Caging
Sugar gliders need a large cage with dimensions of at least 24″ x 24″ x 36″. A cage of this size can house up to 2 gliders. The bigger the better, so choose the largest cage you possibly can.
The bar spacing must be no more than 1/2 inch.
Make sure the cage has secure latches. Sugar gliders are escape artists!
Since there are not cages specifically made for sugar gliders, most owners use bird flight cages. Cages intended for other animals often come with platforms and ramps, which are not necessary for sugar gliders and will only get in the way when your glider tries to glide or jump from one side of the cage to the other. If your cage comes with these, simply remove them.
Accessories
Sugar gliders are extremely active, so a safe wheel for exercise is very important. Avoid the wheels with metal bars commonly found at pet stores, as these can injure your glider. Also, avoid enclosed wheels with a solid track, as these will accumulate feces and urine inside over time and can be extremely unsanitary. We use and recommend raptor wheels or stealth wheels. These wheels are only sold online, but are the best and safest choice for your sugar gliders. As you can see in the photo to the right, these wheels have a mesh track that allows waste to fall right through. As a bonus, these wheels are also completely silent!
Feeding
Feed your sugar glider at night, right around the time they wake up. Sugar gliders need a staple diet containing protein, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. The list below contains a few of the most commonly fed fruits and vegetables, but is not a complete list. Offer a variety of different foods from this list every night along with a staple diet.
We feed and recommend the HPW diet. For a list of other approved staple diets, see our list at the link to the right.
Vegetables
Fruits
Avoid feeding onions, garlic, rhubarb, and raw lima beans, as these are toxic to sugar gliders
Bonding & Handling
Sugar gliders bond by scent, so handle your sugar gliders every day and spend as much time with them as possible.
A zippered bonding pouch is a great tool for bonding as it allows you to carry your sugar gliders around without allowing them to run away. Simply carrying your sugar gliders around with you will strengthen your bond.
Playing with your sugar gliders in a glider-safe area will also help with bonding. Make sure the room is free of other pets, unsafe household items, and furniture that the glider could potentially hide behind. The bathroom is usually a good choice as most bathrooms are small enclosed areas without many places to hide.
When you first get your sugar gliders, they will be cautious and may not want to come to you right away. Do not grab a sugar glider, as this will scare them and can hurt the bonding process. Hold out your hand and allow the glider to come to you on its own terms. Offering treats will help them learn to trust you.
Some sugar gliders bond in as little as a week, and some can take years. It all depends on how much time and effort you put into it.
Grooming
Sugar gliders are extremely clean little animals and will groom themselves. Do NOT give your sugar glider a bath. Bathing is not necessary and can actually be dangerous as sugar gliders are not good swimmers, and have a hard time regulating their body temperature when wet. If your sugar glider appears dirty, you can wipe them with a damp cloth.
Nail trims are generally recommended every 2 weeks, or sooner if needed. You can use nail trimmers made for pets or humans. Cut only the tips. If you cut too far you may hit the quick, which will cause bleeding. Luckily, sugar gliders have opaque nails, which makes it very easy to see how far to trim
