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Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? #1402552
06/22/16 12:33 AM
06/22/16 12:33 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
North Dakota
RoseGoldGlider Offline OP
New Member
RoseGoldGlider  Offline OP
New Member

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
North Dakota
Hello fellow glider lovers,

I have a female who I rescued about 4 years ago and I noticed recently that she has a little bit of fur loss on the base of her tail. It's not a bald spot, but you can tell there's some thinning there. I checked with a vet (who has experience with exotics) and she says it could be overgrooming because she's bored and anxious.

I want to help her feel more comfortable in my new place and wanted to ask what would be the best toys and accessories for a sugar glider. I want what would help get rid of boredom and help her feel more at ease, though I don't want to stress her out too much because she's an older glider and doesn't like to be messed with a lot.

She has two pouches, a wooden bride that goes across the cage, sanded branches, and a large toy hanging overhead in the cage. I also ordered a bonding pouch today to see if bonding more might help her too.

What are the best things for enrichment and comfort?

Thank you.


:bb: Sawyer :bb: Kendall :bb: Crystal :bb: Banzai :bb: Cricket
Current Research, Studies & Resources
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402555
06/22/16 09:24 AM
06/22/16 09:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,800
St. Johns, Florida
Srlb Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
Srlb  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,800
St. Johns, Florida
You want to get some interactive toys to hang in her cage. Something to keep her busy. Fleece items, such as bridges, hammocks, vines, do not do this, so I recommend some of the other items you can find located in the vendors section on this page.
I always keep 2-3 hanging toys and a few floor toys in each cage, as well as a wheel.

Also, since you stated the over grooming is starting on her tail, I am going to recommend a fecal float/smear to be done as this is often the first signs of a parasite issue as well as boredom.

You can find some of the interactive toys on my site here: Critter Love Toys


Peggy
Critter Love
Critter Love� Diet Center

If you want to know what a person is like, watch how he treats others.

You'll never know what the outcome is if you don't step up and try.

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402568
06/22/16 12:38 PM
06/22/16 12:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,979
Wisconsin
Feather Offline
Administrator
Feather  Offline
Administrator

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,979
Wisconsin
Peggy has given you some great information. Reset toys would be great.

You can make a simple one yourself by stuff a large plastic wiffle ball with fleece strips. She will then spend the night pulling the fleece out.

You then simply stuff the strips back into the ball the next morning.


Kimberley
Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack
Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet :bb: T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon :wfb: TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring :rtmo:
Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the :rbridge:

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402572
06/22/16 02:15 PM
06/22/16 02:15 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 189
indiana
BYK_Chainsaw Offline
Glider Explorer
BYK_Chainsaw  Offline
Glider Explorer

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 189
indiana
Since nobody said it. A running wheel. some of mine seem to spend half the night on the wheel. We have 3 wheels for 6 gliders, and many times 2 wheels are going.


John and Charlene
Gizmo :grey: / link :bb: / Sophie :wfb: / Riggs :grey: / scarface :grey: / gus :wfb:
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: BYK_Chainsaw] #1402575
06/22/16 03:25 PM
06/22/16 03:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
Everyone is correct, interactive toys and BYK, yes the wheel may be the most important as well as used toy in most SG cages.

My babies seem more all about the food, lol, and their wheel, but also like to taste or test chew things such as plastic. So in my cage, besides food & water:
-Wheel, usually two, but I have a trio.
-Forage toys, usually 2-3 of them and I usually offer a few pellets in those, because all three of mine like them. I save the best treats for cage visits, holidays, and nail trims, lol.
-Interactive toys, I try to leave 2-3 activities for my babies besides the forage toys. So maybe some type of contained collection of small plastic toys for them to pick up and chew if they want to, then toss about the cage. Hanging toys s/a monkeys in a barrel or similar, crazy straws, and fleece or straw pieces through wiffle balls or other furnishings like braided vines or the mesh accessories. I have also purchased a few reset toys here and there from vendors found on these boards.
-Rest/Play, hangouts & hides. I like to offer a few areas for them to hangout, actually they probably have several between the feeding & activity stations.

I hope all of our collective answers have been helpful.

Oh, and I agree, it would be a good idea for fecal float on her.

Last edited by Terry; 06/22/16 03:25 PM.

Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402590
06/23/16 10:13 AM
06/23/16 10:13 AM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
H
hollypop Offline
In Pouch
hollypop  Offline
In Pouch
H

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
I brought my boys home about two months ago now, and after having them for some time I realised that they were in need of some toys as well. I went searching for things to buy online and I came across this: Sugar Glider Toy Box on Etsy and thought it looked neat. Too expensive once you factored in the shipping to Canada, but I was able to find all of the items at dollar stores in the party sections in loot bags, and I made three of them for the cage - two for the floor and one that hangs. I switch up what goes where every couple of days so they have to search for things some more, but I can't believe how much they love it! I used to hear them running on the wheel all night long and now I hear them rattling their tiny maracas (ok, that'll probably stop being cute in a few weeks, but for now it makes me happy to know they're happy). If you can find glider safe toys at your dollar stores, it was a really easy toy to make!

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402594
06/23/16 12:25 PM
06/23/16 12:25 PM
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 69
South Florida
HoneyChild Offline
Out of Pouch
HoneyChild  Offline
Out of Pouch

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 69
South Florida
Great advice above! My Harley was restless when I first got her so I got her the items mentioned. I then went to Ebay and bought a Castle play set for $27. She loves that thing. It gives her a shelter to run into @ the bottom of the cage. I cut fleece blanket squares and placed them on both floors inside the castle. I love seeing her run inside while clutching a treat I hand her.

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402597
06/23/16 03:15 PM
06/23/16 03:15 PM
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 68
Maryland USA
N
Nstromo Offline
Out of Pouch
Nstromo  Offline
Out of Pouch
N

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 68
Maryland USA
HoneyChild, I keep seeing posts about little castles like that as toys for gliders & it sounds awesome! I went to the thrift store & every piece that looked fun to explore had moving parts & i was too nervous to get any of them. Advice on criteria? Not just regarding moving parts or not, just anything you look for in that kind of toy.

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: Nstromo] #1402600
06/23/16 03:57 PM
06/23/16 03:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
Hollypop, you're right, dollar stores are a treasure trove for SG toys, especially toy making supplies, toy bins, & ball pits. Thanks for sharing your link and info for those looking for toys for their SGs.

Nstromo, most of these castle toys are most likely the baby/toddler toys and thrift stores as well as yard sales (selling baby gear) are the best way to find deals. If you know anyone with growing children that are getting rid of such toys, that's even better smile. Depending on the moving parts, some can be modified to make them safe. I found an awesome tree house toy but it had parts I was not sure about, so I removed them.
Tree house when purchased


After first modification
[/URL

After final modification, I've been using a plastic plate for platform, but have used other surfaces for platform to add stability. I also use c-clips to secure to cage sides for more stability.
[URL=http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/tjsharepics/media/CAM01253_zpsfggmychg.jpg.html]


Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402605
06/23/16 07:58 PM
06/23/16 07:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 189
indiana
BYK_Chainsaw Offline
Glider Explorer
BYK_Chainsaw  Offline
Glider Explorer

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 189
indiana
Love the wiffle ball idea. Asked the wife to run out and get some right away. I was thinking of mixing in a few treats with the fleece so they get a nice surprise for all their work.


John and Charlene
Gizmo :grey: / link :bb: / Sophie :wfb: / Riggs :grey: / scarface :grey: / gus :wfb:
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402608
06/24/16 01:06 AM
06/24/16 01:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
North Dakota
RoseGoldGlider Offline OP
New Member
RoseGoldGlider  Offline OP
New Member

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
North Dakota
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for such a late response.
Thank you all so much for your suggestions!

Thank you, Peggy. I checked out the site and I’m hoping to purchase a few toys from there.
As for the fecal float, I will speak to the vet again and get an appointment set up for her.

Thank you, Kimberly. That is a super clever idea, I would like to give the reset toys a try. I’ll look for a wiffle ball and fleece strips. Using treats for it is a great idea, too. What kind of treats would be best to put in?

Thanks, John and Charlene! I would love to give her a running wheel. I was looking for some online and thought this might work well: http://www.exoticnutrition.com/siruwh9in1.html Would a 9-inch wheel be large enough, or should I consider the 12-inch wheel?

Thank you, Terry! These are all wonderful suggestions. What sort of plastic toys would be the safest for her to chew on and toss around? I will definitely look at the vendors here for more reset toys and foraging toys.

Thanks, Hollypop! I never knew they made boxes like that, it’s a good thing those things can be found in dollar stores. I’ll take a look at what kind of stuff goes into these boxes and see what I can find.

Thank you, Honeychild. The castle idea sounds awesome. Cricket loves hiding out in places, so maybe a castle like that would also be good for her to have.

These are all great ideas and I definitely want to try them out and see what she likes the best. Thank you all again!


:bb: Sawyer :bb: Kendall :bb: Crystal :bb: Banzai :bb: Cricket
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402617
06/24/16 06:14 PM
06/24/16 06:14 PM
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 69
South Florida
HoneyChild Offline
Out of Pouch
HoneyChild  Offline
Out of Pouch

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 69
South Florida
Np Rose Gold Glider! The castle I got on Ebay was a Veggie tales toy castle. I have since removed the ugly stickers that it came with and replaced them w/ gold Triforces. Second glider coming in July I named Zelda.. so castle works for me perfectly. Lol will post pics soon. Best wishes!!

Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: HoneyChild] #1402618
06/24/16 06:37 PM
06/24/16 06:37 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
You can use a variety of hard plastic toys, most of which can usually be found at dollar stores. Army men, animals and others like that. There are many hard plastic toys that can be used, I cannot even think of them all.


Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402640
06/25/16 10:52 AM
06/25/16 10:52 AM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,138
Lutz Florida
CandyOtte Offline
Serious Glideritis
CandyOtte  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,138
Lutz Florida
Quote:

Thanks, John and Charlene! I would love to give her a running wheel. I was looking for some online and thought this might work well: http://www.exoticnutrition.com/siruwh9in1.html Would a 9-inch wheel be large enough, or should I consider the 12-inch wheel?


Gliders need a 12 inch wheel because they JUMP in the wheel not just walk or run as mice or hamsters do.

The wheel in the link is NOT glider safe - it has a center axle that gets in the way of a glider's natural jump across the inside space of a wheel. It is basically the same as a Wodent Wheel which has caused many gliders to be injured.

The solid track is also not compatible with the way gliders use their wheels - the jump and grab on to propel the wheel. The solid track also holds pee and poop making the wheel a huge source of odor in your cage. It must be cleaned daily to prevent it from getting sticky. The axle can get sticky and catch a glider's tail fur and cause severe injuries.

I have links on my web page for several glider safe wheels with mesh tracks that help keep the wheel cleaner.

http://www.gliderkids-diet.com/FAQ.html


Candy Otte
& the Glider Kids
Sassy, Corky, Mehitabel & Missy
Wacco, Yacco, & Dot
Mindy, Kanobles, Elmo, & Chipper

http://www.gliderkids-diet.com

CandyOtte@aol.com
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: CandyOtte] #1402641
06/25/16 11:54 AM
06/25/16 11:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
Originally Posted By: CandyOtte
[quote]

The wheel in the link is NOT glider safe - it has a center axle that gets in the way of a glider's natural jump across the inside space of a wheel. It is basically the same as a Wodent Wheel which has caused many gliders to be injured.

The solid track is also not compatible with the way gliders use their wheels - the jump and grab on to propel the wheel. The solid track also holds pee and poop making the wheel a huge source of odor in your cage. It must be cleaned daily to prevent it from getting sticky. The axle can get sticky and catch a glider's tail fur and cause severe injuries.

I have links on my web page for several glider safe wheels with mesh tracks that help keep the wheel cleaner.

http://www.gliderkids-diet.com/FAQ.html



Candy, the Silent Runner is "axle free" please read the description as it mentions that. Therefore it is safe for sugar gliders.

Yes the 12" is highly recommended, the smaller 9" can be used for an extra wheel in the cage, out of cage play or travel cage. I keep two Fast Track wheels usually in my trio's cage, and most often it's one of each size.

As for solid track holding glider waste and making it stinky and yucky, that is correct and it will need to be cleaned most likely on a daily basis to keep it from getting so smelly and soiling your gliders.

Last edited by Terry; 06/25/16 11:57 AM.

Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: RoseGoldGlider] #1402649
06/25/16 11:41 PM
06/25/16 11:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,138
Lutz Florida
CandyOtte Offline
Serious Glideritis
CandyOtte  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,138
Lutz Florida
The assembly and cage mounting diagrams for the wheel shown on Exotic Nutrition's page in the link provided definitely shows a bolt going through the wheel.


Candy Otte
& the Glider Kids
Sassy, Corky, Mehitabel & Missy
Wacco, Yacco, & Dot
Mindy, Kanobles, Elmo, & Chipper

http://www.gliderkids-diet.com

CandyOtte@aol.com
Re: Suggestions on Enrichment/Comfort? [Re: CandyOtte] #1402654
06/26/16 01:09 AM
06/26/16 01:09 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
The description says axle-free, dual ball-bearing, it doesn't matter what the mounting diagrams show, they are incorrect for this wheel.


Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)

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