SUGAR GLIDER CARE GUIDE
DIET
All of our sugar gliders are fed The Pet Glider (TPG) Diet. It is a well researched, nutritionally balanced diet of fresh food that our gliders love and is very healthy for them!
You must feed your sugar gliders a researched and approved diet, such as the TPG Diet. It is very important to closely follow your diet’s instructions. Deviating from the recipe will cause your diet to be imbalanced, which may lead to a multitude of health issues for your glider. Examples of other approved diets for sugar gliders include Bourbon’s Modified Leadbeater’s Diet (BML), Critter Love Complete (CLC), or Original HPW (O-HPW). A pellet diet is not sufficient for your sugar gliders; healthy sugar gliders need fresh produce and other fresh foods that are carefully balanced in one of the diets listed above! Please do not order the Exotic Nutrition diets since they are pellet-based.
For more information about sugar glider nutrition and the TPG Diet, please click here.
Housing
This section is under construction. Please see the Required Supplies section for enclosure recommendations.
Bonding
In order for your sugar gliders to bond with you, you will want to spend as much time with these social animals as possible. We highly suggest purchasing a mosquito tent or similar and taking your gliders in the tent with you for “tent time.” There, the gliders can explore in a free, safe, and low stress environment. Bring treats with you, and they will eventually climb on you on their own time. You can also carry them around in zippered bonding pouches so that they are exposed to your voice and scent for extended hours of the day.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES
Provided below are recommendations of items that have worked best for us when it comes to the basics of sugar glider pet care. All supplies and food for sugar gliders may be purchased at time of pet pickup, with the exception of cages. Our prices are listed below in bold. Otherwise, supplies may be ordered online ahead of time using the links provided. You must show photo proof of APPROVED glider-safe setup before your baby will be released to you. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please inquire for availability of items or if you have any questions or concerns.
CAGES
The following 4 cages are our most recommended cages as a habitat for sugar gliders. If you are using a different cage than any of the below, we must approve it for safety reasons. Wire spacing must be less than ½ inch in order to avoid your gliders escaping the cage.
Exotic Nutrition Brisbane Cage: up to 3 gliders.
Exotic Nutrition Congo Cage: up to 4 gliders.
Exotic Nutrition Borneo Cage (Version II): up to 8 gliders for the base cage, or up to 12 with the add-on! Make sure to choose the cage itself, not just the add-on, from the drop down menu when ordering. We prefer Version II of the Borneo cage, and do not suggest Version I.
MidWest Deluxe Critter Nation Cage - Double Unit (Model 162) for up to 4 gliders. Triple Unit (Models 162 + 163) for up to 6 gliders. Must build this cage without shelves and without second (and third) floor grate(s) so that gliders have wide open space to glide.
DISCOUNT CODE!
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DISCOUNT CODE! 〰️
Use promo code DRAGONSTONE for 10% off any cage or supplies at Exotic Nutrition!
Please note that we do NOT suggest any diets from this website. Only their cages and their Silent Runner Pro Wheel.
REQUIRED CAGE ACCESSORIES
THESE ITEMS ARE NOT OPTIONAL. YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE APPROVED WITHOUT THEM.
Cage Pouch - For sleeping, nesting, cuddling, etc. $10
Glider-Safe Exercise Wheel - We only recommend the following 3 wheels:
Freedom 19 Wheel ($60 + shipping)
Raptor Wheel ($55 + shipping, currently backordered)
Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner 12” PRO Wheel. We sell the Silent Runner PRO Wheels in black for $40 each. They can be transported or picked up with your gliders at no extra shipping charge. PLEASE NOTE: Enclosed wheels, like Exotic Nutrition’s original Silent Runner Wheels, are NOT safe for gliders.
Chew-proof Water Bottle - $15
Food Bowls - $5
Fleece Cage Sets (hammocks, pouches, bridges, corner hammocks, vines, etc.) - We do not currently stock cage sets. We recommend searching “sugar glider fleece set” or “sugar glider cage set” on Etsy.
Glider-safe Toys. Don’t let them get bored! Absolutely NO rope, exposed seams, or toxic woods. Pine, cedar and fir are commonly used woods that are toxic to sugar gliders. Please contact us if you are unsure if your toys/supplies are glider-safe.
staple diet
The TPG Exotic Fresh diet is our healthy, fresh food staple diet of choice. All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. We recommend making several batches at one time and freezing daily portions using ice cube trays. The recipe can be found here.
You will also need:
TPG Multivitamin Powder - Necessary daily vitamins to add to the TPG diet. 1/8 tsp per glider per day. Keep refrigerated, but DO NOT FREEZE. We suggest getting the 360-day supply. Order it here or reserve your 360-day supply bag to purchase from us on-site (local pickups only) for $60.
TREATS
Treats are great for bonding. Examples of treats sugar gliders love include:
Insects such as mealworms, super worms, black soldier fly larvae, Dubia roaches, etc.
Dried sweet fruits
Yogurt drops
Apple slices
BONDING, GROOMING, ETC.
Bonding Pouch - $20 - A great tool to carry your glider around and speed up the bonding process.
Bonding sweatshirt - $65 Colors and sizes are limited! SOLD OUT
Soft & cozy premium American Apparel sweatshirt with custom-made kangaroo style bonding pocket with mesh ventilation and zipper. Embroidered with our Dragonstone logo on the back of the neck. Comes in black, light grey and charcoal grey, in sizes XS-2XL.
Tent - “Tent time” is another great opportunity for humans to bond with their gliders. Make sure it zips all the way closed so that your gliders cannot escape.
No Mess Feeding Stations – To contain the mess during dinnertime.