Post by aproductof on Feb 24, 2007 18:34:03 GMT -5
So you want to get a glider... Here are some things to consider before you decide to bring a glider into your home.
Glider legality
First and foremost, is a owning a glider even legal where you live?
Check State Restrictions to see if you live in a glider legal state. But it doesn't stop there. Some counties and cities also have restrictions on ownership. Be sure to check with the appropriate local government agencies to see if glider are legal, or what restrictions they may have on them.
Health
I can't even begin to stress the importance of a good, glider knowledgeable vet. Find one BEFORE you bring your glider home. And when you do bring your glider home, take it to the vet for a wellness exam. This is the start of an important relationship between you, your glider, and your vet.
Gliders tend to hide any illness until it is almost too late. Since gliders are nocturnal, strange behavior usually isn't discovered until AFTER the vets are closed. So it is also important that you find a 24 hour emergency vet. Emergency visits are not cheap. An exotic vet is not cheap. Can you afford to take your glider to the vet for both annual checkups and when it is ill?
Research and understand the symptoms of common illnesses in gliders. Hind leg paralysis (HLP), giardia, urinary tract infections (UTI), other parasitic or bacterial infections, etc. Know about and understand the causes of self mutilation (SM) and overgrooming. As always, when in doubt, go to a vet.
Commitment
As outlined in the next few sections, gliders have specific DAILY needs. Generally speaking, these require a couple hours every day that you need to set aside for your glider. Do you have that kind of time for the next 12+ years? This is especially the case with younger glider owners, but applies to everyone. Where do you see yourself in that time? Work, college, family, social life, etc..
Diet
Gliders need fresh food offered EVERY night. Fortunately, many of the components of the diet can be frozen. However, unlike some pets, you can't fill a food dish up and leave for the weekend.
Gliders have specific nutritional needs, so choosing a good diet is very important for the health of your glider. HLP, for example, can be caused from insufficient calcium in the diet. Because of the specific needs, it is not recommended to develop your own diet. There are several options that have been used with great success by many owners.
BML-Back to Basics
The Pet Glider Nutrition System (aka Priscilla's Diet)
Judie's BML
PML
HPW Diet
Suncoast Diet
Before bringing your glider home, find out what diet they are currently on. If it is a healthy diet, then it might be best to stick with it for the time being, as an abrupt change in diet can be stressfull. In the end, diet is your choice, but with whatever diet you choose, be sure to stick with it AS WRITTEN.
Be sure to research which foods are unsafe and which should be offered in moderation. Things to consider are toxic or poisonous foods, fattening foods, aflatoxins, oxylates, tannins, etc.
Bonding and Socialization
Gliders are dependent on you for more than just food and water. They require daily interaction with you. Recommended is usually around 2 hours minimum, and even more if you have a single glider. A pair is generally recommended, but some solo gliders are happy with just you. Research bonding techniques and how to play with your glider, and make sure you have that kind of time to commit to them. They are also nocturnal, many don't wake up until 10 pm and later. Do you have other commitments (job, school, etc) that prevent you from staying up later on a regular basis?
Housing and Enrichment
Gliders, by nature, enjoy running, jumping, gliding, and playing. They are also very curious and will get into anything and everything if left unsupervised. Since you aren't always around to watch them, it's important to have adequate housing. Minimum cage requirements for a pair are 2'l x 2'w x 3't, but bigger is better. Do you have the space in your home to allow for a cage of this size?
Know the appropriate bar spacing, and be sure any potential exit routes are secured (ie. feed doors). Know which types of metals are safe. If building, know the proper materials to use--safe wood, appropriate wood sealing, sanding, wire/mesh, etc. While acceptable for many gliders, do not use a reptarium if your glider is prone to chewing.
For bedding in a drop pan, know what can be used safely. Learn the dangers of using certain newspaper, cat litter, or wood based beddings.
Offer various sleeping places, and know what materials are safe to use for these. Many offer sleeping pouches or nest boxes.
Research glider safe toys. These are playful and curious animals, and they need constant stimulation. Acceptable toys include baby toys, bird toys, as well as various toys made by other glider owners specifically for gliders. Learn which type of toys are appropriate for them at all times, and what should only be offered under supervision. A properly sized, glider safe exercise wheel, such as a wodent wheel or stealth wheel is a must. Know the dangers of the cross bar on most other wheels designed for rodents.
Know why you should frequently inspect your cage, toys, and pouches, and make sure you can do this.
All of these things need to be cleaned. Cleaning needs to be done on a rotated schedule, as a glider will over scent mark if it is all done at once. This, too, can take up a lot of time, as it's not something you can do just once a week or so.
Household Safety and Glider Proofing
You can't leave your glider in its cage 24/7, and there's always the chance it'll get out. Know and understand the hazards to your glider in your home--electrical outlets, wires, the refrigerater, stove, toilet, fans, candles, air fresheners, small holes in the walls/floor, other pets, etc.
This only covers the basics, and I can't stress the importance of research enough. Join a sugar glider community/message board and ask questions, read the posts, and take advantage of all of the links available. Just a few examples of some great ones to get you started:
Animal Craze
GliderCentral
Gliders Anonymous
Midwest Glider Web
USGN
Glider legality
First and foremost, is a owning a glider even legal where you live?
Check State Restrictions to see if you live in a glider legal state. But it doesn't stop there. Some counties and cities also have restrictions on ownership. Be sure to check with the appropriate local government agencies to see if glider are legal, or what restrictions they may have on them.
Health
I can't even begin to stress the importance of a good, glider knowledgeable vet. Find one BEFORE you bring your glider home. And when you do bring your glider home, take it to the vet for a wellness exam. This is the start of an important relationship between you, your glider, and your vet.
Gliders tend to hide any illness until it is almost too late. Since gliders are nocturnal, strange behavior usually isn't discovered until AFTER the vets are closed. So it is also important that you find a 24 hour emergency vet. Emergency visits are not cheap. An exotic vet is not cheap. Can you afford to take your glider to the vet for both annual checkups and when it is ill?
Research and understand the symptoms of common illnesses in gliders. Hind leg paralysis (HLP), giardia, urinary tract infections (UTI), other parasitic or bacterial infections, etc. Know about and understand the causes of self mutilation (SM) and overgrooming. As always, when in doubt, go to a vet.
Commitment
As outlined in the next few sections, gliders have specific DAILY needs. Generally speaking, these require a couple hours every day that you need to set aside for your glider. Do you have that kind of time for the next 12+ years? This is especially the case with younger glider owners, but applies to everyone. Where do you see yourself in that time? Work, college, family, social life, etc..
Diet
Gliders need fresh food offered EVERY night. Fortunately, many of the components of the diet can be frozen. However, unlike some pets, you can't fill a food dish up and leave for the weekend.
Gliders have specific nutritional needs, so choosing a good diet is very important for the health of your glider. HLP, for example, can be caused from insufficient calcium in the diet. Because of the specific needs, it is not recommended to develop your own diet. There are several options that have been used with great success by many owners.
BML-Back to Basics
The Pet Glider Nutrition System (aka Priscilla's Diet)
Judie's BML
PML
HPW Diet
Suncoast Diet
Before bringing your glider home, find out what diet they are currently on. If it is a healthy diet, then it might be best to stick with it for the time being, as an abrupt change in diet can be stressfull. In the end, diet is your choice, but with whatever diet you choose, be sure to stick with it AS WRITTEN.
Be sure to research which foods are unsafe and which should be offered in moderation. Things to consider are toxic or poisonous foods, fattening foods, aflatoxins, oxylates, tannins, etc.
Bonding and Socialization
Gliders are dependent on you for more than just food and water. They require daily interaction with you. Recommended is usually around 2 hours minimum, and even more if you have a single glider. A pair is generally recommended, but some solo gliders are happy with just you. Research bonding techniques and how to play with your glider, and make sure you have that kind of time to commit to them. They are also nocturnal, many don't wake up until 10 pm and later. Do you have other commitments (job, school, etc) that prevent you from staying up later on a regular basis?
Housing and Enrichment
Gliders, by nature, enjoy running, jumping, gliding, and playing. They are also very curious and will get into anything and everything if left unsupervised. Since you aren't always around to watch them, it's important to have adequate housing. Minimum cage requirements for a pair are 2'l x 2'w x 3't, but bigger is better. Do you have the space in your home to allow for a cage of this size?
Know the appropriate bar spacing, and be sure any potential exit routes are secured (ie. feed doors). Know which types of metals are safe. If building, know the proper materials to use--safe wood, appropriate wood sealing, sanding, wire/mesh, etc. While acceptable for many gliders, do not use a reptarium if your glider is prone to chewing.
For bedding in a drop pan, know what can be used safely. Learn the dangers of using certain newspaper, cat litter, or wood based beddings.
Offer various sleeping places, and know what materials are safe to use for these. Many offer sleeping pouches or nest boxes.
Research glider safe toys. These are playful and curious animals, and they need constant stimulation. Acceptable toys include baby toys, bird toys, as well as various toys made by other glider owners specifically for gliders. Learn which type of toys are appropriate for them at all times, and what should only be offered under supervision. A properly sized, glider safe exercise wheel, such as a wodent wheel or stealth wheel is a must. Know the dangers of the cross bar on most other wheels designed for rodents.
Know why you should frequently inspect your cage, toys, and pouches, and make sure you can do this.
All of these things need to be cleaned. Cleaning needs to be done on a rotated schedule, as a glider will over scent mark if it is all done at once. This, too, can take up a lot of time, as it's not something you can do just once a week or so.
Household Safety and Glider Proofing
You can't leave your glider in its cage 24/7, and there's always the chance it'll get out. Know and understand the hazards to your glider in your home--electrical outlets, wires, the refrigerater, stove, toilet, fans, candles, air fresheners, small holes in the walls/floor, other pets, etc.
This only covers the basics, and I can't stress the importance of research enough. Join a sugar glider community/message board and ask questions, read the posts, and take advantage of all of the links available. Just a few examples of some great ones to get you started:
Animal Craze
GliderCentral
Gliders Anonymous
Midwest Glider Web
USGN