Sugar gliders are best to get around 8-12 weeks after they emerge from the mother’s pouch.  This is the best age to socialize them with humans and get them used to being handled.  The process may take many weeks to fully socialize them to humans.  Sugar gliders live for about 7-10 years in captivity but have been known to live as long as 12-15 in some cases.  They are nocturnal in the wild, however they can adjust to any schedule in captivity.

Proper diet is imperative for keeping a sugar glider healthy and happy. Nutritional problems are the most common problems seen by veterinarians and include obesity, malnutrition, low bone density, dental disease, heart disease, nervous system disorders, muscle disorders, and cataracts.

Calcium deficiency leading to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) is one of the most common problems of sugar gliders.  NSHP, sometimes known as metabolic bone disease or MBD, is very common in young growing gliders fed an improper diet.  The diet may be deficient in calcium, have too much phosphorus, not enough vitamin D3, or some combination of these problems.  The bones never mineralize, and end up weak and easily broken.  A sugar glider on a bad diet may appear perfectly normal right up until the time you find it paralyzed at the bottom of it's cage due to a broken back.  S

Pets may be sent home with liquid medications.  An oral liquid medication must be given by mouth to be effective.  An injectable liquid medication must be given by injection beneath the skin to be useful.  Some injectable medications require that the medication is inserted into the muscle to be most effective.  It is important that you understand how to read the syringes that are sent home so your pet gets the proper amount of medication at each dose.