Flying Squirrels as Pets

Although baby squirrels seem to be the new exotic pet trend, flying squirrels have actually been kept as pets for hundreds of years. They are fun pets to have and amusing to watch. However, if you are going to get a flying squirrel as a pet, you should be prepared that having one requires quite a commitment. If properly cared for, a flying squirrel can live fifteen or more years. Flying squirrels seem to bond best with one person. A flying squirrel may be best matched with a single person living alone, who has a great sense of commitment and is up for some great entertainment and adventure.

Preparing for bringing your squirrel home: You will need to invest in a sturdy wire cage. It must be wire, because they can chew through wood, and they need the wire for climbing. Cage dimensions for one squirrel should be no less than two feet long, three feet tall, and two feet deep (the taller the better). You will have to have a nesting box, which is where the squirrel will sleep. This box should be placed near the top of the cage, as flying squirrels like to be high up. You will need bedding, preferably made of cotton, for the box. Never use cedar or pine, or any other scented chips, as these cause respiratory problems. If you want to clean the cage every day, you can use newspaper. If you plan to wait more than a day to clean the cage, buy some of the litter made for rodents from the pet store, as this helps absorb odor without causing the harm of scented wood chips. You will need some sort of food dish and a shallow dish for water (flying squirrels often have problems using water bottles). You will also need a running wheel (get the ferret size, as the hamster size is too small). A calcium and mineral block will need to be placed in the cage, as flying squirrels tend to get deficiencies in vitamin D and calcium You will probably want to buy a bonding pouch, or buy some shirts with a pockets.

Feeding your squirrel: The diet of the flying squirrel is comprised primarily of fruit and nuts and seeds. Approximately half should be fresh fruit and vegetables (never canned or frozen), and a variety should be given. Leafy greens that have a lot of calcium, apples, pears, oranges, and grapes are good for them. You won’t want to give the squirrel a whole piece of fruit at once. The other half of the diet should be nuts like peanuts, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and even some birdseeds. One piece of apple and one piece of orange, along with a hand-full of peanuts, a spoon-full or two of seeds and one or two walnuts or pecans, makes a good meal. They should be fed at night, as squirrels are nocturnal, meaning they are most active after dark and sleep mostly during the daylight hours.

Bonding with your squirrel: If you’re going to get a flying squirrel as a pet, get a baby. You will need to carry the baby around in your bonding pouch or shirt pocket, in a position where it can hear/feel your heartbeat and absorb your body heat, for a few hours each day. This will make your squirrel familiar with your scent, and will make your squirrel very friendly with you. Once a squirrel has bonded with you, if you allow it play outside its cage, it may “fly” to you from a higher surface, like the top of its cage (flying squirrels don’t actually fly, but more “glide” to a lower location). It is not recommended to allow your squirrel to live exclusively outside of a cage, as the squirrel can accidentally escape, or it could hurt itself when you are not home. However, for bonding purposes, while you are there to supervise, it is fine to have your squirrel out to get some exercise and play. If you continue to bond with your squirrel on a regular basis, over time it will become very attached to you.

Flying squirrels are probably one of the most fun pets, but they do require a lot of care and commitment, time and love. Having flying squirrels as pets is illegal in some areas, and in some areas a permit is required; check the laws of your particular state/region and/or city to find out for sure.