Do Sugar Gliders Make Good Pets?

 

Woman holding sugar glider

 

 

The first issue to consider is whether or not a sugar glider fits well into your lifestyle and expectations.  It is ultimately important to us that our gliders become part of good homes and you should be quite certain that you want to be owned by a sugar glider before making the commitment.  Our customers very much appreciate the time we take to teach them good sugar glider care.

Just because a sugar glider is similar in body size to a hamster and  other small rodents, please don’t be mistaken that its needs are  similar.  Many people are attracted to sugar gliders because of their exceptional good looks and purchase on impulse at a mall / fair.

Please do more research on any company that tells you sugar gliders are easy to care for, can be fed only packaged food and vitamins, or claim that “everyone else on the Internet is wrong” about their care.  Often these folks refer to sugar gliders as “sugar bears”.  Is it logical 1,000’s of glider owners are wrong, and 1 company is right?

If you can feel comfortable with the  following list of issues, then you are very likely to have no problems becoming a successful member of some sugar gliders’ family.  

A sugar glider can live up to 12-14 years.  The commitment to a sugar glider equals that of dogs and cats.  Can you commit to provide the best care for that long? 

A sugar glider needs to be fed fresh meals daily.  It only takes a few minutes a day.  Do you have the time to attend properly to their nutritional needs? 

Sugar glider cages need to be cleaned once or twice a week,  depending on how large the cage is; do you have the time to attend properly to their hygiene needs? 

Are you aware that sugar gliders are nocturnal?  You can play with them and handle them during the day, but they will be up playing most of the night. 

Do you have enough room to provide a reasonably large cage for your sugar glider and can you afford to purchase them a variety of toys to stimulate their clever little minds? 

A sugar glider does not make a suitable pet for young children;  gliders are not domesticated “feed and forget” pets like the hamsters and mice you see at the pet store.  Are you willing to supervise constantly while a child is holding a sugar glider? 

Sugar gliders are extremely social creatures.  They are best kept in at least pairs.  Can you afford to purchase / keep at least two sugar gliders? (same sex together is OK)  Can you commit time each day to spend with your sugar gliders?

Are sugar gliders legal in your state

Do you have someone to glider-sit when you go out of town?

Do you have a veterinarian lined up who is experienced with sugar gliders and do the vet bills fit in your budget? 

How will your other pets respond to having a sugar glider in the house, and what will you do about it?

Do you have allergies to animal fur? 

If you are comfortable with the answers to these questions, then congratulations, welcome into the world of the sugar glider.  To find out more about sugar glider pricing and availability, click here.