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Suga San Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 09:41:51 PM
Hi everyone. I have researched for months to see if I would be able to care for a pair of gliders and I personally feel I am able to do so, but I have also heard they are like taking care of puppies? I am a full-time college student with a small part-time job (15 hours a week) but I have plenty of time to care for them when I am not at class (3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week). I plan on using the Priscilla Price diet so meal prep is not a difficult task and I planned on always having them on me while I do housework, homework, writing papers online, etc. which is usually several hours a day as is. I am a bit scared because I really don't want to have to rehome them if I realize they are like puppies like some other people have (which you basically have to watch 24/7). What are your experiences with time? Do I have anything to worry about? |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
K308 Posted - Nov 26 2015 : 10:55:51 AM
A lot of people have said the minimum is like 2-3 hours a day, I just keep him on me as much as possible, like as soon as I get home from school and all day long on the weekends, even if I go somewhere- he just stays asleep in my pocket. I'm still working on the play time. He doesn't wake up until late, so it's hard to spend awake time with him, but lately I've just been opening his door when I get up early in the morning, so he can explore and come to me if he wants. Then when he finds somewhere to sleep (usually in one of my jackets hanging up lol) I get him and put him in the pouch/pocket. |
Animallover7 Posted - Nov 26 2015 : 01:22:44 AM
I spend an hour of tent time on Tuesdays and Thursday's. On Saturdays nights I spend about 2 hours in the tent. (I like tent time,because I can sit there in my Phone for half of the time while they lay in my lap chewing on a straw or smthn. The other half I actually spend interacting with them) on friday nights,though I let them explore my room for about 30 minutes. I completely glider proof it. On Sunday's,Monday's,and Wednesday's I do cuddly time. Not where I just sit there with them in my hands, but I put my self in a my room and let them Go in my sweatshirt (with a ton of shirts under, as their nails hurt) and I just pretty much let them explore me. I do taht becaus win still in the bonding process. I do that for like 15 minutes then let them explore my room for a bit (like 30 minutes) always supervised. About every day I take them out for a bit. Then everyday when I put them back in there cage after play time I sit there interacting with then while they're in their cage (like talking to them and watching them play in their ball pit). I sometimes like on Saturdays and Sunday's and occasionally week days walk around with them in the pouch for about 2 hours or 3, occasionally offering treats to them so they get used to me putting my hands in the pouch. It's more important to walk around in the bonding pouch when in the bonding process, once really bonded you don't have to do as much, still do it, hit not as much. Sorry for this "essay" lol. Hope it helped, and keep us updated on your desicion. |
Animallover7 Posted - Nov 26 2015 : 01:20:48 AM
I spend an hour of tent time on Tuesdays and Thursday's. On Saturdays nights I spend about 2 hours in the tent. (I like tent time,because I can sit there in my Phone for half of the time while they lay in my lap chewing on a straw or smthn. The other half I actually spend interacting with them) on friday nights,though I let them explore my room for about 30 minutes. I completely glider proof it. On Sunday's,Monday's,and Wednesday's I do cuddly time. Not where I just sit there with them in my hands, but I put my self in a my room and let them Go in my sweatshirt (with a ton of shirts under, as their nails hurt) and I just pretty much let them explore me. I do taht becaus win still in the bonding process. I do that for like 15 minutes then let them explore my room for a bit (like 30 minutes) always supervised. About every day I take them out for a bit. Then everyday when I put them back in there cage after play time I sit there interacting with then while they're in their cage (like talking to them and watching them play in their ball pit). I sometimes like on Saturdays and Sunday's and occasionally week days walk around with them in the pouch for about 2 hours or 3, occasionally offering treats to them so they get used to me putting my hands in the pouch. It's more important to walk around in the bonding pouch when in the bonding process, once really bonded you don't have to do as much, still do it, hit not as much. Sorry for this "essay" lol. Hope it helped, and keep us updated on your desicion. |
Suga San Posted - Nov 26 2015 : 12:52:59 AM
How long do you guys normally spend with your gliders per day? I would be able to give them about 2 hours of uninterrupted play time (tent time) every other day and several hours (at least 4 or 5 hours) of them actually being on me physically during the day and bonding.
Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to be THAT person that loves their gliders but they turn out to be too much. The only other pet I have owned is a cat and they are super easy to take care of, so this is a big transition for me. |
Blue Nostalgic Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 10:36:17 AM
I agree...and have had lot's of experience with puppies. The comparison is most likely used because of the long term commitment and possibly that they bark in the night.  Veterinary costs if there is an emergency or illness can be quite expensive, as with a dog/cat. NO, they are NOT as destructive as a puppy. In fact, I can't think of a reason why they should be considered destructive because they shouldn't be in that type of situation. Some may be chewers of their toys but, are usually not even close to a rodent as far as chewing (gliders don't have the ever growing teeth).
Pee and poop...yes. I keep a couple baby wipes around for out of cage time. Poop is easy...just a dropping. Pee will ensure that you'll be changing your shirt as soon as play time is over. They won't soak you down...it's the smell of the urine that is strong.
I think I understand your expression of the puppy being over whelming. A puppy needs your full attention at all time, make huge messes, etc.
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K308 Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 08:44:45 AM
Don't let anyone scare you off. Sugar gliders are not like puppies at all. They sleep all day. All you have to do is put a peice of fruit in their pouch, or in your pocket if that's where you put them, and they're happy. They just need play time a few times a week- set up a room (can be the bathroom) where it's completely safe for them to explore. Keep treats on you so that when they come to investigate you, you can give them a treat, it teaches them that you are a good thing. They do pee and poop on you when they first get up, but that's a small animal for you. |
mechnut450 Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 05:34:11 AM
if you can't handle a puppy for a weekend then glider might not be for you. ( not an expert ) but i do know that gliders can be just as destructive at time as a puppy, and demand as much attention at times. As you should know they do best in pairs or higher. Think of it as having a 2 year old child for 15 years, needing attention almost all the time and since they sleep during the day they can ( and have woken us up at nights and we have 9 ) |
Suga San Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 10:07:01 PM
Due to the field I have chosen (elementary school teacher - I am free all evening hours as I am now), I will be in and around the same area I am now and will not be moving at all (or very few times in my life due to my internship being in the area I am located now). I am very well aware of their lifespan and have projected into the future of really any possible outcomes. Granted, life never goes exactly how we expect it but I am (basically) engaged and in a long term relationship and have chosen careers that match with each others. Surprises may come along, but it shouldn't be drastic by any means.
Pet deposit is not an issue in my complex and do allow pets and exotics (limited to a certain number of pets).
As I stated, I do feel I am able to care for them. Mostly the issue is that I did have to watch a puppy for someone for a week and it was completely overwhelming for me and I have heard from one person that they are like puppies. So it has definitely scared me into reconsidering. |
Candy Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 09:55:54 PM
My usual words of caution to folks that are still in school is to consider the LONG TERM COMMITMENT that gliders are. Healthy, well cared for gliders can live up to 15 years.
When you graduate from college - where will you be living? What type of employment will you have? Will your job require travel? Gliders cannot fly with you if that is your means of travel. You will need someone to care for the gliders any time you may be away. What will your work hours be? Are you likely to be in a job that would require you to work evening hours? - which is the best time to interact with your gliders, as well as the time of day their food needs to be put in the cage.
Not all apartments accept pets - sugar gliders might make it difficult to find a place to live without a large added expense of a pet deposit.
You will have many changes in your life style in the first few years out of college before you feel like you have actually settled. Many life changes can affect your ability to care for sugar gliders - marriage, children of your own, moving or traveling for work - can all affect your time for your sugar gliders.
You need to think into the future and realize that you may have to make adjustments to YOUR life in order to care for your gliders. Just be sure they are a good fit for you NOW and in future years before bringing them in to you home for the next 10 to 15 years.
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