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When preparing to purchase a sugar glider, be sure to have a safe cage, appropriate bedding, and adequate toys, along with ample food on hand, BEFORE you bring your sugar glider home. Caring for your sugar glider is as much about what you DO as it is about what you should NOT do.
Remove Chemicals
Make sure that pesticides, cleaning solutions, medications, and other chemicals are stored correctly and out of sugar glider reach.
Remove Live Plants
Some household plants are deadly to sugar gliders. Unless you know that the plant is safe, be sure to remove it from your home.
Close Off Access to Water
Since sugar gliders cannot swim, you want to make sure that toilet seats are down, fish tanks are completely hooded, and mop buckets are emptied.
Remove Sharp Objects
Sugar gliders can bleed to death within a few minutes. Be sure that sharp objects like razors and knives are safely stored away from sugar glider reach.
Cover Vents and Other Escape Routes
Close off access to any area of the home where the sugar glider might get lost. Use a towel to fill in the space underneath the door. Close air conditioner and heating vents. Keep drawers closed.
Remove Tangle Hazards
Vacuum frequently to make sure that loose fibres and hairs are not left in carpeting or upholstery that could cause the sugar glider to become entangled. Make sure that nesting pouches are free of loose threads in the seams. Snagging dangers can lead to lost nails which can cause bleeding. Tangling dangers can contrict limbs which can lead to amputation.
Prohibit Access to Appliances
The kitchen and laundry rooms are no place for sugar gliders. Dryer vents and refrigerator coils can be deadly. Similarly, electrical cords can also be dangerous, particularly if your sugar glider is prone to chewing on things.
In sum, there are a number of dangers that you will want to prevent. Think about potential danger before you buy a sugar glider. We've provided only a cursory list here, and you will probably want to add some notes of your own, as you continue conducting your research.
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