Need to leave at home for a few days, what food?

Was thinking I can give them some pellet food to hold them over for a 3 days, what do you recommend?

Thanks,
Scot

It's not safe to go away and leave them completely alone for 3 days. There's the chance they could run out of water and food and if they aren't used to the food that you leave then that could throw them off too. Not to mention if something happens to one of them. Is there not anyone at all that can at least come over and check on them while you're gone?

Zoo keepers secret is what I used to use when a babysitter had to feed them for a day or two.

Yes, Zookeepers can be good in a pinch if you have a glider-inexperienced babysitter, but again, they at LEAST need a babysitter to check the gliders each night and make sure they have fresh food and water. And to make sure all gliders get up and are acting healthy.

If I am going to be gone 2 days or less I have a roomie be a glider sitter for me and do this.

If I am going to be gone 3 nights or more I bring the gliders to a sitter where they will be able to come out and play, because if your glider has an established play routine (which they should), it's stressful if they are locked up for more than a few nights without attention.

They could get caught up on something or get hurt in some way and you wouldn't be there for them! Plus they need that interaction with you every nioght. Even if you don't take them out of the cage every night, at least you are there to talk to them and play with them. They should not have their usual diet interrupted either. This is why they are not good pets for everyone. You have to be commited 24/7.

You certainly do not have to spend every single day of your life with your gliders. BUT, SOMEONE does have to be there for them EVERY single day. They cannot be left alone safely like a cat can.

There are lots of wonderful people here from Indiana. Perhaps one of them could glider sit for you.

Amen to that. Welcome to the world of glider ownership and responsibility. Please do not ever leave your gliders alone while you go away. For those considering getting a glider please read what I just wrote, and read it again They are not like cats, or hamsters, etc.

Pat

Well, Scot, so you now have our collective counsel on this matter. Please do check out the Indiana thread in the State Roll Call forum. Perhaps you can find a glider-savvy neighbor or two who can check in on your wee one(s) while you're away?

As noted, they do need fresh food and water every day, and it's wise to make sure they're still perky and healthy every day. The last thing you'd want is to find out a water bottle clogged and they became dehydrated and are lying on the cage bottom when you return. By the way, I recommend two water bottles in case one does leak dry or clog up.

The ZooKeeper's Secret™ is a nice, dry staple food, but they will still need fresh fruits and veggies as well as the vitamins and calcium. Ideally you've got enough of their current diet portioned out for when you're away and your glider sitter can just bring out the servings of their regular dinner each evening.

Another possibility (and this is what I do) is to take your babies with you. I bring their tent, a sheet to line the floor, their travel cage (to hang their pouch and water bottle on), wheel, glider kitchens, dishes, food, toys... I need a larger bag or suitcase for all of their stuff than I do for mine. If you're staying at a friend's house, you can use his or her fridge and freezer. If you're staying in a hotel, you can request a mini fridge (they usually have a freezer area).

Good luck!

Even my cats have a sitter when I go away. Please let us know if you find someone to keep watch over them.

Where are you in Indiana? I'm in Indianapolis - maybe I could help!?!

I'm in Vincennes. I'd be glad to help too!

Would you leave your baby if you were a parent??? And go - For Several Days???
Either take them with you, get a responsible sitter, or STAY HOME to properly care for them. This is the responsibility you signed up for, when you bought them. THEY NEED YOU! We have heard of this same thing "only a few days", when owner returned - Both his gliders were dead.
We all know it can be hard at times. Personally, I have not been able to take a vacation for last 5 yrs. Just because I have to many to travel or pregnant or joeys etc. But I know they depend on me for their needs.
I'm sure, someone one here on GC, in your area, would be glad to take them if they are to much for you. But PLEASE dont leave them. It's not fair to them.

Hi Scot,

If you can't find a sitter and absolutely have to leave them by themselves a few nights (face it people, it can happen) then you need to leave them with dry food. Freeze dried mealies and pelleted food are a good choice. It may be a problem, though, if you don't normally feed these items the gliders might choose to not eat and that's not good. I wouldn't leave zookeeper's secret out in the cage longer than 24 hours because it gets hard and the gliders won't eat it. You also have to leave extra water. If you have one water bottle, put in three. It is unlikely three will clog at the same time and the gliders will drink a ton more water when they are left with dry food. My brother usually sits for me. He isn't a glider person, so I make their food in advance and leave it in the fridge or freezer. This way he would just takes the bowls out and replace with the new bowls.

If this helps one other person it is worth it to print again. The 1st, and last time I ever went away and just had someone come in and feed my gliders in the evening my precious little Fivel had escaped the cage and since the "Sitter" was never there to do a head count when they woke up or went to sleep this went unnoticed. I was gone for 4 days. My buddy Fivel starved and dehydrated to death because he could not get back in the cage. I did all I could to make sure they could not get out but never made the provisions for them if one did, leaving food and water out and my buddy died because of that. I never forgave myself and I hope I can spare anyone from ever going through this.

Please don't leave them alone. If someone can't stay with them leave them with someone you can trust to take care of them....
If you think you have covered all the bases if you go away and leave them with some one who will just come in and feed them, so did I.

I am so sorry Fivel buddy....

Pat

I'm sorry Pat for your loss of Fivel. Godspeed sweet little one.

Thanks Linda,
This happened over 2 years ago now but I just wanted to share what can happen. I have never got over it but it taught me a very important lesson and just wanted to pass it on.

Pat

to Pat

Thank you, Pat, for sharing this sad experience. I know it was hard for you to do. It shows, just how fast a glider can and will die without food and water.

GOD don't I know. Like I said, if it keeps one person from ever going through the absolute heartbreak I went through....
I hope Scott comes back and reads these, and others too.

Pat

the only way i can leave my gliders is if I leave at around 5 pm or so, and leave them with their regular dinner, and come back before they wake up the next night.

it's such a huge responsibility having gliders, before we got them we only had reptiles and those you really can leave for 3 or 4 days they won't even notice, lol. but the gliders have to have someone there every single day.

one big problem is even if you are leaving them dry food, how do you know how much food to leave? they aren't going to know that they have to make it last for 3 days. maybe they get bored because you aren't there to play with them so they start chucking it out of the cage and then the next 2 days they have nothing to eat. I wouldn't recommend leaving them unattended for days on end.

My husband and I can never go anywhere with each other longer than an overnighter because of our animals. That is the choice that we made when we got them. Its a sad choice for us but we are content with the desicion we have made. If its longer than overnight, then one of us has to stay home. Even if we were able to take all the gliders with us it still wouldnt work out because of the other animals.

I would highly reccomend taking them with you or making sure you have a sitter than can either stay with them or take them to a sitter. With suggies you just never know what could happen.

Pat I'm so sorry that you had to learn the hard way. I know it doesnt get any easier, but if you can help someone else from your experience than it helps us all. Hugs