New Baby Squirrel In My Life - What Do I Need?

[nuts_about_squirrels]

I'm going to be getting a baby Gray Squirrel, and I couldn't find any info on the web about what to feed them or cage size? I did read to put twigs and branches from outside in the cage, is that true? People also say to put a hide-away box in the cage along with a hammock? Would a cage 3x3x3 be big enough, or should I buy a larger one? Which is better, male or female gray squirrel? Can someone please help me answer these questions? mjs

[nuts_about_squirrels]

Well do different kinds of squirrels make better pets? and yes, I'm getting him from breeder. The breeder give them to you before their weaned, that way you bottle feed them yourself from an early age, so they bond better with you.

[nuts_about_squirrels]

Well I've done my research pretty good, I have the time and I can afford to buy the right set up. I just have a few other questions, could you possibly answer them?

1. Are they nocturnal? Do they stay up at night chewing or sleep at night? Are they active during the day?
2. After their few months of their so called puppy stage, they calm down?
3. Do they bond to one person, or many?
4. You mentioned lighting? What kind? Would a reptile lamp work on top of the cage, with the right bulb? Or Stand a lamp a foot away from the cage?
5. How much time do they need out of the cage a day? A few hours?

That's about all of my questions, any you could answer would be very helpful.

[foxsquirrels]

1. No, they're active for a couple of hours after daylight and a couple of hours before sunset.
2. No, after about 4 years of age you will see them slow down a little.
3. Generally they bond with one person and MAY TOLERATE others.
4. I don't know about reptile lighting. Squirrels need full spectrum lighting if they are kept indoors. The bulb can be used in a standing lamp. Natural sunlight in an outdoor cage is best.
5. It depends on the squirrel. Some are content with branches, toys, etc. and some want out of their cage most of the time while they are awake.

[nuts_about_squirrels]

thanks! That helped a lot.:thankyou

I'm still confident that I should get a baby squirrel, I have been thinking, and thinking about it for quite some time now. But after a while of researching, I've decided to get one. Now I'm not sure what the breeder in currently feeding them, but what baby formula would be best? :dono

[digiandchipper]

Grey Squirrels are not really pets, they are basically wild animals. They are not legal to own in many states. They are not nocturnal. They are active during the day, all day, and they chew a lot. They do not 'grow out' of a 'puppy' phase; they are very active throughout their lives and need LOTS of room and time outside of a cage to be healthy and happy. I would say a MINIMUM of 3-4 hrs per day, every day. They bond only to one person eventually and will bite all others, so NO PET SITTERS. A reptile light is not adequate, they need a 'full spectrum' light, about $35 at hobby stores. This must be placed within two feet of the cage and remain on all day. You will have to invest heavily in items for a healthy diet for them. Please go to the nutrition thread and find 'Healthy Diet'.

Also, please read the post below before making your decision. (most grey squirrels on the board who are 'pets' are so because of injury or being orphaned).......... please consider researching the entire board before making a final decision. Thanks!


Responsible Squirrel Ownership means being the best owner/caregiver to your squirrel that you can be. Much more than "food, water, and shelter", Responsible Squirrel Ownership is the obligation squirrel owners have to incorporate their squirrels into their homes and providing for the needs of their squirrels, however varied those needs may be.

Responsible Squirrel Ownership Means:

• Realizing that a squirrel is for LIFE and dedicating yourself to the life of your squirrel

• Putting the effort into proper care of your squirrel (proper veterinary care when needed, proper feeding, housing and exercise time)

• Learning all you can about proper feeding, making healthy choices

• Investing in proper health care throughout your squirrel's life

• Realizing that squirrels are basically wild animals that cannot be trained like a dog. Accepting them on their terms, not yours.

• Teaching your children to respect animals and not abuse squirrels through play (this is also Responsible Parenting)

• Coming to terms with the fact that not everybody likes squirrels, and asking yourself, what can you do to ensure that your squirrel is likable, even to them? Practicing the answer

• Teaching other humans how to interact with your squirrel

• Providing your squirrel with a family and a home, not just food and shelter. Squirrels are very social and isolation from the family will result in an unhappy and ultimately, unhealthy squirrel

• Holding yourself, as the squirrel owner, liable for whatever damage your squirrel does, and taking steps to rectify it.
__________________

[nuts_about_squirrels]

thanks for all the info, :thankyou I got the info I needed on the light to. Now sorry to bug you! But one more thing, do babies only need the light, or do they all need it all the time?

[nuts_about_squirrels]

So your saying, go with a red squirrel or a fox squirrel?

[nuts_about_squirrels]

thanks, :grouphug Glad we met.

[Lady Squirrelly]

I have read this thread rather quickly so forgive me if I repeat a warning someone else gives you.

Only the squirrel can deside whether to be a pet or not. You may be lucky and get one that will love you and be happy with the wonderful life you can provide.

BUT be prepared for the day it "goes wild". They can flip like a light switch. One minute calm and loving and the next ready to chew off your face.

I raise to release. That is my goal. Four weeks ago I put Gus out in the big release pen. For 3 weeks I kept hoping he would wild up but he did not. He wanted Mama. He wanted to play and get his back scratches. He started not eating. I finally brought him back into the house. I had 4 others that needed the release pen and he was just not doing well out there. Those 4 will have their door opened this next weekend.

He has been food agressive for quite some time and would chatter and slap at me when I put food into his cage. I just got to where I tried to put his food in before he got up.

Yesterday he started chattering at me and carrying on every time I got close to the cage.

I went to give him a squirrel block I had just baked and he managed to slip out of the cage. He got to the top and ran around for a bit. He chattered and stomped. When he settled down I reached over to get him. He went balistic. He managed to get in one good bite before I could get him back into the cage.

It seems Gus is making the decision to go. That is great for me. I live in Florida and the weather will be quite warm after this upcoming cold snap. Gus will go out with 4 others that I have (it has been very busy since Fay). I think now he will be fine (crossing fingers).

My point to all of this is, that I know I would be heartbroken If I had paid a large some of money for sweet Gus and he suddenly could not be loved and petted.

Dealing with a gray or red squirrel is a crap shoot at best.

Good Luck.

[nuts_about_squirrels]

Well wild squirrels have to be slightly different from captive bred ones? The breeder has been breeding squirrels for 8 years! So I would think they would have broken down their wild habits a little. But if not, I'm prepared to stick with him and care for him. :jump

[foxsquirrels]

:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead Please be prepared!

[4skwerlz]

Please don't think we are judging you, and saying you're not responsible enough to have a pet squirrel. We just want you to know what is involved.

Having a pet squirrel is nothing like having a dog or cat--it is like having a child. They need hours and hours of attention every day. A squirrel totally takes over your life.

If you ever want to go on vacation, you will need more than a pet sitter; you will need someone to move into your house and take care of him 24/7 while you are gone. That's assuming your squirrel is one of the very few that will tolerate strangers.

You will never sleep late again.

They cannot be kept in a cage, except for short periods and at night. You will have to either let him have the run of your house, or your squirrel will need his own room in your house.

If you have to be away all day at work, your squirrel will be lonely and bored, and will probably spend his time chewing, chewing, chewing....

They will chew your furniture, your walls, your mouldings, your kitchen cabinets, and any electrical cords. They will shred the upholstery and your curtains. They will pee and poo everywhere. You will have to vacuum your house every day.

Your hands and arms will be permanently scarred from all the scratches. Clipping their nails helps, but only a little.

It's no accident that most of the folks on TSB who have pet squirrels are older, semi-retired, or are stay-at-home moms. I can't imagine having a pet squirrel in my 20's.

I believe there is a 95% chance that you'll end up having to release the squirrel into the wild. His chances of survival will be very small because he was hand-raised and had no siblings to learn how to be a squirrel. He will likely have a miserable time in the wild, chased by other squirrels, unsure of how to find food and shelter--until he is eaten by a hawk or starves to death. And then your heart will be broken.

I love my squirrel to death, but honestly, if I had known then what I know now, I don't think I would have ever taken him.....

If you DO decide to get a squirrel, then we will help you every step of the way.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Just curious, not being a SA, where are you that you can get any kinda sq you want? Sounds as if you can have your choice..
It is not easy to get a sq...found or purchased. Just curious!

[FallensMommie]

First I would check what state are legal to own squirrels because if it is illegal and your squirrel gets sick or injuries itself...what will you do? Most vets don't see squirrels even in legal states. If you are in a illegal state and you take it to a vet or wildlife center be prepared to have them take it away from you.

They need to be on Esbilac puppy milk replacer until they wean. They are huge chewers and their nails are razor sharp and need to be trimmed every 2 to 3 days which for me is a task :shakehead My curtains and my sofas are not so pretty anymore as their sharp claws make contact with them. I have chewed doors, closet doors, furniture, walls etc.

I got my Fallen when he was 2 weeks old and beings I stay home with my children we had a tight bond, even so he wanted released and I gave him his wish even though it broke my heart. Six weeks later he broke his arm and has since been in the house! My skin is like shredded wheat...back, arms, chest, waist....as he likes to do a grey hound race up and down and around, so be prepared to wear long sleeves in the heat or bear your battle wounds :poke

Nobody here is judging you...we are just trying to help you make the right decision. Nobody else will be able to care for him/her while you are on vacation.

When squirrels are young they need a small cage as they learn to get around. As they get older and more sure footed they need a large cage. Fallen's cage is 6x4 with a over all height of 7 feet. He has a smaller cage that I stick outside in the sun for natural sunlight.

We truly are just trying to help you make the right choice. We also don't want you to pay for a animal that will most likely wild up and then will have to be released as you will not be able to interact with it. Most squirrels do wild up regardless of how much time you spend with it...it's just in their DNA.