How to Take Care of a Sugar Glider: A Guide for First-Time Owners
Sugar gliders: They’re cute, sweet, and as playful as it gets.
But before you get your new pet, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to take proper care of them.
If you’ve ever wanted to raise a sugar glider, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for a quick breakdown of everything you need to know about how to take care of a sugar glider!
Preface: Sugar Glider Ownership and the Law
Before we get into the thick of things, there is one underlying issue to address. While it is legal to own a sugar glider in most of the U.S., there are several states where it’s outright illegal.
These states include:
- Arizona
- California
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- New Mexico
Additionally, states like Florida, New York, Utah, and Minnesota have ordinances in specific regions. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you’re familiar with your state’s exotic pet laws before committing to raising a sugar glider.
Habitat
Before you get your new pet, you’ll want to make sure they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep and play.
Since sugar gliders are rather small, they won’t need an excessive amount of space. With that said, you’ll want to make sure they have room to stretch their paws and jump around.
It’s recommended that you purchase a sugar glider cage that’s at least 24×36. Again, this is the minimum.
The more spacious of a home you can give your sugar glider, the better.
To collect waste and cut down on unwanted odors, make sure there’s a layer of sawdust beneath the cage, which you’ll want to collect and replace at least once per week.
Diet
Though you wouldn’t know it by looking at them, sugar gliders require a great deal of food to stay healthy. On average, sugar gliders eat between 15-20% of their body weight per day.
Sugar gliders are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything. With that said, they do better with certain foods.
For starters, make sure they have a fresh selection of sliced vegetables and berries. Sugar gliders gravitate toward sweeter fruits and veggies in the wild, so the sweeter the produce, the better.
Likewise, you’ll want to provide them with a dish of pellet food which you can find at most exotic pet stores.
Hygiene
Have you ever wondered to yourself, “do sugar gliders smell?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question is often a resounding yes.
Even if you’re diligent about cleaning your sugar glider’s cage, you’re going to notice some unpleasant smells from time to time. Fortunately, these aren’t any worse than what you’d experience with a cat or dog.
Like other more mainstream pets, you’ll need to bathe your sugar glider from time to time.
The process itself is quite easy. Use a shampoo specifically designed for sugar gliders along with lukewarm water. Then, make sure they’re completely dry.
As mentioned in the article linked above, excessive moisture on their fur can lead to hypothermia.
How to Take Care of a Sugar Glider: Everything First-Time Owners Should Know
Ultimately, raising a sugar glider can be a fun and fulfilling experience. Now that you know how to take care of a sugar glider, it’s time to get your new pet’s home ready!
For more great pet-related content, make sure to browse the rest of our blog selection!
June Potter wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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