The Pros and Cons of Having a Pet Sugar Glider

If you’re seeking a small-sized pet that has a long lifespan and enjoys playful interaction with its owner, sugar gliders could be a delightful choice as pets. These friendly and calm creatures make great companions. However, as with any type of pet, owning sugar gliders has some downsides in addition to its benefits.

Before deciding to get a sugar glider as a pet, it is crucial to check if it is legal to own them in your area. Keep in mind that not all places permit the ownership of sugar gliders. Furthermore, since sugar gliders are social animals, they need plenty of daily social interaction and attention.

In this article, we will be giving you all of the pros and cons of having a sugar glider as a pet. This is a great resource to find out if a sugar glider will fit in well with your lifestyle and what you are looking for in a pet.

What is a Sugar Glider?

Sugar gliders are small, tree-dwelling possums that are native to forests of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. These are small creatures that are also marsupials, and their name to fame is that they can glide in the air up to about the length of half a soccer field. Due to their small size and cute appearance, sugar gliders have become increasingly popular pets.

Pros of Having a Sugar Glider

Having a sugar glider as a pet can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience due to their friendly nature, long lifespan, and playful demeanor.

Sugar Gliders Live a Long Time

The average life expectancy for sugar gliders is about 10 to 15 years when properly cared for. This is a lot longer than some other popular pets of the same size. This is definitely a bonus, as you are not going to have to say goodbye to your furry friend very soon.

Sugar Gliders are Fun to Have Around

Sugar gliders love to play and interact with their owners and other sugar gliders. This makes these creatures pretty fun to have around, especially if you are looking for a playful pet. In addition to being playful, sugar gliders are also highly intelligent and can learn tricks, which can be a great bonding experience between the owner and the pet.

Sugar Gliders are Loving Creatures That Hardly Ever Bite

Sugar gliders are also very loving creatures to their owners, especially when they are well socialized to the person from being a young joey. Similarly, sugar gliders hardly ever scratch or bite people, especially when the owner knows how to properly handle them.

Sugar Gliders are Fairly Clean

Another major bonus to sugar gliders is that they are pretty clean pets. Sugar gliders clean themselves, and they do not need to be bathed. They are also relatively low maintenance pets as they do not require regular grooming and can easily be litter trained.

Additionally, cleaning their enclosure is very low maintenance as well. You will only need to deep clean it every 2 to 4 weeks, and spot clean their dishes and enclosure once a day.

Cons of Having a Sugar Glider

However, owning a sugar glider as a pet also has its drawbacks, such as their high energy levels that require daily interaction, and their specific dietary needs, which can be expensive and time-consuming to meet.

Sugar Gliders are Nocturnal Creatures

Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means that they sleep during the day and are most active a night. This may be a drawback to some potential owners, especially if they prefer to have a pet to play with during the day.

Sugar Gliders Need a Lot of Daily Socialization

Sugar gliders are social creatures, and they like spending time with their owners. As a result, this pet is best for those who are often home and want a pet that they are going to spend a lot of time with. Gliders also need to be handled regularly if you want them to be friendly and confident around people.

Additionally, many sugar gliders will benefit from having a sugar glider friend as well. So, it may be a good idea to be open to getting two sugar gliders.

Sugar Gliders Have a Particular Diet

Moreover, sugar gliders have a specialized diet that requires a combination of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and specialized pelleted food. Providing a balanced and nutritious diet can be time-consuming and expensive. Also, some owners may find it challenging to meet the dietary needs of sugar gliders, as they require a specific balance of nutrients and can be prone to health problems such as obesity or malnutrition if their diet is not adequately maintained. Hence, owners should be prepared to invest time and effort into learning about and providing the appropriate diet for their sugar gliders.

Sugar Gliders Need a Specialty Vet

Sugar gliders are a very unique species, which means that they require a specialty vet for care. Unfortunately, the average vet is going to know a lot more about cats and dogs than they do about sugar gliders. This could make properly caring for a sugar glider and their potential medical needs difficult, especially if you live in a more remote or rural area. However, if you live near Broomfield, CO, Broomfield Veterinary Hospital is here to help with your pet sugar glider!

Sugar Gliders are Not Legal Everywhere

Unfortunately, sugar gliders are not legal to own everywhere. This is because the sugar glider is viewed as an exotic pet. As a result, it is crucial to double-check to make sure that sugar gliders are legal to own in your country, state, or region before getting one. In the United States, sugar gliders are legal to own in most states. Sugar gliders are only illegal to own in the following states.

• Alaska
• Hawaii
• California

Meanwhile, some other states require that you have a permit before legally owning a sugar glider. These states include:

• Georgia
• Pennsylvania
• New Mexico

However, state laws can change when it comes to what animals are legal and illegal to own with or without a permit. Some states may also state that owning a sugar glider is legal, but certain cities have outlawed it. As a result, you should still check local laws to ensure that it is legal to own a sugar glider where you live. Keeping up to date with these laws and regulations is a good idea as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, owning a sugar glider as a pet can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience due to their friendly and playful nature, long lifespan, and relative low-maintenance care. However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks, such as their high energy levels, specific dietary needs, nocturnal nature, and need for socialization. Prospective owners should do their research, understand the responsibility and commitment involved in caring for a sugar glider, and ensure that they can meet their pet’s needs before making the decision to bring one into their home.

If you are considering a pet sugar glider near Broomfield, CO, contact Broomfield Veterinary Hospital. We are experts at sugar glider care in the Broomfield, CO area. Call us today at 303-466-1764, or Request an Appointment Online!