We are getting ready to go on vacation for the first time since I bought my gliders. I am worried that they will forget me and all the progress that I have made with them, will be gone.

I will be having someone staying at my place to take care of them. They do not have a glider room so I will not have my friend let them out of the cage.

My question is: what can I do to improve my odds of them not forgetting me while I am gone?

I thought about putting my shirt in their cage.

Any help is appreciated.

I get your concern, that would be heartbreaking :(. Freshly rub your scent on everything possible, and I would try putting a used shirt in there, yes. I wish you luck! :( How long is the vacation?

Great idea about putting your shirt in their cage for them to cuddle up with, and also rubbing your scent on everything. I think that will make a big difference. I understand how worried you must be. I went through the same thing when I left for a 2 week vacation. I knew my little one was getting great care, but I was still nervous. When I returned, I quickly realized she didn't forget me at all and we basically picked up where we left off. The best thing you can do is what you're already doing right now: preparation! You're thinking ahead, arranging for good care and anticipating their needs. What helped me was trying to keep things as familiar and routine as possible...food,,schedule, pouches, toys, etc. And it's great that they have each other! I think it's wise to have them stay in their cage so they have that safety and security. Do you have an exercise wheel for them?

While I seriously doubt your gliders would actually forget you, they may feel a little unsure and/or moody when you return. But getting reacquainted should be a fairly smooth process, certainly quicker than the initial bonding process. As you know, time, patience, and love will go a long way to reestablish that trust and bond that you have worked so hard for. Wishing you all the best and a wonderful vacation!

Thanks for the help. I am only going to be gone 7 days so at least it isn't too long. My girls are spoiled (IMO) as I have so many toys that I switch them out either weekly or when their cage is cleaned (every 2 weeks). They have 2 wheels currently in their cage.

Thank you so much for the encouraging words as well. Let's hope they don't forget me but it took me so long to get here. I am just going to make sure that I hold/play with them every day until I leave.

This is a much needed vacay!

I remember my first vacation and had the same worries... but they did not forget me at all and it was like I never left! So try not to worry and enjoy your vacation. Instead of putting your shirt in the cage, which their nails could get caught on, I would wear some smaller squares of fleece next to your skin (the sweatier the better!). You could put a bunch in a baggie and then have whoever is taking care of them put a new one in their sleeping pouch! That way they get your scent but don't risk getting tangled in your shirt hems/stitching!

Thanks for the idea; goodness knows I have lots of fleece.

I have been on many vacations...
I think they miss me when I come back every time :P
They'll be all over me licking my head, face and hands.
If they have been with you for some time alr, i think there's nothing to worry about. Enjoy ur vacation! :)

Hi ptamom,

Not sure if you left for your vacation already but I wanted to share something with you. I took my little one to the vet for a check up today and talked to the vet about an upcoming trip I'll be going on. Like I mentioned before, I've left one glider in the care of others but not my newest one. So even though I've been through this before, I'm still nervous. The vet had some really good suggestions, including ones that have already been mentioned here like making sure your gliders have items available with your scent on them like pouches, as well as familiar items. The other thing she suggested that I thought was cool is to record your voice so the person caring for them can play it and your babies can hear you while you're away. Sweet thought

That is a great idea. I don't leave until Thanksgiving but always like to have my ducks in a row.

Thanks again!