GliderCENTRAL

Diet questions from a newbie

Posted By: 603gliderfolks

Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 02:21 PM

Hello all,

We have a lovely female named Bonnie (Her mate passed away last weekend and we are actively searching for a companion for her.) I had posted the story of what happened in the health and hygiene forum, and had listed their (her) diet (I have clarified with the brand names of the products, but without the "stylized" naming conventions):

Diet

We have have been feeding them the following daily:

1-1/2 tablespoons "Glider chow" pellets. Up until last night, we had been serving the pellets and gravy in the same dish (Gravy in a liquid form) per the directions, but we noticed that they would leave quite a few of the pellets (which were now quite soggy) behind. Now that it is only Bonnie (For right now anyway), I started hand feeding her the pellets one at a time to gauge interest. She took each one from me and crunched away happily. I saw her eat some pellets out of the separate dish when presented with the option of pellet or gravy. We gave her the gravy mix in a separate dish, and she drank/ate that as well.

2-3 tablespoons of the "gravy" (made from spring water and the pre-mixed "Glider gravy" powder, which is, to my understanding, re-branded Critterlove?)

Fresh fruit/etc which varies by the day, but consists of: Apple (Skin on), papaya, hard boiled egg (with and without yolk), mango, chick peas, cooked corn, dried coconut, blueberries, pear, and dried apricots. The "glidamins" vitamin powder is applied every other day to the fruit in accordance with the directions.*EDIT* We have cut back on this as a post in the previous thread said that this was unnecessary as all the vitamins needed are in the gravy mix.

A limited amount of treats, but when we gave them anything it was a regular Cheerio (One each and no more than one or two a week), or the the dried fruit snack mix/granola snack mix sold by PP.

We make every attempt to be mindful to not load her up on treats and make sure that they would have their pellets/gravy along with the fresh fruit/sprinkle-on vitamin powder.


In the wake of poor Clyde passing, we are actively re-evaluating everything we do to care for Bonnie, and want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to keep her healthy. I know that there are many (and sometimes conflicting) reports on the best way to feed these little fuzzballs, but I want to reach out to the group for advice.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome during this trying time for us (and little Bonnie!) smile
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 03:23 PM

I was just thinking about you and Bonnie.

If I were in your shoes and thinking of of changing diets, I would consider feeding what I have on hand till I ran low, and then order and switch over to Critterlove once Bonnie eats all of the PP diet. It's almost the same diet.

BUT, it will void your PP warranty.... They are strict about that.

I do have a question. Are you chopping up fruits and vegetables, or using a blender? Their salads should be chopped up to about 1/2" -1" pieces they can hold.

If they are blended, they will ingest the insoluble fiber in them that gives digestive trouble. Gliders can't digest insoluble fiber.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 03:37 PM

Just let me say that you are very good glider parents wanting to do everything to the best of your ability to keep your little ones as healthy as possible.

Since the Glide-R-Gravy is in fact Critter Love® (just sold under PP label), I would suggest you follow Peggy's (the creator of the Critter Love® products) diet plans. When it is time to reorder, you will want the Complete formula. All you need to do is add water to the mixture thumb

Along with the complete mixture, you will also feed the salad mixtures. You can read about those by clicking on the link I gave.

You can start the salad mixes now giving them with the Glide-R-Gravy. Drop the boiled egg, drop the "glidamins" vitamin powder completely and it is fine to leave some pellets in the cage in case she gets up and needs a snack but do not offer them alongside of her meal. Let her choose to eat them wink

Also do not offer any additional fruit/veggies once you start the salad mixes plus the gravy or Critter Love®. All that is needed for a healthy glider is there. Snacks are definitely permitted as long as they are limited which you are doing now.
Posted By: 603gliderfolks

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ladymagyver
I was just thinking about you and Bonnie.

If I were in your shoes and thinking of of changing diets, I would consider feeding what I have on hand till I ran low, and then order and switch over to Critterlove once Bonnie eats all of the PP diet. It's almost the same diet.

BUT, it will void your PP warranty.... They are strict about that.

I do have a question. Are you chopping up fruits and vegetables, or using a blender? Their salads should be chopped up to about 1/2" -1" pieces they can hold.

If they are blended, they will ingest the insoluble fiber in them that gives digestive trouble. Gliders can't digest insoluble fiber.


Lady,

Thank you so much for your attention and knowledge. We are cutting up the fruits and vegetables into small pieces. I'm not sure if they're small enough though, and that might be frustrating for her. We will cut them up smaller. However, we are concerned that she might drop them and have the pieces fall through the cage bars into the litter tray where she can't get to them.

With regard to "The Warranty", I heard back from PP 2-3 times right after I sent in the initial email, and have heard NOTHING since. They said that "an adoption specialist will reach out to you soon", but that statement was book-ended with all manner of legal-speak insurancey-babble (Why didn't you email us before about the health issue/here's a bunch of additional items you have to adhere to for the warranty that aren't on our brochure/we can't see EVERY square inch of the cage in the pictures you sent so we're concerned about a safe environment for the glider etc etc etc).

At this point, I don't really care about the warranty and just want to take care of Bonnie.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by 603gliderfolks
With regard to "The Warranty", I heard back from PP 2-3 times right after I sent in the initial email, and have heard NOTHING since. They said that "an adoption specialist will reach out to you soon", but that statement was book-ended with all manner of legal-speak insurancey-babble (Why didn't you email us before about the health issue/here's a bunch of additional items you have to adhere to for the warranty that aren't on our brochure/we can't see EVERY square inch of the cage in the pictures you sent so we're concerned about a safe environment for the glider etc etc etc).


IMO translated = when pigs fly will you get a replacement glider. That warranty appears to be worthless tant
Posted By: 603gliderfolks

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by KarenE
Just let me say that you are very good glider parents wanting to do everything to the best of your ability to keep your little ones as healthy as possible.

Since the Glide-R-Gravy is in fact Critter Love® (just sold under PP label), I would suggest you follow Peggy's (the creator of the Critter Love® products) diet plans. When it is time to reorder, you will want the Complete formula. All you need to do is add water to the mixture thumb

Along with the complete mixture, you will also feed the salad mixtures. You can read about those by clicking on the link I gave.

You can start the salad mixes now giving them with the Glide-R-Gravy. Drop the boiled egg, drop the "glidamins" vitamin powder completely and it is fine to leave some pellets in the cage in case she gets up and needs a snack but do not offer them alongside of her meal. Let her choose to eat them wink

Also do not offer any additional fruit/veggies once you start the salad mixes plus the gravy or Critter Love®. All that is needed for a healthy glider is there. Snacks are definitely permitted as long as they are limited which you are doing now.


Karen,

Much appreciated! I am going to order the salad today, and will discontinue the glidamins. Bonnie loves apple though, so how much is safe/reasonable to give her per week?
Posted By: 603gliderfolks

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/06/19 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by KarenE
Originally Posted by 603gliderfolks
With regard to "The Warranty", I heard back from PP 2-3 times right after I sent in the initial email, and have heard NOTHING since. They said that "an adoption specialist will reach out to you soon", but that statement was book-ended with all manner of legal-speak insurancey-babble (Why didn't you email us before about the health issue/here's a bunch of additional items you have to adhere to for the warranty that aren't on our brochure/we can't see EVERY square inch of the cage in the pictures you sent so we're concerned about a safe environment for the glider etc etc etc).


IMO translated = when pigs fly will you get a replacement glider. That warranty appears to be worthless tant


I concur entirely. I own a small extremely customer-centric business, and I know double-talk BS when I hear it. A few hundred dollars is immaterial compared to Bonnie's happiness and health.
Posted By: Claralice

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/07/19 06:15 AM

Too bad the company is going to get away with this. I hate it for you but more importantly for the little gliders they sell. Glad you are taking such good care of your Bonnie girl! smile
Posted By: 603gliderfolks

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/07/19 03:51 PM

Bonnie's fecal results are back and clean! smile
Posted By: CKC44

Re: Diet questions from a newbie - 12/29/19 02:14 AM

Yay!!That's awesome news! :hdance:
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