*The diet of an STO is typically broken down into a daily staple (the main source of protein), fruits and veggies, and extra protein. Water can't be overlooked as they can become dehydrated easily.
Staple:
Many people recommend different things for what to serve for the staple of an STO's diet. The general agreement however is a dry food that contains at least 30% protein, 9-13% fat, and up to 5% fiber. Many people mix dry foods to create a well rounded diet since many opossum foods are expensive alone or don't meet the nutritional need. Dry foods to be left in the cage of an STO include:
- Cat food that meets the above requirements
- Cat food that meets the above requirements plus Mazuri insectivore diet
- Cat food that meets the above requirements plus Mazuri insectivore diet and Exotic Nutrition's Opossum Food
- Exotic Nutrition's Opossum Food
- Briskey's Opossum Food
- Other mixes of ferret/hedgehog/dog food to create a well rounded diet
Fruits and Veggies:
A small amout of fruits and vegetables should also be fed on a daily basis, but not left in the cage all day. They should be fresh, frozen, pureed, or in baby food form - the point is that they are soft. The baby food is beneficial because of the extra water which keeps them hydrated.
Treats / Extra Protein:
An STO's diet needs some extra protein to supplement it; therefore feeding treats is encouraged!
- chicken baby food
- live insects such as mealworms, superworms, crickets, waxworms, ect. [ not caught from outside they may have pesticide ] ; the insects can also be dead
- occasional pinkie mice
- eggs
- cooked chicken, shrimp, turkey [ not sandwich meat or seasoned ]
- softened primate biscuits
* Always have water available in the form of bottle or bowl since they can dehydrate easily. The water bottle will stay cleaner longer while the bowl will provide more humidity.
Staple:
Many people recommend different things for what to serve for the staple of an STO's diet. The general agreement however is a dry food that contains at least 30% protein, 9-13% fat, and up to 5% fiber. Many people mix dry foods to create a well rounded diet since many opossum foods are expensive alone or don't meet the nutritional need. Dry foods to be left in the cage of an STO include:
- Cat food that meets the above requirements
- Cat food that meets the above requirements plus Mazuri insectivore diet
- Cat food that meets the above requirements plus Mazuri insectivore diet and Exotic Nutrition's Opossum Food
- Exotic Nutrition's Opossum Food
- Briskey's Opossum Food
- Other mixes of ferret/hedgehog/dog food to create a well rounded diet
Fruits and Veggies:
A small amout of fruits and vegetables should also be fed on a daily basis, but not left in the cage all day. They should be fresh, frozen, pureed, or in baby food form - the point is that they are soft. The baby food is beneficial because of the extra water which keeps them hydrated.
Treats / Extra Protein:
An STO's diet needs some extra protein to supplement it; therefore feeding treats is encouraged!
- chicken baby food
- live insects such as mealworms, superworms, crickets, waxworms, ect. [ not caught from outside they may have pesticide ] ; the insects can also be dead
- occasional pinkie mice
- eggs
- cooked chicken, shrimp, turkey [ not sandwich meat or seasoned ]
- softened primate biscuits
* Always have water available in the form of bottle or bowl since they can dehydrate easily. The water bottle will stay cleaner longer while the bowl will provide more humidity.