My family has a lot of pet allergies. In 2020, we went on a search for hypoallergenic pets. At first I considered a dog or a dwarf rabbit, before finally coming across sugar gliders. I fell in love with them from the first picture I saw. But the real question was are they hypoallergenic?
The answer is yes and no.
Technically, no pet is 100% hypoallergenic. However, there are animals that do very well with people who have allergies for different reasons. Sugar gliders are one of those pets.
No Dander
Unlike cats and dogs, sugar gliders have very little dander. They also have short, thick coats that do not shed. If your allergies are triggered by dander, you might want to consider sugar gliders.
No Bedding
Unlike many other small pets, sugar gliders do not require the use of allergy causing bedding (such as timothy grass, pine, etc. In fact, these should not be used with sugar gliders at all.)
The Bacteria
Sugar gliders nails carry certain types of bacteria. They also will spit on their hands to groom themselves. If you have sensitive skin or sensitivities to that specific type of bacteria, and your gliders climb on you (and their sharp nails puncture your skin), you can break out into a rash (light or severe based on your allergen level).
Allergic
Like with any other animal, you can simply be allergic to sugar gliders! There have been several people who have had to give up their gliders because they found that they were allergic to them. Again, the severity of the symptoms will vary with your degree of allergies.
Are sugar gliders hypoallergenic? No. But they are closer than a lot of other animals.
If you have a lot of pet allergies and are considering sugar gliders, I suggest that you hang out with some gliders before you commit to buying them. Find someone who has them. Get around their cage (smells can be triggering to different people). Hold the gliders. Have them on you for a while. See how your body reacts.
~Hattush
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