How do you bond with a sugar glider

How to Bond With a Sugar Glider: 9 Helpful Tips

You have probably anticipated bringing your sugar glider home for some time. Youve done your research about proper care, you bought the supplies, and now its time. But how about the bonding process? You might have envisioned immediate cuddles, but the truth is your sugar glider is going to need some time to warm up to their new surroundings. Thats why youll want to read our tips on how to bond with a sugar glider.

So, how can you move the process along? Is there anything you can do to charm them fast? How do you know when your sugar glider is bonded to you? Here are nine surefire methods you can use to win them over in no time.

The 9 Tips on How to Bond With a Sugar Glider:

1. Allow Your Sugar Glider to Decompress

You might be so excited to finally get your sugar glider home. They are so soft, cute, and seemingly cuddly that you just want to snuggle them right away. As tempting as it might be, this is actually very stressful for them.

Even though their homecoming was very anticipated, they still have no idea whats going on. All they know is that their environment changed drastically. There are tons of new sights and smellsall unfamiliar. Its going to take them a minute to digest all this newness.

For the first two days after your sugar glider comes home, its best not to handle or overstimulate them.

2. Make Introductions Slow

Its not a race, and every sugar glider acclimates at their own pace. Since each sugar glider has a different personality and temperament, some may warm up to you faster than others. Learning your sugar gliders quirks and body language is so important when youre starting to bond.

Follow their lead. If they are apprehensive, respect their boundaries. But also, dont give up on trying to offer attention. The first few weeks are the most important when youre bonding with each other.

3. Let Them Sniff Your Dirty Laundry

Did you read that right? You certainly did. Our bodies give off lots of interesting smells that can tell our animals lots of things about us. When your sugar glider is just starting to get used to their surroundings, they need to get used to every person in the house, too.

Place a small article of clothing in their cage, whether it be a sock, glove, or undershirt. It gives them a chance to get used to you being around without you actually being around. They can adjust at their own pace without being forced into it.

4. Spend Time Around Them

You can spend time in the same room with your sugar glider without making any type of contact. The more they get used to the creaks, chaos, and chatter in the household, the better. If theyre in a room alone with no interaction, they are much more likely to be withdrawn even after a few weeks pass.

Keep your sugar gliders in a room where there wont be too much traffic, but just enough to see you often. You want to keep their stress levels down, but their attention open to their surroundings.

5. Talk Softly, Dont Touch

Speak directly to your sugar glider. Go up to their cage, talk softly. Heck, if you have the pipes, you can even softly sing a little ditty. Soothe them with calming noises. The sweeter you are, the more they will perk up with curiosity rather than fear.

Vocal tones do a lot for communication. Even though they dont know what youre saying, they can still tell that you mean no harm. You dont have to touch them to establish a bond in the beginning.

6. Respect Their Body Language

Theres no reason to rush. Take your time. Pay attention to their silent signals. Do they shy away from you, cower in the corner, or get extremely tense when you touch them? Respect their reactions. Try to keep a hands-off approach until they act like they want to be touched.

The more they lead and you follow, the quicker you can earn their trust.

7. Snacks Anyone?

They say a way to a mans heart is through his stomach, and your sugar glider is no different. They wont turn down a tasty treat. Coax them out of hiding with a snack or two. Dont overdo it, but offer it semi-frequently in the first few weeks.

Also, make sure not to introduce anything too quickly that could upset their bellies. A tummy ache and a scenery change will be a major overload for your sugar glider.

8. Use Bonding Pouches or Hoodie Pockets

You can come up with some pretty interesting ways to carry your sugar gliders around. Since they love climbing, you can strap one to you or put them in your hoodie pocket. They even make bonding pouches designed for carrying around pets.

Holding your sugar glider close makes them feel more connected to you. If they feel cradled, they wont feel exposed and vulnerable as youre holding them. They can also get used to your scent, inspiring them to trust you.

9. Patience, Patience, Patience!

What it really all boils down to is good, old-fashioned patience. You have to do things on their terms in the beginning. Getting your little one comfortable is the key to bonding. Once your sugar glider knows that they can trust you, they will want all kinds of attention.

Even though its tempting to try to rush the process, understand that the more time you spend on their levelthe friendlier theyll be.

Bonus: Fun Facts About Domesticated Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders, or Petauridae Breviceps, is a marsupial native to Indonesia and New Guinea. They gained a lot of popularity in the 1990s. Initially, they were wildso it took a long while to get them to have the same tame temperament as modern-day sugar gliders.

Although domestication has played its part, bonding with your sugar glider is an essential part of the process of owning one. These adorable little creatures can have some of the best personalities of all.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you learn how to bond with your sugar glider! Ultimately, each sugar glider will bond with you at different moments. You might have a pair that you bought on the same day, and one will warm up faster than the other. This is normal and expected behavior. Just try to spend as much time with them in the beginning as they get used to all this newness. Its always helpful to keep tabs on the stages of sugar glider bonding among your pets.

The more they get used to all the familiar sights, sounds, smells, and feelings around, the more theyll seek your attention. You can use a combination of these tactics to see what works best for your sugar gliders.

Featured Image Credit: Rachata Teyparsit, Shutterstock

How to Introduce Sugar Gliders to Each Other (Step-by-Step Guide)

Sharing is caring!

Need tips on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other?

Since these unique pets do best in pairs, youll definitely want more than one.

Unless you adopt them together, theyll need a proper introduction.

Well walk you through the steps below!

You may also like: Sugar Glider Care

How to Introduce Sugar Gliders to Each Other

If youre a sugar glider parent, you know that they live happier in pairs.

In fact, many sugar glider breeders ONLY sell them in twos.

The only exception is when youre buying one for your friend at home.

I love my sugar gliders; theyre easier maintenance than most pets and theyre adorable too.

But our journey hasnt been an easy one.

When I first bought my first pair, things went well for a while, but one of them developed some complications and passed away.

I was worried about the mental health of my other sugar glider, and I quickly resorted to getting a partner for her

My main concern was how the other sugar gliders would behave towards the new one.

It was easy for my first two sugar gliders to bond because they grew up together (and might have been sisters).

Of course, I did all of the research before adopting a new glider, and Ill share everything I learned with you below to save you some time!

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: Do Sugar Gliders Carry Diseases?

Simple Steps to Successfully Sugar Gliders to Each Other

These steps will help you slowly introduce your sugar glider to a new glider while avoiding any aggression.

Step 1: Set Up a Neutral Space

Setup a neutral space for your sugar glider and her new friend (you can use a tabletop) and place them with their blankets.

Step 2: Introduce Them to Each Others Scent.

Before you even think of physically placing the two sugar gliders together, allow them to familiarize themselves with the scent of each other

You can do this by using their blankets.

When your sugar gliders are still in their pouches, take their blankets and rub each one of them with the other ones blanket.

Rub them carefully and cover all the body parts, including their heads, to ensure the scent is transferred.

ALSO READ: Why Does My Sugar Smell Bad?

Step 3: Let Your Old Glider Smell the New Gliders Tail

After youve allowed them to get used to each others scent, its time to proceed to the next step.

Take the new gliders tail and let your glider smell it. Dont fall into the temptation of letting them meet face to face yet.

Observe the reaction of your sugar glider to the tail of the new glider. If there is no biting or grabbing, then youre off to a good start.

Swap and let the new glider smell your old sugar gliders tail.

ALSO CHECK: Sugar Glider Grooming

Step 4: Allow a Face to Face Meeting

I was both excited and scared for this step because my sugar glider can be a little entitled, and I didnt know what her reaction would be.

Of course, this step is best done if there was no sign of aggression in the previous step.

Open the pouches slightly and let them meet each other face to face while theyre still on their pouches.

Dont freak out if there is a little screaming or grabbing; its their unique way of communicating. However, dont allow any physical interaction yet.

If there is any biting, separate the sugar gliders immediately.

Be patient with this step. Here are some things that may happen:

• Ignoring or sniffing each other. This means youre on the clear, and theyre okay with each other.
• Hand swiping or Lunging. In this case, pull them from each other and try some other time.
• One lunge and curls into a ball. If this happens, separate them immediately.
• Some sugar gliders will be scared for introductions. In this case, just separate them and do it in bits until theyre comfortable.

For gliders who are five months old and below, you can place them in one cage but in their pouches.

The younger ones almost always resolve their issues over the night.

Observe how they behave in the evening after they wake up.

But if your sugar gliders are older than five months, separate them from each other at any sign of aggression and start the introduction process from step one again the following day.

If one glider enters the other gliders pouch and there is no screaming, its a sign theyre starting to like each other.

Yet, still hang both pouches on the cage so that if they have any misunderstandings between them at night, each of them will have a place to sleep.

Low chirping, dancing, and sniffing are also okay. Look out for any fighting or chasing.

The video below is also a great resource for how to introduce sugar gliders to each other:

Frequently Asked Questions

Lets go over some frequently asked questions about introducing gliders to each other.

Do Sugar Gliders Fight Each Other?

Like is the case with other pets, intact sugar gliders males are aggressive when it comes to protecting their territories

Many males will fight unless they grew up together. But if you put a female with a male, theyre likely to get comfortable and breed.

However, neutered males have the same scent as female ones, so there is likely to be limited to no aggression.

How Many Sugar Gliders Can Live Together?

According to VCA Animal Hospital, sugar gliders are very social animals and can live in groups of 6 to 10.

For the sake of their mental health, they shouldnt be kept as single animals.

How Do I Socialize My Sugar Glider?

You just brought your sugar glider home, and all you know is that you cant wait to become buddies and hang out.

Besides, isnt it the whole point of getting a pet?

These steps from the Sugar Glider Slave will help you bond with your glider.

Remember, love, patience, and time are the key factors to keep in mind while bonding with your glider.

Can You Put 2 Sugar Gliders in the Same Bonding Pouch?

According to several sugar glider parents from Reddit, its okay to put your sugar gliders in the same pouch if theyre fond of each other.

But if youre just introducing them to each other, allow them time to get used to each other before putting them in the same pouch.

Introducing Sugar Gliders to Each Other is Easy!

Sugar gliders are social beings, and for the sake of their mental health and happiness, its best to keep them in pairs.

But how do you introduce them to each other if they havent met before?

By doing it in small bits and using their reaction as a cue as to whether to go to the next step or not.

I hope you learned a thing or two from my blog post on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other.

Do you have any other tips on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other? Share below!

Sylvia K

Sylvia is passionate about sugar gliders and guinea pigs!