My family is interested in purchasing one or two gliders as a family pet. A company called "Pocket Pets" (sugar glider info org) was at a local festival showing gliders and selling babies. My family just about bought one on the spot, but I decided to pass and do some research. The reps from Pocket Pets told me several things that sounded a little too good to be true. I have listed several of my questions below. I would really appreciate honest feedback, so I can decide if this is the right choice of a pet for my family. By the way, my family consist of husband and wife, 6 yr old boy and 3 yr old girl.
1) Q - What do I need to feed the glider?
A - They said the only food the glider would need is the "glider chow" that they sold. They said you can give the glider secial treats such as fruit, chicken, nuts, if you want.
2) Q - Are the baby gliders hard to bond with and/or tame?
A - No, the baby glider are already tame and rarely bite. You simply need to spend at least a couple hours a day with the glider and it will quickly be bonded to your family.
3) Q - Do they smell? Does the cage smell?
A - No, they are extremely clean pets. They said that is even one of their defense mechanisms (that predators can't smell them). The cage will not smell as long as you empty the poop try every few days.
4) Q - Can they be litter trained?
A - No, they cannot be litter trained, but they are easy to predict. Simply hold the glider over a towel or other suitable place right after it wakes up. It will normally pee and poop upon waking. If it doesn't potty immediately, just touch its bottom with a wet tissue to stimulate it to potty. After it pottys, you are good for a few hours.
5) Q - Can I take it outside? Can I let it run around my house?
A - Yes, you can take it anywhere you want. It will never run away, it is bonded to you and will always want to return directly to you. You should not let it run around your house all the time, only while you are playing with it.
6) Q - Are there any difference in the temperment or smell of males versus females?
A - No, really no difference.
7) Q - Should I only buy one, or do they do better with a another glider.
A - They are social animals. They recommended getting two gliders unless you truly had a lot of time to spend with your glider every day.
Thanks for the help. By the way, they were selling a baby just out of the pouch that they said was 8 weeks old, with a cage, and starter kit (water bottle and food) for $390. You could buy an additional glider for $200 if you wanter a pair.
This is a big decision, not for the money but for the commitment. I don't want to purchase an animal that can live 15 years and decide it was not a good fit my family.
They are easy to sell. They are absolutely adorable. There was a huge crowd around the booth at this festival.