Sloth

Hypothermia

SignsEven slower movement, cold body, not eating, unable to hang and falls to the floor, little shivering

PreventionNever let room temperature fall below 24°C. In winter, use a heat lamp and panel heater with several thermometers and monitor overnight too

Indigestion / bloat

SignsDistended abdomen, no feces, reduced appetite, immobility, resents having the belly touched, bad breath

PreventionDigestion relies on fermentation, so avoid low temperatures and sudden diet changes. Focus on leafy greens; limit sugary fruit

Metabolic bone disease

SignsDeformed claws or limbs, weak grip when hanging, fractures easily, dental abnormalities, poor growth

PreventionFeed calcium-rich greens and vet-recommended supplements; install a UVB lamp and replace it every six months

Respiratory infection

SignsNasal discharge, sneezing, open-mouth breathing, wheezing, dirty area around the nose

PreventionKeep temperature and humidity stable; prevent drafts and condensation. Never let air-conditioner airflow blow directly on the animal

Dermatitis / fungal infection

SignsHair loss, scabs, dandruff, red skin, itching, damp and sticky fur

PreventionEnsure ventilation even at high humidity; wipe droplets or dirt off the fur with a dry cloth. Keep perches clean

Obesity / diabetes

SignsAbdominal fat, reduced movement, excessive drinking and urination, dull coat, rapid weight gain

PreventionFruit at 10% or less of the diet. Weigh monthly and set portion sizes with your vet

Fracture from a fall

PreventionFix perches and ropes to hold 3 times the body weight. Lay thick mats on the floor. Lower the height for elderly animals

First aidDo not move it; wrap in a blanket and place in a box without splinting. Keep quiet so it does not injure itself with its claws; see a vet the same day

Broken or torn-off claw

PreventionUse a cage design where claws cannot catch in fine wire mesh. Check claw length and chips monthly

First aidStop bleeding by pressing with clean gauze. A claw torn off at the base is prone to infection; see a vet the same day

Toe constriction (string)

PreventionNever leave frayed rope or loose cloth threads. Use a wide-mesh hammock to prevent entanglement

First aidCut the tangled string with scissors; if the constricted area is purple, blood flow is compromised, so see a vet immediately

Burn (heating equipment)

PreventionInstall heat lamps and heaters out of reach and fit guards. Always use a thermostat

First aidCool the area under running water for 10 minutes and cover with clean gauze. Blisters or raw skin: see a vet the same day

Leptospirosis

RouteHands that touched urine, soiled bedding

PreventionClean with gloves and wash hands. Do not handle with cuts on your hands

Salmonellosis

RouteHands that touched feces, shared dishes

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Keep separate from human dishes

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with fur or skin

PreventionSee a vet if there is hair loss. Wash hands and change clothes after holding

Mites / external parasites

RouteBody contact, shared bedding

PreventionCheck the fur regularly. If a person develops a rash, see a dermatologist

Food

• Mainly leafy greens (komatsuna, bok choy, mulberry leaves, etc.)
• Feed 1–2 times a day; replace with fresh leaves in the evening
• Boiled sweet potato, carrot and species-specific pellets as supplements

Water

• Fix a shallow dish near the perch and change daily
• Gets water from leaves, but suspect dehydration if drinking drops

Toys & play

• Thick ropes and logs strung near the ceiling
• A sturdy hammock (fine-weave fabric)
• Hang leaves on the branch to encourage foraging

Nest, bed & hideout

• A large hanging hammock near the ceiling
• A blanket to wrap up in and a fabric tunnel to hide in

Bedding & litter

• Lay thick mats and bark chips on the floor
• Habitually defecates about once a week in a set spot
• Remove droppings the same day; replace all bedding monthly

Cage / housing material

Room-type enclosure with a thick metal frame and wooden perches, insulated and able to hold humidity

Size & space

A dedicated room of at least 2 m wide x 2 m deep x 2.5 m high is ideal

Layout

• Arrange ropes and perches in a network near the ceiling
• Heat lamp and UVB lamp at the top, panel heater on the floor
• Place the feeding platform at perch height

Placement notes

• Place thermometers and hygrometers at two heights and log daily
• Avoid air-conditioner airflow and direct sunlight; prevent condensation

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed. Exercise is mainly moving along ceiling perches
• Cannot walk when put on the floor, so keep floor time short
• When holding, support it with the foreclaws and face away from you

Temperature & humidity

Temperature26–30°C (below 24°C risks hypothermia)

Humidity70–80% (maintain with a humidifier or misting)

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 30°C with air conditioning while maintaining humidity
• Winter: heating and humidifying 24 hours; use hot-water bottles during power outages

Nail trimming

Do not trim claws; they are essential for movement. Consult a vet if cracked or deformed

Brushing, skin & coat care

The fur gets damp easily; just wipe lightly with a dry cloth. Green algae is normal

Other care

Teeth wear continuously, so have a vet check them yearly. Wipe eye and nose discharge with a warm cloth

Protection from predators

• Never house with dogs or cats (it will fight back with claws and both get hurt)
• Use window screens and insect netting against mosquitoes and mites
• Never take it outdoors because of crows and wild animals

Foreign-body ingestion

May mouth strings, cloth threads and small ornaments. If appetite drops or no feces, suspect ingestion and see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Moves slowly on the floor and can be stepped on in a dark room. Keep lights on and watch your feet while it is on the floor

Getting pinched

Claws and toes easily get caught in doors or hammock hardware. Check its position before opening or closing. If a toe is purple or swollen, see a vet the same day

Falls

Loose ropes or perches cause falls and fractures. Inspect fixings monthly and lay thick floor mats. After a fall, watch its movement and see a vet

Escape

Use double doors and wire mesh over vents. An escapee does not go far and seeks high places. Search urgently, especially at night, to prevent hypothermia, and notify the municipal office

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving; if holding it, keep supporting its body and stay still
2. Drape a thick towel over its head to block its view
3. Offer a perch or blanket so it switches its grip
4. The moment the jaws or claws loosen, quietly withdraw your hand

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5 minutes and apply pressure. Claw lacerations are deep and prone to infection, so see a doctor the same day

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Bring weight, age, temperature and humidity logs, diet details and photos of feces. Transport in a warmed carrier and phone ahead to confirm the vet can see it

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check for a response to your voice and to stimulating the base of a claw
• Count breaths by chest movement (10–25 per minute at rest)
• Check the pulse on the inside of a forelimb (60–100 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Keep pressing with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For claw bleeding, press the base; keep any torn-off claw
• If bleeding does not stop or the laceration is deep, see a vet immediately

Transport

• Wrap in a blanket and transport in a box with a hot-water bottle placed through the blanket
• Keep the car at about 28°C, minimize jolting and keep quiet