Can you have just one sugar glider

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 20, 2024

Contributions sourced from

I think it is best to have more than one. Gliders are very social animals and they need another of their own kind.

I have had single gliders come to me as rehomes/rescues. With the single gliders they had had problems with pulling their hair out because they were stressed and lonely. This is very sad to see. As soon as I paired these gliders with other gliders they stopped pulling their hair out and have since grown their hair back. Because of this reason alone I would say its best to have more than one glider.

Neutered males are so much easier to deal with. One they dont smell as bad, it calms them down... I have had a few males that I could not touch or they would draw blood, 2 of these boys stopped biting as soon as I got them neutered. So getting a neutered male or having a male neutered does help a lot, not to mention you wont have homeless babies all the time and mating wounds on the female...

I hope this helped you with making a very big choice.

She's not going to self mutilate or die just from being alone. Self mutilating is almost always due to an injury or illness.

Single gliders can do very well on their own, however they do need a little extra attention from their human and their cage to be very stimulating with toys and a glider safe wheel.

Without these things they can show signs of depression that some people mistake as "cute behaviour". Repetitive flips , circling the top of the cage, over grooming can be signs of underestimulation and loneliness.

You have messaged me on fb and i requested pics of your cage and wheel... Can you post them here or send them to me on fb?

You are fairly local to me, I'm in dover fla. If you are looking for a cagemate I can help you find one. I can also help with toys if you are in need of some and a good local vet with glider experience.

There is a " breeder" in Clearwater you want to steer clear of especially if your looking on Craigslist. She uses two names, Michelle and Shauna Gonzales. She is not a reputable breeder.

If you need help with your set up, food, nail trimmings whatever just let me know and maybe we can get together. I don't work so I'm always home, however I don't drive either so we will have to either meet on weekend or you can come here. I have access to a community wreck room so we could meet in more of a public setting.

Can Sugar Gliders Live Alone?

Thinking of getting a sugar glider? If youre deciding to keep a sugar glider as a pet, an important factor to consider is whether or not to get more than one companion.

In short, no, it is not a good idea to keep sugar gliders alone. While there are rare exceptions, sugar gliders tend to have a poor quality of life without a companion.

Do you need more details, or are you someone who already has a lone sugar glider? Read for more information on how to make sure your companion is as happy as possible!

Why sugar gliders should not be kept alone?

Generally speaking, it is better for pet owners to get at least two sugar gliders.

Sugar gliders form colonies in the wild.

Sugar gliders are, by nature, very social animals. They can form colonies of up to 30 members in the wild when including that seasons offspring.

To reinforce communal bonds, sugar gliders vocalize, play, share food as well as scent, and groom each other.

Sugar gliders are incredibly loyal and loving to one another, and they need those bonds in order to thrive.

Sugar gliders need social interaction to be healthy

This includes interaction both with their owner and other sugar gliders. Without proper social interaction, one can suffer from mental, emotional, and even physical distress.

Just as sugar gliders are happy with their companions, they are prone to loneliness and boredom, and loneliness and boredom are just as dangerous in sugar gliders as it is in people, if not more so.

Sugar gliders can become depressed.

They get stressed if they lack the proper socialization to the point where they can become depressed.

Depressed sugar gliders can suffer from behavioral issues, are harder to form bonds with, and are more likely to bite.

Signs of a stressed sugar glider can include circling around in their cage to try and alleviate their boredom and either an excessive appetite or loss thereof.

A loss of appetite can lead to malnutrition, and excessive eating can lead to obesity, which leads to their own set of health problems.

In extreme cases, they can overgroom and bite themselves to the point of self-mutilation. These wounds can become infected and cause many health problems if left untreated.

If the stress and depression get bad enough, the sugar glider can even die.

Best companions for a sugar glider

Another sugar glider

No surprise, by far the best partner for your sugar glider is another sugar glider.

After all, no other animal can understand the sounds, smells, and signals of a sugar glider the way they can understand each other.

When bonded, sugar gliders rarely spend a moment apart. They eat, play, and sleep together. To compete with this level of loyalty is nearly impossible. There is no better substitute.

Humans

Even if a sugar glider should be with another, it should not be understated how important it is for you to spend time with your pet as well.

They depend on you for food, water, and enrichment, which automatically means they want to bond with you. You are a part of their colony.

Cats and Dogs

Interestingly enough, because sugar gliders have their own distinct scent different from cats and dogs natural prey, it is not uncommon for cats and dogs to get along.

They may not be able to play together in the traditional sense, but a cat or dog is like a giant, warm, fuzzy pillow to a sugar glider.

Just as a sugar glider may like to ride on you or another sugar glider, they may also enjoy piggyback rides from a canine or feline companion.

Be sure, however, to take necessary safety precautions. Introduce the animals slowly and never leave the animals alone together. The safety of the sugar glider and the cat or dog is top priority.

Other small mammals

Rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small mammals can also form bonds with a sugar glider. These animals are social, just like sugar gliders.

The bond, of course, wont be as strong as with other members of their species, but they enjoy playing all the same with minimal safety risk to either animal.

As with cats and dogs, though, be careful. Never leave these animals together alone.

What animals do NOT make good companions?

This mostly comes down to common sense.

Animals that tend to not be cuddly, live solitary lives, or otherwise may even pose a danger to your sugar glider or vice versa will probably not make a good companion for a sugar glider.

Reptiles

Most snakes and lizards, for example, live solitary lives. They would have no interest in forming a bond with a sugar glider and may have more of an interest in making a meal out of your furry friend.

Arachnids

Tarantulas and other spiders are out for the same reason. Tarantulas can prey on some surprisingly large animals. So, a tarantula and sugar glider pose more risk to each other than anything else.

Birds

On the other hand, many large birds are social but should still be kept separate from sugar gliders due to their natural prey drive towards small, furry animals.

How to keep a single sugar glider happy?

While its not advised to keep sugar gliders alone, maybe circumstances limit that you can only get one, or perhaps already have only one.

In this case, owners need to take extra care to ensure their pets are kept happy and healthy.

You are now the sugar gliders colony.

Something to remember is that without the company of another sugar glider, you will be the sole source of socialization for yours.

With this in mind, owners should spend at least 2 hours a day with their sugar glider.

This may seem like a lot, but it is essential to ensure your sugar glider stays healthy. Loneliness can kill a sugar glider.

Add enrichment to your sugar gliders space.

Without a playmate, boredom can become a source of stress for your sugar glider. To combat this, make sure their cage has plenty of enrichment in the form of toys and pouches to hide in.

You can also rearrange the placement of items in the cage occasionally to encourage your sugar glider to keep exploring.

Allow your sugar glider time outside of their cage

If possible, you should also let the sugar glider out of its cage every so often. Sugar gliders love to climb inside shirts and pockets, and you can even get a special pouch to carry your friend in.

Just remember to ensure they are safe while they are out by ensuring the sugar glider cant be hurt by other pets or get lost in small spaces.

Tips for bonding with your sugar glider

Bonding with your sugar glider is essential regardless of how many you have, but it is crucial to give your companion lots of attention when they are by themselves.

Be around your sugar glider

An excellent start to begin bonding is to have your sugar gliders cage in a space youre in often, such as the living/dining room or your bedroom.

The more they can see and smell you, the more comfortable theyll be around you.

Talk with your sugar glider

You should also try talking to your sugar glider.

Considering how vocal sugar gliders are with each other, it stands to reason that they would be very receptive when their owners talk to them. They love the sound of your voice!

Give your sugar glider an item with your scent on it

Have a worn sock lying around or an old T-shirt you dont wear anymore? Put it in your sugar gliders cage!

Sugar gliders identify each other through scent, so having something with your scent on it that they can inspect at their own pace anytime they please is a surefire way for them to get used to you.

They may even snuggle up inside of the clothing!

Play with your sugar glider

As the sugar glider becomes more comfortable with you, they may start to climb on you or take a nap in your pocket. Some owners even like to let their sugar gliders glide to and from their hands!

Snacks

If all else fails, snacks are always a good way to bond with your pet. Sugar gliders are particularly fond of fruit like apples, bananas, and papaya, though some especially enjoy yogurt in small quantities.

Just remember to wash the fruit in case of pesticides and only feed your sugar gliders yogurt with only natural sugar- no diet yogurt.

It is difficult for a sugar glider to live alone, but if the proper care and attention are given to sugar gliders, it is all the more likely that your sugar glider will be able to live a long and healthy life.

In turn, they will reward you will all the love and companionship they give to other members of their species.

10 Things to Expect When Owning Sugar Gliders

Welcome to my series featuring pocket pets, birds and reptileswhere guest experts will give you the pros and cons to help you decide if a particular pet is a good fit for you. Todays guest poster is myfriendEmily Hall who will betelling you about sugar gliders. I have been involved in rescuing relinquished and confiscated sugar gliders and know first-hand how adorable they are and the challenges they present.

10 Things to Expect When Owning Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders those adorable pocket pets that seem to be growing in popularity as of late. Yes, they are squee cute, and yes,they are lots of fun. I always tell my cats I wish I could put them in my pocket and carry them around with me everywhere; with my gliders, I can, and I do! They play, they snuggle, they fly, lets face it, they are just plain cool. I absolutely love my two sugar gliders; however, I will be the first to admit to you that they are high maintenance.

You may be thinking, Are they really that much different than having a cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, etc? Yes, they are.Sugar gliders are considered to be an exotic pet,which means they have special needs and considerations. They are not for everyone. What makes them so different? Read on to find out

1. They are nocturnal.

Yep, thats right sugar gliders are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the nighttime hours. That doesnt mean you cant interact with them during the day though. My sugar gliders usually wake up around 8pm and go to sleep around 8am, but I carry them around in abonding pouch or in my shirt when Im home during the day and even take them with mewhen I run errands. They usually justsleep through it all.

Warning: Because of their nocturnality, I wouldnt recommend keeping their cage in your bedroom if you are a light sleeper. They do make a lot of noise during the night scurryingaround their cage, running on their wheel, and eating. They also chirp, hiss, crab, and bark!

2. They live a long time.

Sugar gliders have an average lifespan of 12-15 years similar to a cat or dog. That is considerably longer than most pocket pets though. If you add a sugar glider to your family, you are in it for the long haul, so be sure you are committed before bringing them home!

3. You cant have just one.

People joke and say you can never have just one cat (Ill attest to that I have six!). With sugar gliders though, it is absolutely true. Sugar gliders are colony animals, which means they belong in a group. Lone sugar gliders will often become depressed and start over-grooming, refusing food, and even self-mutilating. Sugar gliders should always be kept in pairs, at least. As much as you may hang out with your glider, human interaction is no substitute for the companionship of another glider.

4. They have very specific nutritional needs.

Sugar gliders get their name because they glide like a flying squirrel, and they LOVE sweet things.If they had it their way, they would eat nothing but sugary foods. However, they actually require an extremely balanced diet of protein, fruits, and vegetables. An unbalanced diet can cause health problems such as avery smelly glider tohind leg paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no commercial sugar glider diet available that meets all of their nutritional requirements. To be sure that sugar gliders aregetting a diet that meets their needs, it is recommended that they eat what is known as a homemade staple diet. You can find the recipes for these diets at www.sugie.info.I personally feed the Pet Glider Exotic Diet (TPG) to my gliders. It takes me about 45 minutes to an hourto make a months supply and is very easy and inexpensive to prepare.

5. They require a stimulating environment.

Sugar gliders can easily becomebored which leads to depression, so it is important to provide them with a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. A sugar glider-safe exercise wheel is a must have item. You canalso provide them with foraging toys (toys that you can hide treats and food in) and special treats like eucalyptus leaves and branches. In the wild, sugar gliders are tree dwellers, soit isalso important to invest in a large enclosure that hasa lot of vertical space (minimum dimensions of 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide by 3 feet tall) so they have plenty of room to jump and climb.

6. They require an exotic veterinarian.

Unfortunately most regular veterinarians do not treat sugar gliders, so you will want to make sure you have an exotic vet nearby before you bring your gliders home. You wouldnt want to get stuck in an emergency situation and not have a vet to take them to. Exotic veterinarians are also usually a bit more expensive than a regular vet, so be prepared for a larger bill than for your cat or dog.

7. They will not be your best friend right away.

One of the biggest reasons sugar gliders get returned or turned over to a rescue is because many people dont understand how much time, work,and patience goes into bonding with them. They expect for their sugar gliders to love them instantly, and when that doesnt happen, they think something is wrong with the gliders. Sugar gliders are exotic animals and are not naturally trusting of humans. Bonding with themis a slow process that can sometimes take up to a year. It took a few weeks before my gliders would even let me touch them; a few months before they would climbinto my hand; several months before they would let me pick them up. Patience is definitely key if you try to rush the bonding process, you can do more harm than good. This is definitely a case when the old adage Slow and steady wins the race is absolutely true.

8. They are not legal everywhere.

The legality of owning sugar gliders varies from state to state. Some states ban them entirely, while others ban them only in certain cities. Some states require you to have a permit to own them, while others require no documentation at all. Below is a list of the places in which there is some type of law regulating sugar glider ownership:

Sugar gliders are completely illegal in California, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Sugar gliders are illegal in the cities of New York City (NY), Salt Lake City (UT), and St. Paul (MN) but are legal in the rest of the state.
New Mexico, Utah, and Pennsylvania require that you have a special permit to own sugar gliders.
Georgia requires that sugar gliders must be purchased from aUSDA licensed breeder.

9. They should not interact with your other pets.

Believe me, I know how tempting it is to want to try to get your gliders to bond with your cat/dog/other pet. I imagine all the time how adorable it would be to see my two gliders snuggling with my cats. In reality though, that would be extremely dangerous for the gliders. Gliders move quickly and suddenly,which can trigger the prey instincts in cats and dogs. They are also very small and fragile, so even a playful swat or nibble from a cat or dog could be deadly to them. On the flip side of the coin, sugar gliders have been known to kill other small animals such as rats, gerbils, birds, etc. Of course you will find photos online of sugar gliders with other pets, but any responsible glider owner will tell you that it isnt worth the risk. Ive heard plenty of horror stories of gliders who had been friends with a cat/dog/bird/you name itfor years, and then in a matter of seconds it all came crashing to a halt. Just dont do it. Better safe than sorry, I always say!

10. You willbecome addicted.

Yeah, so sugar gliders are a little more high maintenance than the average pet. They are also loads of fun, absolutely adorable, and will steal your heart. The more time you spend with them, the more you will fall in love, and the more you will want MORE! Trust me. They are worth every bit of hassle that they may be and once you get used to taking care of them, none of it even seems like a hassle anymore. It is all worth it to have a couple of little creatures that want nothing more than to be on you all the time. You will find yourself carrying them around with you all day, not wanting to leave the house without them.

So, do you think you want a couple of sugar gliders?

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Emily Hall is the bloggerbehind Kitty Cat Chronicles a blog focusing on life with her six crazy cats, her dog, and her two sugar gliders! Writing about anything from special needs animals, to traveling with cats, to feline health and wellness, to product reviews, to the daily antics of her crazy fur-gang, Emily aims to entertain and educate. Stop on by to say Hi to Emily, Delilah, Sampson, Sophie, Sassy, Caster, Kylo Ren, Lucy, Jubilee, and Sydney (and her husband, Bobby)! Besides on their blog, you can find them all on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.