Sugar Glider Tips

Glider Tips from Toby

Bringing any new pet into your home is an important decision which requires thought and planning. For your sake - and the sake of your new pet - please seriously consider these realities of living with a sugar glider before deciding to share your home with one:

• Sugar gliders are extremely social animals
  Sugar gliders live in large colonies in the wild and need the companionship of their own kind. If deprived this companionship, a sugar glider may become depressed, withdrawn and unhealthy - possibly even dying from loneliness.Sugar gliders also require a lot of attention from their humans. Be sure you have the time and desire to provide the daily attention they deserve and need.
  
• Sugar gliders aren't "lap pets"
  Sugar gliders bond strongly with their human, but are not lap pets. When out of their cage, very few adults gliders will want to sit and be petted - at least not for very long. They would much rather spend this time exploring and playing.If you want a pet which will sit with you for extended periods, letting you caress and snuggle him, a sugar glider wouldn't be a good choice.
  
• Sugar gliders won't respond to discipline
  Sugar gliders are extremely independent thinking animals. Trying to force a sugar glider to act the way you want will not be successful. They will never become litter-trained. They will mark when out of their cage. They will not learn the word "no." They will nip if you try to force them to do something they don't want.Never discipline your pet for any reason. It won't have the desired result. You will only make your glider pal distrust - and eventually fear - you.
  
• Sugar gliders require a safe space when loose
  When out, sugar gliders will explore any opening or secret place they find. Make sure windows, doors, drawers and closets are securely shut. Remove anything which might get knocked over, especially if it will break. There should be no house plants - gliders might eat them. They are also likely to mark or go potty while out. Some gliders will chew on furniture, carpets, electrical cords and almost anything else.They may sound like destruction machines. And, they can be just that! However, it is extremely important to the well-being of your pets that they get daily out-of-cage play time. We recommend choosing one room which can be completely "glider-proofed" and using this as their play space.
  
• Sugar gliders should not be taken outside
  No matter how tame your sugar gliders may be - even if they respond when you call - they should never be taken outside unless securely confined.Extremely curious animals, they will go off exploring and are likely to become confused, disoriented or frightened. This will result in your pet hiding or going even farther. It is unlikely you would ever find your pet and it is unlikely he will survive outside on his own. We can think of no sadder fate than a friendly, happy pet getting loose and dying from starvation, exposure or cat attack.
  
• Sugar gliders are not hamsters
  If you are looking for a pet which will happily live life in a cage, with only minimal care and interaction, sugar gliders aren't the right choice for you.Sugar gliders will not be happy or healthy if kept confined to a cage and denied the attention they deserve. This is true no matter how big the cage may be. If you do not have the time or desire to provide the attention sugar gliders require, don't get them as pets. It would be unfair to the animal and you.