Hi! I just got a male glider about an hour ago. He is about a year old. The original owner bought him from 'perfect pocket pet". My first question (I'm sure there will be many to follow) is should I get him neutered? Any advice to keeping this little fella happy would be extremely welcomed.

First of all, Welcome to Glider Gossip!!

The first thing you should do is find an exotic vet that treats gliders and schedule a Wellness exam along with a fecal. Once you have determined he is healthy, it is advisable to have him neutered. Neutered little boys are less stressed if they arent worrying about breeding. They are also less stinky and much sweeter in temperament.

The second thing you should do is find him a friend as soon as you can. Gliders do not do well alone and can get very depressed. A depressed glider can get ill or self mutiliate.

What are you feeding him?

What Rita said :)

I was given those pellets that smell really sweet and it is suppose to be a year supply, but I think I read that is not the best thing to feed him. I was going to feed him apples, grapes, chicken, etc.

I used to own a rat, so I do have an exotic animal vet. I will call her Monday and schedule an appointment. So if I got him neutered, would a female be best or another male for a companion?

Thank you so much for the help...this is all new to me.

If you get him neutered, which is highly advisable, it might be best to get him a female. You could actually get either, but if you get another male, then you would need to do another neuter.

I dont know what kind of pellets you are feeding, but its always best to give them fresh foods. Most people here give 50% protein, 25% vegetables and 25% fruit everyday. Giving the pellets as a treat would be good for their dental health.

If you want to know more about diet, feel free to post any questions you may have. Just a warning, diet is the most controversial subject and you can speak to 10 different owners and get 10 different answers.

Thank you. "Peanut" and I both appreciate it.

Yeah I dont have my male neutered yet but he probably will be after bit. I would recommend it unless you want to breed because the smell is sometimes awful. My glider likes to rub all over me all the time and make me smell like him and honestly it gets kinda embarresing when I go out in public but I love him soo much that I just deal with it! Lol. For now neway! I only have one glider too! He hasnt tried self mutilating or anything and hes very taken with me but I spend a ton of time with him. I am getting him a friend tho just cuz. And yeah I heard the pellets werent the best thing for them. I think they are ok on occasion but not good as an everyday food. super worms or crickets, fresh fruit (not citrus or fruit with seeds) and fresh veggies (not so much lettuce tho because they burn more calories chewing it than they get out of it) hope that helps! (oh and for treats they like yogurt drops!

In my opinion (everyones is different) the meal worms are very fatty. They aren't the best source of protien so I usually only give them as treats. Boiled or scrambled eggs are a good source of protien as is chicken. Don't give them canned veggies. Make sure you dont give them anything with garlic (and something else that I cant remember at the moment..I know Rita will tell you). Salt is not good for them. Fresh or frozen veggies are good. Fresh fruits are good. Probably frozen too. Cut up apples, plantain, grapes, mango. Thats not it but my poor brain isn't working very well tonight. Hope this helps.

It's onions also they can't have!

And they cant have chocolate or catnip.