While sugar gliders are small, they have a very high metabolism and require a lot of food to survive. In the wild, sugar gliders eat a diet of insects, fruits, and nectar. In captivity, sugar gliders can be fed a diet of commercially available sugar glider food, fruits, and vegetables.
Sugar gliders are very active animals and need a lot of food to fuel their activity level. A sugar glider can go without food for three and a half days, but any longer than that and they will start to experience health problems. If you are away from home and cannot feed your sugar glider, you should contact a trusted friend or family member to take care of them.
In this article, we talk about how long can a sugar glider can go without food and water, what to do if your pet refuses to eat for days and what to do with your exotic pet when your going on vacation.
How long can a sugar glider go without food
Sugar glider can go without food for short periods of time if you compare it with a normal pet, such as a cat or a dog. Usually, sugar gliders can go three and a half days without food. However, they will become weak and may die if they do not have access to water. Sugar gliders can survive just twelve hours without water.
Sugar gliders can enter into a state of reduce metabolism to help them survive without food for long periods of time. This state is called torpor. When sugar gliders are in torpor, their body temperature and heart rate will decrease, and they will become less active. Sugar gliders can remain in torpor for up to 30 hours, but they will need to eat and drink as soon as possible when they come out of torpor.
It is important to make sure that sugar gliders have access to food and water at all times, especially if they are pregnant or nursing.
Do sugar gliders need to eat every day?
Yes, sugar gliders need to eat every day in order to stay healthy. Sugar gliders are very active animals, and they need a lot of energy to keep up with their active lifestyle. A sugar glider diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as insects such as mealworms.
As a rule of thumb, feed your pet glider once in the morning and once at dusk. If you notice that your pet is eating more or less, you can adjust the feeding times accordingly.
What to do if my sugar glider refuses to eat for days?
If your sugar glider refuses to eat for more than a day or two, there are some things that you can look into.
Provide a balanced diet
Make sure that you are providing your sugar glider with a balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as insects such as mealworms.
Consider switching up the diet
If your sugar glider is eating the same thing every day, they may get bored of their food. Try switching up their diet by adding new fruits and vegetables, or even live insects.
Sugar gliders love sweets, so giving them a few treats throughout the day may entice them to eat more. You can also provide them vitamins in order to don’t get too hungry.
Stress
Stress is a common reason why sugar gliders may refuse to eat. Sugar gliders are very sensitive animals, and they can pick up on their owner’s stress and anxiety. If you think that your sugar glider is stressed, try to provide them with a calm and quiet environment.
Maybe move the cage in a quitter room or place a towel over the cage to muffle any outside noise. You may also want to consider getting a second sugar glider as a companion for your pet.
Check for medical problems
If your sugar glider is refusing to eat and you cannot figure out why, it is always a good idea to take them to the vet to rule out any medical problems.
What do you do with a sugar glider when you go on vacation?
If you are going on vacation and cannot take your sugar glider with you, there are a few things that you can do.
Find a pet sitter
The first thing that you need to do is find a reliable pet sitter. Make sure that the pet sitter is familiar with sugar gliders and knows how to take care of them.
You should also leave a list of instructions for the pet sitter, such as what to feed your sugar glider and how often to clean their cage.
It is also a good idea to leave some food and water for the pet sitter, just in case your sugar glider doesn’t eat while you’re gone.
Board your sugar glider
Another option is to board your sugar glider at a reputable boarding facility. This is a good option if you are going to be gone for an extended period of time and you don’t have a pet sitter.
Make sure that you visit the boarding facility ahead of time to make sure that it is clean and well-maintained.
You should also ask the staff about their experience with sugar gliders to make sure that your pet will be in good hands.
Take your sugar glider with you
You may also want to consider taking your sugar glider with you on vacation. This is not always possible, but if you are going to be staying in a pet-friendly hotel or rental property, it may be a good option.
Just make sure that you do your research ahead of time to ensure that your sugar glider will be comfortable in their new surroundings.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few things that you can do if your sugar glider refuses to eat. The most important thing is to provide a balanced diet and to make sure that they are not stressed. If you cannot figure out why your sugar glider is not eating, it is always a good idea to take them to the vet.
If you are going on vacation, there are a few options for you as well. You can find a pet sitter, board your sugar glider at a boarding facility, or take them with you if you are staying in a pet-friendly rental property.
