Some Do's and Don'ts to living with a Flying Squirrel

[Squerly]

If he has the run of your bedroom, open and close your dresser drawers slowly. Your flyer may have decided to curl up for a nap inside your shorts and you don't want to squash him.
Shuffle your feet when crossing the room, especially at night. They're fast and will run right under your foot.
Don't use towels for bedding. Your flyer will chew on them and they can get tangled in the threads and strangle themselves. Cotton balls or "Squirrel Fluff" makes for very good bedding. And it's fun to watch them gather it up and take it home! :)
Hanging water bottles are NOT the best idea for watering your flyer. The ball can get stuck and prevent adequate water flow. If you use one of these bottles, be sure that you make another water source available too. Not plastic though, they will chew on the plastic and it can create serious health problems.
Be sure to provide a calcium source for your flyer. Cuttle bone works if you can get him to chew on it. You can also buy powdered calcium and sprinkle it on his food once a week. Don't over do it though.
Yogurt is a good calcium source and most flying squirrels like it
Keep in mind that as important as calcium is to your flying squirrels, their systems won't absorb it without the aid of Vitamin D, so make sure that they get an ample supply. I used a supplement that could be added to their water. If your squirrel decides he doesn't like it, add a little sweet-n-low to the mix and you won't have any problems getting them to drink it.
Get a copy of "The Flying Squirrel: King and queen of the pet world" by Curt Howard. It is a must-have book for anyone with flying squirrels. The book addresses many of the issues that you will be confronted with as your squirrel ages.
NEVER forget to close the toilet lid. :nono
Watch out for exposed power cords, as your squirrel may chew on them with very negative results.
Depending upon how your bedroom is setup, make sure that he can't get into the ceiling fan.
Others may disagree but I feel it is very bad to let your flyer co-mingle with the family dog. No matter how friendly your dogs is, his size can unintentionally harm your flyer.
Pecans are a flying squirrels favorite food but feed them sparingly. Pecans should be used at treats and not a primary food source. 1/2 a pecan per day is certainly enough.
Locate a vet that is familiar with flying squirrels. Do this prior to actually needing him. Introduce yourself and make sure that he will be prepared to handle your special needs when the time comes.

[Somebody's Mother]

when you get a flyer you have to rethink some of your normal habits. if the flyer is not safely behind locked cage doors make no sudden movements. look where you are stepping or kneeling or where you are putting something. you could end up squashing your baby.
the reason i am saying this is because there is a post on the other board by a young man that accidentally dropped to his knees for something and ended up kneeling on his flyer. it killed the flyer and the young man is devastated. he did not do it on purpose for sure. he is having a hard time dealing with his feelings. God bless him!
but if one flyer is saved by this information then maybe his babies death is not totally in vain.

[lord]

Hello, I see You supported the Breast Cancer Society. So did I.:thumbsup
Thumbs up, Yesterday a flying squirrel came by after talking to a senior squirrel member. It was so funny, because I had just sent him a message about his cute website.......Have a good day, I wish I could fly like that.:thankyou :rotfl :osnap :wave123 :jump :dono

[gingershoppin]

:dono This is more a "Question" on flying squirrels. I recently FOUND a baby flyer, and he is doing well. I'm giving him puppy milk and hamster mix and grapes. I found a "HAMSTER POTTY"! Does anyone out there have any experience with this?? Am I just being overly hopeful that he may USE it??!! It's just like a cat litter box. I figure we'd try it...it was only $4.00...I'll let you know. Thanks...Ginger Chas. SC

[cr8zyanimalgirl]

My 2 girls have had me for 2 years now and I have never gotten the to use the bathroom in a specific spot I tried it at first but they never took to it. I have found that they use the bathroom more when they are running in their wheels. So around the wheels I have newspaper to protect the walls and everything. So I guess I could say mine are wheel trained. Good luck on trying I would say anything is possible. But I actually found it easier to potty train my kids.:crazy Please let me know he takes to it.

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

when you get a flyer you have to rethink some of your normal habits. if the flyer is not safely behind locked cage doors make no sudden movements. look where you are stepping or kneeling or where you are putting something. you could end up squashing your baby.
the reason i am saying this is because there is a post on the other board by a young man that accidentally dropped to his knees for something and ended up kneeling on his flyer. it killed the flyer and the young man is devastated. he did not do it on purpose for sure. he is having a hard time dealing with his feelings. God bless him!
but if one flyer is saved by this information then maybe his babies death is not totally in vain.
Aww..that is so sad..that poor guy will never be the same!!:grouphug

[Skul]

Electrical cords also seem to be a favorite chew toy.:nono
Esspecially where the cord joins a plug or switch.

If you have a cuckoo clock, beware, this can happen.:flush

[TexanSquirrel]

That's a cute picture, but don't those things spin around or something?:sanp3

[Skul]

That's a cute picture, but don't those things spin around or something?:sanp3

Well, it used to. Not anymore. Clock no longer runs either. It will cuckoo incessently however.:D

[secretsmom]

Jack makes a pretty keen Cuckoo!!:rotfl

[Skul]

Here's another one.
Do NOT try sneaking up on your flyer (with your finger tips) when he/she is busy ripping threads from a pants pocket.:nono
I found that one last night. Ouch!!

[Skul]

NEVER forget to close the toilet lid

This is a fact, folks.
Bull did a swan dive into the ceramic pooper just two days ago.
Mama was there and pulled a very drenched aero-rat out.
Bull was NOT pleased.:madd

[Ardilla]

Get a copy of "The Flying Squirrel: King and queen of the pet world" by Curt Howard. It is a must-have book for anyone with flying squirrels. The book addresses many of the issues that you will be confronted with as your squirrel ages.

I have looked all over the Internet for this book. Where can I get a copy--it's OOP.

[TexanSquirrel]

This is a fact, folks.
Bull did a swan dive into the ceramic pooper just two days ago.
Mama was there and pulled a very drenched aero-rat out.
Bull was NOT pleased.:madd

Whew! Glad she saved him!!!

[muffinsquirrel]

I have looked all over the Internet for this book. Where can I get a copy--it's OOP.

Go here to purchase this book:
http://www.brisky.com/8/index.php?_fa=viewproduct&id=306&cid=0

Also save up your pennys for a copy of 'Flying Squirrels - Gliders in the Dark', by Nancy Wells-Gosling. It is really a fantastic book, and well worth the fortune they ask for it! Look for it on eBay, half.com, and http://used.addall.com/ .The cheapest I have seen it lately is a little above $50. If I could only keep one of my many squirrel books, it would be the one!

muffinsquirrel

[Ardilla]

Thanks so much, muffinsquirrel! :thankyou

I'm ordering the King & Queen book, and sent my husband a link to the search results for the Gliders in the Dark book (for my Christmas wish list ;) ).

[Skul]

Look UP, before closing a door.
I don't know how much to stress that!!!!!!
That's from experience folks.
Failure to do so may cost you a flyer, and perhaps
years of heartache.

[Ardilla]

:grouphug

Thinking of you and and your beloved Bull.

[fsalter53]

Go here to purchase this book:
http://www.brisky.com/8/index.php?_fa=viewproduct&id=306&cid=0

Also save up your pennys for a copy of 'Flying Squirrels - Gliders in the Dark', by Nancy Wells-Gosling. It is really a fantastic book, and well worth the fortune they ask for it! Look for it on eBay, half.com, and http://used.addall.com/ .The cheapest I have seen it lately is a little above $50. If I could only keep one of my many squirrel books, it would be the one!

muffinsquirrel

I just found this post and had no Idea about this book, I have been looking all over for a book. :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :multi

[flyer_1]

Does anyone know what kind of branches are harmful to flyers.

[Legomom]

I know it's been mentioned before, but with so many new HOFs it bears repeating...Close the toilet lid!! As a reminder for family & friends to do so, go to the NFSA messageboard & buy some of these stickers for your bathrooms, please.

http://www.nfsa.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=2919

[JLM27]

FallensMom found this for us:
We were discussing this in another thread for southern flying squirrels, but being I owned sugar gliders...you sugar glider owners came to mind for this idea.

Many know the danger of toilets and if one is accidentally left up what could happen, so to make it safer just in case something like this were to happen here is a toilet ladder, easy design and a must have!

Make one yourself with a vinyl coated wire mesh. I saw this on another website and though brilliant!


__________________

[JLM27]

84493

[island rehabber]

Great product! Simple and easily cleanable too.
I am going to confess something: after years of reading these flying squirrel cautions here on TSB, I met my first flyers at Jackie in Tampa's house in March. What glorious creatures!! However, within the first fifteen minutes of being in the presence of flying squirrels I had almost sat on one, and then went and left the toilet lid up AND the bathroom door open. :shakehead

It is SO EASY to screw up with these little guys. PLEASE be careful and make sure your house guests are, too! :hidechair

[JLM27]

Lord I could never have one of these little guys in my house! I am WAY too absent-minded! And I could never forgive myself if there was an accident.

[malerris21]

any suggestions on squirrel-proofing an apartment? never had a flyer, only a grey tree squirrel and a very spoiled old man of a rabbit (who once chewed a wire and wisely chose never to to that again!)
thanks
:wave123