Caring for Your Pet Sugar Glider: A Simple Guide

The first thing to learn about your Sugar-gliders is the bonding process. This can take up to six months. However the more time you have to spend with them, the quicker the process. You will need a bonding pouch to carry around your neck. I made my own but Ebay carries these and they are better than home-made pouches because they have a mesh window so the glider can breath better and see out if he likes. Carry them in this pouch as much as possible, mostly during the day when they are sleeping.This allows them to smell your unique scent and this is how they bond. After a few days try petting them through the pouch. If they bite you do not pull away as this teaches them that doing this gets them what they want and they will continue to bite as long as they know it works! Don't worry they will stop eventually. Also during the bonding process you will need to keep a piece of cloth or clothing that you have worn at least 8 hours in the cage so they, again, bond with your scent.

Moving on to housing. They need a tall cage with small bars (2-3 feet tall). They are tree-top creatures and will not be happy unless they can climb a lot! Add ropes,bird ladders and swings,anything they can safely climb on and swing from. They also enjoy bells and other noise-makers. Toilet paper or just empty rolls are fun for them. They will pull things through the bars if in reach, so be careful that it is nothing harmful. It is a good idea to place a branch inside too. They will climb and chew on it, so no branches that have been treated with pesticides. I clean the cage once a month unless it smells before that, which is very unusual. Yes, they are noisy pets but you get used to it. They make many sounds and are very active at night.

What you feed your glider is very important. Remember they are exotic animals. They must have a staple diet of sugar glider food (can be purchased at almost any pet store or on-line.) In addition to that, it is very important that they be given fresh fruits and vegetables every day, preferably at bed time or close to the time your gliders will be getting up. A good variety from day to day will keep them eating healthy because they don't become bored. However only offer 1 fruit and one veggie per day, this is so they don't get too finicky and eat only their favorites.They must have water at all times.They will dehydrate and die very quickly. When feeding your glider fresh fruits and veggies lightly sprinkle them with powdered calcium. They desperately need this every day or they will become paralyzed,disfigured or die. I recommend Rep-cal. Please only lightly sprinkle the food. Too much calcium can be poisonous to them. Many people say citrus is not good for them,some say it is OK in very small amounts but don't ever,ever give to a joey (less than 6 months old). Also important to their diet is protein. This needs to be given daily with their meals. You can give meal-worms, crickets (only store-bought) or as I use Gerber chicken or turkey sticks. No beef or pork. My gliders will not eat bugs but the Gerber sticks are a fav! And have plenty of protein.

For treats, mine like nothing better than honey! Let them lick this from your finger during the bonding process, if you dare! Each will have it's individual tastes,likes and dislikes but My gliders all enjoy grapes,carrots,Gerber sticks,peaches pears,sweet potatoes and snap peas. I freeze and thaw to save money and keep them fed properly. Remember, whatever the favorites, you must offer variety so they get all nutrients and vitamins needed.

They are such fun to watch and listen to. Talk to them in a calm, nice voice. You don't ever want to scream or yell or be negative with them at all. They do take a little patience.