Are Sugar Gliders Good Pets?

Like any pet, a sugar glider will require a certain amount of your time and attention each day to be healthy and happy.

sugar glider toy sets

The small marsupials also have a long lifespan of between 12-15 years, much like that of a dog.

If those who are considering adopting a pet are willing to dedicate daily time for the next several years to a small and unique companion, then a sugar glider will make a good pet for them.

Read on to discover some of the other desirable qualities a sugar glider possesses so you will be an informed pet owner.

Not a Rodent

Sugar gliders are not rodents and in no way related to rats. 

rats are not related to sugar gliders

They are tiny marsupials that are relatives of the koala bear and kangaroo.

Sugar gliders don’t need to chew on objects to keep their teeth ground down and have much longer lifespan than pets in the rodent family, like gerbils, hamsters and ferrets.

No Odor

When a sugar glider is fed a proper diet, they have no odor. That is another advantage they have over pets in the rodent, canine and feline families.

Visitors will not be able to detect with their nose that you have a pet living in your home, and no one’s nose will know when you are carrying your tiny pet in a pouch on your person either.

Intelligent Pets

These tiny marsupials have about the same level of intelligence as a dog. ​

toys for sugar gliders to hang on

will quickly learn their name and can be trained to come on command and do a few tricks.

Potty Training

Sugar gliders can’t be trained to use a litter box or anything similar, but they ‘go’ like clockwork and their needs are easy to accommodate.

These pets will not eliminate where they sleep, unless they have an accident because you wait too long to take them to potty.

They will need to eliminate as soon as they wake up and every 2-3 hours afterwards.

sugar gliders sleeping in blanket

Simply place them on a tissue or hold them over a sink and they will do what they need to do.

The amount of waste they produce is miniscule and cleanup is no problem.

Extremely Clean

Sugar gliders keep themselves extremely clean and never need to be bathed or groomed.

No litter box to empty, no early morning or late night walks, no bathing or grooming and no odors make these marsupials a highly desirable pet for busy families.

Bonding

Sugar gliders bond quickly and permanently with their families.

sugar glider safe on top of cage

They develop strong bonds with the people in their family and have a need to be with them almost constantly.

Once they have bonded with you, they are easy to take along everywhere you go.

They will happily and quietly ride along in a shirt pocket or special pouch that fits on your chest so they can be near you.

Their feeding and potty habits make it easy to take them along with you.
These small pets also bond easily with other pets in the home.

Since they do not smell like food, dogs and cats do not attempt to eat them and they typically get along very well after initial introductions.

Cheap to Feed

A sugar glider is cheap to feed and eats five primary things daily- a special pelletized food, a gravy mix, an apple slice, spoonful of yogurt and a bit of bread.

sugar glider eating sugar

This basic diet keeps them healthy and odor-free. They do love anything sweet and can be given other types of fresh fruits and vegetables.

However, if animal protein is added to their diet, they will develop a musky odor.

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