Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm posting my question in both the rat and sugar glider forums to try to get both sides' opinions. At the moment, I am leaning towards getting a pair of rats as a pets...but I've always loved sugar gliders. Are sugar gliders much more difficult to own and care for than rats. From what I've read, it seems like both require pretty much the same type of care. I do realize that sugar gliders do need a variety of fresh fruits daily...however, that can also be said of rats. Not to mention, I already have an iguana that requires fresh food daily. So to me that isn't that big of a deal.

Which of the two do all of you recommend as a pet? I just want a small pet that I can hold and cuddle with. I really enjoy caring for animals...as you can tell from my list of pets below. Are gliders much more difficult to tame? Opinions please!

Thanks!

Hello,

I think that in the long run the sugar glider would make a more rewarding pet. Rats are smart and can be taught a variety of behaviours. They are inexpensive however they only live a few years. The glider will cost you considerably more but it is my opinion that the glider will make a better pet.

J

New to posting here but have had rats for 30yrs and a sugar glider for nearly 4. IMHO a Sugar Gliders are way more work than a rat. First is the obtaining and bonding. Are you gonna be able to carry it around for weeks? Basically always? Do you have room for the cage? To me a Sugar Glider minimum is 2ft cubed for a single. To me that would be small and crowding. Then there is the bonding, the super fast flight, the way more nervous an animal, the specialized diet.

If you have never had either....get a pair of same sex rats and see how you like them. If you have time for them and can involve them in your life. If not then don't go on to an animal that takes more time and lives longer. If you do get on with the rats, as has been said, they only live a couple years and you have time to choose a Sugar Glider.

I have both rats and sugar gliders. I love them both. But wherever you got the idea that thier feeding care and other cares are no different, there you are wrong. Rats are sooo much easier to care for. They are easier to bond with, you can be a bit rougher with rats when it comes to playtime. I can let my rat run the house and not worry about where it is or where it goes. My sugar gliders have to be carefully watched when they are out or they will disapear! And fincing them is not always easy unless you stay up all night.
the diet is extremely more difficult than that of a rat. My gliders get 3 different dishes of fresh food every night. My rats get one mixed dish. And a much less expensive PREMADE blend!
I have to blend and create my own food for the gliders each night.
Rats DO live shorter lives. That is the only real downfall. Gliders are alot more expensive. But people that are selling them are usually only making enough off the babies to pay for thier parents room and board. I sell mine for even cheaper than what I spend on food each year for them. But I love my gliders and they are well worth it to me. A glider can bond toyou like no other animal. However, that DOES take alot more work than bonding with a rat. You have ot be able to carry your little new baby around in a pouch or your shirt for a few weeks at least to get it used to you and bonded. Of course, then after that, neither you nor the glider will want to be apart from each other.
So if you are looking for an EASY pet you can play with and bond with, go with a rat. But if you are willing to put in that extra effort and work, a glider is deffinetly worth it!

I have read in many places that the best diet for rats includes fresh foods daily in addition to the mixtures that are bought or lab blocks. I'm assuming most people probably don't give their rats fresh foods all the time though. If I get rats I intend to feed them as good as I possibly can, so I will be giving them fresh foods daily in addition to the premixed bought foods. So that's what I meant by being similar in care. I do understand that gliders absolutely HAVE to have fresh foods daily in addition to a homemade food and some type of pellets or other bought food especially formulated for gliders. That is why I decided on rats, because if I have a very busy day and only give the rats pellets, it will not harm them in any way. I just dont feel I have the time to properly care for a glider. I have other animals that I care for also. I especially do not want to take time away from the true loves of my life...my dogs (well...my husband too :0) ) Bonding with a glider takes ALOT of time and I doubt I would be able to take it to work with me. It almost seems like the best home for a glider would be a home with a stay at home mom or someone else who works at home. It also doesn't seem like a glider would fit very well into a home where there are a bunch of other animals or children. I think I could do it if I really wanted to, but I don't HAVE to have a glider and rats are just as cute and fit my lifestyle better. ) Thanks for your help and input about gliders!

Dang it the red face was supposed to be a SMILEY FACE...oops!! I did that in another message the other day!

I guess it thinks my smiley's nose is supposed to be its mouth.

)

Thanks to everyone who has helped me make a decision! I really appreciate your input. I have gone back to my original decision and decided to get a pair of rats. I just think their nature and type of care needed fits what I want much better. Thank you!!