Sugar Glider Care

Before you can do this, you have to search for a reputable breeder first on where to adopt your new joeys/gliders. Admit it or not, pets purchased from pet stores either have diseases, products of inbreeding, and most of the time, are too young to be weaned from their mother. To save you from possible heartaches and from spending your money in vet bills, it's best to adopt gliders from a reputable breeder whom you can ask of the pet's history, diet, and temperament.

To ensure that you're purchasing a healthy glider, you can actually make an initial assessment of the glider you're about to adopt. Here are the qualities that you should look for a glider:

  • pink nose
  • Bright, big, black eyes
  • Shiny fur
  • Inquisitive and curious
  • No wounds etc
  • Your instinct that the glider is just healthy

Once you've chosen your glider, you can already bring it home. If you're driving or shipping your glider, please make sure that a comfortable pet carrier will be housing your glider. The carrier must have a pouch inside for your gliders to snuggle in.

TravelCarrier.jpg
This is an example of travel carrier for your sugar gliders

Upon your pet's arrival on your home, it is important that the cage must already be set up in a place where it is quiet and away from your other pets. When I mean set-up, it's already clean and well sanitized, toys have already been arranged, and that 2-3 pouches are present, etc. Transfer your babies into their new home while keeping in mind that you have to leave them alone on their first day. This is a necessary step since the gliders are still adjusting into their new environment and getting the hang of their new home and picking them up or trying to bond with them on the first day will just freak them out. It is also important to note that due to the stress of rehoming, gliders have the tendency on not to eat for 1 -2 days. Just make sure that they are peeing and pooing okay. AND ONE IMPORTANT REMINDER: YOUR GLIDER SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO A WELLNESS CHECK UP WITHIN 48 HOURS OF BRINGING IT HOME. This is not to make your life hard but a means to check that your glider has arrived safely. Gliders are wild animals and they hide their sickness very well. The appearance of most of their diseases can be triggered by stress, thus, it is important to check them as soon as possible to prevent any fatalitities on your little babies.

On the gliders' second day, bonding can already be started. Don't be worried when they start crabbing or biting or nipping at you. This is a normal behavior especially that everything's new to them and naturally, they will have the instinct of defending themselves. Take the bonding slowly. Start by offering licky treats from your hands such as yogurts or honey. You can even give them mealies. Try petting them while they're busy licking your fingers. Aside from these method, place your shirt you've worn for the day at the top of their cage to familiarize them with your smell. You can even put a small piece of fleece with your scent on it on their pouch. To take the bonding to a higher level, make or purchase some bonding pouches which you can carry your gliders with you while they sleep during the day. This is to help them to become comfortable with your movements, smell or voice. You can also pet them from the outside while they sleep. Below is an example of a bonding pouch.

Purple_Drawstring_Bonding_Pouch.jpg

When the glider's are getting more comfortable with you, you can already start having some play time with them through using a tent or a glider proofed room. (e.g bathroom). You can put in toys (NO CATNIPS PLEASE), their favorite treats and everything that they might enjoy. You sure can also bring your favorite book or play some computer games while they climb, pee and poo on you.

On the other hand, while bonding is a lifetime activity for you and your gliders, do not forget to subject them to another wellness vet visit on their 30th day in your home. This is to ensure you that no appearance of parasites or diseases have occured in your glider's body during their first 30 days. Usually, the first 30 days of your gliders at home is called the "quarantine period."

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