Have you ever tried to clean a sugar glider? Would you like to know how to clean a sugar glider without getting hurt, making them feel scared or getting them sick?
There is so much to mention that I needed to write this article in order to clear up a few misconceptions.
Please take a moment to scan through the major points here. You sugar glider will thank you for it.
How to Clean a Sugar Glider
By using a warm, moist towel to gently rub the glider, you can clean a sugar glider. Shampoo and soap are not required.
Some of the stickier contaminants could also be easier to remove with the use of a gentle toothbrush. Remember to keep them near to you so they can stay warm until they are completely dry since else they risk becoming sick.
There is no need for sand baths or running water. Because they are not used to being wet, this delicate animal might become ill as a result.
Can You Bathe a Sugar Glider?
No. Do not put your glider in the bathtub or sink full of water. They are naturally clean creatures that groom each other and will groom themselves to keep clean.
Sugar Gliders will urinate and defecate on you when you attempt to bathe them. You may also get nipped at as they try to defend themselves.
I’m sure you have seen or heard people bathing their sugar gliders but the risk of sensitive gliders getting sick from remaining damp or the stress from this unnatural ordeal is not worth it in my opinion.
How Do You Clean a Sugar Glider That Smells?
When sugar gliders consumes high protein meals such as live insects, they develop a stronger odor. Overall, you can clean a sugar glider with:
- damp cloth
- wet wipe
- soft toothbrush
- spot cleaning
Understand that they will still carry a bit of a musky odor. This is coming from their scent glands and pores especially with diets consisting of crickets and roaches.
Reduce live or dried insect feedings and notice if your sugar gliders smells less.
Do Sugar Gliders Need Sand Baths?
No. Your sugar glider is not a rodent and doesn’t require dust baths. This is not the same situation as a hamster, gerbil or chinchilla. Dust baths cause respiratory issues for sugar gliders who do not clean themselves this way.
They are groomers and take care of each other in their social groups without the need for sand or water to clean themselves.
You can use spot cleaning with a cloth or wet wipe. I also use a soft toothbrush if I see a stain on their coat. Be gentle and remember that less is more when it comes to cleaning a sugar glider.
Do Sugar Gliders Like To Get Wet?
No. Regardless of whether you use a wet or dry shampoo, your sugar glider should not require a bath because it should remain clean enough on its own.
Sugar gliders are unlike some of our other small animal pets in the sense that they do not engage in the practice of taking dust baths and should not require their owners to bathe them on a routine basis.
Sugar gliders are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including fungal infections, if they become wet. In the event that your sugar glider does become wet, you will need to dry them well and eliminate all traces of water or moisture.
How to Clean Sugar Glider Cage
Once or twice a month, I give the cage an extensive cleaning and sanitization from top to bottom. When we get to this step, I remove the pan and the cage outdoors so that I may scrub everything thoroughly.
When you do this, obtain a pail of hot, soapy water, and make sure that you fully go through everything. After that, give it a good spraying with the hose, making sure to get into every corner and washing it very thoroughly.
When you have finished cleaning the cage, use a sterilization spray to give it a thorough spraying all over:
- the entirety of the cage
- both sides of the waste tray
- every toy
- dish
- bottle
- any fake plants
How To Clean Sugar Glider Pouches
When it comes to cleaning your bonding pouches, cage blankets, or any other objects in the cage made out of fabric, a simple rule of thumb to follow is to just toss them in the laundry once per week or so.
This goes for any other materials in the cage made out of cloth as well. Because the bonding pouches, cage accessories and bonding blankets are all made from fleece, the recommended method for cleaning them is to use a gentle washing cycle with cold water and to avoid using bleach.
When it comes to drying them, a standard dryer set to a low heat setting should work just fine.
How To Keep Sugar Gliders Clean
Make sure they poop and pee properly to avoid unpleasant scents all day.
- Most of the time, as soon as you begin taking sugar gliders out of their cages, they begin emptying their stomachs.
- Make sure there are always a number of baby wipes nearby the cages.
- Release the sugar gliders one at a time if there are at least two in the cage.
You’ll see that as soon as they’re outside, their little bellies are triggered to begin emptying the waste contents.
The baby wipes ensure that they don’t make a mess all over the place while also encouraging their tummies to empty their contents.
Conclusion
Do sugar glider smell? I say yes and you will get used to it. There are some tings you can do to reduce the odor as we mentioned above.
Even if they are spot cleaned, sugar gliders will always have a natural, musky odor. Nonetheless, following the proper diet will help to lessen this odor. Also, you should thoroughly clean a sugar glider’s cage every 2-4 weeks.
Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.
