dogs VS squirrel (squirrel won) dont worry

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

ok so my dogs kinda got ahold of my squirrel bruce and well he came unscaved except he was limping on his leg yesterday and the day before. today he seems to be walking on it ok still a lil sore when i touch it well we found a small drop of blood on the floor :shakehead http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/shakehead.gif but that was cause bruce got scared and bit my dogs ear... and ima post a pic id like to find out how old is il put a pic

[Nancy in New York]

ok so my dogs kinda got ahold of my squirrel bruce and well he came unscaved except he was limping on his leg yesterday and the day before. today he seems to be walking on it ok still a lil sore when i touch it well we found a small drop of blood on the floor :shakehead http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/shakehead.gif but that was cause bruce got scared and bit my dogs ear... and ima post a pic id like to find out how old is il put a pic


I'm not even sure how to reply, this post and photo just saddens me.:shakehead

[SammysMom]

:goodpost Nancy!

[island rehabber]

I normally refrain from responding to these type of posts because I have some radical views I keep to myself. (like "cats, dogs and squirrels DO NOT MIX and I wish I did not have my cats.....because eventually something is going to go horribly wrong and it won't be the damn cats who suffer.....:shakehead) oops.....guess I didn't keep it to myself, did I......

Eventually, YOUR DOGS WILL KILL THAT SQUIRREL.
If you care anything for the squirrel, you will release it or keep it AWAY FROM THE DOGS, FOREVER.
Poor squirrel....

[lilidukes]

I'm so sorry that you think a dog and cat together are cute. :shakehead :shakehead A bad ending will come of this. Wish I had the magic words to make you understand how in danger this squirrel is from ANY dog! And if the dog is scared of the squirrel makes this even worse.

Maybe 10 weeks

Is his leg ok???

:grouphug :Love_Icon baby squirrel!

[astra]

what everyone said.

Please read:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28790

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31313

i can only imagine the terror poor little Bruce experienced.... it's the same if I had to wrestle with a wild bear....

[lizharrell1]

Please heed the warnings and listen to the advice you are being given. Squirrels and dogs and cats DO NOT have any business interacting with one another. Period. Is there some reason why this squirrel isn't being raised for release? Grey squirrels DO NOT make good pets. They will wild up around 14 weeks. No matter how sweet your baby may be now, 9 chances out of 10, that WILL change. If this baby IS being raised for release, he needs to NOT be around cats and dogs, and for the best possible outcome he should be paired up with at least one other grey squirrel. The size of the cage that baby is in is WAY too small. I understand you are building another cage, but looking at the size of the cage you are building compared to the water jug that is on the floor next to the new cage, indicates that the new cage is still going to be a bit small for a full grown grey squirrel. Please consider turning this baby over to a rehabber in your area that has other greys that he can be paired up with for release. I know the temptation is great to want to keep your "cute little squirrel", but please do what is in the best interest of the ANIMAL. Sometimes the hardest part of helping an animal is knowing when it is time to let go.

[island rehabber]

:goodpost

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

I'm so sorry that you think a dog and cat together are cute. :shakehead :shakehead A bad ending will come of this. Wish I had the magic words to make you understand how in danger this squirrel is from ANY dog! And if the dog is scared of the squirrel makes this even worse.

Maybe 10 weeks

Is his leg ok???

:grouphug :Love_Icon baby squirrel!
yeah his leg is fine :) hes all better as a matter of fact him and the dgs have been cuddle on the couch all morning lil bugger got out of his old cage XD

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

guys i know dogs + cats + sqs = bad but it was a one time thing hes in a seperate room rooom he literally came out unscaved the dogs got it worst then he did i think my dogs just licked him to death. my dogs wouldnt hurt a fly i think his leg only got hurt (its perfectly fine now) because of him trying to get a way XD:flash3

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

I'm not even sure how to reply, this post and photo just saddens me.:shakehead
why does the photo sadden you?

[lizharrell1]

Bruce you are contradicting yourself. In one post you said the squirrel and the dogs had been cuddling on the couch all morning, in the next post you said they are kept in separate rooms. Which is it? You may THINK you have the sweetest dogs in the world, but is it REALLY worth taking the chance? They have already had at least one bad encounter....is it REALLY worth gambling on another? And I have to agree with Nancy....the photos sadden me as well. If you truly love this squirrel, please do right by him.

[Pierre]

If any of this sounds harsh at all, please know many people here have seen terrible tragedies happen with dogs/cats and squirrels and have seen similar stories unfold with the squirrel losing in the end one way or another.

Your dogs might well be the sweetest things around, but all dogs have a prey instinct and all run after things sometimes without "thinking". They had a scuffle already with both getting hurt. A tiny bite or step/fall/tackle can permanently harm or kill your cute baby.

And no matter what your squirrel's like today, one day he's almost guaranteed to want to be released and if he thinks dogs are friends, he will be killed by one somewhere else.

It's obvious that you love :Love_Icon your little squirrel and wouldn't want him to die or be hurt.

Best to keep all dogs away from him until his release. Really. No one's trying to be mean but it is not good to have them together for any reason.

:grouphug

[fire-eyez]

The photo can sadden a person for many reasons IMO it is so tiny...it does not matter how much you take him out he needs! a bigger cage the picture of him just sitting in it he basically has taken up the entire cage. Is this squirrel one you are overwintering? are you releasing him? He also needs things to keep him stimulated :shakehead

[Nancy in New York]

what everyone said.

Please read:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28790



Oh astra.....he did read it on 10/12/11, and here's his reply:



luckily my dogs have been around pet squirrels since pups if i could only get them to sit still id get a pic of Bruce and my 3 Dachshunds in a pic together, im so sry 4 your lost tho :(

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

The photo can sadden a person for many reasons IMO it is so tiny...it does not matter how much you take him out he needs! a bigger cage the picture of him just sitting in it he basically has taken up the entire cage. Is this squirrel one you are overwintering? are you releasing him? He also needs things to keep him stimulated :shakehead




this is his new cage. we are going to be finished with it today or early tomorrow :) so dont worry

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31374


check out the post of his new cage and. btw hes safe and sound now ok it was 1 bad accident the first one i let himout with the dogs for a little bit but not no more so just lay off hes safe and sound and is getting bunch of toys for XMAS

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31374


check out the post of his new cage and. btw hes safe and sound now ok it was 1 bad accident the first one i let himout with the dogs for a little bit but not no more so just lay off hes safe and sound and is getting bunch of toys for XMAS
its 39''h 38''length and 28'' wide its a big cage not to mention the room hes got for him self hes good dont worry:osnap

[Nancy in New York]

What are you feeding your little one?
How did you get him?
Are you overwintering him?
Are you still giving him formula?
Does he have a water bottle?

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

What are you feeding your little one?
How did you get him? a mix of nuts seeds fruit veggies
Are you overwintering him? we are gonna keep him
Are you still giving him formula? no.
Does he have a water bottle?

a mix of nuts seeds fruit veggies
we are gonna keep him
no. I found him when at our house when he had no teeth. and he would walk right up to me ( me only ) and get in my hand :) :jump

[Nancy in New York]

a mix of nuts seeds fruit veggies
we are gonna keep him
no. I found him when at our house when he had no teeth. and he would walk right up to me ( me only ) and get in my hand :) :jump

If you are at all interested in people's opinion,
and you really want to do what is best for this squirrel,
please stick around.
If you have your mind set on just doing what you please,
then I wish your little squirrel lots of love and luck.....
because he won't be around long.:shakehead

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

If you are at all interested in people's opinion,
and you really want to do what is best for this squirrel,
please stick around.
If you have your mind set on just doing what you please,
then I wish your little squirrel lots of love and luck.....
because he won't be around long.:shakehead
well what do you think i should do? id love to hear it id like to keep him i have the money for the blocks. and stuff like i said that cage hes in in the pic is his old cage tomorrow he moves into a mansion plus we have an outdoor Cage for him

[Nancy in New York]

well what do you think i should do? id love to hear it id like to keep him i have the money for the blocks. and stuff like i said that cage hes in in the pic is his old cage tomorrow he moves into a mansion plus we have an outdoor Cage for him

If you have the money for blocks, why hasn't he had just the very basic food in the two plus weeks that you have had him?
What kind of veggies does he eat?
Do you know that nuts and seeds will kill him eventually? Do you know how BAD they are for him?

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

If you have the money for blocks, why hasn't he had just the very basic food in the two plus weeks that you have had him?
What kind of veggies does he eat?
Do you know that nuts and seeds will kill him eventually? Do you know how BAD they are for him?
if they are so bad for him then why do the wild one eat nuts.... thats the main food source where i live and i dont see very many dead ones
and for veggies its a mix of things
corn broccli stuff like that Carrots he likes

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

If you have the money for blocks, why hasn't he had just the very basic food in the two plus weeks that you have had him?
What kind of veggies does he eat?
Do you know that nuts and seeds will kill him eventually? Do you know how BAD they are for him?
all i want is advice tell me what you feed your squirrels what do you do for your squirrels.

[pittieluv]

Hi there, There is a ton of really great advice here from experts with experience. Read through nutrition threads and the others about caring for your squirrel properly. This site has taught me so much, I spent hours reading and learning. So much I never would have thought of if not for this site...Be open to all advice as it will be the best. Good luck to your little one

[astra]

if they are so bad for him then why do the wild one eat nuts.... thats the main food source where i live and i dont see very many dead ones
and for veggies its a mix of things
corn broccli stuff like that Carrots he likes

Hi BrucetheSquirrel94,

the nuts are not bad as such, it's when they become a huge part of their diet with no quality block and enough of good green veggies, that's when they become a problem.

The wild ones eat tons of other foods: tree bark, insects, a great variety of grass, leaves, plants etc, roots, mushrooms of sorts etc etc etc etc. Nuts are only a small portion of their total food intake.
Wild squirrels know intuitively what to it and whatever they eat, they maintain the high calcium intake necessary for strong bones (along with other nutrients, of course).
In captivity it is impossible to replicate the wild squirrel diet. We try our best by bringing branches and some plants from outside, but we will always fall short.
But the captive squirrels have the same very specific nutritional needs, and in captivity in order to meet those needs they must have good quality blocks as part of their diet. If they do not, they will get Metabolic Bone Disease that can either become fatal, or cripple them for life.
So, they must eat blocks + good dark green veggies. Fresh fruit and nuts must be given only as a treat, a couple a day tops.

Limited nuts, very little or no at all corn and no seeds - is a way to keep high phosphorus foods out of their diet, because phosphorus blocks calcium absorption. Besides, when given nuts and/or block, they will keep eating nuts only and will ignore the block (because nuts for them are like candy for us).

This information is a result of many years of rehab experience, so it is tried and true.

Again, wild squirrels know what and how much to eat intuitively, captives - do not and cannot because they are captive. They do not have an option of roaming and foraging, picking the right things.
They completely rely upon their human for nutrition.
That's why it cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is for their health to follow these specific nutritional guidelines.

As for seeing dead squirrels... In my life I have only seen one dead squirrel, but I know they die. We just don't see that. Very often, ill squirrels find a closed place (a hole, nook, crack) to die when they feel it's coming. Other times, they get eaten by nocturnal animals before we even know it.

Your little Bruce needs a good quality block + good green veggies + a nut or two and a piece of fresh fruit as treats only.
:grouphug here are some links: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28009

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27996

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17557

But read the entire Squirrel Nutrition forum - tons of info. And never hesitate to ask questions - people here are happy to help! ;-)

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

Hi BrucetheSquirrel94,

the nuts are not bad as such, it's when they become a huge part of their diet with no quality block and enough of good green veggies, that's when they become a problem.

The wild ones eat tons of other foods: tree bark, insects, a great variety of grass, leaves, plants etc, roots, mushrooms of sorts etc etc etc etc. Nuts are only a small portion of their total food intake.
Wild squirrels know intuitively what to it and whatever they eat, they maintain the high calcium intake necessary for strong bones (along with other nutrients, of course).
In captivity it is impossible to replicate the wild squirrel diet. We try our best by bringing branches and some plants from outside, but we will always fall short.
But the captive squirrels have the same very specific nutritional needs, and in captivity in order to meet those needs they must have good quality blocks as part of their diet. If they do not, they will get Metabolic Bone Disease that can either become fatal, or cripple them for life.
So, they must eat blocks + good dark green veggies. Fresh fruit and nuts must be given only as a treat, a couple a day tops.

Limited nuts, very little or no at all corn and no seeds - is a way to keep high phosphorus foods out of their diet, because phosphorus blocks calcium absorption. Besides, when given nuts and/or block, they will keep eating nuts only and will ignore the block (because nuts for them are like candy for us).

This information is a result of many years of rehab experience, so it is tried and true.

Again, wild squirrels know what and how much to eat intuitively, captives - do not and cannot because they are captive. They do not have an option of roaming and foraging, picking the right things.
They completely rely upon their human for nutrition.
That's why it cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is for their health to follow these specific nutritional guidelines.

As for seeing dead squirrels... In my life I have only seen one dead squirrel, but I know they die. We just don't see that. Very often, ill squirrels find a closed place (a hole, nook, crack) to die when they feel it's coming. Other times, they get eaten by nocturnal animals before we even know it.

Your little Bruce needs a good quality block + good green veggies + a nut or two and a piece of fresh fruit as treats only.
:grouphug here are some links: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28009

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27996

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17557

But read the entire Squirrel Nutrition forum - tons of info. And never hesitate to ask questions - people here are happy to help! ;-)
my only thing is the cash... im short on alot of it is there any alternitive to rodent blocks?

[Mavrycs Mommy]

Mavryc eats Kaytee forti diet block you can buy at the petstore (just make sure its the blue bag not the green) its only 10 dollars for 5 lbs and like 7 for 3lbs he really likes it and its VERY affordable... your squirrel will thank you :jump

there is no alternative for block BUT that is a cheap alternative to hhbs :)

[mandibair]

Hello! Your little Bruce is so cute! I'm so glad you came to thesquirrelboard for advice! As others have said on here there is lots of great advice. I don't like how some people are so .... How should I put it..... Picky.... No maybe nasty is a better way to put it. I'm having my very first grey squirrel experience as we speak. My baby is 15 weeks. He's sweet and cute as button. I owe his life to these people here who are kind enough to offer help. I agree with Nancy, the cage is to small. I'm glad you are kind enough to build him a bigger one. I think the biggest concern from people here aside from the dogs is your Lil babys diet. I'm having a balding issue which we still haven't been able to figure out. Some thought it might be his diet or skin mites, and we put revolution on him but doesn't seem to be helping at all. Glad to hear you are feeding your Bruce veggies. My baby likes sugar snap peas. Please read tje threads about nutrition. Sorry some people on here were nasty to you. We tewlly do apprecoate you seeking help with you little guy from is here at the squirrel board. And shame on those of you who were mean, at least he's asking for help!!!! :nono :nono

[Nancy in New York]

my only thing is the cash... im short on alot of it is there any alternitive to rodent blocks?

In all honesty, you have no idea how much it costs to keep a squirrel healthy and happy. It really does take major money. Minimum of $30 a week, not to mention vet visits and if they develop teeth issues....:shakehead
May I ask, why would you want to deprive a wild squirrel his natural life? They are so much work, they DO NOT make good pets, and they bite when they get older, even if you raise them from a baby. Take a look at Rama's thread. Raised from just a tiny little eyes closed baby, and now......

[astra]

my only thing is the cash... im short on alot of it is there any alternitive to rodent blocks?
well, not really... but there are different types of block: Kaytee forti (I think, the blue bag is good, not the green one), Mazuri, Harlan Teklad, Henry's Healthy Blocks.
You can make your own - the recipe for the Home Made one is in Nutrition forum, although you still need to buy the ingredients... but see - it might be a bit less expensive to buy the ingredients and make your own.
The ingredients for the homemade Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHB) are, too, available from www.henryspets.com.
Harland Teklad need to be ordered. I have never personally ordered them, but if you post a question as a separate thread, I am sure, people will help you with it.
If I am not mistaken, Kaytee can be found at Petco and/or Petsmart stores....not sure about Mazuri, but would assume - same place...

Yes, finances can be a problem with squirrels - they are rather expensive to keep and rehab (just another reason why keeping them as pets is not wise, besides the fact that they can wild up and start acting as wild;-)). The food they need daily is a lot to provide.

But there is not really a substitute for a block.
I do not know how old your Bruce is, but does he still eat formula?... let him eat formula for as long as he will take it, never wean him. Formula provides all the nutrients and in the most absorbable form.
The best formula is Fox Valley available at www.foxvalleynutrition.com

Please keep asking questions.
If necessary, post them as separate threads in Non-Life Threatening Help for faster response.

:grouphug

[astra]

:goodpost
In all honesty, you have no idea how much it costs to keep a squirrel healthy and happy. It really does take major money. Minimum of $30 a week, not to mention vet visits and if they develop teeth issues....:shakehead
May I ask, why would you want to deprive a wild squirrel his natural life? They are so much work, they DO NOT make good pets, and they bite when they get older, even if you raise them from a baby. Take a look at Rama's thread. Raised from just a tiny little eyes closed baby, and now......
:goodpost
yes, as Nancy said, they are precious and cute, but...99.9% of them wild up and start biting (not because they are mean, but because they are wild animals with wild instincts), or they pick just one person and the rest of the family is ostracized. :D (although, not really funny)
Definitely, check out Rama Rota's thread.:shakehead
They are very expensive to keep, food, cages, toys, cage accessories etc etc etc, not counting medical costs if he gets ill, and how hard it is to find a vet if you are in an "illegal" state...

And if your little Bruce is a healthy little squirrel, he will be the happiest when released into the wild, where he belongs. Just keep them and dogs/cats separated, and don't let him see you interact with them, because he will take cues from you (since you are his momma right now and they learn everything from their mothers) and will assume that dogs and cats are safe. That will be his death sentence when released. Keep them separated so that his natural fear of dogs and cats is intact (he should not be attacking the dog, he should really be running for his life).

Going back to the block - definitely check out the different kinds and if the homemade recipe might be a bit less expensive.

AND KEEP ASKING!:grouphug

[mandibair]

Sorry about the misspelled words Shades was jumping on my phone and pressing the touch screen. With his big feet! Lol you cam see his thread in the nursery section and how to see a new post from you with more pics of Bruce.

[momma2boo]

David,

I see you are only 16, but have a really big heart. You obviously want to do the right thing for your squirrel, Bruce, or you wouldn't have come here.

Thank you for caring about the critters.

There is so much information here. It can be a bit overwhelming at first but if you truly plan on keeping Bruce captive then there is much to learn. The nutritional needs of a captive squirrel is far more complex than one of a free squirrel.

I have already given you some information. You can find that list of veggies on the nutrition section. Be very careful of corn and peanuts since they are so terribly high in phosphorous.

Please feel free to contact me any time you need. Maybe one of these days I will post some of my videos of my squirrels on my FB page so you can see them. I've posted many videos on TSB but don't know how buried they are at this point.

Hang in there ... TSB has some very passionate squirrel lovers. If we came across harsh just understand that it was only out of concern for your squirrel and because we've all seen some pretty horrible things that happen to squirrels when someone doesn't know everything there is to know about raising one.

We are all here to help in any way we can. Meanwhile keep your other animals away from Bruce. Should he ever wild up and need to be released you don't want him thinking that cats and/or dogs are his friends. In the wild they will kill him and he would never know that if he is under the false pretence that they are non threatening.

Thanks for taking care of Bruce.
How did Bruce find his way to you? What is his story?

Julie

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

In all honesty, you have no idea how much it costs to keep a squirrel healthy and happy. It really does take major money. Minimum of $30 a week, not to mention vet visits and if they develop teeth issues....:shakehead
May I ask, why would you want to deprive a wild squirrel his natural life? They are so much work, they DO NOT make good pets, and they bite when they get older, even if you raise them from a baby. Take a look at Rama's thread. Raised from just a tiny little eyes closed baby, and now......
he would have died if i didnt take him in

[astra]

he would have died if i didnt take him in
oh, BrucetheSquirrel94, Nancy did not mean that you should not have taken him in. No, it's wonderful that you cared enough to.

What Nancy was trying to say is that if your little Bruce is healthy, it might be best if you release him in the Spring (as it is too late to release now).
Nancy was trying to explain to you why it is not a good idea to keep a squirrel as a pet (very expensive, wilding up and biting when grown up etc).

:) :grouphug

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

well i have talked the rents in to getting some Henry Healthy Blocks :jump so this friday they will be getting a money order i hope he likes em also any advise on getting him to play? lol and my friend had some rodents who died and have 2 boxes full of TOYS so guess what

[Pierre]

And shame on those of you who were mean, at least he's asking for help!!!! :nono :nono

Agreed. :grouphug

[Pierre]

well i have talked the rents in to getting some Henry Healthy Blocks :jump so this friday they will be getting a money order i hope he likes em also any advise on getting him to play? lol and my friend had some rodents who died and have 2 boxes full of TOYS so guess what


Wonderful! Please stay here and keep learning and asking. We are very happy you saved this baby and want to help you do what's best for this baby's future. :)

[fire-eyez]

Any update on cage? Did he move in? Did he show his appreciation by destroying ( rearranging ) his cage lol I know that is what mine did after I carefully though out each toy and squirrel furniture..... A good toy you may want to invests in that will help exert energy is a whelel but you want to introduce it soon other wise he most likely will isnot use it.....for some reason those who have been introduce to it later in life are not interested in it......my little one absolutely loves his a great one to get is a magnum wheel at attixwork.com I wouldn't recommend any other one can't wait to see pics

[astra]

well i have talked the rents in to getting some Henry Healthy Blocks :jump so this friday they will be getting a money order i hope he likes em also any advise on getting him to play? lol and my friend had some rodents who died and have 2 boxes full of TOYS so guess what
that's great, just wash those toys before giving them to him. Do not use any chemicals (i.e, detergents and such), just warm water and good scrub. You can use some baking soda and salt as your "detergent'.

Squirrels like stuffies. They like to wrestle with them. You can wrestle with him by holding a stuffie.
They like climbing ropes and things like that.
Just take out "eyes", "noses" in stuffies and all other things that he may end up swallowing.
They chew everything, so you need to make sure that toys do not have any small parts/details, like 'eyes', that he can chew and swallow.

[BrucetheSquirrel94]

Any update on cage? Did he move in? Did he show his appreciation by destroying ( rearranging ) his cage lol I know that is what mine did after I carefully though out each toy and squirrel furniture..... A good toy you may want to invests in that will help exert energy is a whelel but you want to introduce it soon other wise he most likely will isnot use it.....for some reason those who have been introduce to it later in life are not interested in it......my little one absolutely loves his a great one to get is a magnum wheel at attixwork.com I wouldn't recommend any other one can't wait to see pics
we are getting some toys and Hammocks tonight and we will move him intomorrow :)