Just adopted 2 sugar gliders!! need help please!!!!!?

Question

My husband and I just adopted 2 cute little sugar gliders! One girl and one boy, they are almost a year old. They came from below standard living conditions, they're cage was a very tiny little bird cage and they were never really taken out. They were only fed quiko sugar glider food and thats about it. Even though they werent played with they are somewhat tame and eat fruit out of our hands and don't crab too much. I just wanted to ask the experianced glider mommy and dadys out there afew questions;
1.The cage smells awful!Theyre poo is caked to the side of the cage, we can't seem to get it off.Whats a safe way to clean it?
2.Is the quicko food ok?What else should we feed them,when and how much?
3.We had them out of their cage last night and they would climb on our hands and bite us.They even drew blood on my thumb. How do we bond w/older gliders and will they always bite people they don't know?
4.What do u recomend as a cage liner? They were using kitty liter.
Thanks!!

Answer 1

Hi there again...first, congratulations on your new adoptions!

1) The best way to clean the cages are always with 1 part bleach to 2 parts hot water and then rinse very thoroughly with hot water weekly. Gliders are proficient at soiling their cages very quickly and upkeep is important to minimize the risk of bacteria build-up weekly. They can become little stink-bombs otherwise and some people don't like the pungeant odours they emit.

2) Two gliders would need a daily diet of 1/4 cup fresh/frozen vegetables and fruit with 1-2 meal worms each (live preferably) http://www.sugar-gliders.com/sugar-glider-diet.htm . Essentially 25% protein (worms/crickets) and 75% veggies/fruits. They will need calcium vitamin supplements http://www.repcal.com/supp.htm as gliders suffer from hind-leg paralysis. Many of the foods we feed them contain phosphorous which prohibits the absorption of calcium so this is why it's imperitive to supplement with calcium. Glideraid should be offered several times a week. It is a nectar drink which is full of extra nutrients their fresh fruit/veggie diet doesn't include: http://www.sugar-gliders.com/glidervet-16.htm . Quicko doesn't provide enough of their nutritional requirements but can be offered as treats if they like them.

3) Older gliders will take a little while longer to encourage bonding. It would be beneficial to continue handling them frequently in order to help them become accustomed with your scents. Many people place an old t-shirt that smells like themselves in the gliders bedding to help them bond quicker. Consider purchasing a couple bonding pouches: http://www.sugarglider63.com/pouches2.htm http://www.sugar-gliders.com/bonding-pouch-list.htm to carry them with you while you are home. This also helps them hear your voice and as well your become accustomed to your body scents too.

4) I would use Care Fresh litter http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=goo&cm_cat=adwords&cm_pla=unknown&cm_ite=sku&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030076&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776933&bmUID=1164246632890 for the base litter and paper as a liner. Kitty litter is very dangerous since it's clumps and solidifies when wet which is lethal to their delicate digestive tract when ingested which happens when they lick their feet during grooming.

Housing should be at least 3 feet high by 2 feet wide and deep. Gliders need a lot of room to jump and glide. Nervous gliders will run laps/circles in smaller cages.

If it hasn't been done already, consider having the male neutered. This will not only eliminated unwanted pregnancies, but also minimize the odour males emit during their sexual prowess as well as minimize aggression. http://www.isga.org/informationcenter/HealthIssues/neutering.htm http://exoticpets.about.com/od/sugargliders/f/sgspayneuter.htm

Here are more resources on glider care which includes housing, diet, vitamin supplements, care and bonding techniques: http://www.skinhorse.net/gliders/

You are more than welcome to email me if you have any additional questions. Click on my avatar and select "Email ♪♫ Seattle ♫♪" to contact me and I'll do my best to provide you all the necessary resources to offer the best of care to the gliders you've adopted.

Answer 2

i don't know either and i want one too :P