Are candles safe for sugar gliders? Scented candles, incense, colognes, plug-in air fresheners and strongly scented soaps can irritate a glider's sensitive airways, and open flames are a fire and burn risk. Gliders also rely heavily on scent to recognize each other and their people. The safest choice is to keep fragrances away from the glider room and use unscented products around them.
At SunCoast Sugar Gliders we've cared for gliders since 1999. Here's how to balance a pleasant-smelling home with glider health.
Why Scents Can Be a Problem
Sensitive airways
Smoke, soot and fragrance chemicals can irritate the respiratory system. Watch for sneezing, watery eyes or noisy breathing. Read about sugar glider sneezing and can sugar gliders get a cold.
Scent recognition
Gliders know you by smell. Heavy perfume or cologne can make a glider act unsure of you, especially during bonding.
Fire and burns
Gliders can glide toward an open flame. Never burn candles in a room where gliders play.
Common Scented Products to Watch
- Scented candles and wax melts
- Incense
- Plug-in and spray air fresheners
- Essential oil diffusers
- Strong colognes, perfumes and lotions
- Heavily scented soaps and laundry products
Safer Alternatives
- Unscented or mild products in the glider room
- Good ventilation with fresh air and a gentle fan elsewhere
- Regular cage cleaning to control odor at the source. See how to clean a sugar glider cage
- Fragrance-free detergent for fleece pouches and liners
- Wash hands before handling gliders if you've used scented lotion
Cleaning Products
Strong cleaners near the cage can be just as irritating. Use pet-safe cleaners, rinse well and let surfaces dry. Our guide to unsafe products for sugar gliders lists more items to avoid.
If You Love Candles
Burn them in a different room with the door closed, away from the cage, and air the house out afterward. Watch your gliders for respiratory signs.
Other Household Risks
Candles are one of many hazards. Read our guide to household hazards for sugar gliders.
A Room-by-Room Scent Check
Walk through the rooms your gliders live and play in and look for:
- Living room: candles, wax melts, plug-in fresheners, reed diffusers
- Kitchen: nonstick pans overheated nearby, cleaning sprays, strong cooking fumes
- Bathroom: aerosol sprays, perfumes and hair products
- Laundry: scented detergents, dryer sheets and fabric softeners used on pouches
- Anywhere: essential oil diffusers, incense and smoke
Move gliders away from rooms where these are used, or switch to unscented options.
Common Mistakes With Scented Products
- Using "natural" essential oils freely. Natural doesn't mean safe for small animals
- Washing pouches with scented detergent. Gliders sleep in those fabrics all day
- Running a diffuser near the cage. Small airways are more sensitive
- Burning candles in a closed room with gliders out for play
- Spraying air freshener to cover cage odor. Cleaning the cage more often works better
Signs Scents May Be Bothering Your Glider
Remove the product and air out the room if you notice:
- Sneezing or clicking breaths
- Watery or squinting eyes
- Rubbing its face or nose
- Lethargy or less interest in food
- Unusual crabbing or restlessness
Safer Ways to Keep Your Home Fresh
- Clean cage trays and wash pouches regularly
- Open windows when the weather allows, keeping gliders away from drafts
- Use unscented, mild cleaners and rinse well
- Use an air purifier without added scent
When to See an Exotics Vet
Breathing trouble, open-mouth breathing, wheezing or lethargy need a vet right away. Tell the vet what products were used nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an essential oil diffuser near my sugar glider?
It's best to avoid diffusers in the glider room.
Do scented soaps affect bonding?
Strong scents can mask your natural smell. Mild or unscented soap is better.
What if my glider sneezes after I light a candle?
Put out the candle, air out the room and watch your glider. Call your vet if symptoms continue.
Are wax melts safer than candles?
Wax melts don't have an open flame, but they still release fragrance into the air. If you use them, keep them far from where your gliders live and play, and stop if you see any signs of irritation.
Conclusion: Keep the Air Clean
Unscented, well-ventilated spaces are best for gliders. Pair a healthy home with premium nutrition from SunCoast sugar glider food. SunCoast Sugar Gliders, Since 1999. Orders of $30 or more ship free.