Flying squirrel

Hypocalcemia

SignsWobbly hind legs, tremors, seizures, hind-limb paralysis. Caused by a nut-heavy diet

PreventionBase the diet on pellets, plus insects and vegetables. Add a calcium supplement in the right amount after consulting your vet

Metabolic bone disease

SignsWeak bones that fracture from minor impacts. Hunched back, abnormal gait, teeth break easily

PreventionAvoid calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency. Limit nuts and sunflower seeds to a few per day

Obesity / fatty liver

SignsStops gliding, sluggish, fat deposits on the membrane, reduced appetite and yellow urine

PreventionLimit high-fat nuts; ensure exercise with a wheel and a spacious cage

Malocclusion

SignsDrooling, refusing hard food, pawing at the mouth, weight loss

PreventionWear down the incisors with chew wood and firm food. Check the mouth regularly

Diarrhea / enteritis

SignsSoft or watery stool, soiled area around the anus, lethargy. Also caused by too much watery fruit

PreventionKeep fruit to small amounts; replace food and water daily. Do not change the diet suddenly

Skin disease / self-mutilation

SignsHair loss, scabs, biting and injuring the membrane or tail. Caused by stress or parasites

PreventionProvide a hideout and a dark resting place. Clean bedding and regular parasite checks

Fall from a failed glide

PreventionDuring free-roam time, cover obstacles, windows and mirrors with cloth. Keep perches in the cage at small height differences from the floor

First aidDo not move it; place in a box, darken and rest. If it drags a leg or does not move, suspect a fracture and see a vet the same day

Fracture of limb or tail

PreventionPrevent calcium deficiency and remove wire floors and narrow gaps that can trap feet

First aidNo splints. Rest in a small box lined with cloth. Press bleeding with clean gauze, keep warm and see a vet the same day

Torn membrane

PreventionRemove wire burrs, nails and staples from the cage. Keep nails trimmed properly

First aidPress gently with clean gauze to stop bleeding. Membrane tears often need sutures, so see a vet the same day

Trapped in a wheel or wire

PreventionUse a solid, gap-free wheel at least 20 cm in diameter. Wire mesh openings 1 cm or less

First aidDo not pull it free; remove the whole item and go to the vet. If the area swells or feels cold, see a vet now

Salmonellosis

RouteHands that touched feces or waste, cage cleaning

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Wash the cage weekly, never in the kitchen

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteTouching bald patches, direct contact when holding

PreventionSee a vet for hair loss or dandruff. Wash hands after contact; do not share bedding

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with urine-soiled bedding or water

PreventionWear gloves when changing bedding. Do not clean with cut hands. Keep urine out of your eyes

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteBites from sharp incisors, scratches

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Swelling or fever: see a human doctor

Food

• Flying squirrel / squirrel pellets as the staple, once daily in the evening
• Insects such as mealworms or crickets 3–4 times a week
• Small amounts of vegetables and fruit. Nuts: 2–3 per day at most

Water

• Fresh water in a bottle, changed daily
• If it does not drink, also offer a shallow dish and check the amount

Toys & play

• Gap-free wheel at least 20 cm in diameter
• Thick natural branches and chew wood
• Fabric pouch or tube-shaped hideout

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden nest box mounted high in the cage
• Line it with finely shredded paper towel or cloth

Bedding & litter

• Hardwood chips or paper bedding at least 3 cm deep
• Replace all bedding weekly; remove soiled spots daily
• It will not use one toilet spot, so clean corners thoroughly

Cage / housing material

Metal cage with mesh openings 1 cm or less. Wood deteriorates from urine

Size & space

Height matters most. At least 45 W x 45 D x 70 H cm

Layout

• Nest box and perches high up, food and water mid-level
• Run branches diagonally to create paths for climbing up and down
• Line the floor with thick bedding or cloth in case of falls

Placement notes

• Keep in a quiet, dim place during the day
• Avoid direct sun, air-conditioner drafts and proximity to the TV

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 30 minutes to 1 hour at night, in a closed room
• Cover windows, mirrors, aquariums and outlets
• It glides from high points, so keep the floor below clear

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–26°C. Below 15°C risks hypothermia

Humidity40–60%. Avoid condensation and stuffiness

Summer & winter

• Summer: air conditioning to 28°C or below; watch for stuffiness inside the nest box
• Winter: panel heater on the outside of the nest box, plus extra insulating cloth

Nail trimming

Overgrown nails snag on the membrane and fabric. Trim only the tips monthly with small-animal clippers. If it struggles, have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

It grooms its own coat. Check the edges of the membrane weekly for dirt and wounds and wipe with a damp cloth

Other care

Check incisor length monthly. No sand baths and no water baths. Weigh weekly and record

Protection from predators

• Keep in a separate room from cats, dogs and ferrets
• Fully isolate other pets during free-roam time
• Position the cage so crows and raptors are not visible through windows or screens

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews off and swallows cotton, lint and plastic. Check fabric pouches for fraying. Loss of appetite or no stool: see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Glides to your feet in a dark room. Sit rather than walk during free-roam time; check the floor before standing. If stepped on, see a vet immediately

Getting pinched

Membrane or tail gets caught in cage doors, nest-box lids and sliding doors. Close doors slowly and check it is not nearby. Swelling or bruising: see a vet the same day

Falls

A glide can end in a failed landing and fall. Remove obstacles and hang curtains or cloth on walls as landing spots. If it does not move after a fall, suspect a fracture and see a vet

Escape

Can glide away from a high spot in an instant. Lock windows and doors before free-roam time. If it escapes, quietly set out favorite food and its pouch at night and search dark gaps

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving, lower the bitten hand and hold still
2. Drape a cloth over it with your free hand to darken and calm it
3. Bring a favorite food to its nose to make it let go
4. Once it releases, gently return it to the cage or nest box

After the release

Rinse under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Deep wounds, swelling or fever: see a human doctor. Review why it bit (pain, fear)

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Diet (amount of nuts), weight trend, photos of stool, any falls, and the time you noticed the problem

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: chest movement. Normal is roughly 60–100 per minute
• Heartbeat: fingertips on the chest. 250–350 per minute
• Consciousness: call its name and poke a foot to check for a response

Stopping bleeding

• Press the area gently with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes
• For the membrane or tail, keep pressing; do not wrap, only keep warm
• If it will not stop, keep pressing and transport

Transport

• Place in a small box or fabric pouch; hand warmers on the outside of the box
• Keep dark and quiet, avoid jolting, and transport by car