Getting Started
The process of purchasing an exotic animal can be both complex and overwhelming. Use the information below as a guide to help prepare for your sugar glider's arrival. The products and information shared are based on personal experience of creating and sustaining a successful and healthy glider program. You can also download the checklist and use it to capture notes as you prepare for your glider. Lead time with vendors can be 2+ weeks to several months so it is important to plan accordingly. Feel free to reach out with questions.
Introduction
Below you will find both important and helpful information that will guide you through glider husbandry. We share some of our favorite sugar glider products. You are encouraged to visit the links and decide what will work for you and your joey(s). We also include links to reputable resources and information as it relates to sugar gliders.
If you purchased a glider from us, please check in before making a purchase from the lists below as we do keep many glider-safe items on hand for our customers to purchase at a discount (and it helps you avoid shipping costs). Items usually in stock include bonding bags, sleep pouches, Freedom Wheels in a range of colors, PetPro pellets and more.
Safe cages
Sugar gliders require a much larger cage than most people expect. In the wild they would glide from tree to tree. In captivity this manifests as a ton of jumping. The list below are those that I see most commonly used by other owners.
The absolute rule of any sugar glider cage is that bar spacing cannot exceed 1/2 inch. One more time. Do not purchase a cage with bar spacing wider than 1/2 inch as gliders are known to squeeze through and escape easily.
VIVOHOME 54 Inch Wrought Iron Large Bird Flight Cage with Rolling Stand
Excellent value. Suitable for up to 3 adult gliders or 4 with ample tent or free roam time.
All cages suitable excluding Zanzibar or Casablanca. Those should only be used for hospital/temporary cages. Please know that while cages from this company are great for sugar gliders we do not recommend any of the diets, toys or housing accessories.
Double Critter Nation (DCN Model 162)
A favorite among sugar glider owners. Remove the center portion for maximum space. Suitable for up to 4-5 gliders. I do love these cages but they must be taken care of or the rust will take over quickly.
Hospital cage or for young joeys up to 6 months.
ZENY Bird Cage with Stand Wrought Iron Construction 53-Inch
Excellent value. Suitable for up to 3 adult gliders with ample tent or free roam time.
The pan in the glider cage will need to be covered with a glider safe substrate. These include the following:
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Pine pellets - Kiln dried only - Found at Tractor Supply or similar. We use this product exclusively.
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Puppy pads of any brand - Do not use if your cage allows gliders to access and chew.
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Fleece covers - Many people place a fleece cover and replace daily. These can be made to order through For the Love of Gliders.
Critical cage supplies
The following items will need to be purchased to include in your initial set up:
Choco Nose No-Drip Small Animal Water Bottle - These are my favorite water bottles. I mount on the outside of the cage. Remember to check the ball daily to make sure it is not stuck.
Living World Lock & Crock Dish Small Animal Bowl - I use this to hold their pellets. It is easy to clean, washes in the dishwasher.
Caitec Featherland Paradise Silo Drinker Bird Cage Water Feeder - You should have at least two water sources in each cage. Wal-Mart has a smaller version that runs about $1.75 available only in stores.
Sugar Glider First Aid Kit - An absolute must have for any sugar glider owner.
Pouches, bonding bags and cage sets
Nothing sold on Amazon or Exotic Nutrition is safe for sugar gliders to sleep in. Do not waste your money. The glider community has seen many injuries due to unsafe materials or construction.
The list below provides links to reputable vendors that produce high-quality, glider specific products that we personally use. This list is not all inclusive. We can direct you to a list of various glider safe vendors upon request.
Tootles The Original Sugar Shack
Cute animal sleep pouches and tunnels
Tracy Mulligan
Christy Lanphere Prentice
Sleeping pouches and bonding bags
Maria Ivey
Full cage sets, pouches and bonding bags
Exercise
Exercise is a critical component of proper husbandry. Most commercially made products are not suitable for sugar gliders and can cause significant harm and even death in some cases. With safety and quality in mind, we recommend the wheels below. As a licensed distributor of the Freedom Wheel, we offer all clients the option to purchase wheels at a discounted rate.
Web: https://freerunnerinc.ecwid.com/
We recently switched out all of our wheels for Freerunners. We also use the Freerunner Disk. The quality and service are top notch. Biscuits & Goo is an approved distributor; therefore, we keep a few of these on hand for our clients to purchase at a discounted rate. Please reach out to see what we have available.
Tina Marie
Glider Go Round
The Glider Go Round is an alternative to a wheel (or addition if you're like us). It operates much like a treadmill and gliders love it. Make sure to order extra fleece covers as they tend to wear them out fairly quickly plus it offers an extra while washing.
Safe toys and enrichment
Toy safety should be a top priority for all sugar glider owners. One needs to consider the unique features of the gliders such as opposable thumbs, propensity to squeeze into tight spaces, ability to solve puzzles and more. Some gliders are more prone to chewing that others so ensuring non-toxic elements are not used is of utmost importance. Most items purchased through commercial sites are not safe. To speak at length about toy safety, feel free to reach out.
Spoiled Rotten Suggies (Facebook)
Davie Newman
Toys of the absolute best quality
Rose Meredith
Toys (and cage sets)
Very detailed toys and custom products
Maria Ivey
Fleece pom poms
Gliders love to play and take apart
Shop Goodwill or thrift stores. Toddler toys often make excellent toys for sugar gliders once any electrical parts are removed and moving parts are secured. I have found many a fun toy for less than $5.
Food/diet
Depending on who asks and who answers, recommended sugar glider diets will be vary. The 3 diets we have used and recommend are noted below. All are easy though I consider the Happy Glider diet to be the most cost effective. We do not recommend Exotic Nutrition for any food products.
Pellet based, the Happy Glider diet is one of the most effective and flexible diets currently used. The diet relied on a staple of Happy Glider pellets along with an assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, protein sources and other local ingredients. You can read detailed instructions at the link above and purchase the pellets at Pet Pro. Use Alea's name as the coupon code for a discount.
BML (Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's)
Tried and true diet that is The Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's sugar glider diet (BML) is a version of the original Leadbeater's Diet, a well-known diet for pet sugar gliders. Based on a liquid staple of very specific ingredients that may require ordering depending on local availability. Zero flexibility.
Staple liquid (ships in powder form) that must be prepared alongside salads with specific ingredients. Very easy diet to feed but does require preparation time and freezer space (if storing liquid staple according to directions). Wide degree of flexibility on foods used for salads.
