My 2 1/2 yr old female has cried for hours. What can I do to help her?

[dparkes]

I have a grey 2 1/2 yr. old female squirrel who has been my entire life since I saved her from a cat after she fell out of her tree. I bottle fed her until she was able to eat solids. I was lucky enough to find this site because I knew nothing about caring for a squirrel until I found you. You have been so helpful. I now have a happy healthy squirrel. She eats right as I follow your food pyramid and she gets fruit a couple times a week. she gets plenty of greens daily along with her 2 Henry's picky eater blocks as she will have nothing to do with ordinary blocks. She has a time or two made the sound of alarm or of distress. However, she started this sound almost 6 hrs ago and hasn't stopped yet. This is the first time she has ever done this for so long. She doesn't seem to be in pain, she has no white milky tears. She runs around the house and the cage as usual, she eats and drinks as usual, the only thing different is she is continually making this sound and I don't know if there is something wrong with her or if she is hearing something outside. It started about 5 am today and it is now 10:30 a.m. and she is still sounding. Please help me figure this out because if there is something wrong I need to know now so I can get her some help now.
Thanks in advance,

Boo Boo's mom:tap

[CritterMom]

Has she ever come into heat? Take a look at her privates and see if there is any change there - they often become very visible. The females will do this nonstop crying during their heat cycle - it isn't discomfort, it is more a way to let the boys know that she is, um, ready.

She also may have heard - or smelled something outside. But eating, pooping, playing normally is a good thing, so it doesn't sound like she is in pain...

[dparkes]

Thank you Crittermom for your prompt answer. She does not appear to be swollen or have visible genitals any different than usual. I thought they only went into heat in the Sping and the Fall, it is the end of December. Could she in fact be in heat? I remember around the beginning of summer her genitals were a bit swollen and she would drag herself on the counter, tables etc. and was a bit of a bitch for a few days so I assumed at that time she was in heat. If that could be the reason now I am very relieved. Surprised but relieved. She is not bitchy this time though. She will let me pet her and love her as usual. Hopefully you are right and she is ok. Again, thank you for your answer.

Boo Boo's mom:grin3

[CritterMom]

Well, in the olden days they did but I hear females calling outside in mid January and I live in Maine! I have 10 week old babies showing up at my squirrel feeder in February now!

Keep an eye on everything? Is she peeing normally? Pooping the way she should? Is there anything besides her calling that would indicate a problem?

[dparkes]

I haven't monitored the peeing and pooping yet as I have not watched for that. I was more concerned with pain or injury. I will as of now begin to watch for that. Thanks for that idea. Any other idea's are appreciated. I guess the global warming must be messing up our animals bio rhythms or something in order to have 10 week old babies in January. I'm in Tennessee and the weather is crazy. Warm one day, freezing the next. Could that be messing with her?

[CritterMom]

Well, urinary tract infections would cause pain while peeing which might cause her to yell - not pooping could be a constipation issue. So let's rule those things out.

[dparkes]

will observe closely to see if any of these are the problem. Will keep in close touch. Again, thank you for your response. Just knowing I have someone to turn to makes me feel alot better.

Boo boo's mom

[Shewhosweptforest]

:wave123 Poor Boo Boo :( what strange behavior :thinking I would think she is alerting...because she running around and eating and acting normal....but that's such a long time and she's going about her business "as usual" :dono my guys usually freeze or move to higher ground where they remain alert. Does she continue making this noise even while you pet her? Another telltale sign of heat is when you pet her down her back she will raise her bottom in the air (more than usual) also she may keep turning her bottom towards you :dono I sure hope she's ok....I would, on top of observing her functions, watch her and see where her attention is focused. Then I would look very closely around to see if there is anything upsetting her. My Baby will get upset and alert about something she sees outside :dono I will look and look, and I don't see a thing. I will pet and distract her until she calms down. Good luck! I'm really curious to see what's up with this sweet girl :Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

You've gotten perfect advice above so I won't meddle, but another thing that can upset them sometimes where they will 'alarm call' for hours is a distant machine or weird sound. Sometimes here on the waterfront we'll hear a piledriver in the distance and one of the squirrels will start alarming. Or a helicopter, or some type of landscaping machine in the distance. We barely notice it, but to them it's a threat.

[dparkes]

Well guys, Boo Boo never stopped crying until 5:30 p.m. which was a little over 24 hours. She went to bed and slept all night as usual. Yesterday she let me pet her and her butt did go up a little quicker and higher than usual, and as long as I was alone she would let me pet her, if anyone else came near the cage she would nip me.
At 5 a.m. this morning I heard one small sound, then in 30 min. I heard one more sound. She played in her cage as usual until I got up and around at 7. Yes I stayed awake most of the night listening and watching her. She has been moving her bowels and peeing without incident.
I let her out of her cage about 25 min. ago per her usual morning. She was fine, loving, running around doing her usual play stuff and she's alarmed x2 in the 25 min. she been out. Its not constant now so I am about to go with she is in season and quit worrying about her.
She just had me so nervous as I have only heard her alarm 3 times in the 2 1/2 years that I've had her and those times it only lasted less than 10 min. Thank you all so much for your input. I'll keep you updated. Hopefully this will pass. I love her so much I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to her. No vet around here will see her. I have however stocked up on meds that I've seen on here that are used for antibiotics, etc, and being a nurse helped me to get ahold of such meds.

thank you all again, have a great squirrly day,
Boo Boo's mom

[Shewhosweptforest]

:hug I'm glad she's stopped the constant alerting :dono you need to get some rest :Love_Icon I hope this is just a symptom of her being in heat....I hope my girls never display this :eek it would scare me to death :tilt still could be something frightened her :dono as IR said there are things they hear or see that trigger their survival instincts, which we would never even notice. I hope today goes well:thumbsup Thank you for keeping us in the loop:grin3 and I know what you mean about worrying, and loving her sooo much :Love_Icon we all know that feeling and fear....these sweet friends grab ahold of our heart strings and we're caught for life :grouphug

[dparkes]

You are sure right about getting a hold of our heart strings.:Love_Icon I would have never guessed in a million years that I would have a squirrel for a pet. And lo and behold I was blessed with a baby who needed a mama.
My whole life revolves around her. I am happy to say that she is now her normal self. It is 12 p.m. and she is back in her cage. She has not sounded any more since earlier this morning when she was out running around. She hid nuts and ran around as usual having her a good old time. She offered to play with me a couple times but she wanted to be the initiator this morning so there wasn't too much physical contact between us. Another one of her "girl" attitutes she has at times. :serene She was not aggressive at all. She went back into her cage peacefully at her own will.:grin3 She does seem to be a little more assertive about hiding things, nuts especially. She isn't eating them she is hiding them and for her that is unusual as she only gets 2 a day.
She also is a little less tolerant of my cat. They usually play through the cage but she is getting agitated when the cat comes around her now. I have to keep the cat away from her. I'm assuming its because she has all her nuts stashed in there. lol.
She is so funny at times. But anyway, I am tickled to announce Boo Boo's recovery and to thank you all for your support.
I'm sure this is just a "girl" thing and I hope it doesn't happen too often cause its misery for the both of us.

[czarina]

Hopefully, it is heat.

But, I will throw this out there, " just on case".
But, it seems doubtful, as she seems to have stopped alerting.

Ok, here it is: I see you are in Tennessee, and am wondering if a snake could have gotten in your house? Sometimes they come to the warmth, as they can't heat themselves.
We don't think they will come in, but they do.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Again, wonderful news...even better than before:thumbsup czarina had a valid point :eek I know we have a snake that lives in our attic :dono Boo Boo would be able to smell it and maybe even see it ...their eyesight is keen :dono but hopefully that's not the issue....if so you're cat would probably notice and find it also. That brings up another concern....I'm just letting you know, in case you don't know, cat's salvia is toxic to squirrels. We have several members that have cats along with their squirrels and there aren't any problems, but there could be. So just be careful, only you know their interaction....I would personally never completely trust a cat, well, any pet with my squirrel. I have a German Shepherd that I trust completely, but she's never with my squirrels. She waits her turn to be with me :tilt I just know accidents can happen and I'm a worrywart :facepalm Please don't think I'm insinuating that you're not handling things properly ...I'm not :grin3 I just wanted to warn you, in case you didn't know, that cat salvia is dangerous.

Get some rest now that your Boo Boo is resting :Love_Icon

[Shewhosweptforest]

Oh, oh, I just wanted to also let you know a little trick we do.....when squirrels bury their nuts they can become aggressive while protecting their stash. So, when my squirrels go to bed for the night, I go around and pick up their stash. :dono they don't seem to even notice the next day, and they aren't as likely to get as aggressive :thumbsup

[dparkes]

I never thought about a snake but it is doubtful that one would get in. I would hope not anyway cause I would freak out if I ever seen a snake in my house.
Trust me my cat and Boo Boo are never together without the cage between them. I have read so many articles in TSB that I was aware (thank God) that cat saliva is so harmful. Even before knowing that though, I never let them together because I know it is a cats nature to chase and once he caught her one or both of them could seriously be hurt or killed. I always lock my cat up in another room whenever Boo Boo is out of her cage.
She has had a normal day so far, she's been calm and doing her normal playing and wrestling with her stuffed animals.
I do clean out as many stashes as I can find or get to whenever she is asleep. I don't want her getting aggressive or fat. lol. I find stashed nuts in her hammock now and then. When she should be asleep I see the hammock wiggling then I hear the sound of a shell cracking.
Its been great talking with you all. :thankyou

[Shewhosweptforest]

:grin3 Wonderful :thumbsup you are an awesome mommy:Love_Icon You definitely know what you're doing....your girl is one lucky squirrel! :Love_Icon

[dparkes]

Thank you Shewhosweptforrest,

I am trying to be the best mommy I can be. Boo Boo is still doing good. She has made that sound a couple times in the past two days but other than that she is her usual mischievous self. She never fails to put/keep a smile on my face, even when she is being a b----. I hope everyone here on TSB have a wonderful and blessed New Year. Have fun and stay safe.

Boo Boo's mom:Squirrel

[dparkes]

Boo Boo has not made any more alert sounds but its been 2 weeks now since that has happened and I can no longer get near her. She attacks me every time I let her out now. She has never been this way with me. I found all her stashes and cleaned up her nest she made in my kitchen cabinet, I found several walnuts stashed in there. I cleaned everything out of her cage and quit giving her nuts all together. She attacks me even when I get near her cage. I have had her for 2 1/2 yrs. Is she wilding up and if she is I live in Tennessee and need a rehaber to bring her to for release. I can't stand seeing her so miserable and I keep giving her time to get over whatever she is going through but I am at a loss for what to do. I want her to be happy and if that means release I'll do it but I really don't want to. I want my sweet loving baby back. Please help. I'll take all the advice I can get. I love her so much.
Thanks in advance
Boo Boo's mom

[farrelli]

Have you done a full inventory of new smells, noises, and such? New hand cream or deodorant can make them crazy. Does she love anyone? Perhaps she's in heat. Some do seem to really come of age around two years. Sometimes it's quick, others have gone a couple months or so before they settled back down. Have you just sat near her quietly and read or something, maybe talking to her gently? Perhaps put a used t-shirt in her bed so that she associates you with warmth and rest - though only after making sure some new shampoo isn't setting her off.

[dparkes]

Good morning Farelli,
She did love only me. She would'nt attack my two sons or grandchild but she didn't come around them. She made it clear she didn't want to be bothered by anyone but always came to me and when she was in the cuddling mood she would let me know. Usually after she run around the house for a while she would slow down and want to play and cuddle. I think I created my own monster as I think about it because I always got her back in her cage by giving her a walnut. (to keep her teeth down of course) I gave her a walnut a day, sometimes a black walnut as they are harder. But when I took her nest down yesterday she had 6 unshelled walnuts in it and I found another 5 in her cage. All stashes and her nest are gone now. I haven't let her out yet today for her to see her nest is gone. She knows her cage is empty and when I go to her cage if I'm not giving her something to eat she attacks. This has been going on almost 2 weeks now. Please help me ondo the harm I did my baby girl.

[dparkes]

No new smells, foods, deodorants, etc. If she is just now becoming an adult, does this mean she is wilding up on me?

[TubeDriver]

It might be that but she could also mellow out again with you. Don't let her have any stashes, keep the treats to a minimum and be gentle but consistent with her. If she bites or gets aggressive, spend time next to her cage just talking through the cage to her.



No new smells, foods, deodorants, etc. If she is just now becoming an adult, does this mean she is wilding up on me?

[dparkes]

Thank you for the advice. I will do that. I also will sing to her. she used to love to cuddle when I sang to her. I will try anything at this point. Thanks again and if you think of anything else, I am all ears.
Boo Boos Mom:sadness

[CritterMom]

What happens when you let her out of her cage? Is she still aggressive to you or does she calm down?

I ask because my adult male gets very cage possessive a few times a year. He has a huge enclosure that takes up half my guest room, and I never allow nuts to "build up" in there, but regardless, we go through a few times a year where if I walk over to the cage (or someone else does), he snarls and grrs and rushes the cage sides like a crazed beast. If I open the cage he is fine - I can walk right in and everything is perfectly normal, and get him out and he is just like he normally is, sweet and cuddly with me. He just doesn't want me or anyone else messing with his cage.

The thing I have learned about these guys is that they are ruled by hormones, and I still think you are looking at that with your girl.

And you can give her a walnut, just make sure she eats it before she gets another. If you haven't seen signs of that in a day or two, find it and take it out of her cage - and give it to her again! Just don't allow them to pile up.

[dparkes]

For a couple days when I'd open her cage to let her out she would attack me instantly. The past 2 days she just ran out and did her thing. She don't bother me as long as i don't bother her, but there have been a couple times I've put my arm up for her to come to me and she jumped on me and attacked. But then she'll run up on me and not do anything unless I try to touch her. I kept her in her cage today because she is still attacking through the cage when I go near it unless I am giving her something to eat.
I did give her a hazel nut earlier today and she did eat it instead of storing it. As far as I know there is nothing in her cage for her to protect but she is still very defensive. I am going to give her a couple more weeks to see how this goes. I am talking to her and singing to her at her cage now every now and then when she is out. She is also staying up alot later and getting up during the night. she used to go to bed by 7 and sleep through until the morning. She has changed in many ways. she is still eating and drinking and playing with her toys as usual. she just doesn't want anything to do with people.
Boo Boo's Mom

[farrelli]

I'd give her at least 2 wks. Like I said, some have taken a lot longer than that to come around. I remember one lady who was here every day crying for at least a couple months, and then everything turned around in like three days.

[dparkes]

I have been singing to her. I have spend alot of time next to her cage talking to her. It does calm her down and she'll come to me at the cage. She'll attack once out of about 3-4 times. She is getting calmer and letting me near her more. I will give her more time as I am sure in no hurry. I just want my baby back. Tomorrow I start a new job and will not be home all day. That will be new and different to her. I was working night shift and spent days with her but that has now changed. I won't be home until around 6 p.m. and she's not used to coming out at that time. She is used to getting out around 7-8 a.m. for an hour or more then again around 2-3 p.m. for another hour or so. When I do get home I will be spending every second with her. Thank you all for your advice. I'm still listening if anyone has any other ideas or suggestions.
Good night all. Thank God for ya'll.
Boo Boo's Mom

[TubeDriver]

Slow and steady. Give her some time to settle down, like Farrelli said it could take weeks or longer.

She might also need some time to adapt to your new schedule, squirrels are creatures of babit and it takes a while for them to adjust to new schedules.



I have been singing to her. I have spend alot of time next to her cage talking to her. It does calm her down and she'll come to me at the cage. She'll attack once out of about 3-4 times. She is getting calmer and letting me near her more. I will give her more time as I am sure in no hurry. I just want my baby back. Tomorrow I start a new job and will not be home all day. That will be new and different to her. I was working night shift and spent days with her but that has now changed. I won't be home until around 6 p.m. and she's not used to coming out at that time. She is used to getting out around 7-8 a.m. for an hour or more then again around 2-3 p.m. for another hour or so. When I do get home I will be spending every second with her. Thank you all for your advice. I'm still listening if anyone has any other ideas or suggestions.
Good night all. Thank God for ya'll.
Boo Boo's Mom

[dparkes]

Thank you for giving me hope.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Oh no... I'm so sorry to hear this :dono I thought she was over this :( hang in there as others have said :hug you're doing things right:thumbsup I would hand feed her through the cage...other treats she likes...blueberries, cranberries :dono at this point I'd spoil her...let her know you're there for her...she sounds nervous and scared by your description ....the way she attacks quickly, but immediately calms down and stays on you. My Baby is very nervous around me when I don't have my robe on....I've always worn it with her for protection against her nails...so when I don't wear it she's nervous...you may want to try wearing something like that...or a sweatshirt. Slip it on anytime you handle her. Don't wash it for awhile...let her scent and your's mingle on it.... Once she calms down then you can wash it :grin3 I think this is a passing stage ...I really think it's hormones or some change that she senses that you just don't see. Come on Boo Boo ....where's Momma's sweet girl? :squirrel4

[dparkes]

Thank you again. You continue to give me hope. I came home from work today and she actually acted like she was happy to see me. I gave her her blocks through the cage and a blueberry and she didn't one time try to attack me. I'm hoping it was because she missed me, not because she was hungry. lol. She was alot calmer though seriously and she went to bed her usual time after eating. She isn't up running around in the cage. I am going to let her out of the cage in the morning and spend a couple hours with her. If she comes to be I'll try to pet her but i'll let her come to me. I won't approach her. Wish me luck TSB friends. I'm going to need it. I will surely be covered up from head to toe. Hope that doesn't scare her.
Good night friends,

Boo Boo's Mom:grin3

[Shewhosweptforest]

:thumbsup Good luck! :thumbsup Sounds encouraging today :Love_Icon I think your instincts are good :thumbsup Look forward to hearing what happens tomorrow ...sending positive vibes :tinfoil :rofl4 love that emoticon!

[dparkes]

Good morning,
Boo Boo was let out of her cage 25 minutes ago. She has not yet attacked me. She didn't come out of the cage attacking me. She ran around for the first 20 minutes trying to find a place to hide the hazelnut I hid in her toilet paper roll that she found immediately when she came out. She is now sitting still eating the hazel nut. She has ran over my legs a couple times and didn't stop to take a chunk out of them. (thank God). I'm curious to see if she'll come around me when she is done with her hazelnut. She has no more stashes that she has to protect so for me this is THE TEST. Prayers please. I'd say within the next hour I'll either be crying with joy or bleeding to death. lol
I'll let ya'll know how it goes.
Love to all and have a great weekend.
Boo Boo's Mom:bliss

[HRT4SQRLS]

...this is THE TEST. Prayers please. I'd say within the next hour I'll either be crying with joy or bleeding to death. lol
I'll let ya'll know how it goes.
Love to all and have a great weekend.
Boo Boo's Mom:bliss

:jump I'm sure hoping for tears of JOY! :thumbsup

Not to be cynical, but I would have a small throw or blanket just in case. Just toss it over her and bundle up. That's the best way to catch a squirrel that's a bit ... shall we say ... grumpy.

[dparkes]

Trust me I have the fleece blanket ready to go. she is still out and wouldn't you know a great big boxer dog came up to my front door which is glass so Boo Boo seen her perfectly. They made eye contact, Boo Boo didn't act upon it, she just left and ran around playing her usual play. She did jump on my arm once and bit but it was a nip not a blood curdling bite. I do have long sleeves on of course. She is playing beside be and all around me and so far as long as I leave her alone she's ok. I am not going to try to touch her until she comes to me and I see that she wants that. I do know her body language very well since I have had her for so long. I will let you know how it goes when I decide to put her back in the cage.
Boo Boo's Mom

[dparkes]

Good news... Boo Boo went back in her cage without incident. She did jump on my hand one time and nip but it wasn't a hard one just a warning nip and when I said eh eh eh loudly she jumped off and ran into her cage on her own.
I am going to keep her in until in the morning as my 7 yr. old granddaughter will be coming soon to spend the night with me and she makes Boo Boo nervous as she is a 7 yr old and makes noise and loves to dance around.

After Kaitlynne leaves tomorrow at noon I will let Boo Boo out again. She is not attacking anyone through the cage anymore either so I think my many many prayers are working.

Thank you all again, I will keep you updated.
Boo Boo's Mom:dance

[Shewhosweptforest]

Hey Boo Boo's mom:wave123 How did the weekend go? :eek I hope you didn't bleed to death :poke just kidding....I mean just kidding about "thinking" you might have bled to death...not that you "didn't" bleed to death :grin3never mind :crazy1 I hope all is well with you and Boo Boo :Love_Icon let us know :thumbsup

[Annabelle's papa]

Hey Boo Boo's mom:wave123 How did the weekend go? :eek I hope you didn't bleed to death :poke just kidding....I mean just kidding about "thinking" you might have bled to death...not that you "didn't" bleed to death :grin3never mind :crazy1 I hope all is well with you and Boo Boo :Love_Icon let us know :thumbsup

:rofl4

[dparkes]

These people here are the greatest. That is the absolute truth.
My weekend didn't go so well. Boo Boo came out Saturday without incident as long as I didn't go near her she left me alone. Sunday she attacked me again when I tried to touch her.
Today she just now got out. I don't try to touch her so she's ok. I miss touching her, I miss cuddling with her. I am leaving it up to her to come to me and let me know when she wants cuddled. Thats all I can do is be patient, wait and keep the prayers going. Even though she is still biting me I will allow her out of cage time as I know she needs that even though her cage is large. It is 4 1/2 feet high by 15 inches wide by 6 ft. long. She is able to run jump and climb in her cage but I know she enjoys running through the house so she will be let out regardless. I'll just stay covered up and hope for the best.

I'll continue to keep you up dated. And yes, it was nice that I didn't bleed to death over the weekend. lol

Good night TSB friends
Boo Boo's Mom

[TubeDriver]

Just take things slowly, hopefully she will mellow out again. :grouphug

[SammysMom]

I have suffered this behavior with my Sammy. I got through it by wearing a sweatshirt and jeans along with this knitted gloves that are really stretchy from Walgreens or one of those sort of stores. They are not at all protection from teeth, but he NEVER tried to bite through them for some reason. It allowed me to touch him and that made me feel better. :Love_Icon

[sandycheeks]

Maybe this isn't the most meaningful thing to write but I think boo boo is not as mad at you as you might think. It is pretty normal, in my experience, for a squirrel to bite at a persons hand when you try to touch her. I don't want to freak you out but a squirrel that is truly trying to attack will go right for the face. My Sandy did it to my teenage son. My son came home from being away all summer, I told him to let Sandy smell his hand and say hi. In a split second she was latched on to his face, she scratched him quite badly. It was so fast I couldn't even attempt to stop her.
Anyway I guess my point is that your baby may not be angry with you at all. It may be that your squirrel thinks you will give treats to appease her, or maybe she won't put her in her cage. It could be lots of things. Just like kids you can't allow Boo Boo to get her way if she's behaving poorly. Reward good behavior so Boo Boo will learn the way to get what she wants is by behaving, not by biting.
Of course this is just my opinion from the info I have read here and I only ever had 1 squirrel.

[dparkes]

Ok today I feel very unloved and like a total failure. I let her out directly after getting home from work about 30 min.ago. She didn't attack me at first, even took a small piece of cracker from my hand without incident. I was sitting across the room from her and she politely jumped up on my lower arm and latched on. Bit me good x2 .
No reason just attacked so here I'm sitting crying not from the hurt on my arm but the hurt in my heart.
I know of no rehabbers in my area. If in two more weeks things haven't turned around I will assume she is unhappy with me and try to find someone on this board who may want to take her. I doubt she is releasable as I've had her 2 1/2 yrs so she is too used to people. I could be wrong but if there is anyone out there who wants a very sweet, bad tempered little girl please pm me. I never thought I'd see the day id ask anyone to take away my baby girl but her happiness is more important to me than my own.
:Cry:Cry:Cry:Cry

[TubeDriver]

:grouphug

All the wilds in my yard are just crazy right now. It is mating season and just about every single one of my wilds has an injury. Perhaps it is just a seasonal thing that will pass?




Ok today I feel very unloved and like a total failure. I let her out directly after getting home from work about 30 min.ago. She didn't attack me at first, even took a small piece of cracker from my hand without incident. I was sitting across the room from her and she politely jumped up on my lower arm and latched on. Bit me good x2 .
No reason just attacked so here I'm sitting crying not from the hurt on my arm but the hurt in my heart.
I know of no rehabbers in my area. If in two more weeks things haven't turned around I will assume she is unhappy with me and try to find someone on this board who may want to take her. I doubt she is releasable as I've had her 2 1/2 yrs so she is too used to people. I could be wrong but if there is anyone out there who wants a very sweet, bad tempered little girl please pm me. I never thought I'd see the day id ask anyone to take away my baby girl but her happiness is more important to me than my own.
:Cry:Cry:Cry:Cry

[dparkes]

Reward good behavior so Boo Boo will learn the way to get what she wants is by behaving, not by biting.

Sandycheeks please explain that statement because it gets me to thinking that I have created my own monster. I always slip her a small almond through the cage on my way to work. My way of saying "bye I love you" Every afternoon she gets 1 walnut as its her favorite and she always let you know not to mess with her walnuts. I also give her one a day to keep her teeth down. She likes the black walnuts that are extra hard. In the a.m. when I let her out I stashed a hazelnut in one of her toys for her to find. It was one of our games. She never cared if I touched her when she had a hazelnut or almond but made that little click click sound to let me know to get out of her space. Long story short, I'm not sure how to reward her? I'm thinking I'll let her out, no nuts involved, let her stay out for 8 hrs if I have to (I don't work tomorrow and have all day to spend with her), or until she bites me. As soon as she does I'll put her back in. So then, when should I give her her daily nut which I am going to reduce down to just one a day and it'll probably be the walnut as she favors it and it is more beneficial for her teeth.
I am going to clean her cage out right now as she is chillin in her hammock and I can pull her fleece blankets out without her getting out. So is the cage a good punishment or have you got a better idea? And what do I do for rewards besides leaving her out for longer periods of time? I am only able to do that on weekends. During the week she usually gets about 30 - 45 min. in the morning and about an hour when I get home.
All suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you,

[dparkes]

Tubediver,

How long does this usually last with them? This is Boo Boo's 3 week of acting strange now. Surely that is too long?

Thanks in advance,

[sandycheeks]

I doubt I have the answers you want. My Sandy was only in the house when she was too young to release. Then again for a month to heal from a broken arm. What I do know is that Sandy would get aggressive toward my wife and I whenever food was involved. She would jump on us and bully us into giving her food. I don't have a good answer for how to stop her behaviour other than to tell you to interact with her when there is no food involved. Later in the day was the best time for me to pet her as she was getting tired and was much calmer. Don't give her any food to a appease her if she is being aggressive. I would also suggest not hand feeding her. I used to drop Sandy's food on the ground and step back and give her space to eat.
Hope some of that helps but like I said my baby was wild.

[farrelli]

I think you might be jumping the gun. We've seen many go weeks, even months (2-3) before they settled down. Stick with her. Personally, I think that 2.5 years is kind of old for release. I think the average lifespan outside is 4 years, and she never really learned to be out there. It's a little late now. You took on the responsibility of taking care of a sq, and part of that is dealing with the bad times. Just stick with it and hopefully she'll come around.


Ok today I feel very unloved and like a total failure. I let her out directly after getting home from work about 30 min.ago. She didn't attack me at first, even took a small piece of cracker from my hand without incident. I was sitting across the room from her and she politely jumped up on my lower arm and latched on. Bit me good x2 .
No reason just attacked so here I'm sitting crying not from the hurt on my arm but the hurt in my heart.
I know of no rehabbers in my area. If in two more weeks things haven't turned around I will assume she is unhappy with me and try to find someone on this board who may want to take her. I doubt she is releasable as I've had her 2 1/2 yrs so she is too used to people. I could be wrong but if there is anyone out there who wants a very sweet, bad tempered little girl please pm me. I never thought I'd see the day id ask anyone to take away my baby girl but her happiness is more important to me than my own.
:Cry:Cry:Cry:Cry

[dparkes]

Farrelli,
I will stick it out with her for as long as it takes. I never meant to sound like I'd give up on her, I just thought if she was wilding up I would have no choice but to find a rehabber to take her. If she shouldn't be released, and she doesn't chill out in weeks or even months, what do I do then just leave her in the cage for the rest of her life? I can't do that, my heart wouldn't allow it. I have to have her be happy. Any way I appreciate your input and am still completely open to any suggestions or idea's you may have.
Have a great night,
Boo Boo's Mom:crazy

[sandycheeks]

You said in this thread that Boo Boo gets about 1 hr and 45 min. a day of out of cag time. I would like to politely suggest that is not enough out of cage time a day. My Sandy had free run of my mud room until bed time. About 16 hr of out of cage time a day. I hope you don't think I'm criticizing you, but I think Boo Boo may just need more time to run around and play etc. It could maybe help her to be happier and help with her behviour problems. :grouphug

[farrelli]

I agree with SC. Let her wear herself out if possible and return to her cage when she's tired.

Have you tried putting a well worn t-shirt in with her stuff so that she can associate your smell with safety and sleep?

[sandycheeks]

Any updates? How has Boo Boo been doing?

[dparkes]

Not many changes with Boo Boo. She is still aggressive with me if I attempt to go near her. If I leave her alone she'll play and do her thing. I am giving her space and trying not to approach her. I wait for her to come to me. Sometimes when she comes to me she'll nip at my hands but nothing like the bites she was giving me. So I can honestly say things are a little better but not good yet. I'm going to give her all the time she needs. If she doesn't chill out, I'll just learn to live with her being out and staying away from her.
As far as out of cage time, its hard as I work 9 hrs. a day and am gone. I let her out about an hour after I get home because I have to cook supper and don't want her getting burnt on the stove. I don't have time in the morning to let her out, but when I am home on the weekends she is out the biggest part of the day. I do have to put her up when people come in but for the most part, she is out all weekend.
thank you for your replies. I'll try to keep her out longer but it still won't be as long as you say I should. Plus the fact, her cage is huge so she gets to run, jump etc,in the cage and its full of toys. I do need to switch them out though so she won't get bored with what she has. Even before I started this job she was only out approx. 2 hrs. a day and it never made her act this way before. I'll try leaving her out longer and see how that goes.
thanks again.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I think Psychologically it helps squirrels to get out of their cage at specific times on a consistent basis, no matter how big their cage is.I have two squirrels and i have to alternate time outside their cage because of cold weather.They usually get to play in a outdoor cage when it's warm ,but when it's cold for days on end i have to let them play in my den for short spurts. The biting I deal with is usually a "territorial food" situation. I agree with the "Drop the food and run" method. Lol!

[dparkes]

Then she will definitely be getting out more if I have to make my kids leave the house or go to their rooms for a couple hours a day x2.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Hey there...sorry you're not seeing results...as far as out of cage time...that's about how long my guys get :dono I let them out one by one...starting with Baby, when I get home. They all play until they are ready to go to bed. It can vary from an hour to two hours...rarely three. They all go to bed, so I know they are pooped. Now in the Summer when it's light later...they may stay out a bit longer. I'm off in the Summer so Baby is free most of the day, weekends, too. I think Boo Boo may be working through hormonal changes ...poor Boo Boo and momma :hug

[sandycheeks]

It's definitely mating season here in Canada. Even though we just got that winter storm here. Good thing I blew the belt on my snow blower and my son had to shovel by hand.:grin2
luckily city buses were running just fine and he got the day off school while I trudged through the snow to get to work.

[BigNibbler]

Just read your whole thread. I know you love Boo Boo with an undying love.
If she was a wild squirrel that you did not know, you could likely win her over.
It would take time, but you could do it.
Please do not give up on her.

She may be very frustrated. She may be trying to communicate with you.
Oftentimes I have found myself marveling at how they really have to train us to interpret their communications.
And I am convinced that many of the problems people have with squirrels is due to their own lack of sensitivity to what they should be "hearing"

How can BooBoo talk to you?!?
If they want foods that they are not getting.
If they want play time, or more warmth or if the water tastes different from too much chlorine that day from the water dept,
Or if they are upset that you left them alone all day.
All kinds of things.
Sometimes they could get frustrated.

That frustration is best expressed by a physical attack of teeth and nails.

It is vital that you have good wrap around glasses, and nice thick clothing.
Never be with them without glasses!
Harbor Freight has welding gloves that cover your arms and that are very good at resisting bites. ( resisting not eliminating perhaps )

I would like to see you spend more time not less time with her. Give her more attention.
If you can - keep close to her in a smaller room rather than a larger one.

You could spend some time testing her reactions to new things, like new sounds, new views out the window, new toys to play with.
Keep enriching her experience. Keep her mind active.

There is a difference between her attacking you because you accidentally hurt her, disappointed her, or her fearing you.
You never want her to fear you. You want her to continue communicating with you.

If you think she is ready to be on her own and have a good release environment, then you may want to go that route.
But first and foremost I think that as long as you do not get angry at her, which means neither being unprepared and getting hurt or being a martyr and allowing yourself to get hurt only to become resentful, then I think you should be able to win her over,

They are very smart. If you removed all her stashes and cleaned out her place, I can tell you from experience she will for a few weeks be very upset and want to let you know that. She feels betrayed.

One thing that I always do is train them to let me take their nuts, and to know that I will return them.


Its all about communication.

Good Luck.

Ignore my advice if you do not agree with it.
Likely others will disagree.

[sandycheeks]

Any update been thinking about your Boo Boo.

[dparkes]

I am very happy to announce that Boo Boo is doing much better. I am trying keeping her our of cage more and am feeding her a different diet and she has just about turned completely around in the past couple days.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend,

Boo Boo's Mom

[Shewhosweptforest]

I am very happy to announce that Boo Boo is doing much better. I am trying keeping her our of cage more and am feeding her a different diet and she has just about turned completely around in the past couple days.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend,

Boo Boo's Mom

Well, that helped make my weekend "fantastic" :grin3 I'm SOOO happy, for you and Boo Boo, that she's coming around :thumbsup That's awesome news...I didn't doubt that she would:Love_Icon They love us even when they're grumpy :( Wishing y'all continued success:w00t Boo Boo is sure lucky to have you for a momma:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

This is great news indeed! :serene I just love hearing happy outcomes. :bliss

[farrelli]

Very happy to hear this.

[island rehabber]

:dance:clap such great news! Now I think Boo boo needs a new title to her thread :grin3

[BigNibbler]

Wonderful that you two are getting along.
I think many who have squirrel pets, would have a better life if they really tried hard to listen to their little one.
We can often consider animals to be "dumb" and dumb in communication. But they often do communicate the best way they know how. When they communicate frustration, the parent really needs to keep asking what is needed?
Is it attention?
Space or solace?
Play partner ship?
More food?
More fresh food?
More of a particular food?
More water?

Having experimented with dozens of water bottles, I can tell you they are not all equal. Guage, angle, height pressure all affects comfort.

Also, how well they eat, affects how they feel.
And most will each more if they are hand fed frequently..sold on the food.
Rather than just dropping the food for them.

I am very happy that you two are communicating better.
Hope my PMs were helpful.

[TubeDriver]

Good update, I am glad things are improving!:thumbsup

[SugarHill]

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!! (-:

[dparkes]

Thank you all for your concern and support. I really feel the love on TSB and I thank God that I found you.

Goodnight and God bless you all,

Boo Boo's mom

[dparkes]

Thought I would give you all an update on Boo Boo. She is still doing great. She seems to be much happier and isn't attacking me or the cage when I'm near it when she is in it. She still takes a nip at my hands every now and again but it is not a "bite" it is more like a "test". When I let out a screech like I was told to do on this board, she jumps off and goes on her way. No more attacks, no more bite to bleed. Such a big difference and I am enjoying her company again. The fear is gone. Its a great feeling and my arms and hands are healing up and looking much better. I get tired of wearing long sleeves to work to hide the evidence of being a squirrel owner. lol.

She is coming to me again for butt scratches and belly tickles. Life is back to normal and we thank you once again for your guidance.

Hope you are all safe from this big storm and keeping warm.

God bless all,

Boo Boo's Mom

[HRT4SQRLS]

:great Fantastic!!!

[BigNibbler]

She still takes a nip at my hands every now and again but it is not a "bite" it is more like a "test". When I let out a screech like I was told to do on this board, she jumps off and goes on her way. No more attacks, no more bite to bleed. Such a big difference and I am enjoying her company again.

Boo Boo's Mom

BBM, you are describing it very well. Her nipping now could be an instinctive response that will slowly reduce over the next few weeks. Or it could be that she is slightly frustrated and would like some more food, or more of her favorite food. They eat much more than most people realize. But they can hold out for what they want if not starving. Idea is to give them healthy stuff that they want.

Finally, it could be that she is telling you she is " pissed over where you been?!? Spend more time with me.Or give me those branches you gave me last week. Or my toy is stuck! " Remember she does not have the vocabulary we are used to in from our other kids.

Enjoy!

[TubeDriver]

That is great to hear, I am glad to hear you have your friend back.:thumbsup




Thought I would give you all an update on Boo Boo. She is still doing great. She seems to be much happier and isn't attacking me or the cage when I'm near it when she is in it. She still takes a nip at my hands every now and again but it is not a "bite" it is more like a "test". When I let out a screech like I was told to do on this board, she jumps off and goes on her way. No more attacks, no more bite to bleed. Such a big difference and I am enjoying her company again. The fear is gone. Its a great feeling and my arms and hands are healing up and looking much better. I get tired of wearing long sleeves to work to hide the evidence of being a squirrel owner. lol.

She is coming to me again for butt scratches and belly tickles. Life is back to normal and we thank you once again for your guidance.

Hope you are all safe from this big storm and keeping warm.

God bless all,

Boo Boo's Mom