flying squirrels as pets

[eugenie]

Hi,

I am considering getting a pet flying squirrel. I am 34 years old. I
live in Wisconsin where I own a house. I live with a housemate, who is
interested in helping with a pet, and I have a boyfriend, who is also
interested. I am a professor, so I can do eccentric things at work, like
bring a squirrel with me. I do leave town sometimes (not very often) for a
week at a time. If I get a squirrel, it will be a bottle-fed, hand tamed
baby. So I have some questions about how this squirrel might fit into my
life.

1) Can they bond with more than one owner? If I could have it bond with
my housemate and boyfriend as well as with me, I think it would be easier
on the squirrel when I went out of town, as it could stay with one of
them.

2) How much do people tend to keep squirrels in their cage and how much out? Eg, mostly in their cage, except when they can keep an eye on it?
In the cage when they are gone and out when they are home? In the
cage at night? Only in the cage when a dog or a pet phobic friend comes over? I have read apparently conflicting reports--some say that you can
pretty much carry your squirrel around with you, and some say you should
only play with your squirrel when you are in a closed squirrel-safe room.
Could a squirrel be left unattended in a closed squirrel-safe room?

3) Do they chew on things? What? When?

4) What would I have to do to make sure my house was safe for and from
a squirrel?

5) Will they poop wherever they are when the urge strikes them, or will
they tend to go only in certain places? How easy or hard is it to litter
train a squirrel? I have read that they mostly use one or two corners
of their cage as a toilet, but what about if you are carrying them around,
or allowing them to exercise in a closed squirrel proof room?

6) If I decided to have kids in a few years, would the squirrel pose any
danger to them? Would it be traumatized by the change in the household?

7) Do most vets know how to deal with squirrels, or would I have to find
a specialist?

I don't need a pet that is perfect, but I do want to know what I am
getting into if I get a squirrel, so I can make sure I can provide it with the
care it deserves.

Thanks!

Eugenie

[Abra]

Hi Eugenie!
I think thats great you are doing your research before buying so very man people just go in and buy without researching, then people like me end up with rescues and unwanted/unloved pets! and it causes a heartache for everyone involved.

1) Can they bond with more than one owner? If I could have it bond with
my housemate and boyfriend as well as with me, I think it would be easier
on the squirrel when I went out of town, as it could stay with one of
them.

Absolutely. They will form a bond with many people in yourhousehold, as long as they get to know them a little better by scent and sound. if you buy a bonding pouch for them or hold them in a pocket in your shirt and carry them around that would be good as well. make sure to wear an old shirt for a couple of days (you, and whoever else is wanting to start the bond with your new flyer) and attach it into their cage so they can get used to your scent even when you aren't around. I would also recomend buying some fun toys from callejean.com as they are made with fleece or cotton and you can also sleep with those to get your scent on them.

2) How much do people tend to keep squirrels in their cage and how much out? Eg, mostly in their cage, except when they can keep an eye on it?
In the cage when they are gone and out when they are home? In the
cage at night? Only in the cage when a dog or a pet phobic friend comes over? I have read apparently conflicting reports--some say that you can
pretty much carry your squirrel around with you, and some say you should
only play with your squirrel when you are in a closed squirrel-safe room.
Could a squirrel be left unattended in a closed squirrel-safe room?

I would say on average, people will keep their flyers in their cages usually, and maybe 2-3 hours out of cage. More if they have a flyer-safe room for them. This is a room usually with a tile floor for easy cleaning, branches maybe are present, toys everywhere, maybe even a cat tree in there. his means all vents are closed there are no gaps (and the bottom of your door if there is a gap, is covered as well.) I used to let my gliders in a room 24/7, because I knew it was completely safe. You can take your squirrl everywhere with you almost,a s long as it is in a covered pouch purse, or sleeping in a pocket. Yes, a squirrel can be left unattended in a squirrel-safe room. When you are researching, you will see a lot of information you may need to take with a grain of salt.

3) Do they chew on things? What? When?

Squirrels, like most rodents, do haev the tendency to chew, mainly because it trims their teeth. If you have plenty of wood in the cage and room; i.e branches, bird perches, hanging wooden toys, and woodennext boxes (usually found in the bird section of your pet store) the chewing should not be a problem.

4) What would I have to do to make sure my house was safe for and from
a squirrel?

Here is a glider safety check list (compliments of USGN)
This list can also be used for flyers as well.

Keep the toilet seat closed AT ALL TIMES as well as any other deep sources of water like fish tanks, water buckets...ect
Glider can't swim and drowning is one of the highest causes of death)

Put away hazardous products and objects such as paints buckets, cleaning products, sharp objects...etc.

Turn off power source of ceiling fans, they are very dangerous to roaming gliders.

CHILDPROOF all electrical outlets with safety plugs. Some gliders have been able to pulled out plastic plugs so using solid outlet plates is even better .

COVER vents with household screening so gliders cannot slip through.

CLOSE dressers and closet doors. Place towels or other objects in any crevices. (anyone who has ever had to rip a closet apart to find a glider can attest to this!)

NEVER let your gliders in a laundry room. Dryer vents and washer coils are deadly!

Keep gliders away from all recliners and fold-away beds. While a great place for a glider to hide (they think), these have working metal parts that can trap and kill a sleeping sugar glider.

Keep your gliders away from the kitchen. The refrigerator is an especially dangerous place-the coils can kill.

CLEAN AND VACUUM frequently, so the gliders will not ingest or wrap themselves in anything harmful.

5) Will they poop wherever they are when the urge strikes them, or will
they tend to go only in certain places? How easy or hard is it to litter
train a squirrel? I have read that they mostly use one or two corners
of their cage as a toilet, but what about if you are carrying them around,
or allowing them to exercise in a closed squirrel proof room?

Like many rodents, squirrels will tend to deficate in one specific place. many people buy corner litter pans and clean them out weekly. You can find these in the ferret section of your local pet store. If you do use litter pans please remember to clean them out weekly. When the are out in a room they will probably just go anywere they feel like it, it more or less depends on the flyer.

6) If I decided to have kids in a few years, would the squirrel pose any
danger to them?

I have yet to see a squirrel that has harmed a human child. I don't believe there will be a risk involved at all.

Would it be traumatized by the change in the household?

No, it would probably just need to bond with this new member of the family, buut it would not be traumetized at all. If he or she does not bond then they probably wont spend much time with your kids if say, they were bonded, but nothing dramatic would happen.

7) Do most vets know how to deal with squirrels, or would I have to find
a specialist?

You will probably need to call around and see if vets see squirrels. I have called in many vets about gliders and they are used to people calling. your best bet will probably be an exotic vet but I could be wrong.

Here are some links I recommend.

Katiedid.net
Feathernfur.com
Flying Squirrel vs. Sugar Glider anatomy
Sounds

[eugenie]

That is very helpful. Thanks a lot!

--eugenie

[Abra]

Eugenie, let me know if you ever need help or advice, my email is feathernfur@gmail.com

good luck!

[eugenie]

I took the plunge and ordered my squirrel yesterday. I am very excited!
It will arrive in mid September. Naturally, now I have a whole new set
of questions!
It will still be on the bottle when I get it, so
I can bond with it. How do you go about weaning it and at what age?
When do you have to start making sure it gets vitamin D and calcium? How
is this best done, and where can supplies be purchased?
Do you know a good supplier of organic nuts in the shell? Which shell nuts are okay for them in the shell?
About how much food do they need per day?
Do you recommend a water bottle (which keeps the water clean, but the ball in the tip may get stuck) or a dish (water is easily available but gets dirty)?
Where can you get branches for them to climb and logs for them to chew that
are safe for them?

--Eugenie

[Abra]

It will still be on the bottle when I get it, so
I can bond with it. How do you go about weaning it and at what age?

Do you know what age it will be when you get it? If I may ask, where are you getting this squirrel at? I didn't know it was okay to send out unweaned little ones, usually they just do that with expirienced people, but even if the baby was weened it would still bond with you! Usually weaning takes place around 2-3 months. Just gradually introduce it to solids and see how it reacts.

When do you have to start making sure it gets vitamin D and calcium?

IMHO you should start right away...like many other animals...

How
is this best done, and where can supplies be purchased?

You can provide your quirrel with a cuttle bone or mineral block, this will take care of the calcium level. these can be found at your local pet store in the rodents section (as they are used with rabbits mainly) or in the bird section. But both the cuttle bone and mineral block provide 2 different forms of calcium, so will keep your baby healthy...the interesting this is squirrels tend to know instinctively what kinds of minerals they need and when so they wil chew on it as much as needed.
For the Vitamin D supplements, you will need to add rodent vitamins (make sure they are not bird vit's!) to your flyers water every couple of days. You can go to yoru local pet store and request vit. D citamins for rodents, or you can do a simple google search for them.

Do you know a good supplier of organic nuts in the shell? Which shell nuts are okay for them in the shell?

Diamond Organics is where Iget my organic fruits and nuts for my Gliders. I've had the best expirience with them.
walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts are all okay w/ or without the shell, it doesn't matter. Almonds and peanuts are also okay but you will need t limit how much they can have, as they have aflotoxins in them which could end up killing them or making them sick if given too much of.

About how much food do they need per day?

Just think of a squirrel's stomch as a little bigger than your thumb; there bellies are not very big. However, you will need to feed extra so theydo have leftovers nightly, I have had problems with cannibolization with animals that dont get enoughto eat nightly, and it's not a fun thing to pick up the remains of any animal. I would say for 2 squirrels about 2 cups of assorted food nightly. That's what i would do, but it may be wasting too much. It's a trial and error thing, if you see them eat up everything per night give thema little more, but if there are a lot of leftovers then dont feed so much. Also make sure they are eating fruits and vegies every night so their diet isnt all nuts and seeds. Katie gives her squirrels 2 vegetables ad 2 fruits per night and says if your squirrels don't eat vegies and fruit then take out the nuts and seeds to encourage them to eat the fruits and vegies.

Do you recommend a water bottle (which keeps the water clean, but the ball in the tip may get stuck) or a dish (water is easily available but gets dirty)?

if you wish to clean the dishes evey night then a bowl would be fine. IMHO a water bottle with a metal mouthpeice so they cant chew it is probably the best way to go.

Where can you get branches for them to climb and logs for them to chew that
are safe for them?

Your best bet is your local pet store, but you may want to swing by CalleJean's Creations as everything she makes is 100% safe for any animal, and her toys are EXTEMELY durable and will last a long time with your squirrels, they will also enjoy the variety of toys included in the perches she sells.

Hope that helps

[eugenie]

I am not sure how old it will be when I get it. I am thinking now about driving
to get it, though, since it is only 5 hours away from me. I am getting it from
Ratkateers Rodentry. I talked to the owner on the phone, and emailed with her
and read everything on her website. I chose her because she bottle feeds all
of her squirrels by hand and seems very knowledgeble. I am probably giving the
wrong impression. I haven't gotten the details from her about age at shipping.
I don't think she is going to do anything bad for the babies.

thanks again for more info. It really helps a lot to hear from someone with
experience. I have another question. I was talking to my boyfriend last night,
and he said he talked to a friend of his who works at a zoo who said that grey
squirrels are not very good pets. She said that they are affectionate with their
owners for about two years, but as they mature, they don't like being kept in
captivity any more. I said I didn't think that was true of flying squirrels, so long
as you kept interacting with them. I thought perhaps that when they are in
breeding season, and are "moody" that this is taken as "going wild" and that is
where that idea came from. But I just wanted to reaffirm this from people who
have experience. How old is your flyer?

--Eugenie

[Abra]

hi Eugenie,
yes she is a good breeder, I wouldn't doubt her onw bit. It's just that i have rescued from bad breeders and ugh they are haeadache and a half, but RR is good and she knows what she is doing!

My boyfriend has 6 flyers and they range in age from 1 year to 3. All are females. I have 9 and counting Sugar gliders, no flyers, but because of him have done a lot of studying and whatnot.

[dalchick]

Good luck i hope you get it!