My 10 month old male gray squirrel refuses to go in his cage after evening play time

[LLD]

Why? What can I do to get him back in his cage?
Morning play time he goes in on his own.

[Stevelisa]

Maybe he wants to go to sleep nearby you. My red Chippy loves it the few times I let her stay up in the closet shelf to sleep the night, nearby me. She would even sleep in later the morning hoping I wouldn’t put her back in the cage. But funny that she won’t come out of her cage when it’s near bedtime, she wants to settle down for the night. I’m only guessing here, others will have more experience with grays.

[LLD]

Thank you for sharing. He has his own room and will either stay on top of his Critter Cage-3 level high or top of curtain rod so I can’t reach him. Very clever! I tried his favorite treats to lore him into the cage. It worked a few times but not anymore.

[island rehabber]

Turn All the lights off in the room and just wait! His instinct will tell him that night time is bad, predators are around, and he will go back to his cage... it might take a few minutes.

[LLD]

Thank you!!!! I will try it this evening 😄

[olorin19]

Thank you for sharing. He has his own room and will either stay on top of his Critter Cage-3 level high or top of curtain rod so I can’t reach him. Very clever! I tried his favorite treats to lore him into the cage. It worked a few times but not anymore.

So does he sleep outside of his cage then? Or wait before returning to his cage later on?

And since he has his own room, is it important for him to sleep in the cage?

Squirrels like to get up as high as they can, as they feel more safe. Would you be able to rig up a sleeping area higher up, possibly on top of the existing cage?

[LLD]

I have him in the guest bedroom in a 3 story critter cage with lots of slings, hammocks and hiding places. The top of his cage is only 4 inches from the ceiling and the furniture is still in there. I rather supervise him while he is out playing - we play together.

[olorin19]

I have him in the guest bedroom in a 3 story critter cage with lots of slings, hammocks and hiding places. The top of his cage is only 4 inches from the ceiling and the furniture is still in there. I rather supervise him while he is out playing - we play together.

Got it, thanks!

I have used various parts of my house (basement, front porch, office) as squirrel play areas over the years. Like you, I prefer to supervise, although even then some cannot resist chewing on the furniture, woodwork, etc.

Most will stop when I tell them "no", but I did have one who would look at me, take another small bite, then look at me again as if to say "You're not the boss of me."