Tips for How to Adopt a One Year Old Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are tiny marsupials that have been growing in popularity as domestic pets in the US. Because they are still relatively new as pets, most individuals do not know much about the proper way to adopt and care for a sugar glider. Though most sugar glider owners prefer joeys, or baby sugar gliders, one-year-old sugar gliders also make great pets, often without the hassle of house-training.

  1. Educate Yourself

    • Unless you've had sugar gliders as pets before, the first step in adopting one is to educate yourself. Before you adopt a new pet, you should learn about how to take care of it. For example, sugar gliders are best adopted in pairs to avoid loneliness and depression in your new pet, so you may want to consider adopting a pair of one-year-old gliders instead of just one. They require a balanced diet, including vegetables, fruit, protein, and dry food. (For more information on taking care of pet sugar gliders, see Resources.)

    Prepare Your Home

    • Before you take a year-old glider home with you, you'll need to adequately prepare for your new pet. You'll need to purchase a cage for them to live in comfortably that has minimum 30-by-18-by-36-inch dimensions. Sugar gliders require a lot of extra space in which to explore and play, so the bigger the cage the better, especially when adopting gliders in a pair. Line the cage with aspen bedding or another type of bedding safe for small animals. Add items to the cage for the glider to climb and crawl, such as empty tissue boxes, exercise wheels, and branches.

    Locate a Sugar Glider

    • Search several venues to find a one-year-old sugar glider to adopt. Some pet shops carry sugar gliders. You can also find sugar gliders at animal shelters, vet offices, rescue organizations, and from sugar glider breeders. You may also want to peruse the classifieds section of your local newspaper for individuals offering sugar gliders for adoption. Contact the organization or individual and ask about their adoption policies. Most organizations have specific policies regarding pet ownership qualification which you must be able to meet before adopting a sugar glider.

    Settling In Your Glider

    • Year-old sugar gliders have lived somewhere other than your home for their whole life, so they may need some special care while adjusting to their new environment. Carry your glider with you in their bonding pouch often during the day for about a half hour at a time. Pet the glider first from the outside of the pouch, then from the inside as they acclimate to being petted by you. Sugar gliders bond best by scent, so leave something that smells like you in their cage, like a T-shirt you've been wearing for a few hours or a paper towel you've rubbed on your face. After a few days or weeks of acclimation, your glider will know you and look forward to spending quality playing and bonding time with you.