The right pet for you?
Please take into consideration that Sugar Gliders aren't your typical pet - they're much more complex than that. For example, if you get a hamster, a gerbil, or any small pet from the pet store, you can find a variety of smaller cages that are plenty large enough to suit that animal. Also, a box of food at pretty much any pet store is basically all you need for them to live a happy, healthy life. Sugar Glider care is a LOT different than that.
First, your Glider MUST have a cage mate for your Sugar Glider! Sugar Gliders are colony animals and do best in pairs or colonies. They require lot of interaction with not only you, but with a cage mate as well. You may think that keeping them on or around you all day will suffice, but you can't be in the cage with them when they're playing or sleep with them - that's when a Glider needs interaction with another Glider the most. If a Glider gets too lonely, there's always a possibility of them self mutilating due to their loneliness and depression. So, you have to consider getting not only one Sugar Gliders, but two. That right there is doubling your cost of almost everything and you need to be prepared for that. Also, a lot of reputable breeders wont adopt to someone that doesn't have, or isn't planing on buying another glider. Including us.
Second, a Sugar Gliders diet is unlike any other and requires a special blend of things to create. They need a proper amount of calcium and a proper amount of protein. There are several good diets to choose from - some have been around for years - so finding a good, balanced diet shouldn't be too taxing. And 9 times out of 10, the ingredients for these diets must be purchased online. There are, however, a couple diets that only use store bought ingredients, like BML. Researching diets takes time and is something that must be done. I understand that this can be discouraging at first, but after you get the hang of it, it's like making a bag of popcorn. Aside from a protein, you must feed fruits and veggies on a nightly basis. Some diets (like BML) have restrictions, but most of the diets allow you to feed whatever you want, as long as they're Glider safe.
Third, Sugar Gliders require a lot of space. The cage they are housed in must be no smaller than 20' x 20' x 36'. This may vary by an inch or two. The bar spacing on their cage must be no more than 1/2 inch and the cage also must be coated wire. A lot of things are very harmful to Gliders, including bare wire. Proper cages that are well made tend to be pretty pricey (go HERE for cage information). The cheapest economy cage that you can find is $70, which I've bought in the past. A better cage will cost you upwards of $150.
And lastly, Gliders have to been seen by a vet, just like any other animal. Unfortunately, not all vets treat them. Sugar Gliders have to be seen by a vet that treats exotic animals. And sometimes, that can be very costly. So you need to make sure that there is an exotics vet in or around your area. And Gliders tend to fall ill in the middle of the night, so you need to have a vet picked out that you can just call whenever the need arises. This is where an emergency vet comes in.
I am in no way trying to talk you out of getting a Sugar Glider. Sugar Gliders truly are unique pets to have. I just want to point out the facts and make sure you know what you're getting in to. So many people think that Gliders are easy to care for and then end up having to find them a new home when they realize they're too complex for them. That's why so many Sugar Gliders are in rescues today. So please, take all of the above into consideration before getting your first Sugar Glider. If you still feel you want one, you're in for a sweet surprise. :)
First, your Glider MUST have a cage mate for your Sugar Glider! Sugar Gliders are colony animals and do best in pairs or colonies. They require lot of interaction with not only you, but with a cage mate as well. You may think that keeping them on or around you all day will suffice, but you can't be in the cage with them when they're playing or sleep with them - that's when a Glider needs interaction with another Glider the most. If a Glider gets too lonely, there's always a possibility of them self mutilating due to their loneliness and depression. So, you have to consider getting not only one Sugar Gliders, but two. That right there is doubling your cost of almost everything and you need to be prepared for that. Also, a lot of reputable breeders wont adopt to someone that doesn't have, or isn't planing on buying another glider. Including us.
Second, a Sugar Gliders diet is unlike any other and requires a special blend of things to create. They need a proper amount of calcium and a proper amount of protein. There are several good diets to choose from - some have been around for years - so finding a good, balanced diet shouldn't be too taxing. And 9 times out of 10, the ingredients for these diets must be purchased online. There are, however, a couple diets that only use store bought ingredients, like BML. Researching diets takes time and is something that must be done. I understand that this can be discouraging at first, but after you get the hang of it, it's like making a bag of popcorn. Aside from a protein, you must feed fruits and veggies on a nightly basis. Some diets (like BML) have restrictions, but most of the diets allow you to feed whatever you want, as long as they're Glider safe.
Third, Sugar Gliders require a lot of space. The cage they are housed in must be no smaller than 20' x 20' x 36'. This may vary by an inch or two. The bar spacing on their cage must be no more than 1/2 inch and the cage also must be coated wire. A lot of things are very harmful to Gliders, including bare wire. Proper cages that are well made tend to be pretty pricey (go HERE for cage information). The cheapest economy cage that you can find is $70, which I've bought in the past. A better cage will cost you upwards of $150.
And lastly, Gliders have to been seen by a vet, just like any other animal. Unfortunately, not all vets treat them. Sugar Gliders have to be seen by a vet that treats exotic animals. And sometimes, that can be very costly. So you need to make sure that there is an exotics vet in or around your area. And Gliders tend to fall ill in the middle of the night, so you need to have a vet picked out that you can just call whenever the need arises. This is where an emergency vet comes in.
I am in no way trying to talk you out of getting a Sugar Glider. Sugar Gliders truly are unique pets to have. I just want to point out the facts and make sure you know what you're getting in to. So many people think that Gliders are easy to care for and then end up having to find them a new home when they realize they're too complex for them. That's why so many Sugar Gliders are in rescues today. So please, take all of the above into consideration before getting your first Sugar Glider. If you still feel you want one, you're in for a sweet surprise. :)
