The question of whether or not sugar gliders make good pets depends entirely on the individual and their particular lifestyle. Owning a sugar glider requires lots of time and dedication, as they are considered a nocturnal animal who loves to makes lots of noise and play all night long. This means the best owners for them are ones who are at home a lot or do not have to be up at 5 am in the morning. The perfect owner is one who works at home and can make their own schedule, works at night, or one is retired or disabled. If a working owner leaves at 5 am and does not come home until the late afternoon or early evening, they would need to dedicate some time to preparing the food and socializing with the little sugar glider on a daily basis when they come home. Keeping the cages clean are also important chores to be done every day to every other day, This is the type of pet that requires lots of companionship, as they are considered one of the most social animals there are.
The Internet is full of individuals selling what they thought they wanted, cute little sugar gliders who have become the world's most popular pet without researching into who they are and what they need. Demanding? Yes. But for owners who make time for them and enjoy them, they have nothing bad to say about them as they are one of the most affectionate tiny little pets there is. What grabs at people's hearts when seeing the cute little sugar glider is their size.
Pocket-sized and tiny, the little sugar glider comes with the same love-bug territory as tiny baby kittens and fuzzy little puppies. They warm the heart and makes you want to grab one up and take it home. Very few people can resist these animals' "cuteness" until they begin to grow up. It is at this time when the lack of research begins to show up. They will urinate down your arm if you pick them up right away when awakening, bite or nip at you when becoming startled, or you find the jar of crickets for the daily feedings tipped over and instantaneously this becomes the focus of the moment, while attempting to find ALL of them before nightfall.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A SUGAR GLIDER AS A PET
If you have survived all the researched disadvantages of having this little animal as a pet, yet still have a desire for owning one, then the sugar glider is the right pet for you with all its charm and sweetness. Obviously, they are not the perfect pet for everyone. But for those who have lots of time to dedicate to them and have the correct lifestyle to accommodate them, they cannot say enough good things about them. These owners are typically at home a lot or are also nocturnal individuals themselves, and do not mind having a chattering little critter throughout the evenings and night-time as they consider them their companions.
Bonding is better done with owners who have two or more critters in their home, even though their bonding with their owners make take slightly longer with two. Once this is done slowly and carefully, the sugar gliders have been known to "kiss" and groom their favorite person, sleeping in the pocket or between shirts. Little affectionate hissing sounds bringing comfort as it means they are okay and in perfect happy-land. Sounds like this mean they are with the owner who not only wants them, but has provided the perfect home for them.
The sugar gliders will become extremely affectionate and will eventually enjoy being carried around by their owners, as long as their high-maintenance care is provided and two to three hours of play accompanies their life. The more time that is spent with these new babies when brought home, the happier they will be. But their relationship with their owners during the first couple of weeks sets the scene for the rest of their life, allowing them to bond and trust their owners and learning to feel secure in their environment.
Bonding pouches may be purchased which allows owners to carry them around their neck or in their pocket , as compared to holding firmly in the hands at the very beginning. This they will consider "restraining" and will fight against it. The pouch needs to be unzipped and folded inside out when first placing them in their new home, letting them become familiar with their new home for the next couple of days in order to "unstress". But do not place the pouch in the cage for them to sleep in, as it will be difficult to teach them to be picked up by hands. Good pets who respond well will bond with their owners in this first few weeks, so every step of the way is important to develop a good working relationship.
What owners of sugar gliders have to say about their little pets basically says why sugar gliders make good pets: they were attracted to their "cuteness"; and the affectionate bond they eventually develop with their owners makes them stand out over other pets. But either way, adequate training should be researched extremely well as this bond will determine the overlong relationship with them. Those who are considered the safest for the sugar glider are the older children, adults, elderly and the disabled who offer total committed care to them for one-hour minimum a day or preferably longer. If you cannot offer them that, then they probably are not for you. And the older the sugar glider is, the longer it will take to domesticate or socialize them due to previous abuse issues so a gentle and patient owner is important.
LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR SUGAR GLIDER AS PETS
Try to choose a website which has to follow set breeding rules and safety procedures to follow. Choose a breeder who is definitely USDA licensed, as they will have to conform to inspections and follow rules for sanitation, safety for the little animal, vet exams, and correct paperwork for paper chasing. Laws are another situation which needs checking into as some states consider it legal to own them as pets, some make it legal to own them as pets only if they are USDA purchased, some have them labeled as "unknown", and others have it simply illegal to have them as a pet in any form.
Conflicting laws regarding sugar gliders may be present , permitting them on a city level but not on a state level. Many states require the sugar glider to be from a USDA breeder for legal purposes. Checking with the Fish & Wildlife Office for the regulations or even through the local USDA offices is best, as the sugar gliders are considered to be wild or exotic animals in certain states, due to their unknown life cycles and habitats. If breeding is something on your mind, licensing is not required to breed them but is to sell the babies.
RESEARCH AREAS
North American Sugar Glider Association. Website: http://www.mynasga.org/sugarglider_dosugarglidermake goodpets.htm
USDA. Currently there is an Eastern and Western region. Please view the map at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/a corg.htmlto determine which office you need to contact.
Pocket Pets Online Community. Website: http://www.sugargliderinfo.org/reportFrame.php?repor tName=SpecialReport-Bonding.php