Last Updated: 4 months ago
Wondering if sugar gliders and cats can live together peacefully in the same home?
You’ve come to the right place.
Below, we’ll discuss whether it’s a realistic possibility and much more.
You’ll soon know if this situation is the right one for your home.
Are Sugar Gliders Good With Cats?
A cat’s instincts are a rather complex challenge to overcome.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re domestic or not; these pets will ultimately fall back on what feels natural to them.
In other words, cats will see sugar gliders as prey because of their small size and energetic movements.
This situation makes bringing gliders into a home with cats a risky move.
But it doesn’t mean having cats will make you an unsuitable glider owner, or vice versa.
There’s no reason these two animals can’t exist in the same household when all the proper safety precautions are taken.
Let’s go through a few things to consider before bringing a sugar glider into a home with cats.
The following discussions should ensure you know what to expect.
What You Need to Know About Sugar Gliders
Let’s start with some basics about sugar gliders.
These trendy exotic pets are actually marsupials or mammals that carry their young in a pouch attached to their belly region.
You can expect them to have large ears, sparkling eyes, a strong sense of smell, and a tiny, almost squirrel-like body.
It’s essential to realize that these creatures are nocturnal and like to live in groups. So, you’ll want to purchase more than one for an optimal living situation.
As the name implies, sugar gliders both glide through the air and eat a lot of sugary foods.
Their high sugar intake makes it important for owners to make an effort to provide them with the most nutritious sugar glider food recipes.
In fact, obesity is a massive issue with these pets.
Given their high sugar intake, it also shouldn’t be overly shocking to learn that these animals aren’t the calmest.
It doesn’t matter where they are, whether outside or inside their cages; gliders will be crawling over everything.
It makes them an adorable pet to have around. But this hyperactivity puts them at risk from predators, such as cats, who react based on excess movement.
What You Need to Know About Keeping Sugar Gliders and Cats Together
Now that we have a basic understanding of sugar gliders, let’s get to the heart of the question: whether they can live peacefully with cats.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Energetic Cats and Gliders Aren’t a Great Mix
Energetic cats who bring dead critters as gifts aren’t exactly a good fit, for obvious reasons. They’re in their hunting “prime,” and could view your glider as the perfect present.
Even leaving a glider with an older, lazy cat could be dangerous.
The erratic movement might trigger those predator instincts and result in a horrible accident.
After all, small, furry animals tend to be a cat’s favorite prey.
Sugar gliders fit this description to an absolute tee, plus they produce a particular alluring smell that might attract your residential feline.
This pungent odor makes them easily identifiable to a cat who’s in the same room, which makes letting them roam around highly problematic.
2. A Secure Cage is a MUST
Those previously laid-out issues make it essential for pet owners to have a suitable, durable cage.
It’s the only way to ensure your gliders stay safe from a cat or other animal inside your home.
If left unattended and unsecured, your cat will find a way into those enclosures.
I’d recommend looking for options made with heavy-duty materials and top-tier locking mechanisms.
Don’t be surprised if your cat sits near the cage throughout the day.
Cats don’t get bored of watching small, furry creatures run around in their enclosures; they’re just waiting for an opportunity.
It’s best to avoid this situation entirely by placing your glider’s cage in a room where the cat can’t enter.
You can then rest easy knowing that an accident won’t occur when the gliders are left unattended.
Check out this video for more details on setting up your glider’s habitat:
3. Make Introductions the Right Way
Some sellers and pet stores will tell potential owners that gliders can bond with a dog or cat. I’m here to say that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
As I mentioned earlier, sugar gliders are small, fast creatures.
These attributes will might not make your dog or cat want to eat them, but it’ll almost always result in them wanting to pounce on play with the glider.
Neither of these outcomes is ideal as both could lead to a sugar glider’s death rather quickly.
It’s also why introducing them into your home at a slow pace is an essential part of successful cohabitation.
You want to socialize them slow and let your other animals get used to the glider at a snail’s pace.
More importantly, never leave the glider outside the cage inside a room with these other pets when you aren’t there.
Instead, owners should always have them in a bonding or traveling pouch when a glider’s around other pets. It’s the only effective method to ensure a comfortable, safe living situation with other pets.
Sugar Gliders and Cats FAQs
IS CAT SALIVA TOXIC TO SUGAR GLIDERS?
Cat saliva contains a significant amount of bacteria, which makes it toxic to sugar gliders and other small animals. It’s another reason that most owners keep their cats in a separate part of the home than their gliders.
WILL CATS KILL SUGAR GLIDERS?
A cat’s instinct is to kill small furry creatures, such as sugar gliders. These animals represent prey to them and won’t hesitate to act on it if a situation arises.
WHAT STRESSES OUT SUGAR GLIDERS?
Gliders can become stressed from a predator’s presence, illness, dirty cages, overcrowded enclosures, boredom, erratic temperatures, and loads of other reasons.
Signs of stress include:
- Overeating
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive sleeping
- Frantic circling
Final Thoughts
As we’ve learned, sugar gliders and cats can live together, but you’ll have your work cut out for you.
If you decide that you want to go for it, make sure you follow our tips above to keep both creatures safe.
What do you think of sugar gliders and cats? Can they get along? Share below!
Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all around geek. He divides his love equally between his family, his animals, and his video games. In his spare time he is attempting to get a blog off the ground. Boy, are they heavy!
