by Liza Cameron Wasser

Created on: March 03, 2009

It is difficult to state outright if sugar gliders make good pets. Deciding whether a sugar glider is right for you depends on whether the pros outweigh the cons.

Pros

Unlike other small caged pets, sugar gliders live a long time in captivity. You can look forward to 10 to 15 years of life with your beloved pet. Longevity can also be seen as a drawback. Before deciding to buy a sugar glider, try to imagine how your life may change in the next decade.

Sugar gliders are affectionate, funny and entertaining. They are active during their waking hours and are a joy to watch and play with. They also can glide through the air, which is amazing to see.

Sugar gliders bond with their owners and can recognize them by sight and scent. You can have a real relationship with your pet. They are much more fun to play with than hamsters or gerbils because they truly interact with you.

Being highly social creatures, sugar gliders enjoy playing with and being around their owners. They provide you with companionship as much as you provide them with the companionship they crave.

Cons

Buying and keeping a sugar glider can be expensive. Ranging in price from 100 to 400 dollars for a single sugar glider (and it's best to buy two gliders so they won't get lonely), the initial investment can be burdensome. Sugar gliders also require a large cage which cost must be taken into consideration when thinking about acquiring one.

Veterinarians qualified to care for sugar gliders are few and far between. Before buying a sugar glider check to see where the nearest vet is located. Also, vet bills can be rather high as sugar gliders are prone to several illnesses.

Sugar gliders cannot be litter trained. They will urinate and evacuate anywhere, including in your hand and on your grandmother's antique lace tablecloth.

Sugar gliders eat live insects and even baby mice and chicks. If you cannot handle being a party to this, perhaps a sugar glider is not for you.

They are nocturnal and can be very loud at night. They do not like to be disturbed during their sleeping hours, so you must play with them at night and they require a couple of hours of interaction a day. The fact that they are nocturnal may be considered a pro if you have a work schedule that allows you to sleep days.

Sugar gliders are not a good pet for small children as they are easily hurt if they are squeezed. Sugar gliders also have sharp claws that need careful maintenance.

Do extensive research before buying a sugar glider. Take all the pros and cons into consideration and make an informed decision. You will be glad you did.

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