squirrel getting restless

[lindsaysl2]

Ok so we have been raising this awesome baby Grey since he was about 3 weeks, my hubby found him under a truck tire at work with a bloody nose. He brought him home and I was then gonna take him to the wildlife squirrel place! But we didn't he was so sweet and helpless . anyhow he is very spoiled and well taken care of his diet is HHB he is now 16 weeks and veggies some fruits and nuts. His cage is a ferret nation cage around 5ft tall and 3 ft wide. He gets out of his cage to play around 4 to five hours daily. But he is beginnings to pace as he needs to be outside. I've called the wildlife place since and they said it is to late to take him in and he is now bonded to me and he is somewhat desensitize to cats! Although he has never played with mine he is not unfamiliar with to them and honestly he is not scared of anything!!! What to do? I want to keep him forever but I see how miserable he seems at times and it breaks my heart. I live on a main road so I really feel if he is let loose he will get hit by a car quicker than you could bat an eye. I do plan on moving in about 6 months but until that time comes I was thinking to build bigger cage and hope for the best! I hate watching him pace it really kills me as I know he is longing for a fuller life...any advice? He only paces when he is in his cage, usually when he can see me . so I did not mea n to post this in the emergency section sorry

[Stars Daddy]

I am no expert, but our local vet told us if you get a male squirrel fixed it helps them in captivity. I have no idea if this works, but I am sure someone in here could answer that. You still have to introduce them to new toys all the time because they can get bored very quickly. I have spent thousands of dollars on a female that would not release to keep her from being bored. The thing with her though she is terribly scared of the outside. A bigger cage is not always the answer, but it cannot hurt. If you can get a large log and incorporate it into his play area, or maybe a large limb that could look like a small indoor tree it gives them something to climb and they will stay busy playing on them. Our girl has a 8 foot log the runs from the top of her cage to a cat tower. It is about 2 ' from the ceiling. She also has a tree that is 7' tall with limbs. It is made from a real tree limb and has carpeted perches and 2 baskets incorporated in it. She loves them both along with the carpeted cat tower. She will run and play on these for hours. Just some suggestions I have found to work. There is some pictures of the stuff in the nursery thread under Meet Star Baby.

[lindsaysl2]

Thank you for your help !!!I feel soooo terrible the last couple days thinking of options! He is our baby and we love him so very much !I will do those things you mentioned! He has lots of toys but nothing keeps his interest for long if at all!

[Anne]

Where in Florida are you located? I am in Orange Park and what that "Wildlife" place told you is bunk!!! Sounds like the place down the road from here.I would like to help you, either by taking and releasing your baby or helping you find a knowledgible facility to help. Please answer here or if you prefer PM me and let's see what we can do. To have a healthy male squirrel fixed will senrence him to a long life( 12 to 20 years) of captivity and boredom.

[lindsaysl2]

I am in mandarin how do I pm you?

[farrelli]

Does he get lots of out of cage time? Does he have ropes and branches? Places to hide? Things to build nests with?

[SammysMom]

Anne is making a terrific suggestion! He is just wilding up as most of them do. Not easy to cope with letting them go, but as you have said, they can be quite unhappy in captivity. You are a very kind soul to want to do what is best for him and not for YOU. :grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug