How do I keep my sugar glider cage from smelling

Do Sugar Gliders Smell? (6 Ways to Avoid Bad Odors)

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Do sugar gliders stink?

You may have read stories about how smelly these cute critters are (they even rank among the stinkiest exotic pets)

Well, there are reasons for that musky aroma and- thankfully- ways to prevent it, too!

Keep reading to find out why do sugar gliders smell and how to get rid of the foul odor.

Do Sugar Gliders Stink?

The short answer is, no, they shouldnt.

But due to factors like incorrect diet, unclean cages, and scent marking, some may have an unpleasant odor. I will discuss these factors in detail later.

What Do Sugar Gliders Smell Like?

Like all other animals, sugar gliders have their distinct smell, which is not that bad.

Its more of a mild musky smell which is often part of their physical and genetic makeup.

Both male and female sugar gliders have scent glands. Female sugar gliders, these glands are located at the pouch and genital area.

On the other hand, male gliders have scent glands in three areas; the head (appears as a bald spot), chest, and genital areas.

This explains why male sugar gliders may have a stronger smell than female sugar gliders.

Sugar gliders also have a unique foul smell as part of their defence mechanism.

When they are scared, they may produce this smell and a white fluid out of their private parts. But once you start bonding with them, this smell will disappear.

ALSO READ: How to Introduce Sugar Gliders to Each Other?

Why Does A Sugar Glider Stink?

Now lets see why your sugar gliders may stink.

#1 Not Litter Trained

Like everyone elses urine and feces, sugar gliders urine and feces do stink. The smell is even worse for baby sugar gliders since their digestive systems are still developing.

If you dont train them when and where to poop (more on this later), they may excrete in the cage, and it will be more challenging to clean, let alone get rid of the odor.

#2 Incorrect Diet

They are very sensitive to what they eat. Its one of those sugar glider facts.

Even though sugar gliders should be fed proteins, feeding them too much of them (meats, insects, eggs) could make them smell like ferrets.

Acidic fruits, such as bananas, are other foods that could lead to diarrhea and foul odors.

#3 Scent Marking

As mentioned earlier, male sugar gliders have more scent glands, and their musky smell tends to be more prevalent, especially during the breeding season.

Another reason their odor may be more prevalent is that they are over-marking.

When you clean sugar glider cages thoroughly, you may eliminate all of their scent from the cage.

This makes them feel like they need to do it often to show that thats their territory.

How To Prevent Sugar Gliders From Smelling

Below are some ways you can prevent your sugar gliders from smelling.

#1 Give them the proper nutrition.

When in the wild, sugar gliders often feed on pulp from trees like eucalyptus or acacia, nectar, insects, fruits, and pollen.

As you can see, its hard to replicate this diet for captivity-raised sugar gliders.

But that doesnt mean its not possible. What sugar gliders should eat or shouldnt eat is also a very controversial subject.

You need to consult your vet on what to feed your pet and how much to feed them, especially now when several complicated diets are gaining popularity.

In our guide to sugar glider food recipes, we suggested the Leadbeaters mixture, which combines boiled eggs, honey, apple juice, vitamin supplements, baby food, baby cereal, greens, and pellets.

But a diet that contains 50 to 75% approved pelleted food, at least 25% of fresh fruit or vegetables, and 25% of proteins (crickets, mealworms, eggs, cooked meat) would do.

Generally, a sugar gliders diet should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1 to 2:1. WebMD also recommends that you should feed your pet 15 to 20% of its weight.

Also, make sure they have access to clean, uncontaminated water daily.

Foods to avoid

Like in horses or bearded dragons, you should avoid feeding your sugar gliders vegetables rich in oxalates.

These include collard greens, Swiss chard, and kale. Other foods to avoid include;

• Foods grown with synthetic pesticides
• Chocolate
• Pears
• Beets
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Dairy

#2 Clean Your sugar gliders cage

There are three ways to keep the sugar gliders cage clean;

1. Daily maintenance

This is where you clean the feeding bowls, get rid of food leftovers, and replace the water with fresh water.

Clean the bowls, trays, and toys with hot water and soap, and sterilize them at least every 3 months.

2. Line the cages

Place fleece, kiln-dried pine pellets, or any other safe materials in the bottom tray.

Doing this makes it easier to clean, and it also eliminates the odors in case your pets splash urine and feces in the cage. You can replace the linings every 2 to 3 days.

3. Deep Cleaning

This is a thorough cleaning that you should do once every two weeks. It involves cleaning the cages with vinegar and hot water and rinsing.

Some sugar glider owners have claimed to have used Clorox, bleach, or other chemicals.

I dont think thats a good idea since these chemicals may be harmful to your pet. But a little dishwashing soap is fine.

The fleece pouches and any other cloth-like items can be washed in a washing machine.

To prevent the over-marking issue I mentioned earlier, wash the fleece, toys, or pouches at different times.

As long as some of the items have their scent, they wont feel the need to do it again.

#3 Neutering Males

The only way to fix the strong smell of male sugar gliders is to get them neutered.

Unneutered males are more suitable for breeders.

#4 Litter Training Your Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders cant really be potty trained. Sugar gliders often have a schedule for going to the bathroom.

As long as you know their schedule, you will not have to deal with the odors.

For instance, sugar gliders go to the bathroom as soon as they wake up, and once they empty all the contents, they will not have to do it in the next 3 to 4 hours.

They dont excrete in their sleep.

If you woke them up and they dont want to go to the bathroom, you can stimulate them using baby wipes.

You do this by gently rubbing their genital areas with baby wipes. At first, they wont like it, but theyll eventually get used to it.

Your job is to train them that the only bathroom time is when you get them out of the cage or out of the pouch and at specific times.

You can even set a timer to alert you a few minutes before when you anticipate they might want to go to the bathroom.

Some sugar glider owners have reported being able to potty-train their sugar gliders by placing a litter box on one corner and placing some of the pets feces in it. You can go ahead and try that too and confirm if it works.

#5 Use an Air Purifier

Even though sugar gliders dont really stink, their poop will always stink.

So, there will often be a smell in the room where you keep your sugar gliders, especially during their bathroom time.

One of the ways to fix this is to get an air purifier.

This device helps remove contaminants and bad odors from your home, and they are very popular among dog and cat owners who may be allergic to dander.

A good air purifier for pet odor should have HEPA filters, which are very efficient in eliminating contaminants.

All you have to do is clean them or replace them after a few months. A good example is the LEVOIT air purifier.

#6 Use Pine Pellets For Odor Removal

According to Amy Worden, pine pellets are quite effective in eliminating pet odor. And they make collecting waste from pets easier.

However, if you have pine trees around your home, dont cut the leaves and twigs to place in the sugar glider cage.

This is because pine trees are toxic to sugar gliders, and they could harm them if they ingested them.

The reason the pellets are safe is that they are kiln-dried. Ensure the sugar glider cage has a grate or tray below it where you can place the pellets.

If it doesnt, you can place a pan below the cage, depending on the type of cage you have.

Do Sugar Gliders Smell FAQS

Why Does My Sugar glider Smell Like Skunk?

Your sugar glider could be emanating a foul smell due to feeding him/her the wrong foods. Secondly, if theyre not litter trained, they may pee and poo anywhere, causing them and their cage to stink. And lastly, male sugar gliders may be over-marking their territories.

Do Sugar Gliders Smell Like Ferrets?

Not really. Sugar gliders have their natural musky smell, which is tolerable. But feeding them a poor diet and failing to neuter the males may make them smell like ferrets, or even worse.

How do I stop my sugar glider from smelling?

Start by feeding them the correct vet-approved diet. If youre not planning to breed sugar gliders, its best to neuter the males. You should also make a habit of cleaning the cage, the pouches, toys, and all other items your sugar glider uses regularly.

Should I bathe my sugar gliders?

Can you give sugar gliders a bath? Sugar gliders are very clean animals, capable of grooming themselves unless theyre sick. So, bathing them regularly is not necessary. But if you note urine, feces, and other debris stuck in their fur, and they cant get it out, you can clean them with some warm water and baby shampoo.

Conclusion

Sugar gliders can stink really badly if you dont maintain them properly. But as weve established in this article, they dont have to stink.

Their natural smell is a mild musky odor that most people can handle.

Ensure you feed them the right foods, neuter the males, and keep the cages and all their items clean.

Does your sugar glider stink? What do you do to prevent it? Share with us your experience below!

Barry Stingmore

Barry Stingmore is a British content writer living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats and has a passion for writing about animals big and small.

Barry loves finding answers to your animal-related questions, the more research involved the better! You can rely on him to find the facts.

Find him on FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND LinkedinRead his latest ARTICLES.Find more about him HERE.

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: