Hand rearing sugar glider joeys is one of the hardest jobs a glider owner can face. When a joey is orphaned, rejected or abandoned by its mother, it needs warmth, nutrition and careful care right away. The first hours matter most, and an exotics vet should guide every step, especially feeding.
At SunCoast Sugar Gliders we've cared for gliders since 1999, including many years as a breeder. This is Part 1 of our guide, covering the urgent first steps. Part 2, on orphaned sugar glider joey care as it grows, covers the weeks that follow.
When a Joey May Need Help
A joey may need hand rearing if:
- Its mother has died or is too sick to care for it
- Mom repeatedly pushes it away or won't let it nurse
- It's found outside the pouch or nest and cold
- It's losing weight despite staying with its family
Before removing a joey, call your exotics vet if you can. Sometimes a joey can be warmed and returned to its family, which is almost always better than hand rearing.
Step 1: Warmth First
Young joeys can't keep themselves warm. A cold joey can't digest food properly, so warmth must come before feeding.
- Hold the joey close to your body inside a soft fleece pouch
- Use a gentle, controlled heat source outside the pouch if your vet recommends one
- Avoid direct heat that could burn delicate skin
- Never feed a cold joey
Step 2: Call an Exotics Vet
Call your vet right away. Your vet can:
- Check the joey for dehydration, injuries and illness
- Recommend a formula suitable for marsupial joeys
- Show you how and how often to feed
- Explain how to help the joey pee and poop if it's very young
Our guide to sugar glider emergency vet planning can help you find after-hours care.
Step 3: Feeding Under Vet Guidance
Feeding a joey incorrectly can cause serious problems, including aspiration, when liquid gets into the lungs. That's why we don't give feeding amounts or schedules here. Your vet will tailor them to the joey's age and condition.
General principles your vet may discuss include:
- Using a formula suitable for marsupial joeys, never cow's milk
- Feeding slowly, a drop at a time, with the joey upright
- Keeping feeding supplies very clean
- Weighing the joey daily to track progress
Step 4: Hygiene and Toileting
Very young joeys may need help to pee and poop. Your vet can show you how to gently stimulate them after feeding. Keep the joey and its pouch clean and dry.
Step 5: Keep Records
Write down:
- Weight each day, in grams
- Each feeding and how much the joey took
- Droppings and urine
- Any changes in behavior or energy
These notes help your vet adjust care.
What to Have on Hand
If you keep a breeding pair or a pregnant female, it helps to have a few supplies ready before you ever need them:
- Several small, soft fleece pouches
- A kitchen scale that measures in grams
- Clean, soft cloths or cotton swabs for cleaning
- A notebook for weights and feedings
- Your exotics vet's regular and after-hours numbers
Ask your vet in advance which formula and feeding tools they recommend, so you aren't searching during an emergency.
Common Mistakes
- Feeding before warming the joey
- Using cow's milk or formulas not suitable for joeys
- Feeding too quickly or with the joey on its back
- Trying to hand rear without a vet's guidance
- Removing a joey that could have stayed with its family
Signs of Trouble
Call your vet immediately if the joey:
- Coughs, sputters or has milk coming from its nose
- Is cold, limp or unresponsive
- Has a swollen belly
- Has diarrhea or no droppings
- Is losing weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a joey cow's milk?
No. Cow's milk is not suitable for joeys. Your vet can recommend an appropriate formula.
How often does an orphaned joey need to eat?
It depends on the joey's age and size. Your vet will set a feeding schedule. Very young joeys may need frequent feeding, including at night.
Can an orphaned joey survive?
Many can, especially with early warmth and good veterinary care, but hand rearing is difficult. Start with your vet as soon as possible.
Start With Warmth and Your Vet
Warmth first, then a call to your vet. Those two steps give an orphaned joey its best chance. Once the joey is older and weaned, support it with premium nutrition from SunCoast sugar glider food. SunCoast Sugar Gliders, Since 1999. Orders of $30 or more ship free.