• Life expectancy: 12-14 years

• Omnivore

• Community-oriented

Sugar gliders are a small, nocturnal marsupial possum which originate from Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea. They are named for their love of sweet foods and ability to glide long distances through the air.

In the wild, they live in trees and spend most of their time off the ground. During the day, they enjoy staying close to their owners, often snuggled in a warm, dark pouch or pocket. Their large eyes are adapted for night vision, while their independently moving ears and keen sense of smell help them detect sounds, find food, and recognize companions. Intelligent and playful, sugar gliders can be wonderful pets in the right home, especially when handled regularly from a young age.

Housing Multiples

Sugar gliders are highly social and naturally live in small family groups, so they’re happiest with at least one companion. When alone or frightened, they may make chattering sounds similar to a squeaky toy. They need one to two hours of daily interaction to stay content. Social grooming not only keeps them clean and healthy, but also strengthens bonds and reinforces their group identity.

Introducing new members to the group is difficult, so it is best to raise them together from a young age. Neutering of males has been performed, by a licensed veterinarian, on all male sugar gliders available for adoption at Petland. Neutering prevents breeding and decreases sexual frustration. Spaying female sugar gliders is not recommended.

Potty Training

Potty training best happens as soon as the sugar glider wakes up. Like us, they usually need to go after waking and will avoid soiling their sleeping area. Begin training on the second day, keeping the first day calm and quiet.

Each time you pick them up, hold them over a puppy pad and gently wipe their rear with an unscented pet wipe. They’ll usually go right away (sometimes after about 30 seconds). Repeat twice more over the next five minutes to help them fully empty.

After they’ve gone 2–3 times, they’re usually good for the next 2–3 hours or until they wake again.

Handling

Sugar gliders nails are sharp and will scratch when they climb or land on you. Using a bonding pouch helps with handling, since you can take both it and your sugar glider out of the cage together. Familiarizing your scent to your sugar glider is essential for building trust, so carrying the bonding pouch with you means that, whether they are awake or asleep, they are bonding with you on some level. The bonding process can take 4-6 months. When the sugar glider has bonded, it is recommended to practice handling in a small, escape-proof room. 

Our pet counsellors are small animal lovers; because they are, they hold and play with all the small animals in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our small animal’s social skills. This is why Petland’s small animals are quick to bond with their new owner.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your sugar glider, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When you meet these needs and provide a loving environment, your sugar glider can live a long and happy life.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Enclosure – As an active animal, sugar gliders require a cage that allows for exercise when they cannot free roam with their caregiver’s supervision. As an arboreal species, the home should be taller than long and measures 60 x 60 x 90 cm (24 x 24 x 36 inch). Choose a cage where bars are spaced no wider than 1.5 cm apart and has secure latches for these escape artists.

Dining Room – Sugar gliders love to pick up their food and throw it around. Using a dining room will keep the majority of their food contained. Use a plastic box with sides at least 4 inches high (such as a small plastic terrarium). It should be big enough to hold 2 dishes – pellets and fresh foods. They will crawl into the opening of the dining room to eat. Remove it in the morning to clean.

Hiding Places & Nests – Because sugar gliders are nocturnal, they need a soft, dark place to rest during the day. A cozy pouch gives them a secure, low-stress hideaway. A plastic bird nest box with soft paper bedding, placed high in the cage, also works well and is easy to clean. Small animal nests are another option but need replacing once soiled.

Heat Lamp and Fixture – Sugar gliders prefer a warm environment, ideally 75–85°F (24–30°C). To maintain this, use a ceramic heat emitter or infrared heat bulb with a fixture from the reptile department. If using a ceramic emitter, choose a wire fixture. Both options provide heat without light, making them ideal for your nocturnal pets.

Thermometer – The use of a thermometer will ensure that the temperature in the cage falls in the recommended range.

BEHAVIOURAL

Toys and Branches – Toys keep sugar gliders mentally stimulated and active. Alongside daily interaction, provide a variety of activities that are placed high in the cage for climbing and exercise. Perches, swings, and ladders are great options. Since they can get bored with the same toys, offer several and rotate them weekly. Check the bird department for more options.

Exercise Wheel – Just like us, sugar gliders need exercise to stay healthy and trim. A solid-surface exercise wheel that attaches to the side of the cage will alleviate boredom while keeping them from becoming overweight.

Exercise Ball – An exercise ball can be a fun and safe way for your sugar glider to gain a little more freedom while staying in shape. Remember to keep their ball far away from stairs to prevent an accident! A ball should never replace an exercise wheel.

Bonding Pouch – When first brought home, sugar gliders may be hesitant to interact. This is a normal response to change, not a reflection of their new owners. A bonding pouch is essential for building trust. See “Handling” for more information on the bonding process.

NUTRITIONAL

When choosing what food to purchase for your new pet, keep in mind that small animals often get diarrhea when new foods are introduced too quickly or during stressful events like adoption. Stick to familiar foods, including the same pellet brand, to support digestion. When adding new items, especially fresh foods, introduce them one at a time and watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or stool.

Sugar Glider Pellets – Pellets are formulated to contain a correct balance of all the essential nutrients that your sugar glider needs each day, and will be their primary diet. Pellets should always be available, both in the dining room and in an attached small dish high up in the cage. Remember that sugar gliders prefer to eat at night, so ensure dishes are full before you go to bed.

Moist Prepared Diet – Your sugar glider will benefit from an enriched diet plan that includes mixing sugar glider powder supplement with bottled water. Offer the prepared diet nightly. Remove any uneaten food in the morning.

Pellets and the moist prepared diet will account for up to 75% of a sugar glider's daily diet.

Fresh Foods – Dark leafy greens and vegetables are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Dark leafy greens include romaine, kale, or green leaf lettuce. Vegetables, like green beans, shredded carrots, parsley, and pea pods make good choices. Fruits can be offered as well, but the salad should mostly be vegetables.

Fresh foods will account for 20% of their diet (approximately ½ teaspoon per sugar glider).

Treats – Offer sugar glider yogurt drops or glider nectar supplement as an occasional treat to encourage interaction between you and your pet. Avoid all high fat and refined sugar foods.

Treats should account to no more than 5% of their diet.

Moss Hollow Adapt – Using Moss Hollow Adapt, while minimizing stress, can help your new pet adapt to their new home by promoting relaxation from stress caused by the environment (Echinacea), offering a prebiotic for building gut flora (Burdock Root), easing diarrhea (Psyllium Husk), increasing palatability (Wheatgrass), providing a natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth), and nutrient-rich clay (Bentonite). This veterinary health product uses natural ingredients which can aid all small animals before symptoms emerge.

Calcium Supplement – As calcium deficiencies can cause major health problems in sugar gliders, a sugar glider calcium supplement is recommended daily, sprinkled on their salad. A multivitamin mineral supplement is also recommended. Follow the directions on the packaging for specific use.

MAINTENANCE

Water Bottle – A medium water bottle will help keep the water clean. Fresh water should always be available. It is strongly recommended to only offer filtered or bottled water.

Keep water bottles clean to prevent bacteria and sediment buildup from supplements. Use a bottle brush with dish soap and water to clean both the bottle and the inside of the stainless-steel drinking tube.

Ceramic Dishes – Ceramic dishes are easy to clean, cannot be chewed, and are difficult to tip over. You will need two: one for pellets and one for fresh foods in the dining room.

Hanging Dishes – A small hanging dish that is hung near their hiding place will provide easy access to a quick snack if the sugar glider feels hungry in the middle of their resting period.

Substrate – Aspen shavings or paper-based bedding are recommended for your sugar glider, as substrates like pine or cedar can negatively affect your sugar glider’s sensitive respiratory system. Use a litter scoop to spot clean the cage regularly.

Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.

Nail Care – Sugar gliders have very sharp claws that help them grip while gliding. To make them more comfortable on your skin, gently file the tips with an emery board (3–5 light strokes). Clipping their nails is not recommended.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.

Hygiene procedures such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet and/or after having any contact with their habitat, is a necessary routine. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.

CHECKLIST

• Enclosure

• Dining room

• Hiding place

• Heat lamp and fixture

• Thermometer

• Toys and branches

• Exercise wheel

• Exercise ball

• Bonding pouch

• Pellets

• Moist prepared diet

• Treats

• Moss Hollow Adapt

• Calcium supplement

• Mineral stone

• Water bottle

• Bottle brush

• Ceramic dishes

• Hanging dish

• Substrate

• Cage cleaner

• Puppy training pads

• Unscented pet wipes

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your pet’s needs.

Click here to find all your sugar glider's needs.