Help: Potentially sick female squirrel (4ish yrs old)

[BigNibbler]

I have thought about leash training her so we can go on more extended walks, in all honesty. That being said she is very intelligent when it comes to language and commands, and I'm not sure if this is normal for squirrels or not?

She knows obvious words and reacts to them, such as when she's getting fresh water or fed, but also knows and reacts to commands such as Stay, Perch(she climbs me and will sit on my shoulder or head), "Go to bed", and Inside. I can try and get a video of her doing some if I can get someone to record it. For some reason she has a weird disposition towards phones and will try to throw/kick them out of your hands given the chance.

I'll acquire her another source of water at your recommendation, acquire a nice bowl and a fancier bottle that she can have both sources from, something like that? I'll do some more reading on the board over the week, look into leash/harness training her as well, all the jazz. I found this board in a panic search (the reason for this little forum spot as can be gathered) which is a good thing since I can utilize the resource now. Most of my other research and knowledge is from Google which is hit or miss nowadays.

I do NOT recommend that you take her out on a leash. To do that, SHE has to train YOU in leash operation so she can remain safe. This takes a lot of practice.
Squirrels (rodents) have the amazing ability to flatten skeletal/muscular structure - aligning their head and body into a flat plane that can slide out a very narrow space! You can tighten the harness and practice months with her. BUT if you forget and mistakenly try to PULL the leash from in front of her... like "come!" she can use that hold of yours to just BACK RIGHT OUT - instantly!

The only way that harness can be somewhat safe is if you can be so disciplined, as to never pull her forward. Always control from behind her.
And if she gets so accustomed to wearing it that she feels it is natural and part of her being outside. That she feels wanted and loved and protected by it.
It has to become part of her psyche.

What I strongly recommend, is that she not ever be outside, unless she is in an enclosed space. This is not because she will run away, or get lost. But only because she COULD! Then what?

Have you ever watched the news - something bad happened: person got robbed, mugged, killed etc. There is always someone who says how shocked she is.. how she has lived here all her life... fifty years and nothing like this has ever happened! Yeah, well each day it hadn't happened - increased the probability that today it could!

A loud noise. An engine could backfire. A neighbor's garden tool sounds. Something UNEXPECTED and previously UNHEARD by your squirrel who has much better hearing than you. Instinct could kick in, and your squirrel will shoot up a tree, or flee. Now here is the thing... they have an amazing sense of direction AND an amazing memory. BUT when their urge to flee kicks in, they can easily run so far and fast that they are not aware of where exactly they have gone. Unlike all the wilds that spend all their time exploring their area, and who would run invariably to someplace they recognize, and can recognize/feel where to go back to, your squirrel could find herself unsure, not visually recognizing nor directionally feeling which direction to go back to you. She will further panic and respond to new and additional stimulus. She will get more nervous and will rush here or there, trying to find safety but could easily be heading further away from you. ..... can you be certain that you two will become reunited again? NO!

That is why I don't recommend her being outside.... unleashed. Ever.

Leashed operation takes a massive amount of practice, training and experience. Much easier to start when they are juveniles... but it can be done. IF she can train you. Slowly over many months, and with your vigilance for several years until she gets to feel that it is perfectly natural. Also - the majority of harnesses you will find are total garbage unsafe not just outdoors, but built and designed with materials or in a way that can cause injury.

PM me for further discussion.

[BigNibbler]

Also - I had meant to add, that the water bottles do not have to be pretty! And frankly, what you might find beautiful, she may not. But it has to be safe, reliable and conducive to its intent - that of providing water, WHENEVER she wants it, and as much as she wants... RIGHT?

So what I would do, is have one bottle, as you do. Have you ever tested the right height she most prefers?
Does she drink upright, or does she invert and drink upside down?
Anyway - the height and the angle of the bottle (angle varies depending on exactly what the bottle bottom - at the top - impacts and is limited while hanging).
Bottle contact at the top, affects the vertical angle into the cage and that in turn affects the approach angle she needs to most comfortably operate the ball.
Remember she has a nose, teeth and lips that could be getting in the way and limiting how comfortable she is.

Walmart often sells the bottles for an amazing $1.99 I recommend buying at least three. Hang them at different heights, right next to each other. And see which she prefers - eh? That then, is the height you hang ONE. Now if she has a tendency you think to drink less than she should. I suggest you also place a bowl or cup filled with water. It is important that the water bowl does not move, spill, or tip! She needs to be able to approach the water, so she can slurp - skim the top with her tongue - scooping it up. IF she is too high, then she will need to tip her head down, and her nose will touch the water. NOT GOOD! She will not like that and stop drinking unless desperate.

If she is too low, then very soon, as water evaporates, or she drinks a bit, the level will get below her comfortable reach.
About 1.75-2.5 inches is I guess the right height.
Tupperware style 1/4 cups are a good start.
ALSO, how will you keep it from spilling, or being knocked over?

Strong magnets can work great, and hold fast to a cage floor or a heavy iron sheet.
Neodyne magnets are amazing, but not sure how healthy their eventual corrosion in water might be.
I recommend something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/T-mark-Submer...16&sr=8-8&th=1