NEED HELP AND ADVICE

[Adhdocean]

Hello guys, first thing please don't be rude or anything on the comments, anyway I have gotten a squirrel from the pet shop, as i dont support pet sales, but I was getting my chinchilla food, as I stumbled through this little one, a squirrel he was the only squirrel there, and he was sitting in the corner as he seemed scared, and as I actually been wanting to own a squirrel for a long time, this lil one caught my heart, he didn't seem in a good condition as his tale seem injured and his hair is down because of stress properly, at first I was like no you won't get him, but I won't back to the shop after leaving it, to get him, he is as the owner said 1 year or less, and as for gender I think he is a male as his private part is similar to my male chinchillas, and now I have a new member to my family, please advise me as I tried so hard to read on the Internet about squirrels but so little information to get, how do I let him eat, I cutted some fruits (I read what types are safe) for him and he didn't eat, got him seeds and almonds, didn't eat, water too, didn't drink, he just sit in the corner head down and it break my heart, I want yall advise on everything I should be aware of and how to get him comfy and healthy. Also this is not his final cage, also update he started eating once i covered his cage with a cloth on one side, but still he seem soscared and in shock, any advice how to calm him down.

[MissE]

Hello.


I will keep my answer short so that the experts can chime in but he probably needs time to adjust to his new surroundings. A quiet area so he can decompress is a good idea. His fur looks a little unhealthy to me. Should be shiny and soft. He's probably been on an improper diet or issues with his teeth?! Order some Henry's healthy blocks. He should get them daily! Limited fruit and nuts. Lots of calcium rich green veggies. No seeds for captive squirrels. Stay away from corn. He'll need a way to file his teeth (as they never stop growing). Antlers, sticks, cuttlebones etc.. Best of luck to you and your baby.

[CritterMom]

Hello.


I will keep my answer short so that the experts can chime in but he probably needs time to adjust to his new surroundings. A quiet area so he can decompress is a good idea. His fur looks a little unhealthy to me. Should be shiny and soft. He's probably been on an improper diet or issues with his teeth?! Order some Henry's healthy blocks. He should get them daily! Limited fruit and nuts. Lots of calcium rich green veggies. No seeds for captive squirrels. Stay away from corn. He'll need a way to file his teeth (as they never stop growing). Antlers, sticks, cuttlebones etc.. Best of luck to you and your baby.

Unfortunately, member is from UAE - United Arab Emirates - and ordering things from the US is insanely expensive.

We had a member here a couple years ago that did this EXACT same thing - wandered into a pet store and left with a little Persian squirrel like this because they couldn't NOT take him. If it makes you feel better, once he settled in and calmed down he took over their home!

You want to first get him into a larger enclosure. Covering the cage is very important. Prey animals feel very insecure out in the middle of things where they ate surrounded by areas they feel they need to watch to protect themselves. Set him up in the room you spend the most time, cover the cage so he has lots of privacy, but leave part open facing the direction he will be able to see people the most. Provide him with cover - even a cardboard box with a doorway in it and stuffed with something he can use for bedding. Here we use "fleece" - polar fleece which is used for clothing and blankets - but I am guessing there isn't a lot of polar fleece in UAE!! You want soft and something woven without loops to catch nails. A pile of cut up old t-shirts would be good. Sit where he can see you. Give him time to decide for himself that you aren't going to kill and eat him. Don't force things. They are very smart.

You do have access to Amazon and Ebay, right? We would like to get you set up with the PROPER food so he can thrive. If you stick with us he will be our third Persian squirrel. Anyone here remember Mia and her dad?