When properly introduced your sugar glider will not only become a full-fledged member of your entire family, your pets will become part of their ‘inner circle’ of family as well. Many people are shocked to learn that even cats and dogs can and do become quite fond of the sugar glider members of the household. People often think that because a sugar glider is as small as a rodent, and moves around quickly that the prey instinct in their dog or cat will kick in but this is generally not the case.

Of course, if you just throw your sugar glider down on the floor its run will attract your dog or cat. This could lead to a hazardous accident before you can stop it, and before your other pet realizes that what they are chasing is not a rodent. When brought together properly, a dog or a cat quickly realizes that the sugar glider is not food. It may look ‘rodent-like’ due to its size, but it does not smell like a rodent so they see that it is not a food object, or prey.

Once they see that dogs and cats are actually quite happy to have a sugar glider snuggle up with them for a nap, and can even often times be seen sharing a food or water bowl. Careful introduction to feathered pets is important as well. While domestic birds are rarely in touch with the wilder instincts that would make them chase prey, in the wild hawks, and other large birds are a predator to a sugar glider and even pet birds can cause them to become very afraid. Carefully letting your sugar glider become used to a pet bird will help them to overcome their fear, although they may not ever quite get secure enough to want to snuggle with your parrot.