Can you put plants in sugar glider cage

How to Set Up a Sugar Glider Cage (6 Easy Steps)

Organizing your sugar glider habitat the right way is not a complicated task. However, there are a few things you should definitely get right to make sure your gliders thrive in their home. In this post, we will see what makes a good sugar glider cage setup.

To set up your sugar glider cage properly, pay attention to the following:

• The type of cage you choose for your sugar glider
• Where you place the cage in the house
• The necessary items you should put inside the cage, such as appropriate bedding, a nest pouch, and an assortment of toys.

STEP 1 Choose the right type of cage for your sugar gliders

The first step in setting up a sugar glider cage is to purchase or build a cage. Many glider owners tend to use cages specifically made for sugar gliders, while others use metal wire cages that resemble tall bird cages.

As with a birdcage, the sugar glider cage includes a tray at thebottom for cleaning out the bedding and multiple perches for theglider to climb on.

The more sugar gliders, the bigger the cage

Of course, the size of the cage depends on the number of gliders living inside. Sugar gliders live in colonies in the wild and enjoy socialization. So when choosing a cage for one or two sugar gliders, select a cage that measures at least 24 x 24 x 36 inches. If you plan to own more than two gliders, choose a larger cage.

Also, the gliders need plenty of space for jumping, climbing, and remaining active. These are nocturnal animals that tend to sleep through most of the day and stay busy at night, which is when they are typically kept inside their cages. The cage you use should not provide an opening for escape. Make sure that the space between the wires is no more than half an inch. If the sugar glider can get its head through the wire bars, it can find a way to escape.

Equally important, the cage door needs to provide enough space to fit a nest box through unless you plan to use a nest pouch. It should also have a secure latch that the gliders cannot open on their own. Some clever sugar gliders eventually figure out how to open simple latches and let themselves out.

STEP 2 Choose a Suitable Spot in Your House for the Cage

Before setting up your cage, choose the right spot for it. Keep it somewhere with a temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder temperatures increase the risk of illness and lethargy. You may also want to learn some of the common signs of a sick sugar glider if the temperatures occasionally drop too low.

As a matter of fact, the preferred temperature range for sugar gliders falls between 75 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The normal room temperature should work well. Just make sure that the temperatures dont get too low at night.

To maintain a slightly warmer temperature compared to the room, some owners choose to add fleece blankets in or around the cage. Moreover, placing a small space heater near the cage also provides a safe way to increase the temperature inside the cage, but it needs to remain out of reach of the sugar glider.

You dont need a lamp or heat rock for the glider cage, as these pieces of equipment bring a risk of electrocution, shock, or burning. Additionally, you should place the cage away from windows where it may get direct sunlight. In the Western hemisphere, south-facing and west-facing windows tend to get the most sunlight.

STEP 3 Gather the necessary items

After purchasing a cage, you still need to gather the items that you plan to place inside it. Ideally, sugar gliders need several items to make their homes complete:

• Bedding
• Water bottle and dish
• Food dish
• Nest box or pouch
• Toys

Bedding, toys, and nest boxes or pouches are essential items that well cover below, but you also need something to hold food and water.

However, when you first bring a sugar glider home, it may not know how to drink from a water bottle, so make sure that you also provide a water dish. For food dishes and water dishes, you can use bird dishes, as they feature clips for securing to the side of wire cages.

When positioning the food dishes, choose a spot toward the top of the cage. Sugar gliders tend to feel more comfortable when eating from a height.

STEP 4 Pick the right bedding for your sugar gliders

Sugar glider owners have different preferences for bedding material. While gliders dont like to go to the bathroom where they sleep and eat, they will relieve themselves in a corner or away from the nesting pouch, food, and water. Common choices for bedding include:

• Shredded newspaper
• Wood shavings
• Commercial sugar glider liners
• Commercial sugar glider substrate

Further, if you choose something not made specifically for sugar gliders, ensure that it is non-toxic. Dont rip up magazine pages, as the ink may be toxic. Regular newspaper, without the inserts, works well. And no matter what type of bedding you choose, clean them out at least once per week or as needed. If you have multiple sugar gliders, you will likely need to clean them more frequently.

STEP 5 Invest in good nest pouches

A nest pouch is a spot for your sugar glider to sleep during the day. The cloth or fleece pouches resemble the bonding pouches that people often carry their sugar gliders around in.

When gathering items for your sugar glider cage, you may find nest pouches and nest boxes. Some people prefer pouches, while others prefer boxes. Actually, nest boxes made from plastic are easier to clean compared to pouches made of cloth or fleece. This makes them more suitable for breeding sugar gliders or dealing with a glider suffering from diarrhea.

Nest pouches provide a cozier spot for your pet. It is closer to the comfortable, familiar space inside their mothers pouch. In effect, the pouches offer a necessary source of warmth, especially for young joeys. When sugar gliders are little, they cannot regulate their own body temperature. They need the warmth of the mothers pouch.

In the end, choose whichever option you feel more comfortable with. If you choose a nest pouch or sleeping pouch, select a soft fleece or cloth pouch, and wash it at least once per week. But if you choose a nest box, consider getting one made of plastic, making it easier to wipe clean. However, avoid washing either type of nest too frequently, as it can eliminate the scent.

STEP 6 Select an Assortment of Hanging Toys for the Cage

Sugar gliders need stimulation to avoid getting bored. If the glider becomes isolated, lonely, and bored, its more likely to get depressed. That is why toys help keep the glider active. The stimulation it provides is essential to the physical and mental health of your pet.

Toys come in a variety of sizes and textures. Some of the most common options include:

For the most part, gliders enjoy toys that they can climb on and leap from. Typically, you secure the toys to the inside of the cage. If choosing real wood, avoid cedar, plywood, oak, and red cherry. These woods may pose health risks for the creatures. Instead, choose pine, birch, balsam, maple, walnut, elm, or cactus.

When buying rope, only use rope made from 100% natural fibers, such as hemp or cotton. Nylon ropes may cause injury if the slider finds itself stuck. Moreover, large plastic rings provide spaces for sugar gliders to climb through. Just make sure that the rings are not too small to reduce the risk of the sugar glider getting its head stuck inside the ring.

Bells are also popular, as sugar gliders enjoy making noise. As with any of the toys that you select, the bells should not pose a choking hazard. In fact, make sure to secure the bells to other objects, such as rings or rope. As a final suggestion, consider adding an exercise wheel but avoid the wire-type wheels.

Do sugar gliders always need a cage?

A cage provides the most suitable habitat for sugar gliders. It gives the glider a safe space to sleep, eat, climb and play. Without a cage, it may occasionally relieve itself around the house or try to eat things that it shouldnt.

How often should you clean a sugar glider cage?

Clean out the cage and bedding once per week. The bedding may need more frequent cleaning, especially if the cage houses multiple sugar gliders. Clean food dishes and water bottles daily and sterilize them every 90 days. Wash pouches, blankets, toys, and other items once per week or as needed.

When should you take sugar gliders out of their cage?

When bonding, try to carry your baby sugar glider in a bonding pouch throughout the morning. Some owners carry their sugar bears around all day. Never leave your sugar glider unattended outside the cage or pouch, as they like to explore.

What is the ideal room temperature for a sugar glider cage?

Sugar gliders prefer temperatures between 75 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can tolerate temperatures down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, gliders are fine at normal room temperature, but some owners prefer to add a heat source to the cage.

Resources and further reading:

7 Amazing Sugar Glider Cage Room Ideas That You Can Use

Sharing is caring!

Sugar gliders are becoming popular pets, so it isnt surprising that many pet owners are constantly looking for sugar glider cage room ideas to keep this family member happy.

As a glider parent, you know that your furry companion needs plenty of stimulating activity.

To do this, you can decorate their cage with lots of fun toys.

I put together this simple guide of ideas to keep these social animals happy, so lets get started!

Sugar Glider Cage Room Ideas 7 Best Picks

These little nocturnal animals are best kept in pairs and are in need of constant activity in order to keep them happy and entertained. [1]

Before I get into all the cool ideas I have for your pet sugar glider cage, lets quickly go over the basic needs of your pet.

It is recommended that their housing be big enough for them to roam around. Larger cages are always better.

Keep your pets home decorated with toys and other stimulating items to satisfy their curious and playful nature, regardless of the type of cage. A comfortable home can also help you with the bonding process.

The cage, should have a narrow wire mesh, and be kept out of direct sunlight. Also, a tall sugar glider cageis ideal.

Right, now that Ive reviewed the basics, lets look at my favorite sugar glider cage room ideas.

#1 Plants and Vines

It is important to only use safe plants such as lemon balm, lemon basil, anise basil, Melissa, and German chamomile.

Avoid plants are not safe, such as arnica, yerba mate, oak, elm, hickory [2]. Nelson Road Vet, also says never to give your glider access to Bracken Fern, Dogbane, Elderberry, Jessamine, Mountain Laurel, Nightshade, Oleander, Rhododendron, St. Johnswort. [3]

However, using real plants can create more work for you as you have to care for them.Artificial plants are a great option that can still look good in your cage and give your pet some hiding spots they can enjoy

• You can use plastic plants and vines or check out alternatives, such as sugar glider cage vines made from fleece as shown here.
• This plastic hanging plant can be another decorative option to place in your adult sugar gliders cage.
• You can also try making one yourself. Check out this video to learn how.

#2 Tall Glider Cages

Gliders need more height than width in their cages since they love to climb. So it is ideal to create a room in this type of cage. Here are some ideas you want to look into for a tall sugar glider cage.

Make sure to add lots of hiding places in your tall that your gliders can play in like the one shown here. Always decorate your cage with nest boxes.

#3 Driftwood

Driftwood gives your pets home a more natural look and provides a hiding place. Take a look at how one glider parent used this here.

#4 Artificial Tree

I love adding artificial trees to tall cages. They really help create a natural environment, stimulation, and places to hide. Check out a great example here made from everyday materials and fleece

#5 PVC Pipes

Your glider will love PVC pipes. They create tunnels where they can explore and play. Take a look at this pic for ideas.

#6 Glider Toys

Toys are essential and provide both you and your glider hours of fun. No cage is complete without exercise wheels. Something like this is perfect.

I found this tutorial on how to set up a glider cage really helpful.

#7 Sugar Glider Cage Sets

If you really are just starting out and not too sure about how to make your new pet comfy in their new home, you can check out a sugar glider cage set that can serve as a starting kit for you.

Sets will come with all the basics you need, including a water bottle, food dishes, a nest box, a dish for water, and toys. Some might even come with appropriate bedding material.

ALSO READ: Can I Take My Sugar Glider Outside?

FAQs

What can you keep in your sugar glider cage room?

Keep toys, like wheels, balls, and safe bird toys, that can keep your gliders constantly moving since they need a lot of activity. Have some hanging toys and decorations, like vines, branches, and pipes for them to climb around and explore.

What kind of wheel should I get for my gliders?

Get a wheel that is not too open so that their tails and feet dont get stuck in the openings, especially if you have a baby sugar glider.

Conclusion

Gliders are a fun household pet, but they also need an environment that will encourage them to keep active since they can be quite playful.

Having good sugar glider cage room ideas in mind is great in order for their physical and mental health.

Do you have your own set of ideas on how to decorate your sugar glider cage? Please share with us a thing or two down in the comment section!

Resources

1. Jirik, Kate. LibGuides: Sugar Glider (Petaurus Breviceps) Fact Sheet: Behavior & Ecology. Ielc.libguides.com, ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/sugarglider/behavior.
2. Wellesley Animal Hospital, Dr. Lucy Haile Sugar Glider Care Guide. https://www.svvspets.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sugar-Glider-Care.pdf
3. Sugar Gliders |. Www.nelsonroadvet.com, 5 Mar. 2012, www.nelsonroadvet.com/articles/exotics/sugar-gliders/. Accessed 1 May 2022.

Alina Hartley

Alina Hartley is a small-town girl with a ginormous love of bearded dragons. It all started with Winchester, a baby bearded who was abandoned at the shelter by his former owners because of a birth defect that caused one front leg to be shorter than the other. Alina originally went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig, but one look at Winchester and it was love at first sight. From that day on, Alina has dedicated her life to learning everything she can about bearded dragons. She loves helping new beardie parents start their incredible journey with these magnificent reptiles.Follow her on:LINKEDINTWITTER.Read her latest articles HERELearn more about her HERE.