The Bonding Process

This is a process that requires a lot of time, patience and consistency from your end. Starting out, your sugar gliders might not be used to living around humans and they are probably a little scared of you in the beginning. Don’t try to push yourself on them if they are scared and nervous, instead try to gain their trust slowly. There are a few items that can help you in the process:

• Bonding Tent
• Bonding Pouch
• Open Hammock (instead of sleeping pouch)
• Bonding Glove
• Treats

The Bonding Pouch 

It’s very important that the bonding pouch has some kind of opening or a net and is not fully closed like the regular pouches. While staying in the safety of this pouch, your sugar glider can see you, smell you and also get used to your voice. In the early stages of the bonding process, it is recommended that you carry the pouch with you as much as possible throughout your day, for example under your shirt. The longer you are able to do this, the faster you will bond. Also remember to give your sugar glider some treats during this process. 

The Bonding Tent 

Get into the tent carrying your sugar gliders in your bonding pouch. Close the tent, sit down and make yourself comfortable. Take them out carefully from the pouch and let them move around freely and explore on their own when you are there. Try reaching out to them slowly and give them some treats, but do not try to grab them before they are ready for that. Let them climb on you and this is how the bonding starts. 

Each bonding session takes at least 20 to 30 minutes. Put them back in the pouch carrier and keep them close to you a little longer before returning them to their cage. It is recommended to wear a long sleeved sweater, pants and socks, especially if you didn’t trim their nails as you might get scratched. It is also possible that an untamed sugar glider might try to bite you, so try to be prepared for that too and stay calm. If you get stressed, move suddenly or even scream you will only prolong the bonding process. Your sugar glider might also potty on you so be prepared to wash these clothes right after the bonding session is over. 

The Open Hammock

Open hammocks are really just used in the beginning of the bonding process. The reason is that your sugar glider always can see, hear and smell you so they get used to having you around and this ultimately enables them to trust you.

The Bonding Glove

The bonding glove is mostly used in the beginning of the bonding process. It protects you from getting bitten. (If you have a Joey it really doesn’t hurt or do any damage, but it is still recommended when handling them.) You can use the gloves when you’re taking your sugar glider from the cage, or taking them out from the pouch but when you are in the bonding tent you don’t need to use this glove.

Even after the bonding process this glove is useful and makes nail trimming much easier as well.

Conclusion

Follow the steps described above on a daily basis for 3 to 4 weeks. The more time you spend with your sugar, the faster and easier the bonding process will be. In the end, it really depends on your individual sugar glider. Sometimes the bonding process is less than three weeks, but it can also take over a month. Each sugar glider has a different personality and each one has a different behavior, just like people. One way to know that the bonding process is advancing is that you will hear your sugar gliders’ noises of fear when you around them decrease.

When you have bonded with your sugar gliders they will really love you and like to be around you all the time and all this hard work will be worth it!! Good luck and try to be patient!!