Exotic pets are more popular than ever, with countless people around the world looking to own new and unique pets. Not everyone wants a traditional pet like a cat or dog, instead preferring the companionship of a rare and exotic animal.
While certain exotic pets are illegal in various states, there are also many that are legal to own, leading to an increase in quirky companions throughout the country. However, it’s important to understand the challenges of owning such pets, which are typically more demanding to keep.
One animal that has become a must-have amongst exotic pet owners is the sugar glider. You’ve possibly seen viral videos of these small and adorable animals, which are known for their playful nature and eye-catching ability to glide through the air.
Are you interested in owning a pet sugar glider? Then it’s important to understand what to expect from them in terms of cost and maintenance! Continue reading on for all the information that you need to know about the cost of buying and caring for a sugar glider.
What is a Sugar Glider?
The sugar glide is a small marsupial native to Australia and Indonesia. A type of omnivore possum, sugar gliders are compact animals, typically fitting into the palm of a hand when fully grown.
They get their unique name from the thin membrane that stretches from their hands down to their ankle. This membrane allows a sugar glider to glide through the air as they jump from tree to tree. It’s a very distinct feature and part of what makes the sugar glider such a cool exotic pet to own!
Because the sugar glide is nocturnal, they have large, round eyes to help improve visibility in darker conditions. When combined with their cute face and big bushy tail, it’s easy to see how these big eyes give sugar gliders such an adorable appearance.
While native to countries like Australia, the sugar glider is a popular exotic pet throughout the globe. It is legal to own this marsupial in dozens of states, making them increasingly common throughout the US.
How Much Does a Sugar Glider Cost?
Before purchasing a sugar glider, it is important to consider the various costs associated with owning such a pet. Not only are there several one-off costs involved with purchasing a sugar glider, but there are also several ongoing costs for keeping the pet throughout the year.
As a result, owning a sugar glide is a long-term financial commitment, something not every prospective owner is aware of. So, if you’re interested in buying a sugar glider and want to get an idea of the costs, check out the guide below!
Where are Sugar Gliders Illegal?
As previously mentioned, it’s illegal to buy, sell or own sugar gliders in several states, including California, Alaska, and Hawaii.
There are a few reasons these states have banned sugar gliders, such as protecting the local habitat and wildlife. Sugar gliders potentially become pests if they escape into the wild, leading these states to restrict their ownership.
Therefore, attempting to buy and own a sugar glider in illegal states could see you face a huge fine! This not only adds to the cost of owning the pet but could also leave you with a criminal record.
Also, some states may need you to submit a permit before legally owning a sugar glider. Always make sure to check your local state legislation so you know what to expect when buying a sugar glider.
The One-Off Cost of Buying a Sugar Glider
Because the sugar glider is an exotic pet in high demand, you do need to pay for one outright rather than adopting. So, expect a one-off cost for buying the sugar glider!
How much you pay depends mostly on the glider’s age. For example, an infant sugar glider typically costs between $200-$500, while an adult sugar glider costs closer to $100-$200.
However, it is important to consider that sugar gliders are incredibly social animals. They live longer, happier lives when they have another sugar glider for company. Therefore, we recommend that if you’re buying a sugar glider you buy a pair, otherwise one may get lonely!
While buying one sugar glider is appealing because it’s more affordable, it’s strongly recommended to buy a pair. Doing so avoids a lot of temperamental issues, as a sugar glide becomes quite unruly when they are alone.
So, by investing in a pair of sugar gliders, you ensure both are much happier and less irritable – a win-win!
Finding the Right Breeder
If you want to adopt a sugar glider, make sure to take the time to find a reputable breeder. Doing so ensures you get a healthy sugar glider that has not received any neglect or was illegally smuggled.
Also, by finding a reliable sugar glider breed, you get the best chance of finding a suitably aged pet for your needs and budget. For example, an adult sugar glider is usually much cheaper at around $100-$200 because they require more complex training.
Infant sugar gliders are more expensive, often double the price of an adult, costing upwards of $500. Again, this is because of their training requirements, with infants being much easier to housetrain.
Therefore, make sure to consider whether you have the time and patience to train an adult sugar glider! It may cost you less to buy one, but the time and effort required for training mean it is not always a good deal.
By contrast, a young sugar glider is much easier to train, saving you a lot of time and effort. However, you’re paying for the convenience, so make sure to weigh up what option is best for you.
As mentioned above, it’s strongly recommended that you buy a pair of sugar gliders, so they have a companion. You may even find a breed that offers a discount for buying a pair of sugar glides, allowing you to save some money.
Always take the time to visit a sugar glider breeder, instead of just browsing online. Doing so gives you the chance to inspect how they live and more info about their overall temperament and character.
Plus, a good breed will have plenty of tips on how to best care for, house, and feed a sugar glider.
One-Off Supplies for a Sugar Glider
When buying a sugar glider, remember that you also need to pay for suitable housing and plenty of food. For example, a sugar glider needs a spacious cage/tank, food and water bowls, bedding, toys, and a nesting pouch.
The costs of these quickly add up, with the cage/tank costing around $200-$300 for a decent size. Sugar gliders are natural climbers, so prefer spacious cages with lots of room to climb. At minimum, you need a cage that’s about 36” tall and 24” wide, although bigger is better if you have space
Other things like toys, bedding, and other accessories cost around $20-$30 each.
The Ongoing Costs of Owning a Sugar Glider
Once you bring your sugar glider home, the costs don’t stop. There are several ongoing costs for keeping a happy and healthy sugar glider, each one broken down below:
Food Costs
Sugar gliders are omnivores, so have quite a varied diet consisting of a range of fruits, vegetables, insects, nuts, barks, and saps. Replicating this diet in captivity is challenging, with most opting for fruits, veggies, and the odd insect as a treat.
There are also special pellets designed for sugar gliders, giving a nice balance of nutrients in their diet. However, these pellets shouldn’t be the main component of their diet, instead of accounting for around one-third.
In any case, expect the annual diet of a sugar glider is around $250-$350 per animal This breaks down to about $30 each month for a single glider. So, if you buy a pair, expect the annual food costs to be closer to $500-$750.
It’s a surprising amount for such small animals, highlighting the complexities of their diet rather than a huge appetite!
Healthcare Costs
Thankfully, the sugar glider is a robust and healthy animal that requires no vaccinations like some exotic pets. Certain health issues do affect sugar gliders, such as diabetes, although a good diet and regular exercise should avoid this.
However, if you own a male and female sugar glider, then neutering the male is worth consideration to avoid unplanned pregnancies. Thankfully, male sugar gliders are small animals, so neutering is a quick and straightforward procedure.
In most cases, getting a sugar glider sprayed/neutered costs an average of $50. Don’t worry about getting a female sprayed – it’s a complex surgery that most vets avoid.
Other healthcare costs that may occur when owning a sugar glide include treatments for parasites and ticks While uncommon, if the sugar glide does become infected with a parasite, such as worms, then a quick deworming is needed. This treatment is quick and easy, costing around $15 at most.
Also, be mindful of unexpected emergencies with your glider. While healthy animals, accidents are possible, such as the animal getting hurt or showing the effects of aging. So, consider keeping around $200 for any emergency treatment.
Finally, make sure to consider taking your sugar glider for an annual check-up. Like any pet, it’s important to get your sugar glider checked up to make sure it’s fit and healthy! The cost for an annual checkup for a sugar glider isn’t much, roughly $50 depending on the vet.
Insurance Costs
While not essential, it may be a good idea to consider health insurance for your sugar glider. As mentioned above, the animals are mostly fit and healthy, but some unexpected issues may arise.
So, you may want to invest in exotic pet insurance, which typically starts at around $10 each per month. If you own a pair of sugar gliders, then the annual cost of insurance will exceed $200.
Another option is to simply keep around $200 in emergency funds instead of opting for insurance. Sugar gliders are healthy animals so may not need much treatment beyond the odd emergency, making insurance less essential.
However, if you want the peace of mind that your exotic pet is covered in the event of a medical problem, then insurance may be a better idea.
Housing and Entertainment Costs
Sugar gliders like a nice and clean house, so it’s recommended you change their bedding each month. In fact, you may need to change more frequently if two sugar gliders are sharing bedding, usually every week or two.
The annual cost of bedding does add up, costing around $100-$200.
Their housing also needs plenty of entertainment too! As native tree dwellers, sugar gliders adore climbing, so make sure they have lots to climb like ropes, ladders, and branches. Offer a variety of textures to stimulate the gliders, who enjoy climbing across various surfaces.
Most of their climbing toys should get changed semi-regularly to provide them with new surfaces to enjoy. So, budget around $10 per month for these expenses.
Other similar-priced accessories you may need throughout the year include a new pouch, bowls for food/water, and any unique pieces of furniture. Gliders enjoy exploring new colors and textures, so consider adding a few new furnishings every now and then to keep them curious.
The Total Yearly Cost of Owning a Sugar Glider
The total cost for owning a sugar glider each year is around $500 per glider, so $1000 if you’re keeping a pair. Gliders have a unique diet and housing requirements, so they’re not the cheapest pet to own.
However, it’s vital that you take the time to accommodate a sugar glider’s unique requirements! Doing so ensures your pet glider is happy and healthy, preferably with another glider for company.
Can I Keep a Sugar Glider on a Budget?
If the above costs seem too high, then it’s best to avoid owning a sugar glider. These exotic animals have strict requirements as pets, something that’s difficult to maintain on a tight budget.
Skimping on things like their cage or housing only results in an unhappy pet. Moreover, buying just a single glider isn’t ideal, as they hate being left alone and are nocturnal, so you can’t always be there for them.
Yes, you may find a glider that is cheap to buy initially, but even this won’t offset the expensive yearly costs.
Conclusion
A sugar glider is an awesome exotic pet that takes well in captivity. However, the cost of owning a sugar glider isn’t cheap, costing $1000 just to buy and house. After this, yearly costs of owning sugar gliders range on average $500 per animal!
So, make sure you’re aware of the costs before committing to buy a sugar glider, while also checking the legality in your state.