A Comprehensive Guide to Bonding with Your Sugar Glider

Welcoming a sugar glider into your home is an exciting venture, and building a strong bond with your new furry friend is crucial for a happy and harmonious relationship. Whether you have a joey or an adult glider, the bonding process requires time, patience, and the right tools. In this blog, we'll explore effective methods and essential products from Exotic Nutrition that can help you create a deep connection with your sugar glider.

Bonding Techniques:

One of the best way to bond is by allowing your glider to become familiar with your scent and the sound of your voice. To help your glider get accustomed to your scent, sleep with a piece of fleece for a few nights, and then place it in your glider's sleeping pouch. This simple act can go a long way in making your glider feel secure and familiar in their new home. Many experience glider owners recommend sitting outside the cage and talking or singing to your gliders so that they can become familiar with the sound of your voice.

When bonding with gliders, consistent handling is key. Exotic Nutrition's Carry Bonding Pouches are made with soft polar fleece material and provide a comfortable and convenient way for pets to bond with their owner all day while out of the cage. Avoid chasing your glider around the cage, as this can make the bonding process more challenging. Exotic Nutrition pouches can clip directly inside the cage. When it's time to remove your glider from its cage, remove the entire pouch from the cage (with your glider in it) to maintain a sense of security, attach the pouch to the adjustable carry strap, then go on with your day. You can carry them for hours at a time, but make sure to allow them time outside of the pouch to get a snack, water, and use the bathroom.

In addition to carrying your glider with you, you'll want to also aim for three to four handling sessions per day. Offer treats on the edge of the pouch to encourage them to come out willingly. Exotic Nutrition's Calming Glove is a great tool to handle your glider without getting scratched or bit. Pets can become quite frightened when a large unknown object (your hand) is reaching into their territory, but this smooth, soft glove will help calm their fears. They will also be much more comfortable being picked up by a fuzzy cloth rather than grasped in a hand. Keeping your pet comfortable during the bonding experience is key and will eliminate some of the fear that comes along with being handled.

Utilizing Treats for Bonding:

Treats play a significant role in the bonding process. Exotic Nutrition offers a variety of healthy treats, including yogurt drops and nectar pods, which can be used to entice your glider out of its pouch and into your hands. Feeding treats by hand not only forms a connection between you and your glider but also helps build trust over time.

Dealing with Challenges:

It's natural for sugar gliders to exhibit shyness or even aggression initially. If your glider bites, resist the urge to pull away abruptly. Instead, be gentle, consistent, and patient. Remember, you're building a relationship, and it's a two-way street. A rebellious glider may just need a bit more tender loving care and understanding.

Bonding with Adult Gliders:

While adult gliders may take some time to warm up, the same tools can be invaluable in easing the transition for adult gliders. Spend time each day with your glider, allowing them to adjust to the sights, smells, and sounds of their new environment. It will likely take an adult glider much longer to bond than a joey (baby glider)— usually several months or sometimes even years— but patience and consistency is key.  

Bonding with a sugar glider is a rewarding journey that requires time, patience, and the right tools. Exotic Nutrition provides a range of products designed to make this process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your glider. Remember, every glider is unique, so go at their pace, and in time, you'll find yourself with a devoted and affectionate companion.