Sugar gliders are usually healthy pets provided they have adequate care, diet, and husbandry. It is important to understand that sugar gliders maintain very much of their wild instinct, including their instinct to hide illness and injury. It is very important to distinguish what is normal for your sugar glider, such as weight, appetite, sleep schedule, etc. This will help to identify potential problems sooner, so your sugar glider can receive medical attention faster. Making monthly “notes” on your sugar glider, as well as doing a yearly health check by an exotic animal vet, will help keep your pet sugar glider healthy.

Monthly health check should include:

• Weight in grams. Unexplained weight loss, or gain may be a sign of illness

• Normal sleep schedule (wake up/bed time)

•  Appropriate Activity levels. Your sugar glider should be alert, responsive, and active. Be sure the sugar glider isn’t inactive, lethargic, or even overly active.

•  Appropriate appetite. Often time, just like a 2 year old, sugar gliders can become picky eaters. However, significant appetite changes may be a sign of a problem.

•  Any changes in membranes. (nose, ears, mouth, etc.)
   

  • Ears:
    • Free of wax
    • Should bounce back when pressed down
    • Free of tears or lesions
     

  • Eyes:
    • Should Bright, clear, and alert
    • Not be sunken in, cloudy, or swollen
    • Mouth
    • Should be dry
     

  •  Nose
    • Should be pink, free of mucus, and semi-moist.
     

•  Fur should be soft, fluffy, and smooth. Broken, oily, and/or dull fur may reflect a problem. Check for hydration by gently pulling up the fur on the back of the neck, and releasing it. Fur should bounce back quickly when hydrated. If the fur stays “tented”, the sugar glider is dehydrated. The fur should also be looked over for possible cuts, or other lesions. Fur should not have any unexplained wetness, bald spots, or unusual color.

• Movements, and legs should also be noted. Limping, or not using limbs is a sign of several possible health conditions. The sugar glider will need treated as soon as possible.

• Feet, and nails should also be checked. Feet should be pink, and free of any cuts. Skin should be smooth, not flaky or dry. Nails should be trimmed as often as needed. Usually two/three times a month depending on the sugar glider. Nails should not appear “yellow”, infected, swollen, red, or overly “thick”.

•  Tail should be full, fluffy, and flexible. No bends or breaks.

• Stool should be well formed, similar to mouse dropping. Stool that is too hard, or too wet may be a sign of illness.