Are you thinking to have sugar gliders as pets? Then you should do thorough research beforehand. Because sugar gliders are hey are high-maintenance pets, and in order to care for them properly, you should receive information about their special needs.
Unfortunately, there are sugar glider mills that have operations across the country selling sugar gliders at mall kiosks, flea markets, trade shows, and state fairs. They market sugar gliders as easy pets so they can make a quick buck.
These mill operations breed thousands of sugar gliders and earn millions of dollars by selling them to people who buy on impulse. Sugar gliders should never be bought on impulse. They are actually high maintenance pets, and unsuspecting potential owners should be aware of this.
Many people have been tricked into believing that they do not require much effort to care for them. Although caring for sugar gliders is not difficult in itself, they require a lot of specialized attention that can be difficult for people who don’t have the time to dedicate to them.
If you see sugar gliders for sale at the mall, flea market, trade show, or state fair, be careful with the information they provide. These people have a reason to convince you that sugar gliders are easy to care for because they want you to buy one.
12 Things to consider before deciding to get a sugar glider
1. Are sugar gliders legal in your state?
Sugar gliders are not legal in all states. Each state has different laws when it comes to owning sugar gliders, so you should verify that it is legal to own them in your home state. Some states also require you to purchase from a USDA licensed breeder, so it’s important to find out what your state requires.
In addition, some cities also have laws that prohibit property. For example, it is legal to have a sugar glider in New York State, but it is illegal in all five boroughs of New York City.
Be sure to verify any information you find online by calling local agencies in your city and state.
2. If you live in a rented house, does the homeowner allow sugar gliders?
Some buildings and owners will not allow you to have exotic pets in your home. If you rent, you should check with your landlord ahead of time to make sure you’re allowed to keep a sugar glider.
3. Are you willing to commit to owning sugar gliders for 15 years or more?
Gliders can potentially live up to 15 years in captivity, so be sure you can make a long-term commitment. If you know that you will have significant changes in your life in the next 15 years, make sure that a sugar glider still fits your changing lifestyle.
4. Are you willing to have at least 2 sugar gliders?
Sugar gliders are very social animals and will not thrive if they don’t have at least one partner. I highly recommend that at least two gliders to keep the company. It is true that you can get a sugar glider and it will be fine, but it may not prosper if you cannot spend enough time with it. As it would be his only partner, you will have to spend a lot of time with him, and that is not always possible for all owners.
5. Can you afford to take care of sugar gliders?
Sugar gliders are not cheap pets. An average gray glider from a reputable breeder can cost around $ 150- $ 200. Also, keep in mind that it is much better to get at least two.
If you get one of a rarer color, they may be more expensive. Next, you need to consider the cost of the cage, which can be in the range of $ 120 to $ 400 depending on size. You will need to get an exercise wheel, which costs around $ 50.
You will also need other things for the cage, such as hanging pouches, hammocks, food and water bowls, and toys. Sugar gliders require a variety of toys to stay mentally stimulated. There is also the cost of veterinary care. Veterinarians dealing with exotic pets may charge more than the average veterinarian.
6. Is there an exotic pet vet in your area who can treat sugar gliders?
It can be difficult to find a vet who deals with sugar gliders. You should locate a vet in your area before purchasing a sugar glider. It’s also a good idea to find a backup vet in case the first one isn’t available. Also, you need to make sure to locate an emergency vet who can treat sugar gliders in case you have an emergency late at night when the regular vet is closed.
7. Can you find someone to take care of your sugar gliders when you are away from home?
You cannot leave sugar gliders unsupervised if you are going to be away from home. You should have someone you trust to take care of them in case you leave your home.
8. Are you willing to make sure they eat a balanced diet of protein and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables?
Sugar gliders have specific dietary needs to stay healthy. It is not true that you can feed them with dry granules and an apple slice. There are several different diets that are acceptable to sugar gliders, but they will all require you to provide a variety of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
It is very important for sugar gliders to get enough calcium, and you should also make sure that your food has the proper 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. If sugar gliders don’t get enough calcium, they can get paralysis of the hind legs ( HLP).
9. Do you have enough time to care for your sugar gliders properly?
Sugar gliders are not low maintenance pets and require a large time commitment. You’ll need to join them during the day while they sleep, allow them to play for at least two hours outside of their cage, prepare their food, clean their cage, and more. If you only have a sugar glider, it is even more important to spend a lot of time gluing and playing with your glider.
10. Do you agree with having a pet that can be messy and smelly?
Sugar gliders are messy eaters and will throw away their food. They can also mark their territory with urine. You will have to be diligent to keep your cage and other belongings clean. Depending on what diet you have them on, they can be smelly.
Some gliders will be smellier than others depending on how strong their scent glands are. Males that have not been castrated will be the most fragrant due to their scent glands. Once a man has been neutered, the scent glands will not be as strong.
11. Would you mind having a pet that cannot be trained to go to the bathroom?
Sugar gliders cannot be potty trained. They will pee and poop on your family members, and if you let them roam freely, they will pee anywhere and whenever necessary. There are a few things you can do to motivate them to go to the bathroom when they just woke up before letting them play, but there is no guarantee that they won’t go again later.
12. Can you provide a safe environment for your sugar gliders?
There are many things in your home that can be harmful to a sugar glider. Gliders have opposable thumbs and are known to be little escape artists. Even if you think they are safe in their cages, you should always make sure that your home is glider proof.
The most common cause of accidental glider deaths is drowning in toilets. You should be careful to leave the toilet seats low and make sure there is no water that can fall anywhere in your home. Although they can swim, they will not be able to go out if they fall into the bathroom, and then they can exhaust themselves and drown.
Another potential harm to sugar gliders is other household pets. It is best to keep your gliders separate from other domestic pets, such as cats and dogs because you don’t know how your other animals will react to your glider.
Trying to bond your sugar glider to your other pets is an unnecessary risk because animals are unpredictable. If you have young children, you should always supervise them while operating the gliders. Gliders are fragile and a child who doesn’t know how to handle them properly could easily injure them.
Some common house plants are toxic to sugar gliders, so you should be careful to check and make sure that accessible house plants are safe so that your glider is nearby. Toxic chemicals can also be harmful to sugar gliders, so it is important to keep household cleaners or other items that contain toxic chemicals away from gliders.
You should also be careful with topical medications or chemicals that you apply to your body. Sugar Gliders will lick you, or chemicals can rub on their fur when you touch them and ingest them when grooming.
Before deciding to buy a pet sugar glider, you should ask yourself all of these questions and take time to think about whether you can handle such a commitment.
Sugar glider rescuers across the country are full of gliders that have been abandoned by people who bought them on impulse. If you can’t honestly say that you will be able to meet all of your special needs and solve some of the drawbacks, then you shouldn’t become a sugar glider owner.
Of course, if you are willing to be a responsible owner of sugar gliders, they are wonderful pets. They are loyal and loving companions and will bring you hours of joy and fun. They are extremely intelligent animals and are fun to watch as they play and explore their surroundings.
If you spend the time to bond them, they can form a very strong bond with you and become incredible companions. It’s fun to take them with you wherever you go and most people will have no idea that you have a little creature with you.