How to play with a sugar glider

Should you keep sugar gliders as pets? Everything you need to know

Whether keeping sugar gliders as pets is a good idea or not remains a hot topic of debate, with some saying they can make wonderful companions who will bond strongly with their human families and others believing that the specialized care they require makes them unsuitable for domestic living.

Its important to note that sugar gliders are wild animals and while they can make for playful, curious and social pets who will happily engage in a good snuggle session, they require a very particular diet, ample amounts of space, and plenty of mental and physical enrichment to keep them happy and healthy.

Sugar gliders are also highly social creatures who live in small groups in the wild and need to have at least one other buddy to share their enclosure with to ensure they dont become depressed. Because of this, youll need to be financially prepared to adopt and care for a pair.

Not for the novice pet owner, sugar gliders require a substantial time investment, not least because they need regular human interaction in order for them to become tame and used to being handled. However, if youre able to provide them with this, youll likely be rewarded with an endearing and entertaining companion.

Below, we walk you through the pros and cons of owning sugar gliders as pets so that you can make an informed decision about whether these cute little creatures are the right choice for your home and lifestyle.

What is a sugar glider?

While sugar gliders may look like rodents, theyre actually small marsupials that come from the same general family as kangaroos and koala bears. They got the name sugar glider because they love eating sweet foods, especially fruit, and because they have a gliding membrane that stretches from their wrist to their ankle that allows them to glide between trees.

Sugar gliders have been found to have around the same level of intelligence as a dog and they can be trained to learn tricks and to come when theyre called. When cared for correctly, sugar gliders have an average lifespan of between 12-15 years. They are impeccably clean, never require bathing and are known to bond strongly to their human family when kept as domestic pets.

Should you keep sugar gliders as pets?

We wish we could give you a straightforward yes or no answer to the question of whether you should keep a sugar glider as a pet, but unfortunately, professional opinion on this one is mixed.

Often referred to as sugar bears, these pocket pets have become popular amongst those looking for a small, social and sensitive little creature to provide them with companionship.

But animal welfare organizations, such as PETA, say that many sugar gliders end up in shelters because people are unprepared for the responsibility of caring for an active, inquisitive and nocturnal animal.

Because of this, sugar gliders are illegal in several states, including Alaska, Hawaii and California, and in those states that do allow them, youll want to check with your local authority as to whether or not you need a permit.

Sugar gliders are highly social animals who require a lot of opportunities to socialize with their kind, plenty of stimulation and enrichment, and a large living space to ensure they dont become depressed - which they are prone to if their needs are not being met.

If youre considering a sugar glider as a pet, youll want to ensure you can provide the right environment, have plenty of room for a large enclosure, and have the time and money to be a pet parent to two of these adorable little marsupials as they must live with at least one other sugar glider for companionship.

Below, we outline the pros and cons to keeping sugar gliders so you make an informed decision about whether these curious creatures are the right fit for you and your family.

The pros of sugar gliders as pets

When it comes to the pros of having one as a pet, youll find that theres a lot to love about the sugar bear. Here are some of the reasons they can make wonderful companions:

1. They have a long lifespan

Sugar gliders can make fantastic pets for children, as unlike other pocket pets, they can live for up to 15 years when cared for correctly - which makes them on par with most dogs and cats when it comes to longevity.

Because of this, they can be a great way of teaching children about the ongoing responsibilities that come with having a long-term pet.

2. Theyre very clean

With impeccable cleaning habits, the sugar glider is a great choice if youre looking for a pet that you dont have to bathe or regularly clean up after. Unlike other rodents, sugar gliders dont require dust baths or the use of wet or dry shampoo and will instead groom themselves and each other daily to keep their coats in tip-top condition.

Youll also find that sugar gliders do a good job of keeping their cages tidy as they prefer a clean environment, so youll only need to do a spot clean every couple of days and a deep clean every two to three three weeks.

3. Sugar gliders rarely bite

Unlike some other pocket pets, sugar gliders are unlikely to bite unless theyre feeling scared or are being mishandled in a way that hurts them. Even on the odd occasion when they do bite, the structure of their teeth means that it feels more like a pinching sensation.

Because sugar gliders bond quite deeply with their humans, as your relationship with your pocket pet deepens, biting will likely only happen if something spooks them while you happen to be holding them.

4. Theyre super playful

Curious, intelligent and highly active, sugar gliders are well known for their playful antics and the great news is that they enjoy playing with people as much as they enjoy playing with each other.

With a love of climbing any and all vertical surfaces just so they can glide back down to the floor again, sugar gliders make for wonderfully interactive and engaging pets who will delight in having your full attention.

5. Sugar gliders love a good cuddle

If you want a pet who will snuggle with you, a sugar glider is well worth considering. Known to bond very deeply with their humans, theyre quite content to curl up in a sling against your chest or in the cozy and warm pocket of your jumper or jacket.

For those that work from home or live alone, a sugar glider can make for a great cuddly companion.

The cons of sugar gliders as pets

Now that weve explored some of the advantages of owning a sugar glider, its time to look at some of the very real disadvantages that youll want to seriously consider before adopting two or more of these pocket pets.

1. Theyre nocturnal

Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means they sleep most of the day and are highly active at night. Because of that, youll need to keep them in a dark environment and avoid waking them up during daylight hours as this can confuse them and mess with their hormones.

Their sleeping habits mean that it will also be much harder to play with them, unless you happen to be a night owl yourself.

2. Vets find them hard to treat

Most vets arent trained in the treatment of exotic animals, which means you likely wont be able to just pop along to your local vet if your sugar glider happens to get injured or become unwell.

It can be difficult to diagnose and treat a sugar glider without causing them distress or harm and getting the dosage of medication right is also challenging. Make sure you have a specialized vet in your area who can handle the requirements of your sugar bear.

3. Many sugar gliders are farmed and bred in cruel environments

Similar to puppy mills, sugar gliders are also often bred in unhealthy environments in order to meet the increase in demand amongst pet parents. With little control over breeding practices, sugar gliders are often overbred and inbred and can suffer severe health problems as a result, including behavioral issues, shortened lifespans, dwarfism, mental instability and genetic disorders.

If youve decided to get a sugar glider, be sure to get one from a licensed, professional breeder or animal shelter.

4. Theyre expensive to purchase and care for

Its not unusual for a pair of sugar gliders to cost anywhere from $500 to $1300 and thats before you buy their cage, food and toys. Because theyre an exotic animal, the cost of vet treatment is also significantly higher than your standard domestic pet, so youll want to make sure you have the finances to care for your sugar gliders before you take them on. And remember, they can live for up to 15 years.

5. Their diet can be difficult to get right

Unlike a dog or cat, sugar gliders have a fairly complex diet that must consist of the following:

• Fruits and vegetables with a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio
• Insects
• A multivitamin
• A protein source
• A nectar drink
• Acacia gum
• Bee pollen

Sugar gliders are fragile and require their diet to be consistently on point to ensure they dont become sick. Vets report that the most common health issues they see when caring for sugar gliders are diet related with malnutrition, weight problems, deficiencies and poisonings all common.

If you decide to adopt a pair of sugar gliders, youll want to make sure that you thoroughly research what to feed them, how often and the correct amounts to ensure they stay physically fit.

How Much Time Should I Spend With My Sugar Glider?

The time that you should spend with your sugar glider is time that would depend on the time that it takes for them to bond with you. Its all about patience and time.

As a time frame, usually, it takes 2 or 3 weeks for them to bond with you. However, there are some gliders that will take months just for them to bond with you.

Dont be discouraged though because the time spent with your glider is time well spent! Some of my best memories have been with bonding time and I know that the time you spend with them is time well spent. They do like time to bond with their owners and that time will also allow for time out of the cage.

You might find that you will start to fall in love with them right away the first time you meet them, but it will almost always take time for them to learn to trust and love you.

Theres a lot of time and patience involved with this whole sugar glider process we only want what is best for our little guys and we will take time to love, care for, and bond with them.

Dont rush the time that you spend with your sugar gliders. Do play with them every day; remember that time is spent bonding time! You can also allow 2-3 hours of time each night for out-of-cage time so they can play too.

How Do I Make My Sugar Glider Happy?

The following are a few things that you can do to make your sugar glider happy.

• Playing with your sugar gliders and giving them lots of attention, time time time time time time time times
• Making sure they have plenty of toys in their cage so that they can always find something new and exciting
• Checking the food supply in the cage every day for anything unhealthy
• Feeding your sugar gliders healthy food choices time time time time time time time time time time time
• Spending lots of quality time out of the cage with them every day
• Supplying them with a good variety of healthy supplements to keep their immune system strong
• Learning what is safe for your sugar glider to eat and what isnt, by doing research on your time time time time time time time time time time internet

How Do I Entertain My Sugar Glider?

If you can spend time and entertain with your sugar glider then it would be time well spent. Not only will they bond with you more quickly, but theyll be a little less lonely when youre not there.

Be sure to provide time for them to explore and play, time inside the cage time, and time out of the cage time because this will make an impact on your pets well-being and mental health

If you want your sugar gliders to reach their full potential, then it means providing them not just one or two toys in their cage but many so that they can always find something new and exciting.

Do take care of what they eat so that there is nothing unhealthy in their little bellies unless you want them to get sick time.

Do make time for yourself because you cant give too much of your attention or theyll be ignored and will become destructive in the long run.

The Benefits Of Having A Sugar Glider In The House

Standard benefits:

• They are a joy to watch.
• You will enjoy time spent bonding with them.
• They make for great pets and theyre so easy to care for!

Emotional benefits:

• Your time is well spent time when you spend time with your sugar glider.
• Sugar gliders might be the best pet that you could ask for, just remember that patience is key in this process as it takes time to bond with them and build trust.
• Sugar gliders are time well spent time.

Warning About Time Out Of The Cage Time

• It is time that they need every day for bonding time, just remember that time is time well spent when youre bonding with them!
• Be sure to let your sugar glider have time out of the cage every day so they can play too.
• After time out of the cage time, remember to put time into bonding time as well.

Tips For Bonding With A New Sugar Glider

• Spend time with your time and patience.
• Spend time out of the cage too and allow time for them to bond with you.
• Make time for playtime, this is time spent bonding time!
• Do make time for a time out of the cage time!
• Remember that time is well spent if you put your patient time in with them.

Do enjoy your time spent with your sugar glider, trust me its time well spent when bonding time is included.

Tips For Time Out Of The Cage Time

• You need time for exploring time out of the cage time.
• Time outside of the cage time is important to spend time with the time!
• Make sure that you have time to spend with them, its important!

FAQs

How Do I Get My Sugar Glider To Bond With Me?

It takes time for your sugar glider to get used to you and time for them to bond with you. Sometimes, it can take a few weeks or even a couple of months. They will need time to get used to you and time out of the cage too.

Can I Take My Sugar Glider Out During The Day?

Yes, time out of the time can be time spent during the daytime when you have time available. That time might come from a time when you are at work or school time so remember your time when scheduling your time outside of the cage time!

What Is Sugar Glider Playtime?

Sugar glider time is time well spent time when time is spent on time with them! Just remember that time outside of the cage time is important too.

Playtime can be just about anything. It could be time for exploring time out of the cage time, time to play with your sugar gliders, or even bonding time.

The best time for sugar glider playtime is up to you and what you have available. Its a good idea to make a schedule for your sugar glider playtime so they get enough of it.

A schedule can help you make sure they get enough of everything they need!

What Else Should I Do While Bonding With My Sugar Glider?

• Do spend time with your time so time spent bonding with them and time spent exploring their new environment will be time well spent.
• Make sure you have time to spend with your sugar glider.
• Spend time out of the cage time and allow 2-3 hours a day for out-of-cage time for them too!

Do Sugar Gliders Need A Lot Of Attention?

Sugar gliders are quite time-consuming. They require time to spend time with them, time to play with them, time to clean your home so that they dont get sick, time to feed them healthy food, time for their bonding period.

It is very important that you have time for them to be an individual who will bond with you and enjoy spending time with you.

You need time to take care of their needs and needs too.

If you cant provide enough time or attention for your sugar glider then it would probably be best if you didnt adopt one in the first place because it can cause problems down the road.

How Much Playtime Do Sugar Gliders Need?

Most sugar gliders need time to play and time for bonding time. You can allow time for them to play by letting them explore the living area and time to explore time out of the cage. Time outside of the cage time is important as well as time spent bonding with them and time spent exploring their new environment.

What Is The Best Time To Play With Sugar Gliders?

The time that is best for playing with sugar gliders would depend on what time you have available. You should spend time with them and time out of the cage too. Depending on your time availability, you will be spending time either during the day or at night to play with them.

In addition, you should make time out of the cage time as well. Dont forget about the time spent bonding with your sugar gliders!

How Much Time Out Of The Cage Time For My Sugar Glider?

You can have time out of the cage time or time outside of the cage time every day. If this is not possible, then at least you should let them explore your living area for some time during the day.

It all depends on your time availability.

Conclusion

Sugar gliders make wonderful pets and if youre considering bringing one into your home, we hope these tips will be helpful in making the transition as smooth as possible.

Remember to set aside plenty of time for bonding with your new pet. Its also important that they get enough playtime outside their cage each day (about 2 hours) and have a lot of attention from family members who live in the house so they can learn social skills with people around them.