Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How to Take Care of Your Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders make cute and cuddly pets. This is one of the reasons why many people are attracted to them. Like all pets, these furry critters also have special needs. Here are some tips for taking care of your sugar glider:
1) Spend time with your sugar glider
SG's are very social in nature and therefore need a lot of your time and attention. Not giving it proper attention may cause your pet to become depressed and anxious. Spending time with your pet also helps in taming and bonding them with you. If you will not be able to spend ample time with your pet, consider getting a partner for him.
2) Find a partner for your pet
Sugar gliders easily get depressed when they are left alone. Finding a partner for your pet ensures that he is kept happy and satisfied. It is best to introduce SG's to each other while they are still joeys.
3) Keep your sugar gliders in a tall and large cage
SG's are exotic animals that live in trees. Try your best to recreate this environment for your pet. A tall cage with branches is best as it allows your pet to exercise and glide from branch to branch.
4) Ensure that your pet's diet is adequate
There are three main components to an SG's diet - protein, fruits and vegetables, and BML (or Bourbon's Modified Leadbeaters). You can give your SG mealworms and pinhead crickets for protein, and apples and string beans among others for the fruits and vegetables component. BML is basically a mixture of different ingredients such as apple juice, honey, hard-boiled egg, yogurt, baby food, wheat germ, and vitamin supplements
5) Keep a number of pouches in your pet's cage
Sugar gliders like to rest and sleep in pouches that are soft and dark. Ensure that you have a number of these pouches in your pet's cage. The higher the pouches are hung inside the cage, the better it is for your SG.
6) Love your sugar glider!
Lastly, love your pet and treat him as part of your family. Although they are small, these cute and furry creatures are actually very smart and easily get attached to their owners. Provided that you spend ample time bonding with your SG, your pet will reward you with its love and treat you as its safest branch.
Nina Marquez is the owner of two adult sugar gliders and two newly out-of-pouch joeys. She also maintains a site about Sound Sleep Machine and a blog about Nuclear Medicine Technologist

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