Sugar Glider Safety Part 4

Basement and garage hazards: Both your basement and your garage are a potential minefield for sugar gliders, and you should carefully glider-proof them before you allow your sugar glider to explore. Better yet, keep your glider out of these areas. There are so many hazards: a furnace or a water heater may have an open flame and their surface may be hot.

If your garage has an automatic door opener, be aware that someone could inadvertently open up the garage door as they arrive home.

The same rodent or insect poison precautions that hold for the kitchen also hold for the basement and garage, typical sites for exterminators to leave poisons.

Many people store hazardous materials in their basement and/or garage. A few examples are: gasoline, oil, paint, paint thinner and varnish. The list is endless.

Pet hazards: Your sweet, gentle Labrador may be a real calm, peaceful dog. And your long-haired cat may appear to be the laziest creature on Earth. But put a scampering sugar glider in their midst, and they could well turn into The Great Predator. Look at a sugar glider through your pet’s eyes. Sugar gliders are small, fast-moving and furry. Sounds a lot like the prey that dogs and cats love to chase, doesn’t it? So until you are absolutely, positively sure your dog or cat won’t harm your sugar glider, don’t let them interact.

Never leave your dog or cat alone with your glider! Even if you are certain your pet loves your sugar glider, don’t leave them alone. Dogs and cats can severely injure or kill a sugar glider.

When you first bring your sugar glider home, you may want to introduce him to your other pets from the safety of his carrier or his cage. Better yet, have both animals safely restrained and let them sniff each other. Watch your sugar glider for signs of extreme panic; a dog or cat could be terribly frightening to a glider. Keep initial interactions very brief.

Only once you feel that your dog or cat might get along with your sugar glider can you try to let one of them run free. For example, you might let your sugar glider stay in his cage while your cat runs free in the same room. If you see any sign of aggression at all, remove the dog or cat from the room. If it appears that your dog or cat will never get used to having a little sugar glider around, then keep them separated at all times. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Resist the temptation to put other small pets in the same cage as your sugar glider. Some people have been known to put flying squirrels in with their sugar gliders, which is a bad idea. A fight or worse is usually the result. Leave sugar gliders alone with their own species.

Young children hazards: Young children (under 12) should not be permitted unsupervised time with a sugar glider. If the glider becomes startled or frightened, it could bite the child. And if the child accidentally gets scratched, a near-riot could ensue if the child panics. Remember also that very young children always put their hands in their mouths. Do not permit your child to handle your sugar glider and then put his or hand in his or her mouth. If your young child wants to visit the sugar glider, make sure you always hold and/or restrain the glider in their presence.

(To be continued)

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