TPG Diet

TPG Diet Recipe and Prep

TPG stands for The Pet Glider diet. This is a fresh-food diet that uses fruits, vegetables, protein, yogurt, applesauce, orange juice concentrate, oatmeal, and The Pet Glider multivitamin with calcium as part of a complete feeding plan.

This diet should be followed as its own complete plan. Do not mix TPG with BML, OHPW, Critter Love, Darcy's Diet, or other diet plans. The fresh food mixture and the vitamin with calcium are meant to work together.

TPG Ingredients

This recipe is commonly prepared as enough food for two gliders for about 30 days.

• 2 cups total fresh or frozen fruit, using 2 to 4 different types
• 2 cups total fresh or frozen vegetables, using 2 to 4 different types
• 6 to 8 ounces plain whole milk yogurt with no artificial sweeteners
• 6 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, or fresh peeled orange/tangerine as directed
• 6 to 8 tablespoons uncooked regular oatmeal, not quick oats
• 32 ounces unsweetened applesauce
• 6 to 8 ounces cooked protein, such as chicken, turkey, or eggs
• 1 to 2 tablespoons ground flax seed or wheat germ, optional
• The Pet Glider multivitamin with calcium , sprinkled on top at feeding time

Fruit Choices

Use fresh or frozen fruit, not canned fruit. Choose 2 to 4 different fruits for each batch and finely chop them or use a food processor.

Common fruit options include oranges, papaya, tangerines, pineapple, mango, cantaloupe, banana, kiwi, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pitted cherries.

Do not feed rhubarb. If a fruit is normally peeled before eating, peel it before using it for your sugar glider.

Vegetable Choices

Use fresh or frozen vegetables, not canned vegetables. Choose 2 to 4 different vegetables for each batch and finely chop them or use a food processor. Avoid frozen vegetable mixes with sauces, seasoning, butter, or flavoring.

Common vegetable options include sweet potatoes, kale, collards, green beans, beets, peas, lima beans, carrots, jicama, bok choy, squash, red bell pepper, and snow peas.

Small amounts of corn may be used carefully, but corn is high in phosphorus and many gliders will choose it first. Small amounts of broccoli and cauliflower may be used, but too much can cause gas.

Do not feed garlic, leeks, or onions of any kind.

Protein Choices

Protein choices may include cooked chicken, ground turkey, or eggs. Chicken can be boiled, broiled, or roasted. Eggs should be cooked without seasoning. Ground turkey should be cooked thoroughly.

Pork and beef are not recommended for this diet because they are higher in fat.

Preparation

1. Finely chop the fruits and vegetables or process them in a food processor.
2. Cook the protein, such as chicken, turkey, or eggs.
3. In a large bowl, add all ingredients except the oatmeal and vitamins.
4. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly mixed.
5. Add oatmeal as needed until the mixture is similar to cake batter consistency.
6. Portion the mixture into ice cube trays or small freezer-safe containers.
7. Freeze the prepared mixture.

Ice cube trays can be used by measuring about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each section. After freezing, the cubes can be removed and stored in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.

Daily Presentation

Feed about 1.5 tablespoons of the TPG mixture per glider per day, usually in the late afternoon or evening.

At feeding time, sprinkle The Pet Glider multivitamin with calcium on top of the food. A commonly listed amount is 1/8 teaspoon of vitamins per sugar glider each day. Do not freeze the vitamins into the batch.

Remove uneaten fresh food daily and clean food dishes regularly. Fresh water should always be available.

Foods and Ingredients to Avoid

• Do not use canned fruits or vegetables.
• Do not use fruit packed in syrup.
• Do not use vegetables with sauces, butter, salt, or seasoning.
• Do not feed rhubarb.
• Do not feed garlic, leeks, or onions.
• Do not feed chocolate, candy, bread, cat food, dog food, or seeds.
• Do not rely heavily on corn or other high-phosphorus foods.
• Do not mix the vitamins into the full batch before freezing.

Important Notes

• TPG is a fresh-food diet and should be prepared carefully.
• Use The Pet Glider multivitamin with calcium as directed with this diet.
• Do not substitute reptile vitamins for the small mammal supplement used with this diet.
• Do not mix TPG with BML, OHPW, Critter Love, Darcy's Diet, or other plans.
• Use produce variety while staying within the diet's directions.
• Remove old food and clean dishes daily.

TPG is designed around the fresh-food mixture and its vitamin-with-calcium supplement. If your sugar glider is underweight, overweight, pregnant, nursing, ill, recovering from illness, or refusing parts of the diet, speak with an exotic veterinarian before making major diet changes.

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