For me to say it is a bad idea to buy a sugar glider for a child wouldn't be fair. Not all sugar gliders are the same and not all children are the same. Many people will tell you sugar gliders are not "kid-friendly" animals. My personal opinion is that you are the parent, you make the decision. Sugar gliders CAN BE good pets but there are things you should take into account before actually making the purchase.
Let's cover some basics; sugar gliders pee and poop wherever and whenever they feel the need, or even want for that matter. Little tiny nails have a tendency to scratch our skin and trust me, when they jump on your head it doesn't feel too pretty... and then there is the biting issue... yes they bite (I'm talking about the gliders but beware of the kids, they can bite too). Biting is not an all the time, everytime you hold them thing but it does happen and more often than not, it really hurts. They can nibble to say I love you or they can chomp down and draw blood.
Gliders are nocturnal animals, it is 12:39 a.m. where I am currently sitting and my 6 gliders are just waking up so time is an issue for children going to school and needing their 8 hours of sleep. For obvious reasons, children cannot stay up late at night to play with the little fuzzy creatures.
Diets are also sometimes an issue because gliders need a good healthy staple diet, which does not include buying a bag of food at the local grocery store, throwing it in a dish and being done. These diets are specific and while there are several different variations and types, they all involve prep work and measurements, etc... things younger children cannot be responsible for.
When I was a child, I loved giving my cat a bath. I bet I had the cleanest cat in the entire world considering his bath was usually twice a week and so we are clear... cats hate water! Sugar gliders can not get wet, not because they will turn into ugly little gremlins but because they can catch pneumonia very quickly and it can be fatal.
Cleaning, which most kids absolutely hate, is a must. I'm not talking about dumping some wood shavings and replacing them. The whole cage has to be cleaned, wiped down with vinegar and water or even taken outside and washed down. Everything in the cage must be cleaned on a regular basis; this means all the toys, all the fleece, all bedding.... anything and everything in the cage.
On top of everything else, gliders seem to be messy little things and some even like to throw their food... all over the cage, on the floor, on the wall.... it's crazy how such tiny little animals can be so messy!
Now, with everything I have said, please understand I am not saying gliders are the worst animal for kids. In the beginning I told you not all sugar gliders are the same and not all children are the same and that is true. If this is something you are considering, I will not advise against it however, I will strongly suggest you do a lot of research. Keep in mind, every child should be supervised with animals especially animals of this size. Educate your child about the animal and how to care for it and be there to guide them when they need help.
So that's it! I hope you have enjoyed this blog post!!
~ Happy Gliding
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