Can You Keep a Sugar Glider as a Pet in the UK? Legal Status & Care (2026)

Sugar gliders are tiny, big-eyed marsupials that glide through the air like flying squirrels. With their adorable appearance and social nature, it's no wonder people want to keep them as pets. But should you keep a sugar glider in the UK?

The short answer: Yes, sugar gliders are legal in the UK without any special licence. However, the RSPCA strongly advises against keeping them due to their complex needs and nocturnal behaviour that makes them unsuitable as household pets.

This comprehensive guide covers UK laws on sugar glider ownership, true costs (£200-£600+), care requirements, common health problems, and why animal welfare experts recommend alternatives. Researched using official sources including UK Government wildlife legislation, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and veterinary guidance from VCA Animal Hospitals.

What is a Sugar Glider?

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small, nocturnal marsupial native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, they get their name from their love of sweet foods and their ability to glide up to 50 metres between trees using a membrane called a patagium.

Key characteristics:

• Size: 12-15cm body length (plus 15-20cm tail), weighing 90-150g
• Lifespan: 10-15 years in captivity (a serious long-term commitment)
• Social structure: Highly colonial - live in groups of 6-10 in the wild
• Activity pattern: Strictly nocturnal - active from dusk to dawn
• Diet: Omnivorous - insects, nectar, sap, pollen, and small vertebrates
• Special feature: Can glide up to 50 metres using skin flaps between legs

Sugar gliders are marsupials, meaning females have a pouch where joeys develop after birth. They are NOT rodents, despite sometimes being mistakenly classified as such.

UK Legal Status: No Licence Required

Sugar gliders are legal to own in the UK without any special licence. Here's the complete legal framework:

Why No DWA Licence?

The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 lists specific species requiring a licence. Sugar gliders are NOT on this list because they:

• Pose no significant danger to humans
• Are small and non-venomous
• Cannot cause serious injury

Species requiring DWA licences include: wild cats, primates, crocodilians, venomous snakes, and wolves. Sugar gliders fall outside these categories.

Animal Welfare Act 2006 Requirements

While no licence is needed, UK owners MUST comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which requires meeting five welfare needs:

1. Environment - Suitable living conditions (large enclosure, correct temperature)
2. Diet - Appropriate food and fresh water
3. Behaviour - Ability to express normal behaviours (climbing, gliding, foraging)
4. Companionship - Housed with or apart from other animals as appropriate (sugar gliders NEED companions)
5. Health - Protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease

Failure to meet these needs is a criminal offence punishable by up to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021.

Import Regulations

Importing sugar gliders into the UK requires:

• CITES permit - Sugar gliders are listed under CITES Appendix II
• Health certificates from country of origin
• Quarantine may be required

Most UK sugar gliders are captive-bred within the country.

Why the RSPCA Warns Against Sugar Gliders

The RSPCA explicitly advises against keeping sugar gliders as pets. Here's why:

1. Nocturnal Nature

Sugar gliders are strictly nocturnal. They will:

• Sleep all day (disturbing them causes stress)
• Be most active between midnight and 5am
• Make loud barking, chirping, and crabbing sounds at night
• Not adapt to human schedules

This makes meaningful interaction extremely difficult for most owners.

2. Social Needs

According to veterinary sources, sugar gliders are highly social animals that can literally die from loneliness. In the wild, they live in colonies of 6-10 individuals. This means:

• You MUST keep at least two (preferably same-sex pairs or neutered groups)
• Single sugar gliders develop self-mutilation behaviours
• They require hours of daily bonding with owners
• They need large, complex environments for social interaction

3. Dietary Complexity

Sugar gliders have extremely specific dietary needs. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, nutritional disorders are the most common health problem in captive sugar gliders, including:

• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) from calcium deficiency
• Obesity from incorrect diet
• Malnutrition from feeding inappropriate foods

Their diet requires:

• Fresh insects (mealworms, crickets)
• Specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratios
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Commercial sugar glider supplements
• Avoiding foods toxic to them (chocolate, onions, garlic)

4. Space Requirements

Sugar gliders need vertical space to climb and glide. The absolute minimum enclosure is 60cm x 60cm x 90cm, but experts recommend:

• Minimum: 90cm x 90cm x 180cm for a pair
• Ideal: Walk-in aviary-style enclosure
• Multiple levels, branches, pouches, and enrichment
• Bar spacing under 1.3cm to prevent escape

5. Veterinary Care Challenges

Finding a vet who can treat sugar gliders in the UK is difficult. Use our exotic vet directory to locate specialists, but be aware:

• Most general vets have no sugar glider experience
• Emergency treatment may not be available
• Vet bills can be significantly higher than for common pets

Sugar Glider Costs in the UK (2026)

Here's the true cost of keeping sugar gliders responsibly in the UK:

Initial Purchase

| Source | Price Range | |--------|-------------| | Reputable breeder | £200-£400 per glider | | Pet shops | £150-£250 per glider | | Rare colour morphs | £400-£600 per glider | | MINIMUM (pair required) | £300-£800 |

Setup Costs

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Large cage (90x90x180cm minimum) | £300-£800 | | Pouches and sleeping areas | £30-£50 | | Branches and climbing equipment | £50-£100 | | Exercise wheel (silent, 30cm+) | £30-£60 | | Food bowls and water bottles | £20-£30 | | Heat lamp/ceramic heater | £40-£80 | | Initial vet health check | £50-£100 | | TOTAL SETUP | £520-£1,220 |

Monthly Ongoing Costs

| Item | Monthly Cost | |------|--------------| | Fresh insects (crickets, mealworms) | £20-£40 | | Fresh fruits and vegetables | £15-£25 | | Commercial sugar glider food | £15-£25 | | Supplements (calcium, vitamins) | £5-£10 | | Bedding and hygiene | £10-£15 | | TOTAL MONTHLY | £65-£115 |

Annual Veterinary Costs

| Service | Cost | |---------|------| | Annual health check | £50-£100 | | Neutering (male) | £80-£150 | | Emergency treatment | £100-£500+ | | Dental issues | £100-£300 |

Total first-year cost: £1,500-£3,000+ Annual ongoing cost: £800-£1,500+

Sugar Glider Care Requirements

If you proceed despite RSPCA warnings, here are the minimum care requirements:

Enclosure Setup

Essential equipment available from Amazon UK:

• Cage: Tall aviary-style, minimum 90x90x180cm
• Bar spacing: Maximum 1.3cm (they can squeeze through small gaps)
• Substrate: Fleece liners (avoid wood shavings - respiratory issues)
• Temperature: 21-27°C (use ceramic heat emitters)
• Lighting: Natural light cycle, no direct sunlight on cage

Diet

Diet is where most UK sugar glider owners fail. VCA Animal Hospitals confirms nutritional disorders are the most common health problem.

Daily diet should include:

• 50% protein: Live insects, cooked egg, lean meat
• 25% fruits: Apple, grapes, melon (no citrus)
• 25% vegetables: Sweet potato, carrots, leafy greens
• Supplements: Calcium powder on food 3x weekly

Available from Amazon UK sugar glider food:

• HPW (High Protein Wombaroo) diet mix
• Commercial sugar glider pellets
• Calcium supplements without D3

Foods to AVOID:

• Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol
• Onions, garlic, leeks
• Raw meat or eggs
• Fruit seeds or pits
• Citrus fruits (acidic)

Handling and Bonding

Sugar gliders require extensive bonding:

• Bonding pouches: Carry them against your body during the day
• Tent time: Safe space for supervised gliding and play
• Consistency: Same handler(s), same routine
• Patience: Bonding takes weeks to months

Warning signs of stress:

• Crabbing (loud defensive sound)
• Self-mutilation
• Refusing food
• Excessive sleeping

Common Health Problems

The VCA Animal Hospitals identifies these common issues:

1. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Cause: Calcium deficiency or improper calcium:phosphorus ratio Symptoms: Weakness, paralysis, fractures, seizures Prevention: Correct diet with calcium supplementation Treatment: Dietary correction, calcium injections, UV lighting

2. Obesity

Cause: Too many treats, insufficient exercise Symptoms: Visible fat deposits, difficulty moving Prevention: Proper diet, adequate exercise space Treatment: Diet modification, increased activity

3. Self-Mutilation

Cause: Stress, loneliness, boredom, medical issues Symptoms: Chewing tail, feet, or skin Prevention: Pair housing, enrichment, bonding time Treatment: Address underlying cause, e-collar if severe

4. Dental Disease

Cause: Soft diet, genetics Symptoms: Drooling, difficulty eating, weight loss Treatment: Veterinary dental work under anaesthesia

5. Parasites

Cause: Contaminated food, other animals Symptoms: Weight loss, diarrhoea, visible parasites Treatment: Antiparasitic medication from exotic vet

Find an exotic vet experienced with sugar gliders using our UK exotic vet directory. In emergencies, use our 24/7 emergency vet finder.

Where to Buy Sugar Gliders in the UK

If you're determined to proceed, source carefully:

Recommended Sources

1. Registered breeders - Ask for:

   • Health certificates
   • Parent information
   • Lineage records (to avoid inbreeding)
   • Diet they've been fed
   • Proper handling from young age

2. Rescue organisations - Adult sugar gliders need homes due to:

   • Owners underestimating care requirements
   • Lifestyle changes
   • Financial difficulties

Where to Look

• Pets4Homes - Check breeder reviews carefully
• UKPets - Verify licensing
• Exotic pet shows and expos
• Facebook sugar glider groups (UK-specific)

Better Alternatives for UK Owners

Given the challenges of sugar glider ownership, consider these more suitable alternatives:

If You Want a Small, Social Pet

• Rats - Highly intelligent, social, bond well with humans, active at dusk
• Chinchillas - Soft, long-lived, less demanding diet
• Degus - Diurnal (awake during day), social, love interaction

If You Want Something Unusual

• African Pygmy Hedgehogs - Nocturnal but easier care needs
• Axolotls - Unique aquatic pet, fascinating to watch
• Leopard Geckos - Quiet, handleable, manageable care

If You Want a Gliding Animal

Unfortunately, there's no easy alternative to sugar gliders for gliding. Flying squirrels have similar complex needs. If the gliding is the main attraction, consider:

• Visiting wildlife sanctuaries where you can observe them
• Supporting conservation efforts in their native habitat
• Watching documentaries about Australian wildlife

Browse our complete species guides to find a pet that matches your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Should You Get a Sugar Glider?

Our recommendation: No. While sugar gliders are legal in the UK, the RSPCA advises against keeping them because:

• Their nocturnal nature makes bonding difficult
• Dietary requirements are extremely complex
• They need colony living (minimum 2, ideally more)
• Veterinary care is hard to find
• They live 10-15 years - a major commitment
• Many end up surrendered or neglected

If you're set on an unusual pet, explore our beginner exotic pet guide for more suitable options.

Resources

• UK Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
• Animal Welfare Act 2006
• RSPCA - Exotic Pets Advice
• VCA Hospitals - Sugar Glider Feeding
• VCA Hospitals - Sugar Glider Common Diseases
• San Diego Zoo - Sugar Glider Facts
• Pets4Homes - Sugar Glider Guide

Need an exotic vet? Find exotic animal specialists near you in our UK directory. For emergencies, use our 24/7 emergency vet finder. Considering other pets? Browse our species guides or read our complete UK exotic pet legal guide.