Squirrels, with their bushy tails and playful antics, might seem like charming pets. But before you consider bringing one of these furry creatures into your home, it’s essential to understand what caring for a pet squirrel truly entails. This guide will walk you through the key aspects of squirrel ownership to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Squirrels as Pets
While squirrels can be captivating, it’s crucial to recognize they are not domesticated animals like cats or dogs. They are wild creatures, and their instincts and behaviors reflect this. Keeping a squirrel as a pet comes with unique considerations:
Legal Considerations
Before anything else, check your local laws and regulations. In many places, it is illegal to keep wild animals, including squirrels, as pets without proper permits. Regulations vary widely by state, region, and even city. Owning a squirrel illegally can lead to fines and having the animal confiscated. Furthermore, some areas only permit certain species of squirrels to be kept as pets, often excluding native species to protect local wildlife populations.
Commitment and Responsibility
Squirrels are a long-term commitment, with a lifespan of up to 10 years in captivity. They require specialized care, a significant amount of space, and dedicated attention. They are not low-maintenance pets and demand considerable time and resources from their owners. Consider if you can provide for a squirrel’s needs for its entire life before taking on this responsibility.
Setting Up a Squirrel-Friendly Home
Squirrels are active and agile animals that need ample space to move and explore. Confining them to a small space can lead to stress and health problems.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cages
You can house your pet squirrel either indoors or outdoors, but safety from predators is paramount in either case. Outdoor cages must be securely built to protect against animals like cats, dogs, and birds of prey. Indoor cages need to be placed in a safe location, away from household hazards and other pets that may pose a threat.
Cage Size and Features
Traditional pet cages designed for rabbits or chickens are often unsuitable for squirrels because squirrels are adept at escaping through small openings. A wire mesh cage is ideal, as it provides security while allowing the squirrel to climb and explore. The cage should be at least two feet wide, two feet deep, and taller than it is deep to provide sufficient space for movement. Inside the cage, include branches, ropes, and platforms to mimic their natural climbing environment and provide enrichment.
Nourishing Your Pet Squirrel
A proper diet is crucial for a squirrel’s health and well-being. Mimicking their natural diet in the wild is the best approach.
Natural Diet
Squirrels are omnivores, but their diet primarily consists of plant-based foods in the wild. Offer a variety of these items:
- Nuts: Acorns, walnuts, pecans (in moderation due to high fat content)
- Seeds: A variety of seeds, including pinecones
- Fruits: Berries, apples, grapes (in moderation due to sugar content)
- Vegetables: Mushrooms, flowers and buds, leafy greens
- Commercial Squirrel Food: High-quality rodent blocks or squirrel-specific food can supplement their diet and ensure they receive balanced nutrition.
Foods to Avoid
While squirrels are opportunistic eaters and may enjoy human food, many common foods are unhealthy for them. Avoid giving your squirrel:
- Processed human food: Cakes, snacks, chips, candy, and other sugary or salty treats are detrimental to their health and can lead to obesity and digestive issues.
- Chocolate: Toxic to squirrels.
- Dairy products: Squirrels are lactose intolerant.
Training and Handling Squirrels
Squirrels are intelligent but inherently wild, making them challenging to train compared to domesticated pets. However, with patience and consistency, you can establish some basic training and build a bond.
Toilet Training
Young squirrels require assistance with urination and defecation. For baby squirrels, gently stimulate them with a damp cotton ball massaged in a circular motion on their bottom several times daily. By 5-6 weeks old, they will typically begin to eliminate on their own.
Litter box training can be attempted once they are older. Provide a shallow litter box with pellet litter (avoid clumping litter, which can be harmful if ingested). Encourage litter box use by placing their feces in the box to help them associate the scent with the designated area.
General Training and Behavior Management
Squirrels respond best to positive reinforcement. Establish a routine and use praise and healthy treats to reward desired behaviors. Punishment is ineffective and can damage your relationship with your squirrel.
Understand that some behaviors, like chewing and burying food, are natural squirrel instincts. Instead of trying to stop these behaviors, squirrel-proof your environment by removing valuable items and providing appropriate outlets, such as chew toys and digging boxes. Redirection and environmental management are more effective than trying to suppress their natural instincts.
In Conclusion
Keeping a squirrel as a pet is a significant undertaking that requires careful consideration of legal aspects, housing, diet, and training. While they can be fascinating companions, they are not for everyone. Ensure you are fully prepared to meet the unique needs of a squirrel before deciding to bring one into your life. Responsible pet ownership is key to ensuring the well-being of any animal, especially one with wild instincts like a squirrel.
