MEET THE SUGAR GLIDER
Sugar gliders are marsupials related to possums from Australia. Although they do enjoy human company, they are not the right pet for everyone as they are very sensitive, require a lot of space, and are complicated to care for.
High
High
High
High
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Diet Difficulty
High
Good With Kids
No
Care Difficulty
High
Space Requirement
Large
Cleanliness
Messy
Time Needed Outside Cage
High
Human Interaction Needs
High
Potty Trainability
Low
Cuddliness
High
ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Dimensions
One - two glider: 15 cubic ft
Add 5 cubic ft for each additional glider.
MNPPR Recommends
Double Critter Nation
Madagascar Sugar Glider Cage
Critter Nation cages are easy to clean, customize, and move around. The Madagascar Sugar Glider Cage is also a good option. The more space you can provide, the better!
Other Notes
Wire-sided cages are preferable because they provide plenty of ventilation and options for climbing. It’s important to make sure the bars are coated with a safe ‘powder coated’ high-quality finish in case the gliders chew the bars.
Bar spacing should be no more than 0.5” to prevent escape.
All cage floors, ramps, and levels should be solid or covered with fleece since standing on wire can cause injuries and bumblefoot.
Anti-pill fleece blankets or liners are the safest options for sugar glider bedding because they may eat other types and get intestinal blockages and their nails can easily get stuck in other types of fabric. Use the anti-pill fleece to line the cage and cover any exposed wire floors.
ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS
Essentials
water bottle
food bowl
lots of chew toys (wood or lava)
wheel
at least one shelter/hide
bonding pouch
Variety
hanging ropes
bird toys
fabric cubes
fleece vines
bird branches
jingle balls
Barrel of Monkeys
PVC tubes
homemade toys
FEEDING REQUIREMENTS
Staple Diet
Sugar gliders have very specific dietary needs that require a delicate balance of vitamins and minerals, along with a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio. Because this can be difficult to understand and correctly calculate, MNPPR recommends feeding Critter Love® Complete - Sugar Glider Staple or Exotic Nutrition® HPW (High Protein Wombaroo) Original diet. Pellet food should never be used because it can cause oral abscesses and is often nutritionally unbalanced.
Fruit and Vegetable Salad
Diets that contain both a fruit and vegetable salad mix and a commercial protein component are the best way to provide your pet with a well-rounded diet. Follow the directions on your chosen protein source to make sure you're providing the correct ratio of foods. The Critter Love and oHPW diets recommend combining 1 tablespoon of protein mixture with 2 tablespoons of a fruit and vegetable salad per glider. You can find suggestions on fruit and vegetable mixes (or purchase pre-made salads) at Critter Love's website here critterlove.com/salad-mixtures. Many people prefer to create large salad batches and freeze them to make their daily feeding routine easier.
Treats
Treats are not only a great training tool, but also a way to provide variety and enrichment to your pet's life and routine. Do not feed more than ½ tablespoon per day. Below is a short compilation of safe and unsafe foods for sugar gliders. For a more complete guide, view the comprehensive list created by Critter Love.
Safe Treats
apples
asparagus
bananas
bell peppers
blackberries
blueberries
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage
carrots
cantaloupe
cauliflower
cranberries
cucumbers
cooked eggs
grapefruit
green beans
kale
kiwi
mango
papaya
parsley
pear
peas
pumpkin
raspberries
spinach
squash
sweet pepper
watermelon
Unsafe Treats
apple seeds
birdseed
caffeine
candy
chocolate
canned food
cassava
catnip
cheese
junk food
onions
garlic
crickets
decorative bamboo
dog food
cat food
fried foods
fruit pits
peanuts
peanut butter
pepper
raw eggs
raw meat
rhubarb
salt
insects not raised for pet food
DISCLAIMER
All information shared by MN Pocket Pet Rescue is researched, up to date, and accurate to the best of our ability. We are not a licensed veterinary organization and do not intend to present ourselves as such. All educational material contains our best recommendations for care specific to each species. However, all animals are different and some may have unique needs. MN Pocket Pet Rescue does not assume any liability for the well-being of any animal not under our care. Always use your best judgment and follow veterinary recommendations whenever necessary. If you have any questions or find inaccurate information please contact us.