Cage Safety
Safe Cage Basics
- A sugar glider's cage should be as large as you can manage, but no smaller than 24 x 24 x 36 inches, or 12 cubic feet, for two gliders.
- If you plan on keeping more than a pair of sugar gliders in one cage, add about 6 cubic feet per additional glider to help ensure proper space.
- Cages should be made of materials that do not absorb urine and odors. Metal cages are usually preferred because they are easier to clean.
- Avoid wood cages. Sugar gliders may chew wood, wood absorbs odors, and treatments or sealants can be hazardous.
- If a wood cage is used, the wood and all treatments must be non-toxic and safe for sugar gliders.
- The wire bars of the cage should be no more than 1/2 inch apart. Check wall connections, doors, corners, and the bottom tray for gaps larger than 1/2 inch.
- Sugar gliders may do well with either vertical or horizontal bars, but many keepers prefer 1/2 by 1 inch rectangular spacing.
- Wire should be coated to help prevent rusting and make cleaning easier. Powder-coated or enamel-coated wire is generally preferred.
- Avoid galvanized wire because it is difficult to clean, rusts quickly, and has been linked to health concerns because of the zinc oxide coating.
- Do not use metal screen for cage walls because sugar glider nails can get caught in it.
