Glidinglight
How to care for your new Glider
When you take your new baby home remember, even though he is human bonded, he needs time to adjust. A baby in his new environment may be a little shakey and scared. Give him a little time to adjust to his new surroundings.
After the first 24 hours you might want to take him out while he is sleeping in his sleeping pouch and gently pet him. Many people purchase very large cages which is wonderful but you don't want to chase the baby and try to catch him the first few days. So it is much easier to take him out in his pouch and stroke him before you take him out of the pouch.
Remember this is a baby! He is going to be very aware of all his new surroundings and it will be a bit over-whelming. He may be a little shakey. Try to keep noise and new people to a minimum. Gliders can live 12-14 years in captivity so there is plenty of time for family and friends to visit with the new glider once he is settled.
Gliders typically are very hardy healthy animals. Given the proper diet, housing and attention he needs you can expect to have him as a companion for many years. I can't stress enough that a phosphorous free calcium supplement is absolutely essential to the gliders health. Don't let anyone tell you they get enough in the foods they eat, NOT true.
The first couple days I would not be concerned how much he eats or drinks just that he does. Wash all fresh food it does not take much pesticide to kill a glider. Add new foods one at a time to insure that you baby tolerates them. If you think your glider is only eating one type of food you can have all fruit night or all veggie night this is particularly important if you have more than one glider, you may not realize one is eating all the sweets! Stress can cause all kinds of health problems so be aware. Trouble passing a stool or diarea is not normal and you should contact your Vet at the first sign of trouble. Gliders are small and it doesn't take long for a little problem to turn major.
Nails need to be clipped regularly. The easiest way to clip his nails, if he won't hold still, for you is to have someone hold him for you and then you can take one little foot at a time and clip the tips off. If he is a real squirmer it might help to hold him with a wash cloth! If you don't want to do this I can do it for you. Cost is $5.00.
Gliders do NOT need baths. They keep themselves very clean BUT sometimes they do get into their food and may become overly sticky just when you want to have playtime. Wiping with a damp cloth is fine.
Playtime, is the best time for both of you. Be sure the toilet lid is kept down, and that all your plants are pet safe. Gliders can be real escape artists keep all the doors on the cage latched. If using some sort of bird cage you may want to use bread ties because gliders can lift doors. Never chase the baby around the cage. The easiest way to get the baby is to reach in and take the baby out in his sleeping pouch. Gently stroke him while is in there and then it is much easier to take him out. You want him to always be comfortable with your hand.
After the first 24 hours you might want to take him out while he is sleeping in his sleeping pouch and gently pet him. Many people purchase very large cages which is wonderful but you don't want to chase the baby and try to catch him the first few days. So it is much easier to take him out in his pouch and stroke him before you take him out of the pouch.
Remember this is a baby! He is going to be very aware of all his new surroundings and it will be a bit over-whelming. He may be a little shakey. Try to keep noise and new people to a minimum. Gliders can live 12-14 years in captivity so there is plenty of time for family and friends to visit with the new glider once he is settled.
Gliders typically are very hardy healthy animals. Given the proper diet, housing and attention he needs you can expect to have him as a companion for many years. I can't stress enough that a phosphorous free calcium supplement is absolutely essential to the gliders health. Don't let anyone tell you they get enough in the foods they eat, NOT true.
The first couple days I would not be concerned how much he eats or drinks just that he does. Wash all fresh food it does not take much pesticide to kill a glider. Add new foods one at a time to insure that you baby tolerates them. If you think your glider is only eating one type of food you can have all fruit night or all veggie night this is particularly important if you have more than one glider, you may not realize one is eating all the sweets! Stress can cause all kinds of health problems so be aware. Trouble passing a stool or diarea is not normal and you should contact your Vet at the first sign of trouble. Gliders are small and it doesn't take long for a little problem to turn major.
Nails need to be clipped regularly. The easiest way to clip his nails, if he won't hold still, for you is to have someone hold him for you and then you can take one little foot at a time and clip the tips off. If he is a real squirmer it might help to hold him with a wash cloth! If you don't want to do this I can do it for you. Cost is $5.00.
Gliders do NOT need baths. They keep themselves very clean BUT sometimes they do get into their food and may become overly sticky just when you want to have playtime. Wiping with a damp cloth is fine.
Playtime, is the best time for both of you. Be sure the toilet lid is kept down, and that all your plants are pet safe. Gliders can be real escape artists keep all the doors on the cage latched. If using some sort of bird cage you may want to use bread ties because gliders can lift doors. Never chase the baby around the cage. The easiest way to get the baby is to reach in and take the baby out in his sleeping pouch. Gently stroke him while is in there and then it is much easier to take him out. You want him to always be comfortable with your hand.
