09/01/2026
🐾 WHAT I DO EVERY WEEK WITH EVERY SUGAR GLIDER 🐾
One of the most important parts of caring for sugar gliders is getting into a routine of regular hands-on checks. Every week, I weigh all of my gliders, trim their nails, and do a good body and teeth inspection.
It’s not just about keeping them maintained—it gives me an opportunity to notice small changes that could indicate a problem, sometimes before there are obvious symptoms. It also helps them become comfortable with being handled, which makes future veterinary visits much less stressful.
🎥 Weekly weigh-in & nail trim:
https://youtu.be/Tuq6sfmNawc?si=L9bU3lyziT1Y4Qil
⚖️ WEIGHTS
I’ve found it much easier to weigh my gliders using a pouch. I put a bowl on the scale, place the pouch inside, and since nail trims happen immediately afterward, I add treats to the pouch to keep them distracted. I tare/zero the scale and then add my glider.
Sugar gliders come in all shapes and sizes, just like humans. Adult males average around 80–160g and adult females around 70–150g, but body structure matters too. A smaller-bodied glider may naturally weigh less, while a larger-bodied glider may weigh more.
What matters most is knowing YOUR glider’s normal and watching for changes.
I recommend weighing weekly on the same day and around the same time, using a kitchen scale that measures in grams, and keeping a record of their weights.
Glider Tome is a great way to track all your sugar gliders information:
https://glidertome.com/auth
SuggieHub is another option:
https://suggiehub.com/
📌 A loss of more than 5g in one week, or continued weight loss over time, is something I would take seriously and discuss with your exotic veterinarian.
Your kitchen scale can also be useful for weighing proteins and other foods for their diet.
Scale: https://a.co/d/0G09rep
Calibration weights: https://a.co/d/8PuvQJg
🔎 BODY INSPECTION
After weighing, I use the pouch to help with nail trimming and a thorough body check.
I look at:
• Overall fur condition
• Thinning or missing fur
• Cracking or changes in the skin
• Bumps, lumps or injuries
• Dominance/mating wounds, especially around the neck and shoulder blades
• Tail condition
• Discoloration or other unusual changes
• Females’ pouches
• Cloaca for anything abnormal
• Abdomen for unusual lumps or changes
I also use this opportunity to check hydration with a skin-tent test by gently lifting the skin between the shoulder blades and watching how quickly it returns.
⚠️ A skin-tent test isn’t a perfect way to diagnose dehydration, so if you suspect your glider is dehydrated or otherwise unwell, contact your exotic vet.
✂️ NAIL TRIMS
We use a designated nail-trimming pouch. We prefer angled nail trimmers, but you need to use whatever is most comfortable for you.
Cornstarch (or flour) can be used to help control bleeding if you accidentally cut the quick. I do not recommend styptic powder for sugar gliders because they can ingest it while grooming. Styptic powder is toxic if ingested.
We usually wait until the middle of the day when they’re sleepier and work with one glider at a time. Treats are a HUGE distraction in our house! 😂
I pull out one paw at a time. For unbonded or difficult gliders, the pouch can also be used to gently burrito-wrap them and limit excessive movement.
🎥 For unbonded or difficult nail trims:
https://youtu.be/fFV5M54OMkU?si=e28mqf68onJBDh6V
I also use a 12x12 piece of fleece to help transfer them between pouches and during the body inspection. I cup them in my hand, pull out one arm or leg at a time and wrap the pouch around it to help keep everyone secure.
And remember: the more nervous you are, the more nervous and wiggly they may become. Stay calm and take your time.
If you’re not comfortable using clippers yet, start with a regular nail file. It lets both you and your glider get used to having their feet handled without the risk of cutting the quick. The downside is that you’ll generally need to do it more frequently because you’re only removing the sharp tips.
💡 Another thing you can do from the time you start bonding is practice holding their hands and feet. This helps them become accustomed to having their feet handled before you ever need to trim their nails.
Most of our gliders eventually learned that nail trim = TREATS, so they don’t really care what I’m doing. 😂
We used to use nail-trimming inserts on our wheels, but they absorbed urine like crazy, so we stopped. I simply trim nails weekly now.
Even if you use trimming tracks, you should still check and trim their nails as needed. They may extend the time between trims, but they don’t replace regular nail checks.
🦷 AND DON’T FORGET THE TEETH!
Last but definitely not least, I attempt to get a look at their teeth and gums.
I’m checking for things like plaque buildup, irritated or red gums, and anything else that looks abnormal.
The goal isn’t to diagnose problems at home—it’s to know what normal looks like for your glider so you can recognize when something changes.
Weekly weighing + hands-on inspection + nail care + checking their mouth = one simple routine that can help you stay on top of your glider’s health. ❤️
And honestly, the more comfortable they become with being handled, the easier EVERYTHING becomes—including those dreaded vet visits! 🥰
🐾 HELP US KEEP CARING FOR OUR RESCUE GLIDERS 🐾
While this routine is part of caring for my personal gliders, we do the same kind of hands-on care with our rescue and sanctuary gliders. Weekly weights, nail trims, inspections, food, supplies and veterinary care all add up quickly when you’re caring for so many little lives.
If you find our education helpful and would like to help us continue providing care to the gliders who need us, donations are always appreciated. ❤️
💚 CashApp: $atxsgrescue
💙 PayPal: www.paypal.me/atxsgrescue
💜 Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-make-a-difference-19808
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we operate entirely on donations and adoption fees. All donations are tax-deductible.
Every dollar helps us provide food, supplies, veterinary care and a safe place for gliders who need us. Thank you for helping us keep their little lives healthy and happy. 🥰
