Unsafe sugar glider products are surprisingly easy to find in pet stores and online. Many items sold for hamsters, rats or birds aren't designed for gliders' long tails, tiny toes and gliding habits. Knowing the most common bad ideas, from exercise balls and fraying fabrics to small starter cages, helps you avoid injuries before they happen.
At SunCoast Sugar Gliders we've reviewed glider products since 1999. Here's our list of products to skip and what to choose instead.
Products to Avoid
1. Exercise balls
Hamster-style balls can trap gliders, overheat them and stress them, and gliders can't see where they're going. Use a glider-proofed play room instead.
2. Wheels with a center bar or open rungs
Wheels with a cross-axle or wire rungs can catch tails and toes. Choose a solid-surface wheel designed for gliders.
3. Toys with loose strings or rope
Threads can wrap around toes, tails and necks.
4. Fabrics that fray
Many cotton and knit fabrics unravel. Use fleece. See safe materials for sugar glider toys.
5. Harnesses and leashes
Gliders' gliding membranes don't fit harnesses well. Read about sugar glider leash risks.
6. Small "starter" cages
Gliders are active climbers and need a tall cage with room to leap. A too-small cage can lead to stress behaviors. See our guide to choosing a sugar glider cage.
7. Aromatic wood shavings
Cedar and some pine shavings give off strong oils that can irritate airways. See sugar glider bedding.
8. Bells with narrow slots
Slotted bells can trap toes. Choose slot-free bells or skip them.
9. Seed mixes and foods made for other animals
Hamster, bird or rodent mixes don't meet gliders' needs. Look for foods made for gliders, such as soy and filler free Wholesome Balance chicken & brown rice.
10. Heat rocks and heat lamps
These can overheat or burn small animals. Keep the room comfortable instead.
How to Judge a New Product
- Could a toe, tail or head get caught?
- Could a glider chew off and swallow a piece?
- Does it fray, splinter or rust?
- Is it made for gliders, or just for "small pets"?
Other Risks in Your Home
Products are only part of the picture. Read about household hazards for sugar gliders.
Common Shopping Mistakes
- Trusting packaging photos. A sugar glider on the box doesn't mean the product was designed or tested for gliders
- Buying "small animal" products without checking. Hamster, rat and bird items may not suit gliders' size, climbing or chewing habits
- Choosing cute over safe. Decorations, bells and dangling strings can cause injuries
- Buying starter kits. Kits often bundle a small cage with unsafe accessories
- Keeping worn products. Even safe items become risky when they fray, crack or rust
A Quick Safety Test for Any Product
- Toes and tails: Is there any gap, slot or loop where a toe, foot or tail could get caught?
- Chewing: Could pieces be chewed off and swallowed?
- Materials: Is it free of paint, glue, aromatic woods and loose fibers?
- Size: Is it right for a glider, not a much smaller or larger animal?
- Cleaning: Can you wash it well?
- Supervision: Would it be safe if you weren't watching?
If any answer worries you, skip it or ask your exotics vet.
When to See an Exotics Vet
If your glider gets a toe, leg or tail caught, has a swelling, wound or limp, or may have swallowed part of a product, see an exotics vet promptly. Bring the product with you if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hamster wheels safe for sugar gliders?
Many aren't. Choose solid wheels sized for gliders without a center bar.
Are exercise balls safe?
No. They can injure and overheat gliders.
Can sugar gliders use bird toys?
Some are fine, but check for small parts, rope and slotted bells.
Are products sold in pet stores always safe for gliders?
No. Many pet store items are made for other animals or for a general "small pet" market. Use the safety test above for anything you bring home, even from a familiar store.
Conclusion: When in Doubt, Leave It Out
Skip the products above, and choose fleece, hard plastic, stainless steel and glider-specific gear. SunCoast Sugar Gliders, Since 1999. Orders of $30 or more ship free.