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Fact or Theory? 

 

 I am sure you visited several websites and read several articles and unfortunately some of the information you have read may have different and contradicting information. Sugar Gliders are new pets, not a lot of research and data has been collected on owning and caring for them. If there is new research and data it could be wrong due to our limited knowledge. Luckily Veterinarians, Animal Science professionals, and glider owners are becoming better at working together to understand how we can best care for Sugar Gliders in a domestic environment. 

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Owning a glider comes with lots of concerns & questions. Online, you can lots find information on Sugar Gliders, the key is sorting through the truth, the theories, and opinions. I hope we can help answer your questions and together come to a better understanding and more accurate information for caring for Sugar Gliders.  We have researched and worked with Veterinarians, and hope the information you find on our website is helpful. 

 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us. 

 

Food
Bonding

Plenty of fresh water. Water bottles are better than a bowl or dish. 

 

Sugar Gliders should be eating 40% protein & 60% fruits & vegetables. 

 

Breeding Sugar Gliders should be eating about 50% of each. 

 

Keeping your foods as natural as possible is key in maintaining a healthy & happy Sugar Glider.  

 

There are Sugar Glider websites with protein powder mixes and pellets. These products are a good source of nutrition. (Pellets: I usually use them as supplements or free range in the cage at all times for my gliders to eat). 

 

Each glider has a favorite food. Getting to know your glider is very important. Try new foods and make a list of their likes and dislikes.  They can be pretty picky or eat anything good you put in front of some.  

 

Just remember that just because they eat it doesn't necessarily mean it is good for them. (Do your research on what you can and can't feed them). 

 

There should be some food left in your gliders dish each morning. If the dish is empty, you will need to feed your gliders more. If your dish is still very full you should feed them less. 

As most of you know, Sugar Gliders actually do bond to you! They will recognize your scent and become attached and feel comfortable around you.

 

The more time you spend with them, the stronger your bond. 

 

Do younger gliders bond faster than adult gliders? 

 

  • Yes! In my experience this is true. I have adopted adults and Joeys. My Joeys have bonded to me within a few days. My adults have bonded over a few months. 

  • I believe that the previous owners have a strong influence on how trusting your gliders will be of humans. If the previous owner has spent a lot of time with their glider, your new glider should be calm and not super frightened. 

  • The more a Sugar Glider changes homes & families, meaning the more he/she is sold the irritable and aggressive they can become. Sugar Gliders need a loving forever home. 

  • If you buy a nervous or aggressive Sugar Glider, you can train him/her. It will take a LOT of patience & a LOT of time working with your glider. Do not Give up! This can be very a very rewarding process. 

  • Sugar Gliders need to be frequently handled by humans or they will become very nervous, aggressive,  and unmanageable. 

Biting Problem?
My Gliders Favorite Foods
Ways to avoid Sickness

  • Unseasoned Chicken 

  • Cooked/Boiled eggs

  • Plain Yogurt 

  • Honey

  • Sweet potato

  • Bananas 

  • Grapes

  • Blueberries

  • Kiwi

  • Cantaloupe

  • Grapefruit

  • Pear

  • Oranges

  • Apples

  • Applesauce

  • Peaches

  • Tomatoes

  • Peas

  • Carrots 

  • Avocado

  • Watermelon

 

Never hit or hurt your Sugar Glider, this will only cause bad behavior.

 

If your sugar glider is biting you, gently push down on his/her bottom teeth or put your finger further into their mouth (CAREFULLY). 

  • This will cause them to feel uncomfortable giving them the message that it is uncomfortable to bite you. 

  • Some gliders bite to show dominance, fear, and some have a playful nibble. If you carefully watch them you will be able to tell the difference. 

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Do care for your pet. Show them you love them. Talk to them kindly, they have sensitive ears, never scream or yell around them. 

Sick Glider

How can you tell if your glider is sick?

  • Get to know your glider! If your glider has abnormal activity start writing down details. 

  • Contact a Vet if you see any signs of sickness or abnormal activity. 

  1. Loss of fur

  2. No appetite

  3. Weight Loss

  4. Obsessive licking 

  5. Limping 

  6. Browning or discoloration of fur, particularly beginning around face

 

    Sugar Gliders will show small signs of illness. It is very important that you keep a close eye on them to catch an illness/disease/injury before it becomes worse or spreads to your other gliders. 

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Check on your gliders daily. Handle them daily. This will help you check on their health as well as socialize them and keep your bond with them. 

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  • Keep your cage clean. 

  • Feed your sugars gliders balance meals. 

  • Clean up their food & food tray each morning to prevent them from eating rotten food. 

  • Know your sugar glider, check them daily. 

  • Buy safe cages & toys. 

  • Never leave your Sugar Glider unattended in a room or open area (especially a bathroom).

  • Always keep your toilet lid closed, incase your glider escapes and falls in. (Gliders cannot swim & can drown very easily). 

  • Never let them chew on cords or unknown objects. 

  • Make sure your toys & wheels are secure, you do not want them to fall & injure your glider. 

  • Be careful with cleaners around your gliders. They are very sensitive. 

  • Can become sick & depressed if they are lonely.

Can't find your answer? 

I hope this information is helpful to you and your glider. We will be updating our page frequently. 

 

Please let us know if you have any suggestions, concerns or questions. 

 

We appreciate your support! 

Lilo

Male or Female

Male Sugar Gliders

  • Intact male gliders can mark their toys, bedding & other objects in cage. Some males have more of a desire to do this than others. Males seem to have a stronger smell, especially when they are around females.  

  • You can neuter your male before he is sexually mature & this will prevent him from forming sent glands. Formation of sent glads can cause your male to bald on the top of his head & chest. (Contact your vet to see when it best to neuter your glider). 

  • Neutering your glider is up to you. If you do neuter, do your research for a Vet who is qualified and has done glider neuters before. 

 

Female Sugar Gliders 

  • Can be more territorial than males, especially to other females.  

  • When carrying joeys in her pouch, she will be protective and can have temperament changes. 

 

Each glider has a unique personality. Get to know your glider & find out what they like. How can you make your glider feel comfortable? 

 

Tips on keeping a clean cage

Keeping your gliders in a clean & smell free cage will not only make your nose happy but your gliders as well. Disease & sickness can be picked up when your gliders cage is dirty. Keeping a clean cage can be hard. Some things I do to make the job easier. 

 

  • Empty & wash the tray each day. If you do not like washing it, put a garbage bag around the tray & change the bag out each day (or when needed). 

  • Find a soft pet safe sanitation rag  and wipe down cages. 

  • Wash entire cage 1-2 times a month depending on how many gliders you have & how messy they are. 

  • Cage covers at night, this prevents gliders from throwing their food on your walls & carpet. Putting a cage cover in the wash is much easier than scrubbing your walls & carpets. 

  • Anti-odor packets, these can be found online or at Petsmart. 

  • As a precaution I also put down plastic office mats under my gliders cages. 

  • I use painters plastic or flattened cardboard boxes behind their cages to keep my carpet and walls safe. 

  • Use a glider kitchen so most of the food mess is kept in the kitchen box. I wash my box out each afternoon and then feed my gliders each night. 

  • Frequently wash glider bedding, bonding pouches, toys, and wheels. 

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Find a way that makes cleaning easy and simple for you. Do what works best for you and your gliders. 

Sugar Glider Sounds

Barking 

  • Sounds like a small dog barking from a distance.

  • This helps them find each other. Sugar Gliders also bark if they are bored, scared or lonely. 

  • Sometimes they will bark for you in the middle of the night. If this happens I usually check on them, or shout from my bed that I am near. Once they know you are around they will stop barking. 

Sneezing

  • If it is just a few times they are cleaning themselves. 

  • Multiple times means they disagree or are upset about something the other glider did (usually over food).  

Hissing

  • Gliders make this noise when they are stress. 

  • Gliders hiss when they are wanting the others to come and help them. Usually a joey will hiss for his/her parents. 

Crabbing

  • This is a loud noise that will often scare those who have not heard it before. 

  • They make this sound when they are disturbed in their nest. 

  • When they make this noise they are usually very scared & upset.

  • If you wake your glider up & they start crabbing do not mind the noise, gently pick them up & help them calm down.

Find us on Facebook and post a picture of your glider 

                       click on any of our photos and it will take you to our facebook page

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