How to bond with a sugar glider? This is the question that arises in the mind of every sugar glider owner.
Some people say it is easy to bond with them and some say totally against it.
But in my opinion, taking care of sugar gliders can be hard or easy, depending on your thoughts, love for the animals, and lifestyle.
Despite being social and kind, Sugar Gliders are not domesticated like dogs and cats, making their care a unique challenge.
In this article, I will share my personal experience of owning and bonding with my two sugar gliders.
Let’s start.
3 Phases of bonding with your sugar glider
Building a strong relationship with your sugar glider is crucial for their mental and emotional well-being, and reducing stress.
A study conducted by Dr. Sarah Heath, a European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioral Medicine, found that sugar gliders who had a close relationship with their owners exhibited fewer signs of stress and showed increased levels of playfulness and exploratory behavior.
Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that regular handling and interaction with humans improved the welfare of sugar gliders in captivity.
Therefore, it is important to prioritize spending time with your sugar glider and building a strong bond with them to ensure their well-being.
This bonding process with a sugar glider involves building a trusting relationship, which means spending time with them regularly, handling them, playing with them, and allowing them to explore their surroundings.
Normally, the bonding procedure takes 4 to 6 weeks, there have been some cases where it just took a few days. On the other hand, in a few cases, the bonding process required many months.
But as I said above, the bonding process typically takes four to six weeks. So, I have divided these 6 months into 3 phases for easy understanding.
Let’s start with phase one.
1st Phase (Week 1- 2)
Establishing a Safe Haven
This is the first stage of bonding and can last from a few days to 2 weeks. The sugar glider may be a little nervous at this time as they adjust to their new environment. It’s crucial to allow them space to adjust and avoid pressuring them.
Here is the break down of first phase:
Let Your Sugar Glider Calm Down
Although it may be exciting to bring your sugar glider home, it’s important to give them time to adjust to their new surroundings and relax.
They need time to take in all of the new sights and scents they notice since they are still unclear about what is happening.
For the first two days after your sugar glider arrives at your home, it’s ideal to avoid them from being handled or overstimulated.
Introduce yourself
In the first phase, it’s crucial to gradually introduce your sugar glider to your presence, for example, allowing them to adjust to your scent and voice.
But please notice, it’s important to take things slowly and not rush the process.
Here are few tips for you:
- You may do it by placing a shirt or socks with your scent on the glider’s cage to help them get used to your scent.
- To help your gliders become used to the sound of your voice, many experienced glider owners advise sitting outside the cage and talking or singing to them.
- Keep your sugar gliders in an area where they will see you frequently but not excessively.
Notice: In the first stage, avoid over touching your sugar glider.
You may attract a sugar glider by talking to them in a kind voice and making soothing sounds. This way, you can build a relationship with them without having to touch them, which will increase their interest and comprehension.
Summary of first phase:
In the first phase (initial 2 weeks) it is important to prioritize comfort of your sugar glider and keep it in a spacious, well-ventilated cage. And give your sugar glider plenty of time to adjust to their new cage environment. Use scent introduction and gentle communication to create a sense of familiarity.
Second Phase (3-6 weeks)
Building Trust Through Positive Reinforcement
In the first two weeks we have tried to release the stress of the sugar glider and familiar it with your scent and voice.
Now it’s to move forward in the journey of bonding your strong relationship with your sweet glider.
The first phase just involves establishing connections,but the second phase is building trust.
Here is the break down of 2nd phase:
Power of treat:
Before going to the stage of touching your furry friend, make them more comfortable to you by giving treats to them.
The bonding process between a glider and human is significantly influenced by treats. Healthy treats, such as yogurt drops and nectar pods, play an important role in building
If your glider hides by seeing you, offer treats to him. By this you can easily get the attraction and gain the trust of your glider.
However, it’s crucial to avoid introducing treats that can upset the glider’s stomachs too quickly.
Clicker Training
Clicker training is the best way to bond with your sugar glider while teaching basic commands like sitting.
What is Clicker training?
Clicker training is a positive method for rewarding your pet for good behavior with a treat. Using a clicker is more effective than your own voice for two reasons. First, your mood affects your tone.
Second, the pet may have gone on to something else by the time you give them praise. Using a clicker, you may provide your pet with a prompt, clear, reliable indication.
Top Tip: The click has to be a 100% assurance that your pet will receive a reward right away. The golden rule is to always reward your pet with a treat after clicking, even if you clicked at the incorrect moment.
First thing is first. You have to buy a clicker (From Amazon or any other trusted website) to start clicker training.
Introducing “Tent Time”
Tent time is very important to build trust in your glider.
Provide a fun and secure space for socializing outside the cage.
Step up a huge tent or playpen on the ground and cover it with fleece. Disperse toys and goodies that are safe for gliders inside.
Allow your sugar glider to explore at their own speed while you take a seat on the floor. This gives them time to become comfortable in your company in a safe setting.
Summary of second phase.
This is the phase of building trust by offering different treats and tent time. Clicker training is also a very useful technique which helps you in bonding with your furry friend while training him for different commands.The duration of this phase is from 3rd month to 6th month.
In this phase we also suggest that you should avoid over touching and let your glider to attract towards you by himself.
If you have followed all the above steps, then at the end of the 6th month, I’m sure you have builded a strong connection with your sweet glider.
If not, don’t lose heart, keep trying smoothly and don’t rush things. As it is not a race. So please always maintain a balance.
Third Phase (Weeks 6 onwards)
Deepening the Bond Through Interactive Activities
Once your sugar glider is comfortable with you now it’s time to deepen the bond. In this phase, you will make your glider to use your touch.
Sugar gliders are social animals that enjoy hanging out with their human caretakers. To bond with them, try holding them in their habitats for about a month after a month.
Holding and touching them for 10 minutes per day can help them develop a strong bond.
Here is the break down of this final phase
Carry Pouch Adventures
Carry the pouch around the house while talking softly, allowing your sugar glider to experience new sights, sounds, and smells with you.
Holding a sugar glider close can create a sense of connection and trust. A sleeping pouch is a great way to bond with your pet, providing a safe space for them to sleep.
Ensure the pouch is made from breathable material to prevent overheating.
Supervised Out-of-Cage Play:
Supervised out-of-cage play can help strengthen the bond between you and your sugar glider.
Make sure there are no electrical wires, open windows, or poisonous plants in the space and that it is totally squirrel-proof.
Give them access to secure hiding places, gliding surfaces, and climbing frames so they may explore.
Interactive Games and Toys:
A wide range of glider-safe toys may be used to stimulate your sugar glider’s natural curiosity and fun.
Climbing ropes, swinging toys that resemble insects, and foraging boxes full of goodies may all stimulate the mind and body. To make playing engaging, rotate toys frequently.
Summary of 3rd phase:
This phase is important as it strengthens your connection with your glider. In this phase you can train your glider for many commands and make it more close to you by providing it with many toys and playtime.
Remember: Building a bond with your sugar glider is a journey, not a destination. And this bonding process can take time, ranging from a few days to a few weeks, but with patience and consistency, it can be incredibly strong and lasting a lifetime.
How to Bond with a baby sugar glider?
Bonding with a baby sugar glider (ideally 8-12 weeks old) is easier than a young adult.
They’re more open to new people and gentler. However, they require extra care due to their delicate nature.
Patience is still key, but their openness makes it easier to socialize.
It’s best to avoid touching them for the first three days, as they need to settle into their new environment.
For the first two days, only give them food and water. Follow their lead, give them snacks and treats frequently, and place the cage in an accessible room.
Talk softly but don’t touch the cage.
Sugar glider Bonding Do’s and Don’ts
Here are the Do’s and Don’ts given.
Best Do’s:
- Do have a conversation with them. They won’t sit or roll over, but they will pay attention if you spend some time observing and conversing with them while they are in the cage.
- Give credit for good behavior.
- Have patience; building trust and a solid relationship takes time.
- Play with your gliders; give them two to three hours each night to spend outside of their cages.
Worst Don’ts:
- Don’t punish your glider: Even if your glider bites you badly, don’t punish it! You will undo all of your hard work in earning their trust if you yell at them, swipe at them, or act negatively in any way!
- Don’t rush things: Go at your glider’s speed; don’t hurry through any of the levels.
- Avoid letting large groups of relatives and friends swoon over your gliders before they have connected, since this may frighten them.
- Avoid chasing your gliders; it will be much simpler to put them away in a tent during playing than if they are roaming around your room.
- Don’t overload your gliders and go at their speed. If you give them time to mature at their own pace, the relationship will be that much stronger.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to build a strong bond with a sugar glider?
A: As per my experience, as I owned two gliders last year and still remember, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to build a strong bond with my gliders. According to research some gliders settle down in short time with less effort but others require a lot of attention, care and time.
Q: What is the meaning of bonding with a sugar glider?
A: The bonding process of owning a sugar glider involves building a trusting relationship with the pet. This means spending time with the glider regularly, playing, and exploring their surroundings. This bonding process can be rewarding and takes time, but with patience and consistency, it can be incredibly strong and lasting a lifetime.
Q: Is it hard to bond with sugar gliders?
A: It takes patience and time to form a strong bond with a sugar glider, but it’s not hard. As each sugar glider is unique, similarly are their personalities and experiences. Yet, connecting with a sugar glider might not be for you if you are unwilling to put in the necessary time and effort.
Q: Is it possible to bond with an older sugar glider?
A: Yes, it is possible, but it requires much more time and effort. As, older sugar gliders have more established routines and are more resistant to others. You may, however, form a relationship with an older sugar glider if you are patient.
Conclusion
All in all, sugar gliders form bonds with humans at different times, with typical behavior being quick warm-ups.
To ensure trustworthiness, spend time with them and provide consistent attention. As they adjust to new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations, they will demand more attention.
Using patience and making your baby feel comfortable is key to connecting with them, as more time spent talking to them will make them more friendly.
I hope you like this article and found it helpful. Share it with other sweet glider owners to help them make a bond with their furry friend.
Happy Gliding!