Feeding Your Sugar Glider Right: The BML Diet Explained Simply
Why Commercial Diets Fall Short
Commercial seed mixes and pellets marketed for sugar gliders are nutritionally incomplete. The most common health problem in captive gliders — metabolic bone disease — is almost always the result of an imbalanced diet low in calcium.
The BML Diet
The Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater (BML) diet is one of the most widely used and research-supported diets for captive sugar gliders. The base recipe combines:
- Raw honey
- Apple juice
- Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamin
- Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3
- Wombaroo High Protein Supplement
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Pureed fruit
Blend together and freeze in nightly portions.
Fresh Additions Every Night
- Fresh or frozen fruit — avoid citrus, grapes, and raisins
- Cooked vegetables — avoid onion and garlic
- Protein: mealworms, crickets, cooked chicken, or plain yogurt
What to Avoid
- Chocolate and caffeine — toxic
- Grapes and raisins — associated with toxicity
- Any commercial seed mix marketed for sugar gliders
