Q&A for How to Keep a Pet Squirrel

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  • Question
    How can I convince my mom to let me get a squirrel as a pet?
    Community Answer
    Come up with good reasons why you should have a squirrel and do some work around the house and improve your grades.
  • Question
    Are other prey animals okay to keep with squirrels? I feel like I can trust my bunny with one, but I want to be sure.
    Community Answer
    Keep your squirrel and bunny separate to avoid issues.
  • Question
    How do I keep the squirrel warm?
    Community Answer
    I commonly give my squirrel a small bird house and flip it so the hole is a peeking place. Inside I keep yarn for him to snuggle up in.
  • Question
    I had an adorable squirrel I raised from birth. It was very healthy and lived a human life with us at home, and was cage free. Suddenly, after a playful time, I found her dead under a chair. It was such a shock. What could be the reason?
    Community Answer
    There are several possible reasons, such as she ate some food that was toxic to her (this is very common with squirrels); she wasn't as healthy as you thought; or she had a heart problem and the playing resulted in a heart attack.
  • Question
    Is it normal for a baby squirrel to not be active and to sleep all the time?
    Community Answer
    A lack of energy and movement could be a sign of illness.Contact a veterinarian or a wildlife rehabilitator for a better assessment.
  • Question
    I cannot get blocks where I live. How can I make them?
    Community Answer
    Going to TheSquirrelBoard.com will help you out immensely. There are members all around the world that have found suitable ingredients to make blocks.
  • Question
    Is it legal to get a pet squirrel in the United States?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what your state allows. Some of them have guidelines you must follow. Not every state allows it or requires a permit.
  • Question
    How can I tell what gender a baby squirrel is?
    Community Answer
    If it is a boy, it has a little shaft/penis in the middle to lower belly region. The testicles will start to drop later and it will become more obvious. In the absence of a penis/testicles, your squirrel is a female.
  • Question
    I have a pet squirrel that I found in the wild. He started to try and bite me. I am thinking about releasing him, but that will make me feel emotional. How can I deal with this?
    Community Answer
    Contact a local veterianarian or wildlife rehabilitator for advice on how to release your squirrel back into the wild.
  • Question
    According to Sharia law, can I have a squirrel?
    Community Answer
    Sharia law doesn't say anything against squirrels, but just be careful. Dogs are considered impure by Sharia, and I think they're the only animal considered impure by Sharia. Ask someone in the legal system to make sure.
  • Question
    I have no space for a cage and I have a cat at home. How can I keep a pet squirrel?
    Community Answer
    Don't keep it. It will need somewhere to be kept as they will either destroy your home, get poisoned by eating something unsupervised or get killed by your cat.
  • Question
    How do I pet a wild squirrel?
    Community Answer
    It's not a good idea to try. Wild squirrels may panic and try to bite.
  • Question
    Is watermelon okay to feed a squirrel?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can eat many fruits and vegetables, watermelon included.
  • Question
    Can a squirrel be a pet in NJ?
    Community Answer
    In NJ, you are required to turn sick or abandoned squirrels over to a certified wildlife rehabilitator to ensure their proper care. You may receive a fine if you do not comply.
  • Question
    Can I keep a squirrel in an apartment? Can I train one?
    Community Answer
    A squirrel can be kept in an apartment as long as its cage is large enough and kept near a window. Most squirrels can be litter trained.
  • Question
    Are there pets that are okay being around squirrels?
    Community Answer
    Yes but it would be safer to keep them away from each other.
  • Question
    How do I help it when it is dying?
    Community Answer
    Either make it comfortable or put it out of its misery.
  • Question
    How do I give milk to a baby squirrel?
    Community Answer
    Use a lamb feeding bottle and feed them the milk.
  • Question
    What do you mean by "chew bone"? Can it be any kind of dog bone?
    Community Answer
    It means not a treat, but a bone that takes a while to chew on. A dog "bone" in biscuit form can be eaten in a matter of seconds like any food, and a chew bone is impossible to eat and can only be chewed on.
  • Question
    What is the life expectancy for a healthy squirrel?
    Community Answer
    In the wild, many squirrels do not survive past their first year, but those that do tend to live 5-6 years on average. In captivity, they can live longer than that - potentially up to 20 years.
  • Question
    How do squirrels socialize with other squirrels?
    Community Answer
    Normally, only as a breeding pair. Mainly, they are very solitary.
  • Question
    Are there squirrels in Australia?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there are squirrels in Australia.
  • Question
    If I rescued a male and a female, should I keep them separate?
    Community Answer
    You can consult with your vet to see if you should keep them separate from one another. However, if they start to try and mate or show aggressive behaviors toward each other, you should consider separating them so that you do not encounter other problems.
  • Question
    I have two baby squirrels that I found at work, will I ever have to separate them?
    Community Answer
    Squirrels will chase or nip at other squirrels that are feeding in their territory as they get older. Many species of squirrels are territorial, including northern flying squirrels and American red squirrels. Grey squirrels are not territorial, but will chase other squirrels to show who's boss.
  • Question
    If I'm feeding my pet squirrel bugs, how do I make sure they're not poisoned?
    Community Answer
    If you are buying the bugs from pet stores, they are fine in that case. If you are finding them outdoors, then you need to know what the bugs are before feeding them.
  • Question
    I have a puppy. Would it be okay to have a squirrel right now?
    Reepicheep
    Community Answer
    No; a puppy might not intend to hurt the squirrel, but puppies are rambunctious and could badly injure a squirrel or any other small pet.
  • Question
    I have done research for 2 hours and I still can’t find out if they are legal in West Virginia. Are they? I found a baby in my backyard yesterday and I put it in a shoebox. Can I keep it?
    Kia Sha
    Community Answer
    Even if it is legal or not you should avoid taking young squirrels from the wild to make them “pets”. A squirrel is a wild animal and a wild animal can never be fully domesticated. If you find an baby squirrel just call the animal control or your local animal rehabilitation center. First make sure the mother is not around by putting a camera near to the baby to watch it for at least 24 hours. Mother animals often leave their babies alone for a while. Just make sure it is not in harms way. If you want a pet squirrel contact a local fish and wildlife officer and ask them if a domesticated, pet store squirrel is allowed as a pet. Then adopt one from a responsible pet store or shelter.
  • Question
    How can you keep a squirrel from biting you?
    AARON WANG
    Community Answer
    Make sure you don’t bother them too much. Also, make sure you keep your hands far away from the babies.
  • Question
    In Ontario,Canada, is it okay to have a squirrel as a pet?
    Community Answer
    No, it is illegal in Ontario to keep any kind of wildlife as a pet and if wildlife pets are found in your home you will be issued a fine of $240 dollars, and the animal will be taken away and possibly euthanized.
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