mylittlesugarglider



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Housing for sugar gliders A glider’s cage is it’s safe haven. When they feel uncomfortable or scared, they always need a place to be to feel safe. Tall cages are best. My own cage is made of a heavy-duty iron and 32” W x 20” D x 36” H. It also has a stand, which makes the entire cage 52” high. I never use anything less than a ½” spacing. Even adults can squeeze out of any larger width. If you plan on a small colony of gliders that will eventually grow into adults, you will need to look at a cage at least 5 ft high, if not taller. I also have an older cage I keep around that is good for one or two gliders. It is 20” W x 22” D x 20” H. You really shouldn’t consider anything much smaller for a single glider or pair. I use this cage as a weanling cage for babies or a isolation cage for new animals. It is only meant for "temporary" housing. Glider cages need to be either powder coated or pvc coated. We do not use galvanized wire as it may cause urinary tract infections and wood absorbs all the urine and bad bacteria that can never go away. You can get elaborate with the decoration and toys as well. They love climbing so any type of perch made for birds good choices. There are a good deal of dog or cat toys for them to play with as well as bird mirrors and bells. They love playing with the little pet balls too. Make sure there isn’t anything on the toy that they can rip off and choke on. They are just like toddlers in this way. Also, make sure your toys have no sharp edges. Wheels are great for exercise. Make sure you choose a safe one without small holes they can get their legs caught in. “Wodent Wheel” is a good choice. The 12" Wodent Wheel, Sr or larger size is acceptable. A smaller wheel may not be big enough. Remember, just because the smaller wheel is good for a young glider, he will grow out of it in just a few short months. It's better to go with the larger size. My weanling joeys get on their parent's wheel all the time and have no problem running in it. Make sure that when you purchase your Wodent Wheel, the seller is suppyling you with the inexpensive wheel guard. I have noticed some companies selling the wheel do not carry this simple piece of plastic. I give it to everyone who buys a wheel from me. This wheel is totally safe if you have it. If not, the metal axle is exposed and your glider can get his tail wrapped around it and it can be broken. If you own a Wodent Wheel or plan to buy one, please contact the manufacturer at: Transoniq, 1402 SW Upland Dr., Portland, OR 97221. Their telephone number is: 503-227-6848. Let them know what sized wheel you own, and they will mail up to one “glider guard” free of charge. Additional guards can be purchased at .10 cents each. This will help your little guys tail safe. You may also purchase a sandpaper piece that is made to fit into the Wodent Wheel. I buy a fine-grit sandpaper (400 grit) at the department store and cut it to fit the wheel. It’s a cheaper solution. I glue it inside and when it is dry, place the wheel back in the cage. You can get hours of enjoyment watching them run. Plus, the sandpaper helps keep the toenails filed. It beats having to trim their nails. Wodent Wheel sells an insert as well. It's made from a 320 grit fine sandpaper. The one I use is actually finer. I keep my eye on the wheel. As gliders tend to "do their duty" on it, it will be removed and compeltely cleaned as often as needed. I soak the wheel and it's parts in warm, soapy water with white vinegar. The smaller pieces are placed in a glass with vinegar so that they will not go down the drain. I then peel off the old sandpaper, and glue on new with non-toxic white glue. I do carry these wheels from time to time in various colors. When I have them, they should be listed on my photos page. I am often asked at what temperature I keep the glider room. Gliders should be kept no colder than 70 degrees in the winter and summer months, they should be kept cool, but not too cold. I keep a small space heater in my glider room. This heater is an energy saver model that has a LCD readout for the temperature. It only comes on when the temps drop below 70 in the glider room. Some of the fair people tell new glider owners to purchase hot rocks to keep the gliders warm in the winter. This is not a good idea. They go up and down too much in heat and can not only burn your gliders, but also, if you glider is a chewer like most of mine, they can get electrocuted. It can also cause them to be shocked if they urinate on the rock as well. Heat rocks are NOT safe for you sugar glider ever. I have central ac now, but in the past, I have used small, energy saver window units that work very well. I am now offering my own line of glider Shacks, Cubes and pouches for sleeping and bonding. Please see this website for details. Using a wooden box could be dangerous as they may have unsafe toxins on it. It also absorbs the urine and harbors bad bacteria. All of my pouches and tents are machine washable. I keep a couple on hand for each of my cages. This way they get a nice, fresh sleeping place every time. Letting your glider roam is fun and very interactive, but should only be done during his or her waking hours and ONLY under your direct supervision. Any places where he could get stuck or hurt should be blocked off. Remember, gliders have the mind of a toddler, so they can easily get injured or die if not supervised while out of the cage. Many times I hear of a glider getting stuck in ventilation ducts for heating units or drowning in a toilet. It’s very sad. Also, other animals in your home that could be considered predators and kept away from gliders are dogs, cats, ferrets and even some large birds. Many people never thought their gentle dog or cat would go after their sugar glider, but temptation can be great. I have heard many horror stories. Better safe than sorry. Never allow other animals near your gliders when playing. If you have a toddler or young person in the house, you may consider putting a lock on your cage. Kids are curious creatures and they can leave a cage door opened without realizing that your gliders can get out and get hurt. It is also not wise to house other types of animals with gliders. Because they are small, people think they can put hamsters, frogs or gerbils with them. Truth is, gliders are predators too and 52% of their diet is protien. Most gliders would try to eat your other pet. They would also try to sample each other's food. The food of a hamster or gerbil would not be very healthy for a glider and vise versa. Just use your common sense. Gliders should only be housed with other gliders.		CHOOSING A GLIDER HOUSING CLEANING DIET BREEDING

Housing for sugar gliders

A glider’s cage is it’s safe haven. When they feel uncomfortable or scared, they always need a place to be to feel safe.

Tall cages are best. My own cage is made of a heavy-duty iron and 32” W x 20” D x 36” H. It also has a stand, which makes the entire cage 52” high. I never use anything less than a ½” spacing. Even adults can squeeze out of any larger width. If you plan on a small colony of gliders that will eventually grow into adults, you will need to look at a cage at least 5 ft high, if not taller.

I also have an older cage I keep around that is good for one or two gliders. It is 20” W x 22” D x 20” H. You really shouldn’t consider anything much smaller for a single glider or pair. I use this cage as a weanling cage for babies or a isolation cage for new animals. It is only meant for "temporary" housing.

Glider cages need to be either powder coated or pvc coated. We do not use galvanized wire as it may cause urinary tract infections and wood absorbs all the urine and bad bacteria that can never go away.

You can get elaborate with the decoration and toys as well. They love climbing so any type of perch made for birds good choices. There are a good deal of dog or cat toys for them to play with as well as bird mirrors and bells. They love playing with the little pet balls too. Make sure there isn’t anything on the toy that they can rip off and choke on. They are just like toddlers in this way. Also, make sure your toys have no sharp edges.

Wheels are great for exercise. Make sure you choose a safe one without small holes they can get their legs caught in. “Wodent Wheel” is a good choice. The 12" Wodent Wheel, Sr or larger size is acceptable. A smaller wheel may not be big enough. Remember, just because the smaller wheel is good for a young glider, he will grow out of it in just a few short months. It's better to go with the larger size. My weanling joeys get on their parent's wheel all the time and have no problem running in it.

Make sure that when you purchase your Wodent Wheel, the seller is suppyling you with the inexpensive wheel guard. I have noticed some companies selling the wheel do not carry this simple piece of plastic. I give it to everyone who buys a wheel from me. This wheel is totally safe if you have it. If not, the metal axle is exposed and your glider can get his tail wrapped around it and it can be broken. If you own a Wodent Wheel or plan to buy one, please contact the manufacturer at: Transoniq, 1402 SW Upland Dr., Portland, OR 97221. Their telephone number is: 503-227-6848. Let them know what sized wheel you own, and they will mail up to one “glider guard” free of charge. Additional guards can be purchased at .10 cents each. This will help your little guys tail safe.

You may also purchase a sandpaper piece that is made to fit into the Wodent Wheel. I buy a fine-grit sandpaper (400 grit) at the department store and cut it to fit the wheel. It’s a cheaper solution. I glue it inside and when it is dry, place the wheel back in the cage. You can get hours of enjoyment watching them run. Plus, the sandpaper helps keep the toenails filed. It beats having to trim their nails. Wodent Wheel sells an insert as well. It's made from a 320 grit fine sandpaper. The one I use is actually finer.

I keep my eye on the wheel. As gliders tend to "do their duty" on it, it will be removed and compeltely cleaned as often as needed. I soak the wheel and it's parts in warm, soapy water with white vinegar. The smaller pieces are placed in a glass with vinegar so that they will not go down the drain. I then peel off the old sandpaper, and glue on new with non-toxic white glue. I do carry these wheels from time to time in various colors. When I have them, they should be listed on my photos page.

I am often asked at what temperature I keep the glider room. Gliders should be kept no colder than 70 degrees in the winter and summer months, they should be kept cool, but not too cold.

I keep a small space heater in my glider room. This heater is an energy saver model that has a LCD readout for the temperature. It only comes on when the temps drop below 70 in the glider room.

Some of the fair people tell new glider owners to purchase hot rocks to keep the gliders warm in the winter. This is not a good idea.

They go up and down too much in heat and can not only burn your gliders, but also, if you glider is a chewer like most of mine, they can get electrocuted. It can also cause them to be shocked if they urinate on the rock as well. Heat rocks are NOT safe for you sugar glider ever.

I have central ac now, but in the past, I have used small, energy saver window units that work very well.

I am now offering my own line of glider Shacks, Cubes and pouches for sleeping and bonding. Please see this website for details. Using a wooden box could be dangerous as they may have unsafe toxins on it. It also absorbs the urine and harbors bad bacteria. All of my pouches and tents are machine washable. I keep a couple on hand for each of my cages. This way they get a nice, fresh sleeping place every time.

Letting your glider roam is fun and very interactive, but should only be done during his or her waking hours and ONLY under your direct supervision. Any places where he could get stuck or hurt should be blocked off. Remember, gliders have the mind of a toddler, so they can easily get injured or die if not supervised while out of the cage. Many times I hear of a glider getting stuck in ventilation ducts for heating units or drowning in a toilet. It’s very sad.

Also, other animals in your home that could be considered predators and kept away from gliders are dogs, cats, ferrets and even some large birds.

Many people never thought their gentle dog or cat would go after their sugar glider, but temptation can be great. I have heard many horror stories. Better safe than sorry. Never allow other animals near your gliders when playing.

If you have a toddler or young person in the house, you may consider putting a lock on your cage. Kids are curious creatures and they can leave a cage door opened without realizing that your gliders can get out and get hurt.

It is also not wise to house other types of animals with gliders. Because they are small, people think they can put hamsters, frogs or gerbils with them.

Truth is, gliders are predators too and 52% of their diet is protien. Most gliders would try to eat your other pet. They would also try to sample each other's food. The food of a hamster or gerbil would not be very healthy for a glider and vise versa. Just use your common sense. Gliders should only be housed with other gliders.