Suggies For Dummies

1) Dr Jenny

HANDS "N" PAWS
C-17G, Jalan PJU 1/45,
Aman Suria Damansara, 47301 PJ
Tel: 03-7804 6539
Dr Jenny can neuter male gliders safely.
The clinic can deworm and treat serious conditions for gliders.
Call before you go to make an appointment.


2) Dr Yeoh

YEOH VETERINARY CLINIC & SURGERY
126, Jln SS 24/2, Tmn Megah, 47301 PJ, Selangor
Tel: 03-78048684
Dr Yeoh can neuter male gliders safely.
The clinic is able to treat minor things on gliders and general check up but not great for serious cases.
Call to make an appointment.

So you have decided that a sugar glider may be the right pet for you. Breeders love to meet potential owners and their families. Be prepared to stay a while, as a normal visit can last 2 hours or more. Make a list of any questions that you have. While you are there, you can meet and handle some of the gliders, as well as learn what it takes to be a good glider parent. Most people come to knowing little about these wonderful animals however they leave there with a great amount of knowledge to decide if this is the right pet for them. We don’t think you should rush your in making your decision, and encourage you to think everything over.

You have done your research, and decided that a sugar glider is the right pet for you. Now, you will need to do a little shopping. Be sure that you have everything you need before your little ones come home, this will make the home coming day run a lot smoother and less stressful for everyone.

      Cage - the bigger the better, 1/2 inch bar spacing, tall is better than long. Be sure that all materials used for the cage are safe for sugar gliders.

      Sleeping quarters - They like it warm and dark. Examples are sleeping pouches and/or nest boxes

      Diet and Supplements - this will vary diet as to the diet you choose, research your diet carefully and make a list of everything needed.

      Water bottle - a hamster water bottle works great.

      Food Dishes - some use paper plates with igloos covering them to protect the cage from huge food fights as well as keeping waste out of the food. Other ideas are hanging bird dishes, heavy ashtrays, or heavy small animal dishes.

      Bedding - examples are white paper towels, corn cob bedding, fleece, carefresh, breeder celect or newspaper (if the glider has a minimum of 3 inches of clearance and can not reach the newspaper)

      Wheel - Wheel are essential for sugar gliders because they need exercise to maintain their bone health. Wodent Wheel are recommended for sugar gliders.

      Toys - gliders love toys! Cat toys, bird toys, hamster toys, even some infant toys. Check to be sure they are safe for your gliders before giving them any new toy.

      Vet - A knowledgeable vet should be located before you bring your glider home. Not all vets treat sugar gliders.

      Branches and Perches - an absolute must for any gliders habitat. If using branches from the outside be sure they are safe, sterilize, and not treated with chemicals.

      Bonding Pouch - this will greatly help in bonding and travel with your glider.

Before you bring your glider home, be sure that you are prepared. Make sure you have all the items on the above list. The glider’s cage should be set up complete with feeding station, full water bottle, warm sleeping quarters, and a few toys. At this point, don’t overwhelm the cage with toys, as you don’t want a lot of toys to distract the sugar gliders from wanting to interact with you. You can slowly add more toys as the bonding progresses. Prepare your gliders food the day before, and make a list of questions to ask your breeder. Most breeders encourage you to make bonding visits, or the use of scent patches with your glider before it come home. This will help the glider become familiar with you, and help in bonding later.

Picking up your glider, what to expect ?

The big day is finally here. You will need a special carrying pouch for your glider, as some of us as breeder do not provide one for you. If you are making a journey of more than 2 hours you may want to provide some treats [dried fruit, yogurt drops] for the ride home. Make sure you bring your list of questions with you, as well as our phone number and directions in case you get lost. Upon your arrival, we will go over any questions or concerns that you have. There is also some paperwork that we will need to fill out. Your balance, if any, will be due at this time. We will then get out your new glider, and prepare them for the ride home.

First Week home, what to expect ?

The first few days home will be both stressful and exciting. It is important to note that every glider has a different personality so it is almost impossible to know how each individual will react. Some gliders will take to their new homes and owners right away, with no signs of stress or fear. However, most will show some signs of fear and discomfort when they are first brought home. Leaving a sugar glider alone in the cage for 1-3 days to allow it to adjust to the new home is recommended if the glider is showing signs of moderate to severe stress. During this time, talk softly through the bars of the cage, let your glider come to you. Chasing a sugar glider around the cage to catch it will create more stress to the animal. Sugar gliders are wild, exotic animals, and are prone to stress.

Some signs of stress may include :-

Barking or crying - This is the most common, and generally happens late at night when the joey is left alone. It is trying to call out for it’s parents or siblings. It is important that you calm them with attention if at all possible, even if it is just speaking softly to them. If the glider is alone, providing a small stuffed animal or scent patches that smell like the parents is recommended.

Crabbing, or becoming pouch protective - This is normal and common, especially the first week or so in their new home. Their sleeping area is what they consider to be safe and familiar. They are still scared and trying to adjust to their new surroundings. Taking their pouch out of the cage, and laying it open in your lap will allow them to explore their surroundings on their own terms. Generally, if you give them a little while this behavior will lessen as they become familiar with their new home.

Lunging, nipping or biting - It is rare that a sugar glider will get this frightened on it’s arrival home. However if it does happen, it is important that you show them love, and don’t act afraid of their advances. If they get what they are trying to accomplish by doing it, they will continue. Be sure to spend lots of time with these gliders. Carrying these gliders in bonding pouches and talking softly will help.

Not eating - When a sugar glider becomes stressed, it may not eat, or eat very little. If your sugar glider doesn’t eat well the first 2 nights, do not worry this is normal. However if it lasts longer than 3 days, contact your vet.

Soft Stools - Soft stools can occur when a sugar glider is over stressed and bacteria in the digestive track becomes unbalanced. Often times this clears up in a day or so. Feeding a teaspoon of yogurt may help get the sugar glider back on track. If at any time the sugar glider becomes dehydrated, has diarrhea, or if stools do not return to normal within 24-48 hours, get the sugar glider to the vet immediately!

Skunking - This is a defense tactic for sugar gliders to avoid becoming pray to other animals. If a sugar glider is startled it will let of a burst of odor from it’s anus. It does have a similar smell to that of a skunk but milder. The smell is brief and doesn’t cling like a skunks odor.

Aku sangat recommend korang beli suggie dari orang Malaysia yang ade knowledge dalam suggie ni. Atleast korang akan ada orang untuk nak tanya apa-apa soalan lepas beli. Korang juga boleh jumpa suggie kat petshop dalam Malaysia ni, but please, make sure petshop tu knowledgeable in suggie. Memang banyak petshop yang ada jual suggie, tapi mereka tak tau pun care nak jaga n pemakanan suggie ni. Never try to save a sugar glider from a pet shop or irresponsible breeder by buying the animal, as this will only encourage them.

Rajin-rajinkan lah bertanya kat tempat korang nak beli tu soalan, contoh :-

Dah berapa lama korang dalam bisnes ni?
Ada guarantee tak kesihatan suggie ni?
Diorang offer tak "after-sale" support?
Diorang ada references tak?

Korang juga kene expect soalan akan diberi kat korang juga. As a good breeder, diorang akan make sure suggie ni pergi kat rumah and tuan yang baik. Ramai yang nak sangat dengan si comel ni tapi langsung tak buat yang terbaik untuk suggie, &^#@ la.

Bila korang dah ready and dah tiba masa untuk start bela suggie ni. Aku recommend dapatkan baby suggie yang berumur 8-10 minggu out of pouch. JANGAN beli suggie yang kurang 8 minggu. Pilih suggie yang mata cerah and berbulu ekor lebat, suggie macam ni la yang dah ready untuk hidup sendiri. Make sure baby suggie or joey ni dah makan macam dewasa and dah berhenti menyusu. Korang nak suggie yang active, alert, and curious in nature. Be sure that tahi mereka formed properly, and looks similar to moist mouse droppings. Kalau boleh korang mintak untuk pegang suggie tu dulu, selalunya diorang takkan act takut bila org nak pegang, and run at the first chance it gets. Every sugar glider is different. Ada yang malu dengan stranger. Kalau kes macam ni, korang tengok je cara breeder/owner handle suggie tu. If glider tu takot and nak lari dari breeder/owner tu, tanya je soalan, bambu dia! Try to keep in mind that even gliders can have a bad day, but be aware of the sugar gliders temperament.

Where to take caution when getting your sugar glider :

Pet Stores
Avoid purchasing sugar gliders from pet stores. Sugar gliders ni kan nocturnal animals. Semua pet store tutup time malam and mase suggie ni tengah active and nak attention. Pet store adalah tempat yang bising, and busy with many different sounds and smells so buat suggie stress. Kebanyakan pet store memang tahu macam mana nak jaga suggie. Tapi diorang selalunya akan simplify diet-diet suggie ni and bagi info-info yang tak tepat kat new owner. So hati hati la dengan pet store, be sure to ask questions. Test them on their knowledge, and then decide.

Glider Mills
These are sad places where sugar gliders are kept in the poorest conditions. Little is thought of their care, health, or well being. Animals coming from these places can be sick, and carry several different illnesses.


A ) One or Two ?

Suggie ni sangat bersosial so aku recommend korang bela satu pair. Suggie yang lonely boleh over groom, or even self mutilate. Please understand that loneliness is NOT the only possible cause of a sugar glider that is self mutilating. Kalau korang experience suggie yang self mutilating, jumpa knowledgeable vet ASAP. Suggie yang lonely and depress jugak akan buat diorang stop makan and "loose the will to live". Although these are extreme cases, it is something a responsible sugar glider owner must take into consideration and be prepared for.

Ada suggie yang ok hidup lonely to diorang prone to obesity and boredom. While you are a great "friend" and "playmate" for your sugar glider, you can't play, wrestle, and communicate like another sugar glider would. People are not usually nocturnal like sugar gliders. They will need someone to play and interact with in the wee hours of the morning, and a warm body to cuddle up to while they are asleep in their cage. From the lack of playing and stimulation that another sugar glider can provide, some sugar gliders may over eat and become obese. Of course there have been a select few cases where a sugar glider really was just fine being the only glider, but that is truly rare. Any sugar glider that is housed alone needs to be watched carefully to ensure the animals health and happiness remain intact. We do not recommend sugar gliders to be housed alone long term.

However, for first-timer to handle two unbonded sugar gliders is a bit tough and messy. We encourage newbie to get one FIRST, cope up with the first sugar glider's behavior, sounds, and bonded with it then proceed to the second one.

B ) Boy or Girl ?

What sex makes a better pet ?

Overall there are no relation to sex and temperament in sugar gliders. Males and females can be equally calm, loving, and bonded. Just like people, each sugar glider has a different personality. It is recommended when looking for a pet, to meet them in person before adoption. This will ensure that the sugar glider’s personality fits yours.

Tell me a little about the males :
Males have scent glands located on their neck, chest, anus, and forehead, used to mark their territory. The smell is faint and hardly noticeable when the glider is in a clean habitat, on a good diet, and in good health. Intact adult males can be identified by the presence of a bald spot, on it's forehead, and the chest gland can also be seen. Males neutered before puberty, do not develop the scent glands responsible for the bald spots. Adult males will loose their bald spots upon neutering, as their scent glands will become inactive. The male sugar glider has a bifurcated penis which means it is divided in two. The penis is thin, long, and pink. Often times new owners will mistake their penis for a worm, or intestine. Males can be identified by the presence of a scrotum that has the appearance of a wart where you would expect a belly button to be. Males will reach sexual mature between 4 to 12 months of age depending on genetics, diet, and care. The development of the bald spots caused by active scent glands is a sign the male has reached sexual maturity.

Tell me a little about the females :
Females can be identified by the pouch opening on her abdomen. The pouch opening is viewed as a vertical slit where you would expect to see a belly button. Females will mature between 6 to 18 months of age, depending on her conditions, genetics, and diet. The younger the female, the higher risk of neglected babies. Female sugar gliders have 2 separate vaginae and cervixes and a divided uterus Female sugar gliders cycle about once every 29 days. Pregnancy for a female lasts between 15-17 days. Upon giving birth, the babies move up into the pouch where they will remain the next 60-70 days. Females will usually breed until they are between 5-8 years of age. Some may breed longer. Females normally have 1 to 2 babies at a time. It is possible for a female to have up to 4 joeys in the pouch at a time. A female’s milk changes often during the developmental stages of the baby in the pouch. Female sugar gliders are able to maintain babies of different developmental stages. Each milk gland works individually and is able to change and support each baby at their stage of development.

Sesetengah pasar malam jual sugar glider. So please be careful ! Orang-orang yang macam ni memang niat mereka nak untung and mengharap ada impulse buyers. For example, Uptown Shah Alam ada jual suggie, these "sellers" often come across as very knowledge, charismatic, and nice. Tolong buat research secukupnya dulu sebelum beli. Sugar glider community is relatively small. Ask for references, make use of online sugar glider communities, or even ask other sugar glider breeders. Make an informed decision when buying a sugar glider.

Avoid impulse buying without researching at first ! Kenapa ? Consider these :-

i ) Possibly inbred
Gliders from these vendors are usually housed in colonies and kept together. Little to no effort is made to remove matured offspring from their parents. These gliders usually have no lines and should not be bred. Never buy a sugar glider to breed or with the possibility of breeding without knowing at least the parents names and breeder. Often times they will sell "unrelated" pairs, when in fact they have no clue if they are related or not. There is no way to know if the inbreeding may have negative effects on the sugar gliders health and wellbeing later in life.

ii ) Pulled too young to be sold / Underage joeys
There have been many reports of joeys as young as 4-5 weeks being sold, either by irresponsible breeders or petstores. Joeys sold this young are in danger both physically and emotionally. Joeys should not be pulled from their parents any earlier than 8 weeks.

iii ) Infected with parasites, bacterial infections, or other illnesses have been reported
Gliders from unknown sources are often kept in poor conditions where bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections can spread quickly. Sugar gliders are very much "wild" and will often hide symptoms of illness until they are close to death. When purchasing any sugar gliders, please be sure there is a health guarantee. Make sure they are specific and any agreement is in writing, if possible.

iv ) Drugged to give the appearance of tameness
The use of "calm pet" and similar products are used to affect the calmness of the sugar glider. Some vendors have even used starvation as a way to keep the sugar gliders calm!

v ) Little or NO after sales support
These vendors are often only "in town" for the weekend or for that specific period of sales. These people often are traveling with “excuses” and have little to no time to deal with any issues you may have after you take your new baby home.

vi ) The treatment of the animals before they are sold
These animals are often kept in small cages in colonies. They travel across the country until they are sold, going from market to market. These animals are nocturnal, and kept outside in the hot sun paraded for a potential sale. They are often under fed, under watered, and have little to no forms of stimulation and comfort from toys and pouches.

vii ) False or "sugar coated" information
Everything from sugar gliders are "easy to care for, and low maintenance" to "they eat cat food, raisins, and the occasional fresh fruit – apple will be enuf" have been told to new owners. Things like "they make great pets for kids", and "they have no smell and are easily bonded and handled" have led to many sugar gliders being abandoned and rehomed when the sugar gliders didn't live up to the expectations.

As responsible sugar glider owners/lovers, we must do our best to educate potential owners. Most importantly, don't buy a sugar glider to "save" or "rescue" it. It only gives them room for more! Also, understand that many flea market/trade show vendors may only be guilty of one or two points listed above, others may be much worse.

The THUMB OF RULES is : A good n responsible breeder will be happy n wiling to show their buyer the breeding room n how they keep their glider. Mereka takkan sorokkan apa-apa dari customer, so carilah breeder yang macam ni.

Sugar Gliders are great animals, and can be a wonderful addition to your family. However, please consider what is best for the animal and yourself, as there are many PROS and CONS for being a sugar glider owner. Too many times do people rush into buying these animals before looking at all factors, leaving many sugar gliders abandoned, homeless, sick, and even dead.

So before korang decide nak membela Sugar Glider,
please consider the following :-

i ) Laws :
Sugar gliders are not legal to have as pets in some homes or apartments, such case is in university campus. Sebab tu kalau boleh korang semua mesti buat research dulu wether tempat korang sesuai tak untuk bela sugar glider. especially kalau korang adalah seorang student.

ii ) Cost :
Sugar gliders adalah pet yang agak mahal. Prices start at about RM300 untuk normal gray sugar glider. Sugar gliders sangat bersosial, maka lebih sesuai kalau bela 2 ekor daripada bela seekor, aku prefer korang bela sama jantina. Sugar gliders need large cages, toys, and have a complex diet. Even if you get a good deal on the price for your sugar glider, and cage, there are a lot more costs ahead that must been considered, contohnya nak hantar vet and makanan-makanan diorang. Semua ni korang kene bersedia.

iii ) Life Span :
Sugar glider ni boleh hidup up to 15 tahun, KALAU dijaga dengan betul. That means 5,478 nights of chopping up fresh fruit and veggies, touching bugs, balancing meals, cleaning cages, and spend time dengan glider korang. Disebabkan mereka sangat sosial, if korang bela seekor, korang atleast kena layan diorang 2 jam setiap hari, ingat ye AT LEAST, kalau tak mereka boleh depress, and lebih teruk diorang akan ada health problems.

iv ) Allergic Reactions :
Sugar glider ni adalah haiwan yang berbulu, so if sesiapa yang allergic dengan bulu haiwan, sugar glider bukan lah pet yang sesuai, maaf ye. Sugar gliders do not have much if any dander, so usually that isn't a problem. People with sensitive skin may break out in a rash when handling sugar gliders. As part of their grooming practices, sugar glider will "sneeze" on their hands and groom their fur. The saliva in combination with their sharp nails can puncture the skin and cause a condition known as Dermatitis.

v ) Vets :
Sugar glider considered as an exotic animal, so bukan semua vet boleh treat suggie ni. So yang paling penting is korang cari dulu mana-mana vet yang pakar or ada knowledge pasal suggie ni dulu before korang bela binatang ni. Ok?

vi ) Can not be potty trained :
Sugar gliders can not be potty trained as they have little to no bowel control. Diorang akan kencing or berak tak kira bila and kat mana pun, termasuk la kat korang and baju korang.

vii ) Children :
A sugar glider can be a great pet for older children. If korang decide nak beli untuk budak kecik, korang mesti ingat and supervise mereka. Sugar gliders don’t make good pets for young children, seeing that they love to squeeze their pets, and could possibly injured the sugar glider's fragile body.

viii ) Smell :
Bau-bauan memang akan ade kat sugar glider, as they do have scent glands. There are things you can do, contohnya korang kasi sunat itu jantan. Dan korang juga kena rajin bersihkan or basuh cage mereka. Males may mark you with his scent to claim you as his. Ada sesetengah orang letak apple cider vinegar untuk neutralize kencing and bau musky suggie mereka.

ix ) Other Animals :
Kalau kat dalam hutan, sugar glider sangat lah bahaya sebab banyak burung-burung jahat, contohnya burung hantu. Sugar gliders should not be kept in the same room as screechy birds, because they find their calls threatening. Sebagai lumrah, sugar gliders dengan other pets memang susah nak ngam. Some dogs and cats can care less about the presence of your new glider, but others will just wait for the right opportunity. So pandai pandai la korang menilai mereka. Yang penting glider korang mesti ada cage sendiri. Kalau korang tak asingkan glider ngan pet lain, glider akan mudah stress.