Sugar Glider Diet Trial and Evaluation
The beginning project, or Phase I of the Sugar Glider Foundation, Inc., was the 2014 Sugar Glider Diet Trial and Evaluation. This project was completed and the results were presented at the 2016 Sugar Glider Conference in Elyria, Ohio. All aspects of Phase I have been published in professional journals.
Description of Phase I
A diet trial was done to determine the nutrients supplied by, efficacy of utilization, and overall balance of select common current diets currently used in feeding sugar gliders in the US. This included trials with three different diets, including HPW Complete™, Pocket Pets™ diet and Glider Kids Reduced Honey Staple. Subsequent to basal diet investigations, soluble fiber fermentation ability in sugar gliders, and its potential impact on gut microbiota and health, were evaluated. Sugar glider’s gastrointestinal tract anatomy suggests that they have a large capacity to harbor beneficial microbial populations, and their feeding ecology is heavily dependent on ingestion of plant gums to meet energy needs.
The goal of these studies is to better understand the range of nutrients that appear to meet the (as yet unknown) nutritional requirements of this species during their maintenance stage of life. This baseline knowledge provides the foundation for understanding nutrition during other physiologic stages (growth, reproduction, geriatrics).
Each digestion trial had an adaptation period of approximately 10 days to allow the animal’s system to become fully acclimated to the diet. Following the adaptation period, five day intake and excretion data collection commenced. This process was repeated with each diet in the trial, in a staggered manner such that each animal will be tested on each diet. Daily intake (measured to the 0.1 g) and fecal output on these diets, with multiple laboratory analyses of various nutrients including proximate composition (crude protein, crude fat), simple sugars and complex carbohydrates (starch, fiber fractions), as well as macrominerals and trace elements in both feeds and feces were conducted. Apparent and true digestibility of diets were calculated, caloric intake quantified, and overall nutrient balance reviewed.
An additional two diets, selected by sugar glider owners through a survey, were analyzed through calculated values, and evaluated for its nutritional balance, for a total of 5 diets. These diets are Original HPW™ and The Pet Glider Nutrition System.
This diet study was estimated at a cost of approximately $15,000.00 and finalized at $10,000.00. Almost half of the funds were expended for detailed laboratory analyses, with the remainder supporting the diet ingredients, equipment, animal care, data collection, sample preparation, summary and report generation. A preliminary report of the findings were presented via a pre-recorded presentation at the 2015 Sugar Glider Conference and the final results were presented at the 2016 Sugar Glider Conference. The entire study took approximately 6 to 8 months.
The goal of these studies is to better understand the range of nutrients that appear to meet the (as yet unknown) nutritional requirements of this species during their maintenance stage of life. This baseline knowledge provides the foundation for understanding nutrition during other physiologic stages (growth, reproduction, geriatrics).
Each digestion trial had an adaptation period of approximately 10 days to allow the animal’s system to become fully acclimated to the diet. Following the adaptation period, five day intake and excretion data collection commenced. This process was repeated with each diet in the trial, in a staggered manner such that each animal will be tested on each diet. Daily intake (measured to the 0.1 g) and fecal output on these diets, with multiple laboratory analyses of various nutrients including proximate composition (crude protein, crude fat), simple sugars and complex carbohydrates (starch, fiber fractions), as well as macrominerals and trace elements in both feeds and feces were conducted. Apparent and true digestibility of diets were calculated, caloric intake quantified, and overall nutrient balance reviewed.
An additional two diets, selected by sugar glider owners through a survey, were analyzed through calculated values, and evaluated for its nutritional balance, for a total of 5 diets. These diets are Original HPW™ and The Pet Glider Nutrition System.
This diet study was estimated at a cost of approximately $15,000.00 and finalized at $10,000.00. Almost half of the funds were expended for detailed laboratory analyses, with the remainder supporting the diet ingredients, equipment, animal care, data collection, sample preparation, summary and report generation. A preliminary report of the findings were presented via a pre-recorded presentation at the 2015 Sugar Glider Conference and the final results were presented at the 2016 Sugar Glider Conference. The entire study took approximately 6 to 8 months.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the following for their participation in making this study a success:
- Donors - without your generous contributions this could not have happened
- Sherri Lamb - provided study animals
- SpinZone Global - provided exercise wheels for each cage
- Critter Love® - provided cage accessories and Critter Love Complete®
- Pocket Pets™ - provided Glide-R-Chow™
Published Results
Analytical results of Phase I, Sugar Glider Diet Trial and Evaluation, were obtained strictly from this feeding trial. Any other comparative information and publications are referenced within.
Solden, L., E.S. Dierenfeld, and K. Wrighton. 2015. Effect of dietary soluble fiber on fecal microbiota in the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): a pilot study. Proc. AZA Nutr. Advis. Group Conf., Portland, OR.
Solden, L., E.S. Dierenfeld, and K. Wrighton. 2015. Effect of dietary soluble fiber on fecal microbiota in the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): a pilot study. Proc. AZA Nutr. Advis. Group Conf., Portland, OR.
Dierenfeld ES, Whitehouse-Tedd KM. Evaluation of three popular diets fed to pet sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps): Intake, digestion and nutrient balance. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2017;00:1–16.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12727
(Full article must be rented or purchased via the link above)
(Full article must be rented or purchased via the link above)