Fruit bat

Iron storage disease (iron overload)

SignsLethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, swollen abdomen. Elevated liver values on blood tests

PreventionAvoid iron-rich foods and limit vitamin C–rich citrus, which increases iron absorption

Wing membrane tears and necrosis

SignsHoles or tears in the wing, edges turning black and dry, not flying, one wing drooping

PreventionUse fine mesh that claws cannot catch in. Remove fans and sharp corners

Metabolic bone disease

SignsBent wing or leg bones, easy fractures, weak grip, trembling

PreventionDo not feed fruit alone; add bat food supplemented with calcium and vitamin D

Periodontal disease and tooth decay

SignsBad breath, drooling, dropping fruit, slow eating, swelling on one side of the face

PreventionDo not rely on sugary fruit. Have the teeth checked at the vet once a year

Obesity and fatty liver

SignsWeight up 10–20%, stops flying, rounded belly, sluggish movement

PreventionProvide room to fly and match fruit portions to body weight. Weigh weekly

Respiratory infection and hypothermia

SignsRunny nose, open-mouth breathing, body cold and motionless, found on the floor away from the colony

PreventionKeep the room at 24–28°C and avoid drafts. Warm any bat found on the floor right away

Wing membrane tear

PreventionInspect wire ends, burrs and latches on the cage. Turn off fans and close windows during indoor flight

First aidPress bleeding gently with clean gauze. Do not touch the torn area; place in a small box and see a vet the same day

Wing or forearm fracture

PreventionEliminate coarse mesh, ceiling fans and door gaps. Do not chase an escaped bat

First aidLet the bat fold its own wing; do not splint. Wrap in a towel and rest in a dark box. See a vet immediately

Claw or finger caught in mesh

PreventionUse fine vinyl-coated mesh or fabric walls. Have overgrown claws trimmed by the vet

First aidSupport the body with leather gloves before it struggles, then back the claw out the way it went in. See a vet the same day for bleeding or swelling

Bite wounds (cat or dog)

PreventionNever keep in the same room as other pets. Add a second mesh barrier outside the cage

First aidEven small bites easily become infected. Press any bleeding, watch for shock, keep warm and see a vet immediately

Rabies / lyssaviruses

RouteBites, scratches, saliva contact with mucous membranes

PreventionAlways wear thick leather gloves. If bitten, wash under running water with soap for 15 minutes and see a doctor

Marburg virus disease

RouteContact with or inhalation of droppings, saliva and body fluids

PreventionBuy domestically bred animals from a reputable dealer. Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning

Nipah virus infection

RouteContact with fruit or droppings contaminated by urine or saliva

PreventionNever eat fruit the bat has chewed. Wash hands after cleaning. Tell your doctor you keep bats if you fall ill

Histoplasmosis

RouteInhaling fungal spores in dried droppings

PreventionWet and wipe up droppings daily before they dry. Wear a mask when cleaning

Food

• Fruit (apple, banana, papaya, melon, pear) cut into bite-sized pieces
• Mix in bat or primate food or nectar to balance nutrition
• Feed once daily after sunset. Always remove leftovers the next morning and adjust portions

Water

• Provide both a shallow dish and a water bottle; change daily
• Containers get sticky with fruit juice, so wash morning and evening

Toys & play

• Run ropes and natural branches near the ceiling as travel routes
• A hanging fruit feeder to mimic natural foraging
• Fabric tunnels and hammocks for hiding and play

Nest, bed & hideout

• Fine mesh or rope on the ceiling for hanging upside down
• A fleece pouch or fabric curtain for a dim resting spot

Bedding & litter

• Newspaper or pet pads on the floor, changed daily
• Wipe walls daily with water; fruit juice and droppings soil them
• Bats cannot be litter trained, so clean the entire floor

Cage / housing material

Large cage of fine vinyl-coated wire mesh or fabric

Size & space

At least 1.5 m high and wide even for one bat; 2 m or more of flight space for a group

Layout

• Cover the whole ceiling with hangable mesh and provide several roosting spots
• Raise food dishes off the floor; place water in several spots
• Create a bright side and a dark side, with a cloth to retreat behind

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, air-conditioner drafts and cold air from the entryway
• A quiet room out of sight of other pets

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Fly nightly in a room with windows and doors closed and fans off
• Dim the lights; do not chase during flight, watch quietly
• After flight, lure the bat back to the cage with food so it returns on its own

Temperature & humidity

Temperature24–28°C. Below 18°C or above 32°C is dangerous

Humidity50–70%

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 28°C with air conditioning and provide extra water
• Winter: heat the whole room; keep heaters out of reach

Nail trimming

Claws are needed for roosting. Have only the tips of overgrown claws trimmed by the vet

Brushing, skin & coat care

Bats groom their wings by licking. If the wings look dry, mist to add humidity

Other care

Sugary food damages teeth, so get a dental check yearly. Check for ear mites and bat flies

Protection from predators

• Never share a room with cats, dogs or ferrets
• Double-lock windows; an escaped bat can be attacked by crows or cats
• Use screens and keep clean to keep out mosquitoes and ticks

Foreign-body ingestion

May swallow fruit stickers, rubber bands or loose threads from fabric. Peel fruit and replace frayed pouches

Being stepped on

Risk of being stepped on when it comes down to the floor. Check your footing when it is loose in the room and do not wear slippers

Getting pinched

Squeezes into door gaps. Close doors fully during flight and shut the cage door where the body cannot be caught

Falls

A bat with an injured membrane or wing will fall. Lay mats on the floor; pick up a fallen bat with gloves and warm it in a dark place

Escape

Hard to find if it escapes at night. Screen windows and vents; if it escapes, dim the lights, lure with fruit, and cover it with a towel where it lands

Safe release procedure

1. Put on leather gloves, keep the bitten part still and stay calm
2. Covering the body with a dark cloth often makes it let go
3. Once released, wrap in fleece and return to the cage
4. Wash the wound under running water with soap for 15 minutes

After the release

Even without bleeding or swelling, see a doctor and say you were bitten by a bat

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, weight, diet, room temperature and time symptoms began. Food label ingredients and a photo of the stool

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check breathing by chest and belly movement; is it labored or stopped?
• Feel the heartbeat with a finger on the chest. Very fast even at rest
• Prod the wings or feet for a response. No response is an emergency

Stopping bleeding

• Press wing membrane bleeding gently with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes
• For a bleeding claw, press styptic powder or flour onto it
• If it does not stop, keep pressing and see a vet immediately

Transport

• Place in a fleece pouch inside a small dark box, kept at around 25°C
• Keep the car quiet; avoid jolting and air-conditioner drafts