the "TPG" diet. Priscilla Price created this diet and the vitamin supplement with the assistance of her veterinarian. The Pet Glider has offered this diet for all of her pet and breeding sugar gliders since it was created.
In a phone conversation with Priscilla in February 2014, she indicated that they use fresh in-season vegetables and fruits when available and uses fresh and frozen for a nutritional rotation within the recipe of the overall diet plan. The vitamins (ingredients listed on their website: Complete Balanced Mammal Multivitamin (including calcium), nectar, bee pollen, probiotics, acacia gum, and herbs) are human grade with a 5:1 Ca:P ratio and contains 100% whey protein isolate (to cut the strength of the vitamins), coconut nectar (low glycemic index), acacia gum, ground bee pollen, milk thistle and a high strength probiotic. The exact nutritional profile nor a complete list of ingredients were provided for proprietary reasons. The diet is based on 3-times the metabolic rate of a human.
Some changes have been made from the original recipe (referenced December 2003) to the current recipe. Around 2009, there were changes in the amounts of most of the ingredients (applesauce increased from 25 to 32 ounces, vegetables and fruits were increased from 3/4 cup each to 1 cup each, yogurt from 4 oz to 6 oz and changed from full fat to non-fat, orange juice was noted to not add water but that note has been removed, oats were 3/4 cup to 2-3 oz, protein went from 3 med eggs and 3/4 pound chicken to 6 oz of chicken, turkey, or egg. Flax seed/wheat germ remained the same. The list of vegetables, fruits and the mixing instructions have been slightly altered as well.
As a part of the 2014 Sugar Glider Nutrition Study, TPG diet was evaluated on paper. The results were not as favorable as hoped. The variety within the recipe, unfortunately, provides a nutritionally imbalanced diet plan. The products that are listed to be substituted with one another and the variety of vegetables and fruits are nutritionally different and are not equal as substitutes. Since the nutritional breakdown of the vitamin supplement was not provided or known at that time, they were not considered in the evaluation. However, knowing the vitamin supplement/diet was developed to be 3x the metabolic rate for a human is excessive for the needs of a sugar glider. A sugar glider has a metabolic rate less than ¾ of that of any placental mammal.
We are hoping to do testing on TPG diet to determine that with the vitamin and mineral supplement included in the diet whether the overall diet plan provides the proper nutritional profile for sugar gliders. Other than the evaluation during the diet study, there is no known testing on this diet plan.
UPDATE:
On August 29, 2016, TPG updated their diet plan to allow the option of the Monkey Biscuits.
They went from,
"Cereal: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is a SunCoast product that is high in protein and low in fat. It has human-grade chicken, whole grain rice, and many other nutritious ingredients.. Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 tablespoon per glider per day. Throw out old cereal, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in."
to "Cereal: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is a SunCoast product that is high in protein and low in fat. It has human-grade chicken, whole grain rice, and many other nutritious ingredients. Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 tablespoon per glider per day. Throw out old cereal, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in. Cereal is not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, it is a nutritional staple food they can snack on between meals."
AND
"Monkey Biscuits: We recommend and sell the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits which consist of 25% protein. This staple contains a dental guard and will help keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. Our recommendation is ½ to 1 biscuit per glider per day."
to "Monkey Biscuits: We recommend and sell the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits which consist of 25% protein. Monkey Biscuits are not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, they contain a dental guard and will help keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. Our recommendation is ½ to 1 biscuit per glider per day. "
Even though the cereal is instructed to be in the cage at all times, because it is not a nutritional part of the diet, it is optional.
Originally called the Sugar Glider Exotic Diet, The Pet Glider Nutrition System was created in early 2003 and is commonly referred to as the "TPG" diet. Priscilla Price created this diet and the vitamin supplement with the assistance of her veterinarian. The Pet Glider has offered this diet for all of her pet and breeding sugar gliders since it was created.
In a phone conversation with Priscilla in February 2014, she indicated that they use fresh in-season vegetables and fruits when available and uses fresh and frozen for a nutritional rotation within the recipe of the overall diet plan. The vitamins (ingredients listed on their website: Complete Balanced Mammal Multivitamin (including calcium), nectar, bee pollen, probiotics, acacia gum, and herbs) are human grade with a 5:1 Ca:P ratio and contains 100% whey protein isolate (to cut the strength of the vitamins), coconut nectar (low glycemic index), acacia gum, ground bee pollen, milk thistle and a high strength probiotic. The exact nutritional profile nor a complete list of ingredients were provided for proprietary reasons. The diet is based on 3-times the metabolic rate of a human.
Some changes have been made from the original recipe (referenced December 2003) to the current recipe. Around 2009, there were changes in the amounts of most of the ingredients (applesauce increased from 25 to 32 ounces, vegetables and fruits were increased from 3/4 cup each to 1 cup each, yogurt from 4 oz to 6 oz and changed from full fat to non-fat, orange juice was noted to not add water but that note has been removed, oats were 3/4 cup to 2-3 oz, protein went from 3 med eggs and 3/4 pound chicken to 6 oz of chicken, turkey, or egg. Flax seed/wheat germ remained the same. The list of vegetables, fruits and the mixing instructions have been slightly altered as well.
As a part of the 2014 Sugar Glider Nutrition Study, TPG diet was evaluated on paper. The results were not as favorable as hoped. The variety within the recipe, unfortunately, provides a nutritionally imbalanced diet plan. The products that are listed to be substituted with one another and the variety of vegetables and fruits are nutritionally different and are not equal as substitutes. Since the nutritional breakdown of the vitamin supplement was not provided or known at that time, they were not considered in the evaluation. However, knowing the vitamin supplement/diet was developed to be 3x the metabolic rate for a human is excessive for the needs of a sugar glider. A sugar glider has a metabolic rate less than ¾ of that of any placental mammal.
We are hoping to do testing on TPG diet to determine that with the vitamin and mineral supplement included in the diet whether the overall diet plan provides the proper nutritional profile for sugar gliders. Other than the evaluation during the diet study, there is no known testing on this diet plan.
UPDATE:
On August 29, 2016, TPG updated their diet plan to allow the option of the Monkey Biscuits.
They went from,
"Cereal: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is a SunCoast product that is high in protein and low in fat. It has human-grade chicken, whole grain rice, and many other nutritious ingredients.. Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 tablespoon per glider per day. Throw out old cereal, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in."
to "Cereal: The premium cereal we use here at The Pet Glider is a SunCoast product that is high in protein and low in fat. It has human-grade chicken, whole grain rice, and many other nutritious ingredients. Keep a small bowl in the cage at all times. We recommend 1 tablespoon per glider per day. Throw out old cereal, clean the bowl and put fresh cereal in. Cereal is not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, it is a nutritional staple food they can snack on between meals."
AND
"Monkey Biscuits: We recommend and sell the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits which consist of 25% protein. This staple contains a dental guard and will help keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. Our recommendation is ½ to 1 biscuit per glider per day."
to "Monkey Biscuits: We recommend and sell the Mazuri Growth and Repro biscuits which consist of 25% protein. Monkey Biscuits are not a nutritional requirement for our diet, however, they contain a dental guard and will help keep your sugar glider’s teeth clean and healthy. Our recommendation is ½ to 1 biscuit per glider per day. "
Even though the cereal is instructed to be in the cage at all times, because it is not a nutritional part of the diet, it is optional.
UPDATE: January 12, 2017
The total amount of vegetables and fruits to be used in the mix was changed.
They went from,
"8 ounces/1 cup Fresh or Frozen Fruit. At least 4 different types, not canned, Either finely chop or use a food processor"
to,
"2 cups, 16oz., 2-4 different fruits mixed, totaling 2 cups. Fresh or Frozen Fruit At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
AND
"8 ounces/1 cup Fresh or Frozen Vegetables. At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
to,
"2 cups, 16oz., 2-4 different veggies mixed, totaling 2 cups. At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
This is a significant change in the amount of vegetables and fruits in the recipe.
Other changes include yogurt from 6 oz. to 6-8 oz., orange juice from 3 oz. to 6 tablespoons, oatmeal from 2-3 oz. to 6-8 tablespoons, unsweetened applesauce from 32 oz. to 32 oz/4 cups, protein from 6 oz. to 6-8 oz. and flax seed/wheat germ from 1 tablespoon to 1-2 tablespoons.
The total amount of vegetables and fruits to be used in the mix was changed.
They went from,
"8 ounces/1 cup Fresh or Frozen Fruit. At least 4 different types, not canned, Either finely chop or use a food processor"
to,
"2 cups, 16oz., 2-4 different fruits mixed, totaling 2 cups. Fresh or Frozen Fruit At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
AND
"8 ounces/1 cup Fresh or Frozen Vegetables. At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
to,
"2 cups, 16oz., 2-4 different veggies mixed, totaling 2 cups. At least 2-4 different types Not Canned Either finely chop or use a food processor."
This is a significant change in the amount of vegetables and fruits in the recipe.
Other changes include yogurt from 6 oz. to 6-8 oz., orange juice from 3 oz. to 6 tablespoons, oatmeal from 2-3 oz. to 6-8 tablespoons, unsweetened applesauce from 32 oz. to 32 oz/4 cups, protein from 6 oz. to 6-8 oz. and flax seed/wheat germ from 1 tablespoon to 1-2 tablespoons.
*Information for this document was primarily obtained from speaking with the original diet creators as well as historical documented information found online.
