Are You Considering Getting a Sugar Glider?

Are you debating if you want to get a sugar glider or not? Sugar gliders have become a popular pet in recent years because of their adorable features, curious nature, and devotion to their owners. We put together this list of pros and cons to help you make an educated decision if a sugar glider is a good match for you and your lifestyle. It has come to our attention that some people get sugar gliders only because they are super cute, but they do not have the required time or patience to spend with their sugar gliders, especially in the beginning when it is crucial, and then the sugar gliders unfortunately will be neglected and also depressed. This can have a serious impact on your sugar glider’s behavior and it is also a difficult situation for the new owner. A sugar glider can live up to 15 years, so it is a serious commitment that you need to be prepared for.

Pros 

• Sugar gliders are fun, super cute, and unique exotic animals. After your bonding they will draw the attention of anyone who sees them.
• They’re so small that you can bring them along anywhere you want, with or without a carrying pouch, depending on the connection you have. You can even put your sugar glider in your pocket and carry on with your day or errands without a problem, especially in the daytime as they are more active at night. 
• Sugar gliders live in a cage and are less messy compared to other pets that roam around freely in your home and might shed or go potty all over. A sugar glider’s mess is contained in their cage.
• Sugar gliders are smart animals and they can even learn their name and will come to you when you call them.
• You can (more or less) potty train a sugar glider.
• Sugar gliders are very affectionate and loyal after you bond with them. 
• They form strong social bonds within groups, so having more than one will give them company when you’re not around.

Cons

• They need a lot of your time and attention, especially in the beginning before you bond, but you need to spend time with them daily even after.
• You need to have enough space in your home for the cage.
• The cleaning and maintenance of the cage takes time on a daily and weekly basis.
• If you don’t clean the cage as you should, it can cause an odor.
• If you choose to keep them on a certain diet and choose to prepare the food on your own; you need to dedicate time to this, and also dedicate space in your freezer. 
• You need to have more than one sugar glider for their social wellbeing.
• Sugar gliders are nocturnal and can make noise and want to play in the night and this could bother light sleepers.
• The starting cost is pretty high, at about $1,500, with the cage and all the accessories, and you also should get at least 2 sugar gliders, but the upkeep is pretty low, as they eat very small amounts of food and they don’t require many items or accessories once yu have it all set-up, and you can also rotate the existing toys, to give them a sense of novelty, making them low maintenance pets overall.
• If your sugar glider isn’t potty trained you need to carry wipes with you at all times for an easy clean up.
• Sugar gliders have sharp nails that can scratch and you need to trim them on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Before deciding whether getting a sugar glider is the right choice for you make sure you research thoroughly and weigh all pros and cons carefully. It’s important to consider all aspects of having a pet before committing – from cost of ownership to the level of maintenance involved in keeping a sugar glider healthy. It’s also important to make sure you are able to commit to the animal for its lifetime and provide it with the love, care, and attention it deserves on a daily basis as well.

If, after carefully considering all pros and cons and your pros outnumber your cons and you really have enough time to spend with your sugar glider and it really is the best fitting pet for your lifestyle, a sugar glider could be the right pet for you!! Then go ahead and give it a good home!!