Before Purchasing A Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are becoming popular as family pets because of their adorable looks and social nature, but require much more care and attention than other animals of their size. They breed very slowly and are becoming more difficult to find, thus reputable breeders often request new customers to wait for some time before they can have a glider that is available for sale. Below are more aspects that you have to consider before you decide to purchase a sugar glider.

1. Cost and count.

A baby glider that is certified healthy can be bought from a USDA licensed vendor for approximately $300 to $500, and the starter kit that includes the cage, initial food, and supplements may cost an additional $200 to $300. That is about $500 the least for a single glider set, not to mention the cost of maintenance and medication as the days progress.

However, as mentioned above, these animals are social creatures, and is recommended to be bought in pairs so as not to get lonely. Needless to say, you will have to double the cost in order to succeed in your animal’s breeding.

2. Age and temperament.

Experts advise to purchase a joey that is about 8 to 10 weeks old. Younger joeys are less likely to live on its own, and may still be unable to interact with humans. Make sure that it is ready to be completely separated from its mother, and is eating properly. In addition, baby sugar gliders can have different temperaments depending on their age and how well they have been treated. Relying on pure hear says or words of mouth is not advisable. Insist to see the gliders yourself to determine whether the claims presented are true.

3. Availability of an exotic veterinarian.

Although gliders are no longer considered as an exotic animal, they may not be properly cared for by a veterinarian that deals with common pets as dogs and felines. Having a local exotic pet veterinarian handy is an important consideration in the animal’s maintenance or even before you decide to purchase this pet.

4. Vendor qualifications.

A reputable sugar glider breeder or pet store must have sufficient knowledge about the proper care and maintenance of these animals. Know if they offer after-sale support since bringing a glider home for the first time can present issues that you may not expect. They should offer ways to get in touch with you to answer questions that you may have as you go about caring for your new pet, or provide guidelines in writing that contain all the information you will possibly need.

Moreover, ask about their background. If they have been in business for some time now, they should be able to give references from your area. Most importantly, verify if the store is licensed by the USDA or its equivalent.

To purchase a this pet entails cost and responsible ownership. Gliders are a form of life that is worthy of care and affection. Do not be mislead by impulse; carefully deliberate on which pet to take home to your family. Sugar gliders make wonderful pets, but its maintenance can seem too demanding without assistance and sufficient related information.

To learn more about sugar gliders and how to care for them, go to the Lifestyles 100 web site, or pick up the new paperback book, “Sugar Gliders! The Comprehensive Guide To Pocket Pets” at Amazon.com, or the Nook book at Barns and Noble.