Pros and Cons to Sugar Gliders As Pets

They are cute and they fit in your pockets. Also known as pocket pets, sugar gliders can be smart, affectionate, and loving companions if you bond well with them. They can also be quite handful if you don't know how to treat them properly. Whether sugar gliders can become good pets depends on your readiness to take care of them in many areas. Are they good for you, your family, and your home environment is a kind of questions you might have. As you ponder further, let's examine some pros and cons to owning sugar gliders as pets.
Cons/Disadvantages of Owning Sugar Gliders
Cons/disadvantages would vary between owners. What could be cons for one may not be the same way for another. Here are some possible disadvantages of owning sugar gliders as pets:

• Nocturnal: They are awake and active at night. This means that you can only play with them affectionately some hours after the sun sets. You could have one that starts waking up late at night when you are about to go to sleep. Unless you live in a cave, you should consider owning at least a pair of these cute ones. A pair or a group can play and occupy with themselves while you are sleeping past midnight.
• One vs more: If you only want to own one, be prepared to devote more attention to him/her. This includes interacting with him/her sometime past midnight. While you are typically asleep during those hours, it would bark for your attention. This would not be a problem if you are a night owl or your job allows you to sleep during the day. Otherwise, bringing home at least a pair and equipping their cage with safe toys for them to occupy will save you some hassles.
• Potty: Unlike cats and dogs, they cannot be potty trained. You would have to live with them urinating and defecating anywhere, including on you. This can be prevented by simply bonding well with them overtime. As you start getting acquainted with these cute ones, it is better to prepare things like newspapers, a specific room, and a specific sink in case any potty accident happens. When that happens, you should learn and observe their body language.

Pros/Advantages to Owning Sugar Gliders
Just like cons/disadvantages, every owner would experience different pros/advantages. The following are some of them:

• Bonding: With proper care and enough interaction (minimum 2 hours daily/nightly), these cute ones will bond well with you. They will get used to and recognize every part of you including your scent and your movement. They would also love to curl up in your pockets and sleep in one during the day.
• Cute: They are bred in color variations and they have been perceived as cute by many. If you own at least a pair, you would find it amusing to watch them when they play. They can also respond to tricks and glide to you with affection.
• Maintenance: These furry looking critters do not require vaccinations, but periodic visits to a specialized veterinarian (exotic pet care or sugar gliders vet) may be necessary (approximately once a year). Their diet is generally simple and inexpensive, but you still need to take time preparing and watching nutritional guidelines. Their odor is tolerable as long as you feed them proper diet.

If you are an animal lover, you will find sugar gliders fun and loving companions. They are not the right pets for you if you prefer them to be self-sufficient. They require daily/nightly attention, some proper care and maintenance. With every con/disadvantages, there is at least a solution. It takes some work to care for sugar gliders as pets, but it's not that bad at all.

Are sugar gliders right pets for you? A good source is to consult with other sugar gliders' owners. There will be variable experiences across different owners whether there are pros and cons (good and bad). It also depends on whether you are ready to take care of them. Visit How to Take Care of Sugar Gliders to get some ideas on taking care of sugar gliders as pets.

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Sugar Glider Care: Elements For You To Keep in Mind Before Making a Decision to Buy a Sugar Glider

Sugar glider

Consider the choice to choose a sugar glider as a pet with great care. They are exceptional creatures as they become attached with regards to their owner, however it is essential to take into account that they're uncommon animals and one must think about the particular needs that are very specific to gliders. Glider care involves feeding them the ideal diet to make sure they be given a nicely balanced food regimen, arranging their particular glider cages properly, in addition to enjoying ample time connecting with each other.
While there isn't much difficult called for, you should be knowledgeable about every aspect of their total care and handling in order that you satisfy each of their requirements appropriately. If you don't have the opportunity to become a responsible sugar glider pet owner, it's not a good idea to acquire one. There are additional pets that are much better suited to folks who would not have much time.
Before you decide to purchase any pet, it is important to realize that it's a responsibility for the duration of the pet's life. Due to this, you ought to do an examination concerning the life expectancy associated with the pet animal. In the event you obtain any animal which might survive several years, you better be certain that it's possible to take good care of the creature for 10 years or more. Sugar gliders could certainly live between 8 to fifteen years during captivity. The very commitment that you really make when you buy a glider is comparable to that you'd make purchasing a dog or a cat.

Sugar glider

When you have decided to get a sugar glider as a family pet, you have to have an understanding of a couple of things in an effort to take care of it the right way. Before anything else, you really need to analyze the proper diet gliders must have to stay in good physical shape. There are some health concerns connected so it is vital that they can get the recommended nutrition. Second, you really should review the most important domiciles in addition to pet toys that experts claim gliders require to be happy. As an example, gliders need extra tall wired sugar glider cages so they can climb.
The next significant issue you must explore is actually how can one link correctly with their sugar glider. Gliders should have a whole lot of your attention, and if they do not receive sufficient time with you, they can become down. You possibly can pick up 2 gliders should you not have enough time to spend bonding, given that they can bond on their own with each other. If you elect to obtain two gliders, you'll want to get them together.

If you are interested in Sugar gliders as pets you'll want to provide them with a good home. To view our line of sugar glider enclosures please visit http://Innovative-Enclosures.com which specializes in all different types of quality animal cages at discounted prices. You now have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

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Cleaning Sugar Glider Cages

Dirty cage

If you think it's disgusting smelling, your sugar gliders probably think it's disgusting living in it. The cage will need to be completely cleaned out at least a once a week, maybe more if you have more than 2 sugar gliders. You will probably have to do a quick spot cleaning at least twice a week. A clean environment will keep them healthy.
If left in the cage for a long period, urine will begin to turn into ammonia, which is incredibly harmful to a sugar gliders respiratory system. Fecal matter, especially if it is an area where it is getting wet, can give rise to harmful bacteria that can be ingested or even inhaled making your sugar glider sick. Moist bedding or litter can cause fungus growth. A litter box or drop pan will help with feces. A clean cage will also help to make your home environment healthier and odor free. Remember that if you can smell dirty cages it is much more extreme and stressful to the animals living in them.
Step 1. Cleaning (removing visible dirt and debris) First, spray the cage with water to soften the residue. Then clean the cage by using an ordinary household soap such as dish washing liquid. A scrub brush and pressure nozzle for your hose will help you to dislodge stubborn debris from the cage and accessories. Small accessories can be soaked in a sink full of hot soapy water and scrubbed before disinfecting. This is only the first step in full cage cleaning.
Step 2. Disinfecting (destroying microorganisms or pathogens) Spray the cage and the accessories with your chosen disinfectant. Let the solution remain on the articles long enough to disinfect them (reading the directions will give the time it takes each particular product to do its job). These solutions can also be used on floors and walls around the cage as long as you rinse them well. After viral outbreaks use a cleaning agent that is specifically a virucide. Cleaning & Disinfecting Solutions (always rinse well)

• Dish washing soap - cleaner only
• Nolvasan (contains: chlorhexidine diacetate)-Bactericidal and virucidal
• Vinegar (contains: 5 % acetic acid) mildly bactericidal
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (medical grade) - mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Hydrogen peroxide 35% (technical grade) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal)
• Citricidal (contains:grape seed extract) mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Household bleach (contains:5.25% sodium hypochlorite ) - bactericidal and virucidal
• Parvosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Antibacterial liquid soap- bactericidal
• Spectrosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Oxyfresh (contains: stabilized chlorine dioxide) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal

Note: Lysol contains phenols and is not recommended for cleaning cages or accessories.

Clean cage

Step 3. Rinsing Rinse the cage and all accessories thoroughly. Make sure that you can not feel or smell any residual cleaning solution. This is a very important step. Some of the cleaners can be harmful to your small pets.
Step 4. Drying You can either air dry the cage and accessories or wipe them down with a clean towel. Air drying in the sun is particularly good if you want to make sure all organisms are killed.
The Hospital Cage Extra attention must be given when cleaning the cage of a sick pet, especially if it is going to be used later to house healthy pets. Meticulous care also needs to be taken if parasitic infestation is involved. In these scenarios, use strong solutions that kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses. After sterilization rinse thoroughly, and sun dry. After an infectious illness any accessories made from wood, wicker, or grass should be discarded. After a parasite outbreak these porous items need to be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and not used for any other animals for a minimum of two weeks. Food dishes should be cleaned, disinfected and then run through the dishwasher. Water bottles need to be completely taken apart (be sure to remove the washer) and all parts cleaned and sterilized.
Fabric Accessories You will want to thoroughly clean all cloth items used for your pet on a regular basis. Change the pouches, cage sets, tray liners and other fabric items as they get soiled (in-between cage cleanings). Wash with hypo-allergenic soap in warm or hot water in your washing machine. To clean fabric accessories that are particularly soiled, used in a sick cage, or contaminated with parasites, add a small amount of bleach or Oxyclean and use hot water. When using bleach or another disinfectant rinse twice to be sure that all chemicals are removed. Drying these items in the dryer at a high temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes will aid in combating microorganisms and parasitic infestations. Cleaning Tips

• Avoid perfumed household cleaners
• Spot clean in-between cage cleanings
• Keep a smaller cage for your pets to go in during cleaning
• Always clean in a well-ventilated area away from your pets
• Remove all accessories and clean well
• Spray the cage with water to soften the debris before cleaning
• Be sure all debris is removed before disinfecting
• Leave disinfectant on for a minimum of 10 minutes
• Take extra care with disinfecting hospital cages
• Rinse carefully to remove all cleaning agents
• Dry cage before putting your pets back in
• Use direct sunlight to dry and sanitize whenever possible
• Always sanitize and refill water bottles and food dishes
• Clean nursery cages more often

The whole process could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour each week, but remember it needs to be done. Just like you clean your shower and toilet, or wash the kitchen counters after cooking, sugar gliders need their cages as clean as possible because they can be messy and if that continues to build up, not only could it endanger them, over time it could possibly endanger your health as well.

For a complete guide to caring for Sugar Gliders, visit Sugar Glider Pet Guide. You will also find out more information regarding what states Sugar Gliders are legal in.

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Choosing a Cage For Your Sugar Glider

Ideal cage

Owning a sugar glider can be a rewarding experience. If you are considering bringing one (or more) into your home you will want a cage for your friend to live in. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a glider cage. These tips will help provide safety to your sugar glider and peace of mind to yourself.
Pet cages are available in a variety of materials. Cages made from bare wire can irritate a glider's feet so it is best to look for a wire cage that is powder-coated or possible one made of vinyl. Powder-coated wire is easier to clean and more forgiving to your glider's feet. Plexi-glass cages look nice when they are new but scratch easily as sugar gliders like to climb.
Gliders enjoy climbing and jumping and, because of this, you need to consider the height of the cage. Vertical space is more important in sugar glider cages than horizontal space. A good rule of thumb is at least three feet of vertical space for a glider, although it is certainly alright to get a cage taller than three feet.

Ideal cage

It is also important to make sure the bars on the cage are no more than 1 inch apart. Bars with ½ inch of space between them work well, also. A wire cage will allow your glider to climb on the cage instead of buying something to put inside the cage for him or her to climb on.
Sugar gliders are very intelligent animals and can learn to open their own cage. For their safety it is a good idea to find a cage that has a secure lock or latch that they can't get open themselves.
Gliders are great pets and can provide a lot of enjoyment. Choosing the right cage will eliminate a lot of hassle down the road and allow you too take more pleasure in your new family member.

Derrick is an avid pet owner and an expert in pet cages. Visit Derrick's website to find deals on sugar glider cages for sale.

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