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October 31, 2011 on 6:15 pm

Provide plenty of toys for your flyers. Flying squirrels play with small stuffed animals (no attached plastic eyes or such, just embroidered; stuffed with fiber, not beads). They will attack and wrestle them, drag them all over the cage, and sleep with them. They will play with more than one stuffy, but usually have one that is their favorite.
They love things that they can climb on. A tree branch is ideal; they climb, chew or just hang out on it. Branches also have the added benefit of keeping their teeth and nails trimmed, which is very important. See branches here. A heavy natural fiber rope (sisal or cotton) stretched across their cage or, even better, across the room, makes a fantastic flyer highway. See ropes here. You will be amazed at their speed and agility on it.
I have seen two flyers start across a rope, one at each end and, right at the last minute, when they meet in the middle, going at top speed, one stays on top and the other flips over and runs on the bottom of the rope, which is amazing to see.
Flying squirrels also love to run laps around your body, preferably under your shirt, but this game can tickle. And you just wont believe how cold their little feet can be!
Anything small for them to hide in is always a big hit. An empty toilet paper roll, a very small paper bag, a small square facial tissue box with or without a few tissues left in it. Bamboo tunnels are great. You can even find infant toys that are suitable for your flyers. As a general rule, if it’s safe for a baby it will be safe for your flyer.

September 29, 2011 on 5:35 pm

Quick & Easy INSTANT-HPW. Finally available … an easy way to prepare and offer the popular HPW Sugar Glider Diet plan at a low cost. Your Sugar Glider will absolutely LOVE the pure vanilla bean flavor of INSTANT-HPW. Contains all of the ingredients in the original HPW Diet including Honey, Eggs, Wombaroo High Protein Supplement, Bee Pollen, Flax Seed Oil & Omega 6 & 3 Fatty Acids.

The Exotic Nutrition Pet Company formulated INSTANT-HPW to replicate the original HPW diet plan used by Sugar Glider owner’s worldwide. Exotic Nutrition’s INSTANT-HPW delivers an enriched diet plan that includes all of the ingredients found in the original HPW(High Protein Wombaroo diet), without the fuss, high cost of purchasing individual ingredients … or mess involved in it’s preparation!

Simply add bottled water, blend, and it’s ready to feed, or freeze into ice cubes(Freezes soft)… to offer at a later time. Amazingly simple to prepare and flavored with pure vanilla bean powder that Sugar Gliders can’t resist!

INSTANT-HPW can be frozen after mixing and stored for up to 6 months frozen. It will store in it’s original powder form at room temperature for up to 1 year.

When freezing, pour into ice cube trays for individual portions; offer one cube per day (per 2 gliders) along with Exotic Nutrition’s Premium Sugar Glider Pellets or Glider Complete Diet. Place frozen cube on top of the pellet diet (2 tablespoons of either PREMIUM SUGAR GLIDER PELLETS or GLIDER COMPLETE DIET along with one cube of INSTANT-HPW for 2 Sugar Gliders, half that amount for 1 glider). Remove any uneaten food after 24 hours and replace with fresh. When mixed with water and not freezing, simply pour 2 Tablespoons of the liquid INSTANT-HPWover 1 Tablespoon of either Premium Sugar Glider Diet or Glider Complete (per Sugar Glider)and serve. After mixing with water, it can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 week, mix well before each feeding if storing this way.

Packaged in resealable heavy-duty pouches.

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Measure 1 cup bottled water with 1/2 cup INSTANT-HPW powder. Blend for 1 minute, then feed, store refrigerated or freeze into cubes. Fresh fruits and vegetables can also be offered along with the INSTANT-HPW and Pellet Diet.
When feeding … it is not necessary to add fruits & vegetables, since this food already contains dried fruits.

INGREDIENTS:
Dried powdered honey, dried powdered whole eggs, whey protein concentrate, soy protein concentrate, ground cereals, powdered bee pollen, maltodextrin, dextrose, lysine, methionine, vegetable oils, flax seed oil, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, E, K, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, choline, inositol, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, natural flavorings.

August 14, 2011 on 3:37 pm

Although there are many different types of hedgehogs in Africa, Europe and other areas of the world, none are native to the United States. In the early 90s the importation of hedgehogs from Africa ended, so any that are here now have been bred as pets. The hedgehogs you find here are African white-bellied hedgehogs. They have spines (modified hairs) with a soft, white fur underside. They will fit in the palm of your hand and will typically weigh between 1 to 1 ½ pounds (450 to 700 grams).
Where do you get a hedgehog? There are three choices: a breeder, a pet store or a rescue. A breeder should be willing to let you see their facility when you pick up your hedgehog. You’ll have to fill out USDA paperwork (unless the breeder is very small, in which case they do not have to be USDA licensed). The breeder should give you some type of guarantee as to the health of the animal and be able to supply you with family history at least several generations back. Get a small amount of the food the hedgehog was fed to make the transition to whatever you choose to feed easier on the hedgehog.
Your hedgehog may or may not come with an International Hedgehog Registry (IHR) number. If the breeder hasn’t registered their litters with the IHR, consider registering your hedgehog. There’s no cost, but it’s a way to track genetic lines, and you will also need a number if you decide to enter your hedgehog in any of the International Hedgehog Association- sanctioned conformation shows. A hedgehog from a breeder usually is used to being handled and is well socialized.

For more information, visit the Hedgehog department at Exotic Nutrition.
August 14, 2011 on 3:33 pm

The zinc issue is one that is not without a lot of controversy within
the pet industry. There is
unfortunately a lot of misinformation on the web regarding this topic
and we can’t blame pet owners for feeling concerned, we were too when we
first heard of it several years ago. By making this post we hope to
present our perspective which has been developed through discussions
with other pet professionals.
“A lot has been mentioned recently about zinc toxicity in pets. Many
pet toys are made with zinc coated (galvanized) metal components.
Zinc is also commonly found in cage powder coatings. Some avian health
specialists have stated that in order for zinc related health problems
to result that the pet must actually swallow the metal components
and that touching the parts is insufficient for toxicity to develop
unless the galvanized coating is extremely brittle and flaky. If a
pet spends a lot of time chewing on toy hardware (i.e., washers,
quick links, wire) then it is possible they will ingest enough zinc to
build up toxic levels in their systems over time. Owners who are
worried about the possible health effects can often find stainless
steel replacement components at their local hardware store. This
option is also often much more cost effective to the consumer than
buying toys constructed with stainless steel parts.”

All of the Exotic Nutrition pet toy hardware is “zinc free” with the
exception of our wire, hanger bolts and washers which are
electro-galvanized.

Galvanization is the name of the method used to treat steel to prevent
rusting. Not all methods of galvanization are “equal” when it comes to
posing a risk of zinc ingestion. The two main methods of galvanization
are hot dip galvanization and electro-galvanization:

* Hot dip galvanization is where the metal is dipped in essentially a
bath of molten zinc. Metal treated in this fashion has a dull, rough
and flaky surface of zinc which does pose a risk of zinc ingestion to
birds if chewed.

* Electro-galvanizing is process where a thinner, tighter-bonding coat
of zinc is applied to a metal via electroplating. The surface of
materials treated by this method are smooth and shiny in comparison to
those treated by the hot dip method. In other words, there are no
loose and flaky zinc components available for pets to swallow. Metals
treated by this procedure do not pose a risk of zinc ingestion as long
as the metal object can not be swallowed in it’s entirety.

For a wealth of pet care information, visit Exotic Nutrition today !

August 14, 2011 on 3:31 pm

Before bringing a hedgehog into your family, find a veterinarian who deals with exotics and has experience with hedgehogs. Not all vets do. Although hedgehogs don’t need vaccinations like some animals, they can get sick, and vet bills can be expensive. Several medical issues are fairly common with hedgehogs, including wobbly hedgehog syndrome, which has pretty specific symptoms but cannot be positively diagnosed other in a necropsy, jaw tumors and other types of cancer, heart issues and uterine issues in females, especially those that have not been bred.

No significant difference exists in the personalities or the size of male and female hedgehogs. It’s just a matter of preference which to get as a pet. Just keep in mind that unaltered males and females should never be housed together. Female hedgehogs become fertile in the presence of a male and can breed as early as 6 or 7 weeks of age (although it’s not medically safe for them to do so). Because of this, males and females (including Mom) should be separated as soon as the babies are weaned.
With few exceptions, a male hedgehog should be housed alone. Even if male hedgehogs seem to get along, sooner or later a fight is likely to occur that can result in serious injury or death. Females can be housed together, although some prefer to be alone. If you get two females, have the room for separate housing should you need to separate them. Hedgehogs in the wild are solitary animals, so you don’t need to have two to keep each other company.

Products to help keep your pet Hedgehogs healthy are offered on-line. Exotic Nutrition Pet Company sells high quality Hedgehog Foods and Supplements along with Hedgehog appropriate cages and cage accessories.

June 2, 2011 on 7:27 pm

Manufacturer Recall – PVC Sugar Glider Cages
Martins PVC coated cages sold from October 2010 – May 2011

Pertains to ‘PVC’ coated Sugar glider cages only. These are identified as the Sugar glider cages with the thick black PVC coating on the wire, purchased between Oct. 2010 – May 2011.

If you purchased a PVC coated (Martins) Sugar glider cage from the Exotic Nutrition Pet company website, or any other retail website between October 2010 thru May 2010, please contact the manufacturer – Martins Cages about a cage recall (contact information listed below).

At this time, there is no indication that the PVC coated cages are definitely a cause of health issues with pet Sugar gliders, but there is a possibility that the PVC coated wire may be an issue, therefore as a precautionary measure, Martins Cage company will replace their PVC coated cages (sold between the above listed dates) with powder coated cages at no cost to the customer.

The PVC coated Sugar glider cages that the recall applies include the following models as previously listed on the Exotic Nutrition website: Castle Cage, Tower Cage, Mansion cage, Travel Cage, these were the (all black) PVC coated Sugar glider cage models only, and only the cages purchased between Oct. 2010 and May 2011. No other pet cage models sold on the Exotic Nutrition website are effected by this recall. This recall only applies to PVC coated Sugar glider cages purchased during these dates, no other pet cages are effected.

At this time, if you house a Sugar glider(s) in a PVC coated cage that was purchased between Oct. 2010 and May 2011, please remove your sugar glider(s) from the cage, and contact Martins Cage company immediately to determine if your PVC cage is one that is effected by the recall.

Martins Cage Company (the cage manufacturer) is currently working on a new line of Sugar glider cages made from another material, and they will gladly replace any of their PVC coated Sugar glider cages that were purchased between Oct. 2010 thru May 2011.

Martins Cage Company will soon have available sugar glider cages made in powder coated wire, which they will replace the PVC coated cages with. This will take a little time, but as soon as they are available they will be happy to replace your existing cage with a powder coated version of the Sugar glider cage model that you purchased between the dates listed above.

It would be helpful if you could please e-mail Martins Cages at: sales@martinscages.com if you own one of the cages in question, so they can put you on the priority list to have a new powder coated cage shipped out to you as soon as possible. Please put “cage replacement” in the subject line and include your name and current address.

The Exotic Nutrition Pet Company will provide any updates to the recall, along with keeping you informed of any other information that becomes available to us.

Contact Information for Martins Cage Company:
email address – sales@martinscages.com
Phone number for Martins Cage Company – 888-451-2234
Contact person at Martins Cage Co. – Diane

April 6, 2011 on 7:43 pm


Flying Squirrels eat a variety of foods, with some exceptions. A balanced diet with equal amounts of nuts, dried vegetables, fruit (fresh or dried) and a commercial flying squirrel diet is necessary for a healthy flying squirrel. For convenience purposes, mix these proportions in the same container. Refrigerate the container if it contains perishables.

Typically, flying squirrels eat about 5 to 10 grams of food per night, so a tablespoon or two per squirrel per night is ideal. Fruit is important for digestion, to prevent constipation. You may feed fruit, nuts and vegetables separate from the tablespoon portion.
Their favorite food is pecans, but don’t feed to squirrels in an abundance, because your squirrel will desire only the pecans, and nothing else. Anything containing sugar should be fed sparingly as a treat. Chocolate and caffeine should never be fed to any flying squirrel.

April 6, 2011 on 7:25 pm

cage2The question most asked by Sugar glider owners is … How do I select a good cage for my Sugar Glider? There is an easy answer, and a difficult answer.
First …the easy answer – Select the largest cage that you can afford, and buy it from a reputable dealer specializing in Exotic pets. Reputable dealers will stock cages that are appropriate for your pet, and will guide you in the proper selection to fit your budget.

Now the more difficult answer – You want a cage that will offer enough space for your pet Sugar glider to run and play in, most cages on the market for sugar gliders have 1/2 inch bar spacing which is the correct size for these small marsupials. Typically the smallest cage that you would want to use for a single Sugar glider would be 30 inches wide x 18 inches deep x 30 inches high. Anything smaller than this would be cramping their style. If you have multiple gliders housed together, then a slightly larger cage would be appropriate, something 32 inches x 20 inches x 35 inches would work. More than 2 sugar gliders? See examples of appropriate cages here. When housing more than 2 gliders together, consider a corner sugar glider cage or a hexagonal sugar glider cage.

Cage Finishes:

Years ago some companies sold galvanized cages for sugar gliders, this was before we knew that galvanized metal can be toxic to the animal. Currently sugar glider cages are manufactured with either a baked-on powder coat finish (non-toxic) or PVC coating. Either one of these finishes are appropriate. If you have heard of “Medical Grade” finishes, disregard these claims. Sugar glider cages are just not manufactured with ‘Medical Grade” finishes. First of all it is unnecessary, and second of all … if they were, it would drive the price of the cage up by 200%.

Cage accessories:

Some cages come complete with shelves, ramps and other accessories, most do not. Most come with food dishes and maybe a climbing perch or two. You will need to purchase other accessories for the cage in order to provide your sugar glider with areas to climb and nest. Cage accessory selections can be viewed here. You may want to select better quality stainless steel dishes and a glass water bottle too.

Cage Bedding:

Although not necessary … it is good idea to place a 1 inch layer of cage bedding on the tray of the cage. Cage bedding will absorb urine and feces, along with eliminating odors and making cage cleaning easier. We recommend a product called Carefresh.

Where do I find appropriate cages?

Pet stores typically do not stock cages that are appropriate for pet sugar gliders, you may find the odd store with one model on hand, but it is unlikely that they will have a selection to choose from, and it is likely that their pricing will be higher than on-line stores. The best way to shop is on-line at stores that specialize in Exotic Mammals. Specialty websites will offer the widest selection at the best pricing … but make sure that you shop around. Models will be priced significantly higher at some web stores than others … and it is the same model cage.

Want to read more about cages? Click here.

See a store that specializes in items for sugar gliders only ! See here.

April 6, 2011 on 7:20 pm

Sugar_Glider_DrawingWe often get asked this question. Someone who has seen a Sugar glider displayed in a mall, or on the shoulder of a passerby, or on a television show, now wants to know where they can find a Sugar glider to purchase themselves. Sugar gliders are not as readily available as many other pets, although they breed readily, they only produce a few babies per year. There are no ‘major’ suppliers here in the U.S. The few breeders located throughout the country sell the majority of their sugar gliders to specific customers, who in turn travel around the country, from mall to mall, or flea market to flea market displaying and selling the animals. The demand is greater than the supply, especially around the holidays when the demand increases. There are many pet stores that have access to smaller breeders, or a connection to the few larger breeders. If you are searching for a sugar glider, your best bet would be to initially phone your local independently owned pet store. The larger ‘chain’ pet supply stores are not likely to stock Sugar gliders, they do not have a good source to supply them with the numbers that they can sell, so they don’t stock them. Your first move should be to pick up your local yellow pages and turn to the pet section, start phoning the pet stores listed and ask if they stock sugar gliders, if they don’t, ask if they know of any available. Private Sugar glider breeders are the ideal source, but finding one can be difficult. A good breeder keeps breeding records, and he or she can answer any questions that you may have. Sugar glider ownership can be a truly rewarding experience. One quick glance into those big, dark eyes will instantly captivate your heart. See more information on breeders listed here.

February 17, 2011 on 2:56 pm

TWO GLIDERSWe get asked this question often … Can I keep more that one Sugar glider together in one cage? We are also asked frequently if another Sugar glider can be added to an existing lone Sugar glider or a cage that houses multiple Sugar gliders? Well, the answer to both questions is yes. Sugar gliders are colony animals, in the wild they live in groups (colonies) or ‘families’ of up to 30 animals. It is normal for Sugar gliders to thrive in groups, although when one animal is kept alone for long periods of time, it may require a slow introduction of any new additions to the cage.

Our recommendation for adding another Sugar glider to a cage that has housed one existing single glider, is to do so slowly. If possible, house the two gliders in two separate cages next to each other at first. Let the gliders get to know each other before they can interact together. If possible let the sides of the cages touch each other. They will get used to each other’s behaviors, smells etc. Once the gliders have been able to get accustom to each other you can allow them to visit each other’s cages. Make sure that the initial introduction is carefully supervised, if there is any aggression, separate the gliders, and try again in a few days.
In our experience, most Sugar gliders will adapt peacefully to the addition of another or multiple Sugar gliders.

When adding a baby glider to a cage that houses an adult sugar glider, extra caution should be given during the introduction process. Established adult Sugar gliders should have a slow (2 week) introduction to baby gliders entering their domain.

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