Pet squirrel has started attacking!

[Wally]

Hi folks. Our cute little rescue has started attacking my wife. We've had him for a year and a half and he's been a sweetheart 99% of the time. We haven't been doing anything differently so we're at a loss. He'll play for a while as usual but suddenly he'll run down her arm and start biting her hand like she's a strange squirrel who's wandered into his territory. He will even start chasing her around the room and try to bite her. He's been getting a little rougher with me too but not to the point where he draws blood.
Oh, he's a red squirrel by the way.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Wally

[island rehabber]

This is, sadly, all too common of a problem with "pet" squirrels. Chances are your squirrel has stored treats and especially nuts in different places in your home. Now he is older and guarding those stashes are the first thing on his mind, always. He attacks when someone gets near where those stashes are located -- behind a bookcase, in the couch, etc.

Clean out all his stashes. He'll hate you for it, but that is the first step.