How dirty are sugar gliders

Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are palm-size possums that can glide half the length of a soccer pitch in one trip. These common, tree-dwelling marsupials are native to tropical and cool-temperate forests in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Their wings are made from a thin skin stretched between the fifth forefinger and back ankle, and they use their bushy tails as rudders as they soar through the air.

Often compared with flying squirrelsrodents with similar bodies that can also glidesugar gliders are more closely related to other marsupials like kangaroos. As nocturnal animals, they see well in the dark with their big black eyes. They have mostly grey fur but their underbellies are white, and their heads have black stripes.

Reproduction

Sugar gliders nest in tree hollows with up to 10 other adults. In addition to forests, theyve also been found in plantations and rural gardens. Females have one or two young, called joeys, at least once a year. The young stay with their mothers until theyre seven to 10 months old.

In parts of their range, winter temperatures can fall below freezing. To keep warm, sugar gliders sleep huddled together. That, along with short periods of reduced body temperature called torpor, helps them save energy on colder days.

Diet

Sugar gliders have a flexible diet that can vary according to location and season. They feed on nectar, pollen, acacia, and eucalyptus tree sap. Theyve also been observed systematically searching tree cones for spiders and beetles.

Though threatened by feral animals, bushfires, and land clearance for agriculture, sugar gliders are considered to have stable populations in the wild. Sugar gliders are bred and kept as pets.

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Medical Issues & Information

Symptoms:Diarrhea is the most commonsymptom of intestinal parasitic infection such as giardiasis or trichomonads. Other symptoms include poor grooming,overgrooming of certain areas, weight loss, dehydration, and lethargy. Often, intestinal parasites can be asymptomatic in otherwise healthy gliders, and symptoms may only show when there is a secondary problem, or when the parasitic infection becomes severe.

Immediate treatment:If your glider is experiencing the above symptoms, and they are severe, action must be taken to treat the dehydration or othersymptoms immediately, and concurrently with the treatment for the parasitic infection. A fecal exam is needed to confirm parasitic infection. Generally these are quick and inexpensive. If your glider is not experiencing the above symptoms, or if the symptoms are extremely mild, a fecal exam is necessary, but the situation isnot emergent, and can wait until the following day or an appointment can be made.

Known causes:Intestinal parasites are generally spread through feces and can be transmitted through vegetables, fruit, water, contact with othergliders who are infected, feces of other animals. Intestinal parasites are extremely contagious.

Long term care:Most parasitic infections can be easily treated if treatment is timely. Treatmentinvolves oral medication, and follow up fecal exams must be conducted to ensure that the glider is clear of the parasite. Annual or semi-annual fecal exams are always a good idea, because often parasitic infections are asymptomatic until they become severe. Regular fecal exams for healthy gliders will help identify parasitic infections early so that they can be treated.

Other information and notes:One important item to note is that if one glider in a colony tests positive for intestinal parasites, all gliders in that colony can be presumed to be infected, andshould be treated. Often, if one glider in a household tests positive for parasitic infection, all gliders in that household will test positive and need to be treated. This can be quite an undertaking, but it is not impossible.

Disorders and Diseases of Sugar Gliders

Hypocalcemia is an abnormally low level of calcium in the blood and is due mainly to an imbalance of dietary calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Not getting enough dietary protein causes hypoproteinemia and anemia (too few red blood cells). All of these conditions may be caused by long-term malnutrition and can lead to liver and kidney problems. Malnourished sugar gliders are weak, slow to respond, and usually thin and dehydrated. Anemic and hypoproteinemic sugar gliders may also have bruising, abnormal swelling, and pale mucous membranes. Weakened animals may develop additional infections. Treatment requires correcting the underlying dietary problems and providing general supportive care. Follow your veterinarians advice regarding diet, supplements, water supplies, and environmental conditions.

Metabolic bone disease, also known as nutritional osteodystrophy, is a softening of the bones due to an imbalance of the minerals calcium and phosphorus in the diet. The first sign is often weakening of the rear legs, progressing to paralysis. This can seem to happen very quickly. Pneumonia, heart problems, seizures, and broken bones can also occur as a result of this condition. Xray images reveal a loss of bone from the spinal column, pelvis, and leg bones. This disease, if treated quickly, can be reversible with proper diet and care. Treatment involves cage rest, giving calcium and vitamin D₃ supplements (which your veterinarian may give by injection), and correction of the diet.

To help prevent vitamin and mineral imbalances, insects in the diet can be gut-loaded with calcium or sprinkled with a calcium powder before being fed to sugar gliders. Gut loading is a common technique that involves giving insects a nutritious mixture of cereals and vegetables immediately before being fed to the sugar gliderthus loading their gut with nutrients. Another common practice is the use of powdered vitamin/mineral supplements. Crickets brought home from a pet store and never fed have little nutritional value. Placing them in a bag with vitamin and mineral powders and shaking the bag will coat the insects with the powder. Although some of the powder will fall off, the newer microfine powders adhere remarkably well.

Do Sugar Gliders Make Good Pets? What You Should Know!

Are sugar gliders good pets? This is a tricky question. Thousands own sugar gliders around the globe. The true question is, are you the right owner? There are a few things you should definitely know about these critters before you decide to adopt one.

Do sugar gliders make good pets? These critters are high-maintenance, so if you are not used to exotic animals or have experience with dogs or cats only, brace for a steep change of routine. Adapting to their food diet, habitat, noises, and need for companionship are a few things you need to carefully consider.

However, adaptation to your pets habits is a normal part of owning any other exotic pet. In this article, you will learn what it means to care for a sugar glider so you can make an informed decision about keeping one as a pet or not.

Are sugar gliders good pets?

Sugar gliders make great pets when ownerstake the time to understand the needs of these playful marsupials.

As a matter of fact, gliders are not low-maintenance pets, such as gerbils or hamsters. As with a dog or cat, your sugar glider needs attention and stimulation.

Unfortunately, too many people think only about the cute, cuddly appearance of the little animals and not the demands of properly caring for one or more. This results in more people needing to give up their gliders and more premature deaths from improper care. Some of the issues that people tend to overlook include:

• Setting up a suitable habitat
• Planning a strict food diet
• Dealing with odors
• Noises during the night
• Bonding with the animal
• Keeping more than one glider

1. Sugar Gliders Require a Suitable Habitat

Sugar gliders are not like gerbils that you can put in a cage, add food and water, and leave alone. You need to take the time to set up a cage. Large wire cages provide the perfect environment for sugar gliders. As active creatures, they need room to climb and jump, but they shouldnt have the freedom to wander around your house unattended.

If you have one or two sugar gliders, the cage should measure at least 24 x 24 inches wide and deep and 36 inches tall. If possible, purchase a cage that is even taller, providing more room for your pet to glide from one toy to the next. The best sugar glider cages are not always cheap, but they are essential for the well-being of your critter.

What type of accessories will you need?

Try to find a cage that includes shelves or perches, such as the cages typically made for birds. No matter what type of cage you choose, ensure that it doesnt provide any spots for escape. Due to their active nature, if the cage provides a way to escape, your sugar glider will likely find it.

The other items that you need to put inside the cage include bedding, nest pouches, and toys, as well as food and water dishes.

Many sugar glider owners place water bottles in the cages. Over time, a sugar glider may eventually learn to drink from the bottle, but younger ones may find it difficult. When you first bring a glider home, ensure that you have a water dish, even if you decide to use a water bottle.

For bedding, you may use newspapers, wood shavings, or cage liners. For pouches, look for specially-made sugar glider nest pouches. The fleece or cloth pouches offer a soft spot for your gliders to cuddle and keep each other warm.

Why sugar glider toys are important

Sugar gliders also need toys for stimulation. Even if you spend a lot of time bonding with your sugar glider, it still needs stimulation when you are busy or not at home. As with dogs or cats, your glider may suffer from boredom, depression, and anxiety when left unstimulated.

When purchasing toys for the sugar glider cage, avoid adding toomany. You still want to leave plenty of room for your sugar glider tojump and leap from object to object.

Before adding a toy, you also need to ensure that it doesnt provide a choking hazard. Carefully inspect the toy for the following dangers:

• Pieces that may untie or easily tear off
• Toys containing toxic materials
• Pieces that may get unraveled
• Spaces where gliders may get stuck

Also, keep in mind that the toys you select need regular washing. Some objects, such as real wood, are difficult to clean or may become soggy or damaged when washed.

2. Sugar Gliders Require A Strict Diet

You need to give your glider a strict diet, which requires planning and preparation. Lack of nutrition is a leading cause of health problems for sugar gliders. Calcium deficiencies and obesity are two of the most common health issues.

Sugar gliders are omnivores and eat almost anything available. In the wild, they like to suck the sweet sap from trees, resulting in the name of these small animals.

Besides tree sap, sugar gliders enjoy other sweet foods, including fruit and live insects. However, in captivity, its up to pet owners to ensure that the gliders continue to get a balanced diet containing a mixture of foods, such as:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Protein
• Live insects
• Commercial sugar glider food

There are also foods that you need to avoid, including chocolateand most dairy products. However, some people feed their sugargliders small amounts of yogurt or cheese, as these foods containprotein.

What is a balanced sugar glider diet?

About one-quarter of your gliders diet should include a mixtureof fruits and vegetables. Bananas, apples, grapes, oranges, pears,melons, and kiwi fruit are popular fruits. For vegetables, considergiving your glider carrots, broccoli, sprouts, or squash.

Protein sources include poultry and live insects. Unfortunately, these foods lack calcium, which may lead to issues with your gliders teeth and bones. To prevent a calcium deficiency, you may give your gliders live insects that are gut-loaded with calcium supplements.

Raising your own insects also helps reduce the cost of buying food for your gliders. Insects such as crickets are easy to keep and provide them with a continuous source of protein.

What about treats?

Sugar gliders love snacks, but you should only give special treatsin moderation to reduce the risk of obesity. These small animalsoften only weigh about four ounces when fully grown. Giving your petfatty foods, such as too many live insects, adds unnecessary fat toits diet.

Common sugar glider treats or snacks include:

• Dried fruit
• Yogurt drops
• Live insects

Dried fruits are cost-effective treats and provide beneficial nutrients. If possible, purchase fresh fruit and use a food dehydrator or your oven to dehydrate the ingredients.

Yogurt drops are freeze-dried pieces of yogurt. To make these drops, you just need yogurt, a baking sheet, and parchment paper. It also helps to use a cake decorating bag for squeezing the drops onto the baking sheet.

Simply prepare the baking sheet and use a cake icing bag or aspoon to place dots or drops of yogurt on the parchment paper. Placethe sheet in the freezer for at least two hours or overnight. Afterfreezing, you have small bite-sized treats that you can place in yourgliders food dish.

Just make sure that you dont feed your pet too many treats. Obesity is a risk, and gliders prefer sweet snacks. If you provide a never-ending bowl of dried fruit, it may fill up with the sweet stuff without eating its regular food.

3. Sugar Gliders Often Smell

Odors may also become a problem if you dont follow a specificcleaning routine. If you clean the entire cage and everything in it,unneutered males may remark everything with their scent. Instead ofcleaning everything at once, clean different parts of the cage ondifferent days.

Unpleasant odors may also occur due to the diet. If a glider eats too much protein, it may develop a stronger smell. In fact, pee and feces also smell but are not overly powerful.

While you cant truly potty train sugar gliders, they rarely relieve themselves freely around the house. Just make sure you leave them in the cage after feeding until they urinate or poo.

4. Sugar Gliders Can Be Noisy

As nocturnal animals, sugar gliders are often up through the night making various noises. Some people overlook this issue, resulting in sleepless nights. The best option is to place the sugar glider cage in a room where the noise wont cause too much of a distraction.

Despite these demands, gliders dont require too much carecompared to a cat or dog. They need a clean environment, a balanceddiet, and socialization.

5. Sugar Gliders Require Bonding Time

Bonding is necessary, especially if youre only keeping one sugar glider. Before bringing one of these pets to your home, learn more about the sugar glider bonding process and how to tell if your glider has bonded with you.

At first, your sugar bear may act scared when you try to hold it. In some cases, sugar bears bite or nip. Luckily, the bites rarely break the skin, as these pets are so small.

During the first couple of days, you may just want to leave yoursugar glider in its cage, giving it time to familiarize itself withits new home. This helps reduce the stress of the transition.

Over time, your gliders will come to recognize your scent. They will freely walk on your arm, climb around your neck, and even nuzzle with you. When they get completely comfortable, youll hear the cutest little chirping sound, making all the hard work worth the effort.

Using a pouch to bond properly

Carrying pouches allow you to carry the sugar glider around with you as you go about your morning. As these little animals tend to sleep during the day, they will likely spend most of the time sleeping inside the pouch.

You can keep the glider inside the pouch for up to 10 hours but should take it out occasionally to stretch its legs. The pouch helps keep the glider comfortable and relaxed, while also exposing it to your scent. Be patient and your sugar glider will eventually warm up to you. It typically takes about four to six weeks for a sugar glider to bond.

6. Sugar gliders need companionship

Sugar gliders are social creatures that live together in groups of six to twelve in the wild. In captivity, lone gliders may become bored, restless, and depressed.

If you want the best for your pets, you should keep at least twosugar gliders together. You can add sugar gliders to a cage thatalready has one or more sugar gliders. You can also purchase glidersseparately and bring them home together.

While interacting with a human offers some companionship, these little animals thrive when they can spend more time with others of their own kind. When purchasing multiple gliders, avoid placing multiple males in a cage with one female. While gliders rarely fight, they can fight for dominance.

Most vets and experienced glider owners recommend pairing twomales or two females. You may also pair one male and one female.

If you already have one glider in its cage, consider using aseparate cage for the second glider. Place the cages next to eachother so that they can slowly become more familiar. When they becomecomfortable around each other, you can start housing them in the samecage.

Are Sugar Gliders Expensive?

Baby sugar gliders cost between $200 and $500. You also need to purchase a suitable habitat, bedding, and food. After the initial costs, owning a sugar glider is not expensive. The main ongoing expenses include food and potential vet visits if your glider gets sick.

What Are Common Illnesses for Sugar Gliders?

Although sugar gliders are not high-maintenance animals, they may occasionally require a trip to the vet. In fact, most owners and vets recommend that you at least take your pet in for an annual exam.

Other than the exams, you may only need to take your sugar glider to the vet if it experiences an illness or injury. The most common medical issues in sugar gliders include:

• Accidents
• Dehydration
• Bacterial infections
• Parasites
• Giardia
• Pesticide poisoning
• Hind leg paralysis
• Respiratory infections
• Nutritional dystrophy
• Stress

Accidents

Accidents are the most common medical problem that sugar glidersface. Broken bones and injuries may occur when a glider attempts toleap from an object during unsupervised playtime.

Many sugar glider owners have dealt with the sad experience of finding their pets drowned in the toilet. If you allow your glider to leap around the house, ensure that the toilet lid remains closed. You should also ensure that there are no other open sources of water, such as a fish tank with a large opening.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a sign of illness. However, a lack of water also leads to dehydration. If your gliders skin seems less elastic, dehydration is likely the cause. Ensure that the water dish or bottle remains full. If you only have a water bottle, try adding a water dish, since some gliders find it difficult to drink from the bottle.

Many of the other common medical issues occur due to poornutrition, tainted food, or unsanitary environments.

Pesticide poisoning

To prevent pesticide poisoning, always thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before serving or preparing them as a snack. You should also regularly clean out the cage and wash fecal matter from nest pouches or toys.

Hind leg paralysis often occurs due to a calcium deficiency. If the hindquarters appear weaker than normal, try to increase calcium consumption with a supplement. Live insects fed calcium supplements provide a boost of calcium.

Stress

Stress can become deadly for sugar gliders. These creatures dontcope well with anxiety and unnecessary stress. You may notice thatyour glider is losing hair, biting its tail, circling its cage, oreven self-mutilating.

If you notice these signs, try to spend more time bonding withyour glider. It may also need more stimulation or another companion.

How Do You Find Sugar Gliders for Sale?

There are many places to buy gliders. You can find them at small pet stores or buy them from individual breeders. Unfortunately, some breeders only breed gliders for the money. Before purchasing a sugar glider from a breeder, research the following:

• The quality of the facilities
• The age that they separate the joeys
• The lineage of the gliders
• The health of the glider

If possible, learn more about the facilities. It helps tophysically travel to the location and see how the breeder houses thegliders. Dirty, unsanitary conditions may indicate that you aredealing with a breeding mill.

You should also question the breeder to determine his or her knowledge about the animals, including at what age they separate the joeys. Sugar gliders should not leave their mothers before eight weeks, with some breeders not selling joeys until they reach 12 weeks. If the breeder agrees to sell the glider earlier, he or she may not care about the health of the creature.

Always Check the Sugar Glider Lineage

One of the most important details to research is the lineage of the gliders. Inbreeding leads to deformities and health issues. Its also a common problem at breeding mills. Respectable breeders maintain detailed records of the lineage, providing proof that the gliders come from separate lines.

The final step is to inspect the health of the glider. Look at thecoat. The glider should have soft, fluffy fur. It should also bealert and curious instead of shying away from your hand.

If you take the time to perform this research, you should have noproblem finding a suitable sugar glider breeder.

Do sugar gliders pee and poop everywhere?

Sugar gliders are clean animals and rarely go to the bathroom where they eat or sleep, often choosing a spot in the corner of their cage. Leave them in their cage for about 15 minutes after eating or sleeping to reduce the chance of accidents outside the cage.

Are sugar gliders dangerous?

Sugar gliders may bite or nip when threatened or when handled by people other than their owners. However, the bites rarely hurt or break the skin. Bonded gliders recognize their owners. After bonding, biting is almost unheard of, unless you startled the glider.

Are sugar gliders illegal?

Sugar gliders are illegal to own or breed in California, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York City. In Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, you need to obtain a special permit. Additionally, some cities or counties may have their own legislation prohibiting these animals. Always check local laws before buying gliders.

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