How to Cope With a Biting Pet Sugar Glider

Coping with a biting pet sugar glider is often one of the first things a new owner must learn how to do. Follow these simple tips to greatly reduce the number of bites and threatening nips from your pet sugar glider.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Learn the difference between fear-based bites and friendly nibbles. Fear-based biting is behavior that needs to be modified, while friendly nibbles are part of the animal's natural instincts.
2. Make your sugar glider feel safe in its environment. Do everything you can to make it feel secure in your presence.
3. Know how to properly hold a sugar glider. Handling a sugar glider in the right way will greatly reduce the instances of biting.
4. Bond with your sugar glider. Make sure to play with it at least 2 hours a day and carry it around in a special bonding pouch. Bonding establishes trust and teaches your sugar glider that it should not fear you.
5. Keep treats near so that you can offer a sugar glider something to eat if it expresses interest in nibbling your fingers. Giving a sugar glider food will distract it and occupy its mouth with something other than your fingers.
6. Smother your fingers in bits of yogurt, applesauce or honey. Move your hand slowly towards the sugar glider and let the sugar glider come to it. Your sugar glider will find your hand synonymous with acceptable treats instead of a threat.
7. Pet and talk to your sugar glider in a soothing voice while you offer it treats.

Tips & Warnings

• Train your sugar glider not to bite while it is still young.
• Do not become frightened or put your sugar glider back into its cage after it has bitten you. Putting your sugar glider away allows it to believe it has successfully intimidated you and encourages more biting.
• Do not mask your natural scent with strong fragrances or gloves. This could cause your sugar glider to not recognize and fear you.
• Don't scream or react wildly if a sugar glider bites you, as it could result in stressing the animal.