Ever found yourself asking, “can you bathe a Sugar Glider?” Well, the short answer is no. But don’t worry! You can still maintain your pet’s hygiene without getting your hands wet.
This small animal does not have an undercoat, so they are unable to get wet. They are similar to flying squirrels and possums. However, if your glider gets dirty or has any odor, you can give them a light bath with some warm water and soap.
The only time that I bathe my Sugar Gliders is when they get into something stinky like cat poop or if they come into contact with another animal that smells terrible. This means they have to bathe twice, once from the foul stuff and then from being outside all day taking a “glider-nap” in something smelly.
They do not need a daily bath unless it is an emergency or your glider has a pretty bad funk going on. If your glider gets wet, just give them a gentle wipe down with a damp washrag. Do not bathe them in their water bowl or use soapy water because it will dry out their skin and cause irritation.
Why Do People Bathe Sugar Gliders?
People bathe their sugar gliders because of the belief that they need bathing for hygiene purposes.
Some people bathe their sugar gliders to keep them cool in the summer by spraying water on them and letting them wash. Others clean their sugar gliders for religious reasons.
Finally, some bathe their sugar gliders to clean them off. There are a variety of reasons why people wash their sugar gliders. Some reasons are to help with hygiene; others are for religious purposes. I have even known some people bathe their sugar gliders when they want them cool in the summer or cleanse them so that their pet is clean.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Sugar Glider?
It is only necessary to bathe your sugar glider if they have gotten dirty or if you want them to cool down in the summer.
If your sugar glider gets into a “sticky” situation, bathe them to clean it off their fur. Also, if your glider has been outside all day and smells like being out all day, rewash them to get the smell out.
If your sugar glider is getting bathed for religious purposes, you should wash them once every three weeks to clean the oils off of their fur and keep them cool in the summer.
It is not necessary to bathe your pet daily unless they are prone to dirt or odor buildup (like staying in a pet room in your house).
If you bathe your glider too much, it can dry out their skin and fur. This can lead to itching, irritation, redness, or even cause scales.
The only time that I bathe my Sugar Gliders is when they get into something stinky like cat poop or if they come into contact with another animal that smells terrible. This means they have to bathe twice, once from the foul stuff and then from being outside all day taking a “glider-nap” in something smelly.
How To Wash A Sugar Glider?
The sugar glider bathes itself by licking its fur clean. Therefore, a daily bath is not good unless you bathe them for religious reasons or bathe them after exposure to another animal with a strong stink.
Bathing them monthly is the more common bathe routine of bathes per month, but bathes are at more of an advertising opportunity of bathes per month.
If your sugar glider gets wet, then they should be quickly wiped down with a damp washrag to rinse away any food or dirt that may have brought them on or into their fur.
Do not bathe your sugar glider with soap, water, or shampoo, which will dry out their skin and fur. There is also wet or dry shampoo, not bathe. Sugar gliders are different from some of our other small mammal pets in that they do not do dust baths and should not need regular bathing by their owners.
Like cats, sugar gliders tend to clean themselves very well. However, we do not recommend that you bathe a sugar glider in the traditional sense. Bathing with water and soap, regular shampoo, or detergent can dry out the fur and the skin.
Safety Precautions When Bathing Your Sugar Glider
- Do not bathe your sugar glider if the animal has a skin condition, is recovering from illness, or has been exposed to an insecticide.
- Bathing a sugar glider can be done safely in a sink with a bit of water and the use of a wet or dry shampoo.
- Do not bathe a sugar glider too often because it can stress the animal’s skin and cause skin conditions from dryness.
- Bathe your sugar glider when needed.
Tips For Bathing Your Sugar Glider
Avoid bathing your sugar glider with soaps, water, or shampoo. Sugar gliders clean themselves very well, and bathes can dry out their skin and fur. If your sugar glider does get wet, then they should be given a quick rinse. Only bathe your sugar glider with a bathe made for them.
Be sure to bathe your sugar glider after they are stinky or dirty. For example, you should clean them after returning from the pet store or in someone else’s home. The first bathes are essential as their scent will stick on you for a while.
FAQS
What Should You Use To Bathe A Sugar Glider?
Bathing with water and soap, regular shampoo, or detergent can dry out the fur and the skin. However, you should avoid bathing your sugar glider with anything besides a wet or dry shampoo made specifically for them. The only thing that should touch their skin is a grooming tool.
Why Not Bathe My Sugar Glider?
Sugar gliders are different from some of our other small mammal pets in that they do not do dust baths and should not need regular bathing by their owners. Like cats, sugar gliders tend to clean themselves very well. We do not recommend that you bathe a sugar glider in the traditional sense. Bathing with water and soap, regular shampoo, or detergent can dry out the fur and the skin.
What Should I Bathe My Sugar Glider With?
Use only bathes that are specifically made for your sugar glider or other similar small mammal pet. You can bathe them more often than every one to two months. However, it is a good idea if you bathe them at least once per month. The bathes are not only used to keep them clean, but the bathes are also an excellent way for you to bond with them and get more information on their behavior.
Bathing Schedule For Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders bathe themselves and can go months without a bath. Although it is not recommended, you may bathe your sugar glider when needed. When it comes to bathing your sugar glider, we recommend that you bathe it by using a wet or dry shampoo in the sink. These treatments will remove any dirt and material under the animal’s fur.
Sugar gliders bathe themselves very well, so do not bathe them too often as it can stress their skin and cause skin conditions from dryness.
Once every few months (or less) is enough for most sugar gliders to bathe with water and soap, regular shampoo, or detergent; however, we still don’t recommend that you bathe it regularly.
How Do I Stop My Sugar Glider From Smelling?
Some ways to stop your sugar glider from smelling are purchasing a cage deodorizer or changing its bedding more often. The easiest way to get rid of the smell is by changing the animal’s bedding daily.
You should bathe your sugar glider as needed with a wet or dry shampoo in the sink. Once bathed, do not bathe it again for a long time to prevent skin conditions from developing.
Do Sugar Gliders Like To Swim?
The sugar glider is strictly an arboreal animal, meaning it likes to hang out in the trees. It is not an aquatic mammal like a seal, otter, or dolphin.
There is no evidence that sugar gliders swim in water or use a body of water for play or relaxation purposes. Furthermore, scientists have never observed these animals swimming for pleasure, either in the wild or at zoos.
Conclusion
Sugar gliders have sensitive skin and can easily injure with rough handling, so you need to take great care when bathing them. To help avoid any accidents, always handle your pet gently and use warm water that’s just below body temperature. You should also never bathe your animal in soap or shampoo as these products may irritate their skin.
Bathing your sugar glider is a great experience for both you and the animal. The benefits of bathing your sweet little friend are not just limited to better hygiene but can also include increased bonding time with their human family members as well!