Sugar Glider Store Blog: January 2010 Sugar Glider Store

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Friday, January 29, 2010

As with all pocket pets, sugar gliders are curious critters that enjoy exploring nooks and crannies. Glider-Proof your home before allowing your sugar gliders to explore, to prevent and minimize the risk of accidents.

The adverage household is a minefield of potential hazards to gliders: open toilets and sink, even large dog bowls, are drowning hazards; electrical cables and wiring may be tempting for gliders to chew on; open fireplaces and vents can be dangerous and sugar gliders can easily be trapped in spaces behind and between furnishings.

Consider providing a glider play corners, containing accessories such as climbing perches, and climbing ropes, so that you pet has a safe place to play outside of it's cage. Now available are 'play-pens' for sugar gliders

See a Sugar Glider Play-Pen.

Dogs and cats must be kept in a separate room while your glider is out of it's cage to minimize the risk of predatation. No matter how friendly your other pets are, dogs and cats may play rough or even try to eat these prey animals.

Kitchen activities should be finished before your glider is allowed out, it's all too easy for a glider to crach-land in a cooking pot or kitchen sink. Also, ensure the area is free of any sweet temptations like chocolate, which can be toxic to sugar gliders.

Finally, supervise your gliders when they are free-roaming around the home so that you will be ready to bail them out at the first sign of trouble.

For all of their redeeming qualities, gliders cannot be housetrained, so place a drop-sheet or towel in areas they like to free-roam.

by: Sugar Glider Store

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Craving Companionship

Sugar gliders are a social species and must be housed in pairs or groups to ensure that they don't get lonely and fret. Beware, however, because intact males housed together may fight, and may inflict serious injuries on one another. Ideally, house two females or two neutered males together.

Gliders that are kept as single pets may exhibit repetitive, seemingly purposeless behaviors (stereotypies) that indicate stress. They may even refuse to eat, which can lead to starvation.

Gliders can become accustomed to regular, gentle handling. Newly acquired gliders should be allowed a period of acclimation before handling begins, so they can relax in their new environment.

Single gliders kept in a cage should be provided interactive toys, and of course ... and exercise wheel. Toys, branches and pouches will keep your glider entertained during the times when no one is at home to interact.

by: Sugar Glider Store

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