Glider FAQ
What should I feed my sugar glider?
Sugar gliders have very delicate immune systems and if given the wrong food, they can easily get sick or die. There are many different sugar glider diets. However with experience, we highly recommend the "Wambaroo Diet" for your glider's staple food. Sugar gliders love it! Your glider ALSO needs a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since many fruits and vegetables can be harmful for your glider, we have provided a 'safe' list below:
Fruits: Strawberries, Pears, Blackberries, Cherries, Raspberries, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Blueberries, Honeydew, Mango and Papaya
Vegetables: Peas, Broccoli, Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Tomatoes (can be used as a fruit).
For treats, you can give your glider live meal worms. They can be purchased at most local pet stores.
Sugar Gliders also need continuous access to fresh water. It is important that you change their water daily and keep their water bottle clean so your glider won't get sick from harmful bacteria.
To buy HPW powder for the Wambaroo Diet, click here.
What type of environment should I give my sugar glider?
There are many different types and sizes of cages that will make a wonderful home for your sugar glider. To make sure your sugar glider has enough room to jump and glide around, you should select the largest possible metal cage you can comfortably fit in your home. The absolute minimum size you should have for one sugar glider only is 18” x 14” x 20”. Whatever size you choose, the cage should have wiring no large than 1/4” so your glider cannot escape. Sugar gliders like the warm climate. Therefore, the cage should be located in a area with a temperature around 80°F.
For your glider’s sleeping area, you can use a pouch made from fleece or a small wooden box with some fleece material inside. Sugar gliders are like toddlers so they need lots of toys. You can use a small doll house, “Monkeys in a Barrel”, cat balls, decorative foliage, plastic bird toys, feather boas, etc. Please note they will throw their toys around like a toddler. **smile**
We recommend getting a stealth wheel or your glider. Not only does the wheel provide exercise, it will trim their nails if you use the sandpaper that comes with the wheel.
How should I interact with my sugar glider?
One way to bond with your glider is to carry him/her in a bonding pouch. We highly recommended that if you have a single glider, you use the bonding pouch daily for at least one hour. Sugar gliders are very social and always need a “buddy”. If they do not have daily contact, they can die from loneliness.
Another suggested way to bond with your glider is to “glider proof” your bathroom. This is done by closing the toilet lid, plugging the sink, putting away any electrical wires, toiletries, medicines and hiding the garbage. Then you can quietly sit on the floor as your sugar glider explores his/her surroundings and gets to know you. To enhance your bonding, give your sugar glider treats (meal worms, crickets, pieces of an apple, etc) from your hand. Eventually your sugar glider should jump/glide onto you. He/she wants your love and affection. Keep in mind that your glider may give you a face hug by jumping onto your face.
Sugar gliders have very delicate immune systems and if given the wrong food, they can easily get sick or die. There are many different sugar glider diets. However with experience, we highly recommend the "Wambaroo Diet" for your glider's staple food. Sugar gliders love it! Your glider ALSO needs a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since many fruits and vegetables can be harmful for your glider, we have provided a 'safe' list below:
Fruits: Strawberries, Pears, Blackberries, Cherries, Raspberries, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Blueberries, Honeydew, Mango and Papaya
Vegetables: Peas, Broccoli, Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Tomatoes (can be used as a fruit).
For treats, you can give your glider live meal worms. They can be purchased at most local pet stores.
Sugar Gliders also need continuous access to fresh water. It is important that you change their water daily and keep their water bottle clean so your glider won't get sick from harmful bacteria.
To buy HPW powder for the Wambaroo Diet, click here.
What type of environment should I give my sugar glider?
There are many different types and sizes of cages that will make a wonderful home for your sugar glider. To make sure your sugar glider has enough room to jump and glide around, you should select the largest possible metal cage you can comfortably fit in your home. The absolute minimum size you should have for one sugar glider only is 18” x 14” x 20”. Whatever size you choose, the cage should have wiring no large than 1/4” so your glider cannot escape. Sugar gliders like the warm climate. Therefore, the cage should be located in a area with a temperature around 80°F.
For your glider’s sleeping area, you can use a pouch made from fleece or a small wooden box with some fleece material inside. Sugar gliders are like toddlers so they need lots of toys. You can use a small doll house, “Monkeys in a Barrel”, cat balls, decorative foliage, plastic bird toys, feather boas, etc. Please note they will throw their toys around like a toddler. **smile**
We recommend getting a stealth wheel or your glider. Not only does the wheel provide exercise, it will trim their nails if you use the sandpaper that comes with the wheel.
How should I interact with my sugar glider?
One way to bond with your glider is to carry him/her in a bonding pouch. We highly recommended that if you have a single glider, you use the bonding pouch daily for at least one hour. Sugar gliders are very social and always need a “buddy”. If they do not have daily contact, they can die from loneliness.
Another suggested way to bond with your glider is to “glider proof” your bathroom. This is done by closing the toilet lid, plugging the sink, putting away any electrical wires, toiletries, medicines and hiding the garbage. Then you can quietly sit on the floor as your sugar glider explores his/her surroundings and gets to know you. To enhance your bonding, give your sugar glider treats (meal worms, crickets, pieces of an apple, etc) from your hand. Eventually your sugar glider should jump/glide onto you. He/she wants your love and affection. Keep in mind that your glider may give you a face hug by jumping onto your face.
