On a visit, what to expect from us-
So you have decided that a sugar glider may be the right pet for
you. We love to meet potential owners and their families. Be prepared to
stay a while, as a normal visit can last 2 hours or more. Make a list of
any questions that you have. While you are here, you can meet and handle
some of our gliders, as well as learn what it takes to be a good glider
parent. Most people come to me knowing little about these wonderful
animals, however they leave here with a great amount of knowledge to
decide if this is the right pet for them. We don’t think you should rush
your in making your decision, and encourage you to think everything
over.
Before your new addition comes home- You have done your
research, and decided that a sugar glider is the right pet for you. Now,
you will need to do a little shopping. Be sure that you have everything
you need before your little ones come home, this will make the home
coming day run a lot smoother and less stressful for everyone.
Shopping list:
- Cage- the bigger the better, 1/2 inch bar spacing, tall
is better than long. Be sure that all materials used for the cage
are safe for sugar gliders.
- Sleeping quarters- They like it warm and dark. Examples
are pouches and/or nest boxes
- Diet supplies, ingredients, and products needed for your
gliders diet- this will vary diet as to the diet you choose,
research your diet carefully and make a list of everything needed.
- Water bottle- a hamster water bottle works great.
- Food Dishes- some use paper plates with igloos covering
them to protect the cage from huge food fights as well as keeping
waste out of the food. Other ideas are hanging bird dishes, heavy
ashtrays, or heavy small animal dishes.
- Bedding- examples are white paper towels, corn cob
bedding, fleece, carefresh, or newspaper (if the glider has a
minimum of 3 inches of clearance and can not reach the newspaper)
- Wheel- must have a solid running base and no moving parts
that can catch the gliders tail or feet. Examples are wodent wheels
and comfort wheels.
- Toys-gliders love toys! Cat toys, bird toys, hamster
toys, even some infant toys. Check to be sure they are safe for your
gliders before giving them any new toy.
- Vet- A knowledgeable vet should be located before you
bring your glider home. Not all vets treat sugar gliders.
- Branches and Perches- an absolute must for any gliders
habitat. If using branches from the outside be sure they are safe,
sterilize, and not treated with chemicals.
- Bonding Pouch- this will greatly help in bonding with
your new glider.
- First Aid Kit- Be prepared!
Before you bring your glider home, be sure that you are prepared. Make
sure you have all the items on the above list. The glider’s cage should
be set up complete with feeding station, full water bottle, warm
sleeping quarters, and a few toys. At this point, don’t overwhelm the
cage with toys, as you don’t want a lot of toys to distract the sugar
gliders from wanting to interact with you. You can slowly add more toys
as the bonding progresses. Prepare your gliders food the day before, and
make a list of questions to ask your breeder. Most breeders encourage
you to make bonding visits, or the use of scent patches with your glider
before it come home. This will help the glider become familiar with you,
and help in bonding later.
Picking up your glider, what to expect from us- The big
day is finally here. You will not need a special carrying pouch for your
glider, as we provide one for you. If you are making a journey of more
than 2 hours you may want to provide grapes or apple slices for the ride
home. Make sure you bring your list of questions with you, as well as
our phone number and directions in case you get lost. Upon your arrival,
we will go over any questions or concerns that you have. There is also
some paperwork that we will need to fill out. Your balance, if any, will
be due at this time. We will then get out your new glider, and prepare
them for the ride home.
First Week home, what to expect- The first few days home
will be both stressful and exciting. It is important to note that every
glider has a different personality so it is almost impossible to know
how each individual will react. Some gliders will take to their new
homes and owners right away, with no signs of stress or fear. However,
most will show some signs of fear and discomfort when they are first
brought home. Leaving a sugar glider alone in the cage for 1-3 days to
allow it to adjust to the new home is recommended if the glider is
showing signs of moderate to severe stress. During this time, talk
softly through the bars of the cage, let your glider come to you.
Chasing a sugar glider around the cage to catch it will create more
stress to the animal. Sugar gliders are wild, exotic animals, and are
prone to stress.
Some signs of stress may include:
Barking or crying- This is the most common, and generally
happens late at night when the joey is left alone. It is trying to call
out for it’s parents or siblings. It is important that you calm them
with attention if at all possible, even if it is just speaking softly to
them. If the glider is alone, providing a small stuffed animal or scent
patches that smell like the parents is recommended.
Crabbing, or becoming pouch protective- This is normal and
common, especially the first week or so in their new home. Their
sleeping area is what they consider to be safe and familiar. They are
still scared and trying to adjust to their new surroundings. Taking
their pouch out of the cage, and laying it open in your lap will allow
them to explore their surroundings on their own terms. Generally, if you
give them a little while this behavior will lessen as they become
familiar with their new home.
Crabbing (.wav file 277 KB)
Right click and select "Save target as"
Lunging, nipping or biting- It is rare that a sugar glider
will get this frightened on it’s arrival home. However if it does
happen, it is important that you show them love, and don’t act afraid of
their advances. If they get what they are trying to accomplish by doing
it, they will continue. Be sure to spend lots of time with these
gliders. Carrying these gliders in bonding pouches and talking softly
will help.
Not eating- When a sugar glider becomes stressed, it may not
eat, or eat very little. If your sugar glider doesn’t eat well the first
2 nights, do not worry this is normal. However if it lasts longer than 3
days, contact your vet.
Soft Stools- Soft stools can occur when a sugar glider is
over stressed and bacteria in the digestive track becomes unbalanced.
Often times this clears up in a day or so. Feeding a teaspoon of yougert
may help get the sugar glider back on track. If at any time the sugar
glider becomes dehydrated, has diarrhea, or if stools do not return to
normal within 24-48 hours, get the sugar glider to the vet immediately!
Skunking- This is a defense tactic for sugar gliders to avoid
becoming pray to other animals. If a sugar glider is startled it will
let of a burst of odor from it’s anus. It does have a similar smell to
that of a skunk but milder. The smell is brief and doesn’t cling like a
skunks odor.
If any of these symptoms become severe or last for an extended period of
time with no progress, contact your vet immediately. Sugar gliders can
become ill because of stress. The goal is to calm their fears and not
enhance them. Try to avoid chasing and catching them if at all possible.
Be sure that there aren't a lot of toys to distract the sugar gliders
from wanting to interact with you. You can slowly add more toys as the
bonding progresses. From here, you can start the bonding process. (See
Bonding)
Remember that in order to comply with our health
guarantee, you must take your sugar glider to the vet within 48 hours of
its arrival. If you do not, then your guarantee may be void. Sugar
gliders can develop illnesses if they become too stressed that must be
addressed immediately.
It is important to note that if your sugar glider acts
out of fear, it does not mean that the sugar glider wasn't handled,
loved, or played with. It also doesn't mean that your sugar glider is
afraid of people. Some sugar gliders may bond with their breeders,
making it even more difficult for the sugar glider. This is why bonding
visits and the use of scent patches are greatly encouraged. For one
moment, put yourself in their situation, and you will understand their
behavior. A sugar glider joey looses everything that it has ever known
to start it's new life, in a strange new place, with different sounds,
smells, and people. Although through time, love, and patience, your
glider will begin to understand your intentions. Sugar gliders are very
special, social animals, and bond deeply to their human friends. It
doesn't happen over night, but it has long and great rewards.
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