curt mahood - 2013-03-26 I have 2 baby grey squirrels 9 weeks old i have had for the past 7 weeks i noticed when their thicker fur started growing in the male 'which is a sloppy eater' had matting under his chin neck and front legs i bathed them it helped at first now the poor guy looks like he has dread locks and is losing patches of fur. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do or if their formula is causing it or if it is mange the female isn't as sloppy but is matting some
Click For Replies (1)
Clarice Brough - 2013-03-26 It could be the 'sloppy' eating which is causing the matting, but yeah, it could also be other things like the environment or the food. You could try visiting the Squirrel Board as it is a good forum where you may be able to help with your specific questions. Good luck!
Kathy Anderson - 2013-01-30 I have a pet squirrelSammy, that I have had since he was 5 weeks old. My cat brought him and laid him down at my husbands feet. His eyes were not open yet and we weren't really sure if he was even a squirrel. But anyway he has been happy and healthy for 9 years now until this morning he woke up acting strange. Not wanting to play or eat. I noticed that he had not peed in his usual pee spot in his cage. As of now he still hasn't peed. So I belive he is stopped up and I don't know what to do for him. Could someone please let me know, I am really worried about my little guy. Thanks
Click For Replies (1)
Clarice Brough - 2013-01-31 So sorry to hear about Sammy. At first I thought, maybe its age, but as they can live over 20 years in captivity, that's not it. You may want to take it to a vet that specializes in rodents. But I also found this site WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc., that has some information about the digestive aspects of squirrels. They also have several resources and some contact information. Starting there, you may be able to get some good suggestions.
Roxie - 2012-11-04 please say a prayer our 3 month old Roxie that the neighabors pit bull brought to us at 4 weeks old. I took her out side today an she played on the porch then we stepped in the yard. Roxie jumped on the ground then back on me several times. then in a blink of the eye she bolted off of me an ran up a big oak tree an is still up their. please pray she will come down, its going to be 37 tonight an she is not use to being out side in the cold. my heart is broken. pray GOD will protect her an keep her safe till she comes home. thank you al for your prayers for Roxie an us. GOD bless those that serve my LORD. peace/ Sandi/ Roxie
Click For Replies (1)
Cheryl - 2012-11-30 I really hope Roxie came home safe... We've been there;). My husband had to climb the tree and get her at around that age When he was trying to hand her to me I couldn't help him. I was froze. Fro. Watching the blood run down his face:)... She accidentally scratched him as she jumped onto his shoulder.We recently did a slow release..she was 13 months old...she has built her. Nest across from our fence... She came back and forth for 2 1/2 months now she's out on her own ... We worry everynite. I feel your pain anyway Hope she's ok:) I pray :)
Mindy Leane Godwin - 2013-01-06 Hi everyone..I need help trying to figure out what may be ailing my pet squirrel ( squiggles). I will start with a little about his back ground..My husband rescued him from a hawks mouth when he was about 5 days old, the hawk damaged his back right leg so he will not be a candidate for release. When he was around 3 weeks old he got MBS , once we figured out what it was & changed his diet he got better , then started loosing his hair around his backside & had a sore ..we treated him for mange with neem oil which has seemed to cure it. He is now 6 months old & all of a sudden he has started acting strange..He is laying on his babydoll in the bottom of his cage & wont eat. He is drinking excessively but will not eat. Do any of you have any idea what could be causing this? Also he had something that resembled oatmeal on the side of his mouth...Is this vomit? Please help.
Click For Replies (2)
Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-01-07 That doesn't sound too good. My first thought would be to check the area to see if there are any exotic pet or wildlife veterinarians. You could also try and contact a local zoo and see what they recommend.
Chris - 2013-01-07 Mindy hi my name is chris and I hate to hear that your squirrel is sick. I would first treat for worms that could be the problem. I'm just wondering what you are feeding him. One thing you can't give them is the food that you eat. No snap peas. Cauliflower, broccoli, and hazel nuts are good for them and fruit. But if you would ask me I would get him to a vet as soon as possible. So please keep me informed because I love my squirrel sammy he is the best pet I ever had. So good luck. And I hope that this was helpful.
Janine - 2012-11-23 Hi there! I have a pet squirrel named Chewey. I rescued him from the street when he was about 5 weeks old. He is now about three months happy and very active! the problem that I have know is that my daughter noticed he was eating his thumbs... At the beginning I thought it was only the nails but tonight we saw that he was bleding and has no thumbs. Does anyone knows something about this behavior? what could be causing it? please help, I was considering moving his nest to the tree at the back but I'm not so sure now.
Click For Replies (1)
Charlie Roche - 2012-11-24 I would take the little guy to the vet.
Amanda Howard - 2010-01-09 My boyfriend and I have a pet squirrel named Autumn. She had two brothers, Timber & Twig, who unfortunately did not survive. My dad owns a tree service and found them in a tree he had cut down. I immediately took them in and started to syringe feed them gatorade as they were severely dehydrated. They lived in a large plastic bottomed rabbit cage with their heating pad for the longest time. The two males passed away rather quickly, but Autumn has grown to be a healthy and happy 2 1/2 month old. She's a great pet!! When the trio originally came to our home, I was the one up with them every hour for feedings and I literally became their mother. However, Autumn has decided she likes my boyfriend better than myself. She loves her playtime with him. She loves it best when he feeds her and she LOVES to sit around giving him kisses all day. We haven't yet been brave enough to let Autumn loose in our house, as we are afraid she will run rampid and get too frightened when we try to catch her - possibly hurting herself. I love to hear other stories from people who have pet squirrels, so I was very excited to have come across this page. I would like advice though, on Autumn's diet. Since she came off formula, shes had a diet only of walnuts (her favorite) and pecans. She has a damaged bottom incisor so she is unable to crack nuts herself, we do that for her. I know she should be eating other foods to improve her diet, but am unsure as to what foods are safe for her. Any advice you have would be appreciated!!
Click For Replies (26)
Beth McComic - 2010-02-18 I, too, have a male pet squirrel that a neighborhood cat delivered to me when he was only a week old. Fed him from a pet bottle and medicine dropper using a formula the vet suggested. Used formula until he weaned himself, approximately at 10-12 wks. The mother squirrel usually feds her babies this long. Now my squirrel whose name is ROCKY is four months old. He stays in a cage that is 5 feet x 5 feet and 9 1/2 feet tall in the yard during the daytime but does not like the night...so we bring him inside each night and he sleeps in a large pet carrier. Goes to sleep around 8pm and doesn't wake up until after 8am each morning. Loves to get rubbed and scratched. I do not let him loose in my house but several times he has gotten loose, made a few laps in the house, and comes back to me. He has gotten away from me several times in the yard but would only run to a tree, climb it, back down the tree going to the end of each branch of the tree, and then back to me. Mine also has something wrong with his mouth and is unable to crack bigger acorns and nuts, so I crack them for him. Foods liked are: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, corn nuggets, sweet potatoes, fresh corn on the cob (cut off in slices and then halved again), you can also get a cube, corn nuggets, corn on the cob or loose corn, and a nut/fruit mixture at PetSmart. They need foods that make them gnaw because their teeth grows and they have to do this to keep them from getting too long. This is not on his diet but he loves the crust of biscuits, rolls, and pizza dough. Have tried broccoli which gives him gas, and other vegetables .. loves french fries every now and then as a treat. Just experiment with her and read all you can from web sites. Have a huge dominant male in the area who has attack us while I was carrying him to his cage outside. I was bitten several times on the arm and hand by this male and Rocky was bitten on the hind thighs and front legs. Have been told the large male squirrel will kill Rocky so I can't let him go. I've raised two females that live in a tree behind our house and come daily when I call them by tapping on wood or whatever. They come directly to me, take the food from my hand, and sit beside me eating it. One is a mother and is bringing her two babies with her for treats. Have any question, just email...not an expert but have some experience. Good luck...wish you lived close.
ashley - 2010-03-12 hi amanda my boyfriend and i found a squirrel that my dog was tyring to eat but we saved his life about two days ago but im worried because we cant get him to use the bathroom we called the vet they said to take a warm wet cloth and wipe aroud his butt so we did but it isnt working what should we do oh he is about a month and a half old
Rebecca Menapace - 2010-03-14 Hi amanda, I'm Becky and i have a little girl named Ella. She is my second squirrel. My first was a little boy who I found in my yard when he fell from a nest in the gutter on the side of my house. Unfortunatly he only lived about a year. But he was so affectionate and lovable, that I told all my friends that if they ever found another baby in need of saving to let me know. Then about 6 months ago my friend was on her mail delivery route and found atiny baby girl crawling across the road. She called me immediatley. And I've had Ella ever since. She has a tall ferret cage (they like a cage they can climb in). My husband found her a small section of a hollowed out log. She chews on the wood alot. She also has a ferret hammock. For her bed we got her a wicker rat/rabbit bungalow, wich she really seems to like. As far as diet, she eats all kinds of stuff. I give her assorted nuts most days but only 2 or 3 a day. Always a handful of pumpkin seeds (she loves those) A few leaves of sometype of greens(usually romaine or green leaf lettuce). A hunk of peanut butter every other day. And different fruits and veggies. Her favorites are grapes, cherries, apple, pear, carrot, red cabbage, oranges, brussles sprouts and broccili.And I also occationally give her a frosted mini-wheat for a treat. And as far as getting her out for exercise, we got a small rat harness and leash that she wears and she runs all over the place. It took a little time getting her used to it, but she quickly learned that it meant she got to come out to play. You can find one at any pet store. If you have any questions or would like to share anymore info or photos with me, my e-mail is crazyzoopeople@yahoo.com. Good luck. Becky
morgan - 2010-04-01 Hey amanda my name is morgan I have two pet squirrel's one is 7 years old and the other not even a year they eat pecans, walnuts, non salted peanuts, almonds, carrots, lettuce, any veggie really uncooked and any fruit w/o sugars or syrup.
diana - 2010-05-19 6 years ago my dad and I found a baby squirrel in our backyard we bottle fed him kitten formula eventually he started eating nuts(almonds cashews pecans) arugala carrots apple... we had intended to let him out when he was big enough but when I brought him out he flattened himself like a pancake and wouldn't stop shaking. He is six years old now he lives in a giant ferret cage. We love him so much he is a great pet. We do let him out of the cage to run around but just in the one room. It helps to have a stuffed toy to grab his attention and then gently scoop him up to put him back in his cage. I've read they can live to be 20 like a cat in captivity. In the wild their average life span is one year because of accidents and diseases.
diana - 2010-05-19 I just remembered one more thing you can feed her most anything from the rodent section of any pet store (yogurt chips, trail mix with berries, alfalfa hay, I don't give mine any ferret food because ferrets are carnivorous and squirrels generally are not so the ferret food might not be good. Best of luck!
Pat Lowden - 2010-05-31 I have a black eastern "gray" squirrel named Priscilla. I found her when she was less than 2 weeks old because her eyes were still shut tight. I bottle fed her and weaned her to baby rice cereal mixed with kitten formula from the pet store when she was 6 weeks old. She is now 9 months old and I feed her assorted nuts from the grocery...unsalted and in the shell....I crack them for her, fruit and veggies...raw, clover blossoms, pansy blossoms, oak, maple, and birch twigs, esp. in the spring when they are in bud. Almost anything you would think they would eat in the wild but be sure you know just what the plants are. She has a cage with an old towel in it she has made into a nest. But she has also made a tissue and newspaper nest behind my bookshelf. She loves to be petted and will sit still for hours if I have the patience to sit still that long and do the petting. I am her favorite tree too and look like a pincushion. I don't dare clip her nails. All in all I have had more fun with her than I did with any of the cats I have had over the years. Good luck with Autumn. P
RK - 2010-06-03 Everything! Lots of vegetables, fresh every day. Roses, Avocado, every kind of lettuce you can find. Coconut (not too much), anything that is leafy, give it to her to try. She will let you know what she likes and doesn’t like pretty fast. Corn, again, not too much. Nuts only as a treats. Walnuts are candy to her, so be one a day.
Cali Van Dorn - 2010-06-28 Hi Amanda - Grays like a varied diet. Try baby carrots, cherries, cut up apples,clover, plantain and such greens often found in lawns. (Make sure the lawn hasn't be sprayed with insecticide.
Some Grays like things like toast, bagels and crackers - just for treats!
Best of luck Cali
Dominick - 2010-07-17 Watermelon, oranges, tangerines, fresh leaf spinach, yellow squash, broccoli, fresh string beans, apples, pears, peaches, endive, NO LETTUCE OF ANY TYPE they can't digest it very well that can cause problems, no milk products(cow, goat or otherwise)potatoes or sweet potatoes are a treat and extremely fattening but squirrels love um so only as a treat 1 or 2 times a week, keep fresh water always(filtered or bottle)city water has chemicals that can harm them and NO CANDY AT ALL SUGAR WILL HARM THEM. We have 2 eastern greys,Tiffy(is 8) & Savannah(is 7), they fell from a tree and momma never came for them a year apart. They also like Brussels sprouts and cabbage but not everyday, sunflower seeds, peanuts, brazil nuts, walnuts(sorta),and pecans. Hope this helps.
Mike - 2010-07-24 I have had two, the first live almost 8 yrs and the current "Chopper" is now 4. They need a salt wheel in their cage as they require salt periodically just like all other animals. In addition to walnuts and pecans, Chopper likes orange peel,wild bird seed mix (for large birds) as it contains almonds, corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other seeds that squirrels like. Feed them apple peel or apple core or a small piece of apple, they love cherries, grapes and an occasional piece of bread crust or oyster cracker, pieces of plums, peach peel and even a little tomato peel now and then. Acorns especially and the seeds of oak trees some really like peanut butter although Chopper doesn't care for it much. They love to chew so put a small piece of hickory, oak walnut etc tree in their cage so they can sharpen their claws and teeth. Good luck, they are great pets and enjoy long lives if taken care of. A gray squirrel normally only lives 2 or 3 yrs in the wild due to natural predators, disease and territorial disputes, you can almost triple that with a little TLC. Chopper had deformed upper incisors and finally lost them as they snagged and broke on her cage so like you I crack all of her nuts and acorns but I leave the meat connected to the shell and she enjoys scooping it out with her bottom ones...she feels like she's opening them herself.
Jody - 2010-08-22 Hi I also have a baby eastern gray squirrel, his name is 'Baby' and he is only 4 weeks old. A possum ate all his siblings and his mom too... But as much as I have read these little guys after they are weaned like veggies, fruit, pealed grapes, and monkey food nuts should be given only as a treat. they love peanuts, unsalted... best of luck... Jody & 'Baby'
sally rogers - 2010-08-27 hi my name is sally and my daughter and i have 2 boy grey squirrels. our boys eat almonds 4 calcium and walnuts and pecans as snacks. in the daytime we give them fresh fruit and veggies. they like broccoli (good calcium)...they need lots of calcium !!!! small amounts of corn on the cob.....cut into small pieces..carrots..kiwi..apples..they love sweet potatoes..green beans...as with everything cut it small and just try it and see if autumn likes it..grapes 2 cut in half and raisins...give plenty of stripped sunflower seeds..it has oils in them that the squirrels need. we also use a mulit vitamin 4 ferrets since no squirrel vitamins i can find. my boys are william and lee lee and they just turned 2 years old aug. 3..we got them as pinkies...3 days old...they were cut down in a tree 2 by my dad. we love those lil guys 2 death....
deb squirrel - 2010-09-03 My rosco was "put to sleep",in the spring of 08. Dr.Wright said she had a tumor on her sinuse, forgive the spelling. Rosco was a female squirrel. I cared for her for 61/2, years. She at the pecans out of my icecream and the sauce from my pasta dishes. Onions ?, She took that from me too!
verna - 2010-09-12 I was just finished reading that you can purchase nut balls on line and they last 3 months and they are very nutritious for squirrels, I don't have a pet squirrel but I feed a wild squirrel in the woods for the past 2 months, and I love him and he comes to me every time I call him and one can make their own nut balls. Here is a web site that will help you ensure your little squirrels are getting the best nutrition here is the web site Squirrel Nutrition.com don't give her any dairy products, only 1 or 2 peanuts a day, you can give her mango, carrot, snow peas, avocado, dates one third of a date, peaches, cantaloupe, mulberries ,blueberries 3 a day, orange, green bell pepper, corn1 inch slice,strawberries about the size of the top of your thumb,Pumpkin seed feed very sparingly, snow peas, snap peas, sweet potato, broccoli, blackberries, nectarines, 1 or 2 raisins per day. Grapes 1 or 2 per day, plum , pineapple, tomato, do not give her green acorns, and to many peanuts will deplete the calcium in their bones so one or 2 is best, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, give sunflower seeds very sparingly as they are not good for them, pistachios but only the white ones, brazil nuts and almonds give very sparingly. I got this from a lady who raised a lot of squirrels anyway good luck with your autumn squirrel, as they are beautiful.
Michelle - 2010-09-14 They need a diet of fruit and vegetables and a full 20 min of sun for vitamin d everyday. They cannot live on nuts alone. They need a balance of calcium and phosphorous. There are good websites on what to feed them. You need to check them out.
Carolyn Gosling - 2010-10-20 Your squirrel cannot survive on nuts. They have to have vegetables and fruit. My squirrel would only eat avocados and he became sick. He was not getting enough calcium. He got Metabolic Bone Disease. This will kill the squirrel and it is painful. It can also cause paralysis in back legs. He didn't want to do anything but lay around. He wouldn't climb or want to go outside. After a week of calcium he was getting back to his old self. It has been two weeks now and he is great. I am going to take him to a rehabilitation center to get him ready for release. He is about nine months old and his hormones have kicked in and he is getting mean. Wants to be free. At times he is still loving and will play but still loves to be petted holds his paw up to pet his stomach. I will miss him but he belongs in the wild. I don't know if female squirrels will act like this when they go into puberty or not. You also need rodent blocks for your squirrel. I couldn't find any at a pet food store. You need to go on line and order them. This is suppose to make up most of their diet. Google information on squirrels. I have gotten a lot of information on how to raise them by Google. They are so lovable when they are little but the wild starts taking hold. It makes it easier to let them go. My squirrel knows my voice and he will come to me when he is ready to come inside. I put my hands out and he will walk on them and up my arm. Yesterday when I got home, I didn't recognize him. He sat up screaming at me like he was going to attack me. Just to let you know what it could be like. Maybe females aren't that bad. I have kept mine away from the dogs because I always had intentions of letting him go. Its just hard. Good luck.
Dennis - 2010-10-26 Try acorns, raisins, apple, tomatoes, bananas, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, corn, and get some calcium tablets. Oh and pears all fresh cut in small pieces.
Shel - 2010-11-09 As well as fruits, give them vegetables and plenty of rodent block.
jey - 2010-12-01 The best formula to use is goats milk. Puppy formula is not recommended as it contains eggs. Also when starting solid food you must provide plenty of fresh fruits and veggies daily. I also use vitamins to ensure they get the calcium that is required. An all nut diet provides no calcium and will lead to seizures/paralysis and eventually death. Not a good idea to let a squirrel loose inside. Just make sure they have a huge cage. Sunlight is also very important for health. Mine stay outside all day (weather permitting) and come in at night. It's a routine and they actually expect it along with their morning broccoli (fav. veggie). I have 3 and everyone gets loving time (cuddles and scratches). They roll over like puppies for a belly scratch the minute I start scratching the neck and the butt scratch near the tail puts em right out. They were all rescues.
pam shaw - 2011-01-02 Your squirrel can eat almonds, hazelnuts, pears, apple, cantaloupe, nectarine, celery, carrots green beans, romaine lettuce, and calcium from pet store.
Ryan - 2011-01-27 Hey Amanda check out thesquirrelboard.com it has nutrition, and other information that might prove useful.
Chris Woodcock - 2011-01-25 Hi Amanda, last March my wife and daughter found a squirrel (Cyril!) which had fallen out of its nest, age about 6 weeks. Cyril was very dehydrated so my wife syringe fed him on goats milk. For two days he ate and slept but quickly recovered. We let him have a run of the house - under supervision as he chews anything. I built a purpose made tall indoor cage with a sleeping room and apart from tree branches and platforms he also has a collection of soft toys which he loves. Unfortunately as he grew up he became aggressive to anyone except my wife and attacks anyone who goes near him or my wife. We have released him 7 times but he comes back!. He is not a suitable pet but my wife loves him and vice versa. We feed him nuts of all kinds, he loves chestnuts, pecans, and walnuts, not brazil. He also has apple, coconut, and carrots. We are going to try to release him again in spring, I don't know what will happen. Regards Chris Woodcock
eric - 2011-01-31 I've always wanted a pet squirrel they're so cute!
kim - 2011-02-08 Does anyone that has a squirrel live in nj or by the poconos in PA? I need one for a commercial.
jean - 2012-06-22 Hello I found a baby squirrel at work one night that laid in the driveway for 4 hours it was newborn, and it was a little chilly out. I went out and got him finally didn't think the mother was coming back after 4 long hours. I warmed him, and fed him with an eye dropper puppy formula, now he is almost 3 years old, he could never learn to crack open his own food, nuts, we have to do that for him still,so I don't think he would have survived in the wild. We feed him fruit and nut bird food, he just loves fresh baked potatoes, mushrooms, leafy spinach, apples, melons, sweet potatoes, and corn, canned corn or corn on the cob. Occasionly we let him run in the tree out front when he gets tired he comes and sits in my hand when I put it up to the tree, and we have a pherrots leash to walk him with. We no longer let him run in house because he loves to chew up the furniture, and is hard to catch he gets mad, he lives in a big cage in our house, and he loves his padded doggy bed and his covers in it we have a small step stool over it to give him cover, he loves his little house, and he loves to play and swing on his toys we have in their for him..He is amazing..
Janice - 2012-09-25 My Doberman brought me home a blind baby squirrel. We have found a place for him in our home. A small problem is that he 'bites' us occassionaly, the bites are gentle, they do not break the skin. I guess that he thinks we could be food. When we pick him up, he doesn't struggle to get away from us. He seems very affectionate, moving to the sound of my voice and falling asleep in my hand. Does anyone have an idea on this? Also, will he stay tame, or become more agressive as he gets older?
Click For Replies (1)
Charlie Roche - 2012-09-25 Sometimes the males when they reach puberty might become a little agressive - but possibly not. No one can know the future. Nibbling on your hands - so do puppies, kitties etc - they are getting used to the taste of everything and probably cutting teeth. Not really biting - nibbling. Enjoy and good for you.
Karen - 2012-09-08 Thank you for a great website..I have enjoyed reading everyones stories.My dad found a baby squirrel that fell out of a 30 foot tree. I ended up taking him home with me. I'm not sure how old he was but from what I got read on the internet he must have been 4 or 5 weeks old.Now it's September. I have had more fun with 'SURVIVOR' thats the name my 7yr. old named him. I have kept him in till he was old enough to go out. The first time he lft and didnt come back for a night. I was so worried. He came back stayed and left again a few days later. He has done this all summer. One time I didnt see him for two weeks and I was scared because I saw a squirral down the raod got hit by a car..But he is still alive and I love this little thing. But Now I'm worried because He is acting different. Not as 'SQUIRRLY' . He is eating and drinking for me. His eyes are a little glossy. I think he is a little skinny..I'm keeping him in for a few days to watch him..Any ideas would be great.. I am going to get my license to be a rehabber because I just love these little guys.. Thanks ,Karen
Click For Replies (1)
Charlie Roche - 2012-09-08 A fella is just going to do what he is going to do and your little guy is probably just getting into some arguements over gals. Their life ex[ectancy in captivity will run as high as 12 - 13 years but in the wild it is about 4 - 5. You can try giveing him some pedilyte water (buy it at th grocery store in the baby department) for hydration. If you can give him a box (almost like a nesting box) that he can use as a safe place to sleep. Box filled with leaves, sawdust etc close to where you feed him but maybe just safe. Try giving him some mashed food so he an eat it faster and eat more - including nuts, sweet potatoe - little meat. Hopefully he will be Ok to fight for another gal again.
stella74 - 2012-06-19 I have raised Rudy for about 4 months now. She has been outside in her cage and squirrel box / nest. For quite a while now. We have been getting very brave & she had her 3 big all day left loose time today. But she didn't return tonight. I sure am hoping she is ok. I hope she figured out how to make a nest somewhere in a tree. I know there is no telling what is going on, without a crystal ball. :( This is always the hardest part of release for me. Maybe she will be back tomorrow. ????
Click For Replies (6)
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-20 Just fine I am sure. He/she is reaching sexual maturity and found a friend. I'd keep putting food in the cage (as needed) just in case. Don't be surprised if they return with babies to meet you. I think she/he will come back once inawhile to check on you.
stella74 - 2012-06-21 Thank you for the feed back. She still hasn't returned so I'm sure she found friends & exciting squirrel adventures. I guess I just worry too much. I did my job & saved a little life. :)
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-21 My grandma had a pet squirrel she raised and let it go in and outside the kitchen window. It dissapeared for awhile and then brough her babies back with her and right into the kitchen. Never know.
Anonymous - 2012-07-21 Hi, my update on my squirrels. Miss Rudy hasn't returned I'm believing she is ok, making babies. I decided to not release Miss Twitch, she seems very content in my home & good and chubby. Many toys & a wide range of food for her menu. She is a grape freek & even frozen grapes when it is 90 + degrees. Love to watch her play! Thanks for all the help.
Mandee - 2012-08-08 I have a female grey squirrel. I have hand raised her from a small baby she didn't even have furr yet and eyes were closed. She lived inside our 2nd bathroom for about 5 months before being placed in a huge 8ft cage in our kitchen. I would let her out everyday to play yet she started chewing on everything and when in her cage she often made a huge mess all over the kitchen floor, so I placed her outside in our wash room. She is so loveable to me yet she will not let anyone else near her. Just about every day I would take her out the cage & bring her in the house where she could only roam in the kitchen & bathroom. One day when I went to get her out the cage I seen she was watching two other squirrel playing on the big oak tree next to my house, so feeling bad for her I wanted to see if she would climb the tree at 1st she wouldn't even jump off me so I placed her on the tree tried walking away but she only jumped back on me. So I placed her back in her cage then the next day done the same thing it took many times before she actually started playing with me while climbing the tree. Many days she would just play where I could see her or she could see me. Yet when it was time to go in she wouldn't mine being placed back into her cage. Well about a month ago I found the cage open & Skip gone. I'm thinking on of the kids in the neighborhood may have been trying to play with her & didn't close the cage. Which they shouldn't have been!! Unsure how long she was out, I started looking every where for her afraid may my cat may have caught her or something. After a few minutes of searching I spotted a squirrel next door in the neighbors pine tree, I walked over there and she ran down to met only to be scared back up the tree by the neighbors dog. She would come down after that and stayed out all night. The next morning she was in the oak tree nexts to my house & gladly ran down to jump on my shoulder. After a few days of being locked up in the cage cause we went on vacation I took her out and she jumped in the oak tree going the highest I had even seen. As night time came she never came down for 5 days she was gone, then one after noon when I was leaving the house about to get in my car, she ran up my pants leg and up upon my shoulder, which scared the mess out of me at 1st....lol...she was all loveable and wanting attention bad & food. After being gone for 5 days I couldnt being myself to place her back into the cage, cause it just seem mean so I just let her run lose in the wash room with the door open so she could go as she pleased. She stayed in the wash room for about 4 days sleeping on some hangers that was hanging on a pole with a few old clothes. The other morning when I went to wash a load of clothes she jumped on me and wouldnt get off so I walked inside the house doing chores as she just chilled on my shoulder, often jump on top of my head playing with my ponytail. I went outside to switch the clothes over and she still didn't want to get off so she stayed on me chilling for about an hour, I walked out the front door and the neighbor dog stared barking which spooked her, she then ran on the brick of the house and back up the tree. This time she only stayed gone for 2 days, this morning I found her trying to get into the house by the back door. Do ya'll think it's safe to keep letting her go & come as she pleases??? She knows how to crack nuts but is use to eating already cracked nuts, fruit & vegetables!
stella74 - 2012-08-16 Hi, With the squirrels I have released each one has taken different lengths of time to take off on their own. With my latest I set up a cage outside that she stayed in over night . I would slowly leave her loose longer & longer during the day. She would eventuality discover new trees to explore. It is always very nerve racking for me but when they do leave to start their little journey I feel like I have done some good in the world. I with that my 'Twitch' had taken off for her sake, but she seems to enjoy herself in my home. She is very fat & eats better than I do. :) Once that they have left they may still show up from time to time so you can leave food & water out for her just in case. As I release my guys I give them nuts outside as we play & they instinctively figure out to bury them. It is fun to watch them progress. How old is your squirrel by the way? Well I hope this helps, good wishes!
The Gray Squirrel is perhaps the most familiar of all squirrels!
I have 2 baby grey squirrels 9 weeks old i have had for the past 7 weeks i noticed when their thicker fur started growing in the male 'which is a sloppy eater' had matting under his chin neck and front legs i bathed them it helped at first now the poor guy looks like he has dread locks and is losing patches of fur. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do or if their formula is causing it or if it is mange the female isn't as sloppy but is matting some
It could be the 'sloppy' eating which is causing the matting, but yeah, it could also be other things like the environment or the food. You could try visiting the Squirrel Board as it is a good forum where you may be able to help with your specific questions. Good luck!
I have a pet squirrelSammy, that I have had since he was 5 weeks old. My cat brought him and laid him down at my husbands feet. His eyes were not open yet and we weren't really sure if he was even a squirrel. But anyway he has been happy and healthy for 9 years now until this morning he woke up acting strange. Not wanting to play or eat. I noticed that he had not peed in his usual pee spot in his cage. As of now he still hasn't peed. So I belive he is stopped up and I don't know what to do for him. Could someone please let me know, I am really worried about my little guy. Thanks
So sorry to hear about Sammy. At first I thought, maybe its age, but as they can live over 20 years in captivity, that's not it. You may want to take it to a vet that specializes in rodents. But I also found this site WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc., that has some information about the digestive aspects of squirrels. They also have several resources and some contact information. Starting there, you may be able to get some good suggestions.
please say a prayer our 3 month old Roxie that the neighabors pit bull brought to us at 4 weeks old. I took her out side today an she played on the porch then we stepped in the yard. Roxie jumped on the ground then back on me several times. then in a blink of the eye she bolted off of me an ran up a big oak tree an is still up their. please pray she will come down, its going to be 37 tonight an she is not use to being out side in the cold. my heart is broken. pray GOD will protect her an keep her safe till she comes home. thank you al for your prayers for Roxie an us. GOD bless those that serve my LORD. peace/ Sandi/ Roxie
I really hope Roxie came home safe... We've been there;). My husband had to climb the tree and get her at around that age When he was trying to hand her to me I couldn't help him. I was froze. Fro. Watching the blood run down his face:)... She accidentally scratched him as she jumped onto his shoulder.We recently did a slow release..she was 13 months old...she has built her. Nest across from our fence... She came back and forth for 2 1/2 months now she's out on her own ... We worry everynite. I feel your pain anyway Hope she's ok:) I pray :)
I love squirrels.
Hi everyone..I need help trying to figure out what may be ailing my pet squirrel ( squiggles). I will start with a little about his back ground..My husband rescued him from a hawks mouth when he was about 5 days old, the hawk damaged his back right leg so he will not be a candidate for release. When he was around 3 weeks old he got MBS , once we figured out what it was & changed his diet he got better , then started loosing his hair around his backside & had a sore ..we treated him for mange with neem oil which has seemed to cure it. He is now 6 months old & all of a sudden he has started acting strange..He is laying on his babydoll in the bottom of his cage & wont eat. He is drinking excessively but will not eat. Do any of you have any idea what could be causing this? Also he had something that resembled oatmeal on the side of his mouth...Is this vomit? Please help.
That doesn't sound too good. My first thought would be to check the area to see if there are any exotic pet or wildlife veterinarians. You could also try and contact a local zoo and see what they recommend.
Mindy hi my name is chris and I hate to hear that your squirrel is sick. I would first treat for worms that could be the problem. I'm just wondering what you are feeding him. One thing you can't give them is the food that you eat. No snap peas. Cauliflower, broccoli, and hazel nuts are good for them and fruit. But if you would ask me I would get him to a vet as soon as possible. So please keep me informed because I love my squirrel sammy he is the best pet I ever had. So good luck. And I hope that this was helpful.
Hi there! I have a pet squirrel named Chewey. I rescued him from the street when he was about 5 weeks old. He is now about three months happy and very active! the problem that I have know is that my daughter noticed he was eating his thumbs... At the beginning I thought it was only the nails but tonight we saw that he was bleding and has no thumbs. Does anyone knows something about this behavior? what could be causing it? please help, I was considering moving his nest to the tree at the back but I'm not so sure now.
I would take the little guy to the vet.
My boyfriend and I have a pet squirrel named Autumn. She had two brothers, Timber & Twig, who unfortunately did not survive. My dad owns a tree service and found them in a tree he had cut down. I immediately took them in and started to syringe feed them gatorade as they were severely dehydrated. They lived in a large plastic bottomed rabbit cage with their heating pad for the longest time. The two males passed away rather quickly, but Autumn has grown to be a healthy and happy 2 1/2 month old. She's a great pet!! When the trio originally came to our home, I was the one up with them every hour for feedings and I literally became their mother. However, Autumn has decided she likes my boyfriend better than myself. She loves her playtime with him. She loves it best when he feeds her and she LOVES to sit around giving him kisses all day. We haven't yet been brave enough to let Autumn loose in our house, as we are afraid she will run rampid and get too frightened when we try to catch her - possibly hurting herself. I love to hear other stories from people who have pet squirrels, so I was very excited to have come across this page. I would like advice though, on Autumn's diet. Since she came off formula, shes had a diet only of walnuts (her favorite) and pecans. She has a damaged bottom incisor so she is unable to crack nuts herself, we do that for her. I know she should be eating other foods to improve her diet, but am unsure as to what foods are safe for her. Any advice you have would be appreciated!!
I, too, have a male pet squirrel that a neighborhood cat delivered to me when he was only a week old. Fed him from a pet bottle and medicine dropper using a formula the vet suggested. Used formula until he weaned himself, approximately at 10-12 wks. The mother squirrel usually feds her babies this long. Now my squirrel whose name is ROCKY is four months old. He stays in a cage that is 5 feet x 5 feet and 9 1/2 feet tall in the yard during the daytime but does not like the night...so we bring him inside each night and he sleeps in a large pet carrier. Goes to sleep around 8pm and doesn't wake up until after 8am each morning. Loves to get rubbed and scratched. I do not let him loose in my house but several times he has gotten loose, made a few laps in the house, and comes back to me. He has gotten away from me several times in the yard but would only run to a tree, climb it, back down the tree going to the end of each branch of the tree, and then back to me. Mine also has something wrong with his mouth and is unable to crack bigger acorns and nuts, so I crack them for him. Foods liked are: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, corn nuggets, sweet potatoes, fresh corn on the cob (cut off in slices and then halved again), you can also get a cube, corn nuggets, corn on the cob or loose corn, and a nut/fruit mixture at PetSmart. They need foods that make them gnaw because their teeth grows and they have to do this to keep them from getting too long. This is not on his diet but he loves the crust of biscuits, rolls, and pizza dough. Have tried broccoli which gives him gas, and other vegetables .. loves french fries every now and then as a treat. Just experiment with her and read all you can from web sites. Have a huge dominant male in the area who has attack us while I was carrying him to his cage outside. I was bitten
several times on the arm and hand by this male and Rocky was bitten on the hind thighs and front legs. Have been told the large male squirrel will kill Rocky so I can't let him go. I've raised two females that live in a tree behind our house and come daily when I call them by tapping on wood or whatever. They come directly to me, take the food from my hand, and sit beside me eating it. One is a mother and is bringing her two babies with her for treats. Have any question, just email...not an expert but have some experience. Good luck...wish you lived close.
hi amanda my boyfriend and i found a squirrel that my dog was tyring to eat but we saved his life about two days ago but im worried because we cant get him to use the bathroom we called the vet they said to take a warm wet cloth and wipe aroud his butt so we did but it isnt working what should we do oh he is about a month and a half old
Hi amanda, I'm Becky and i have a little girl named Ella. She is my second squirrel. My first was a little boy who I found in my yard when he fell from a nest in the gutter on the side of my house. Unfortunatly he only lived about a year. But he was so affectionate and lovable, that I told all my friends that if they ever found another baby in need of saving to let me know. Then about 6 months ago my friend was on her mail delivery route and found atiny baby girl crawling across the road. She called me immediatley. And I've had Ella ever since. She has a tall ferret cage (they like a cage they can climb in). My husband found her a small section of a hollowed out log. She chews on the wood alot. She also has a ferret hammock. For her bed we got her a wicker rat/rabbit bungalow, wich she really seems to like. As far as diet, she eats all kinds of stuff. I give her assorted nuts most days but only 2 or 3 a day. Always a handful of pumpkin seeds (she loves those) A few leaves of sometype of greens(usually romaine or green leaf lettuce). A hunk of peanut butter every other day. And different fruits and veggies. Her favorites are grapes, cherries, apple, pear, carrot, red cabbage, oranges, brussles sprouts and broccili.And I also occationally give her a frosted mini-wheat for a treat. And as far as getting her out for exercise, we got a small rat harness and leash that she wears and she runs all over the place. It took a little time getting her used to it, but she quickly learned that it meant she got to come out to play. You can find one at any pet store. If you have any questions or would like to share anymore info or photos with me, my e-mail is crazyzoopeople@yahoo.com. Good luck. Becky
Hey amanda
my name is morgan I have two pet squirrel's one is 7 years old and the other not even a year they eat pecans, walnuts, non salted peanuts, almonds, carrots, lettuce, any veggie really uncooked and any fruit w/o sugars or syrup.
6 years ago my dad and I found a baby squirrel in our backyard we bottle fed him kitten formula eventually he started eating nuts(almonds cashews pecans) arugala carrots apple... we had intended to let him out when he was big enough but when I brought him out he flattened himself like a pancake and wouldn't stop shaking. He is six years old now he lives in a giant ferret cage. We love him so much he is a great pet. We do let him out of the cage to run around but just in the one room. It helps to have a stuffed toy to grab his attention and then gently scoop him up to put him back in his cage. I've read they can live to be 20 like a cat in captivity. In the wild their average life span is one year because of accidents and diseases.
I just remembered one more thing you can feed her most anything from the rodent section of any pet store (yogurt chips, trail mix with berries, alfalfa hay, I don't give mine any ferret food because ferrets are carnivorous and squirrels generally are not so the ferret food might not be good. Best of luck!
I have a black eastern "gray" squirrel named Priscilla. I found her when she was less than 2 weeks old because her eyes were still shut tight. I bottle fed her and weaned her to baby rice cereal mixed with kitten formula from the pet store when she was 6 weeks old. She is now 9 months old and I feed her assorted nuts from the grocery...unsalted and in the shell....I crack them for her, fruit and veggies...raw, clover blossoms, pansy blossoms, oak, maple, and birch twigs, esp. in the spring when they are in bud. Almost anything you would think they would eat in the wild but be sure you know just what the plants are. She has a cage with an old towel in it she has made into a nest. But she has also made a tissue and newspaper nest behind my bookshelf. She loves to be petted and will sit still for hours if I have the patience to sit still that long and do the petting. I am her favorite tree too and look like a pincushion. I don't dare clip her nails. All in all I have had more fun with her than I did with any of the cats I have had over the years. Good luck with Autumn. P
Everything! Lots of vegetables, fresh every day. Roses, Avocado, every kind of lettuce you can find. Coconut (not too much), anything that is leafy, give it to her to try. She will let you know what she likes and doesn’t like pretty fast. Corn, again, not too much. Nuts only as a treats. Walnuts are candy to her, so be one a day.
Hi Amanda - Grays like a varied diet. Try baby carrots, cherries, cut up apples,clover, plantain and such greens often found in lawns. (Make sure the lawn hasn't be sprayed with insecticide.
Some Grays like things like toast, bagels and crackers - just for treats!
Best of luck Cali
Watermelon, oranges, tangerines, fresh leaf spinach, yellow squash, broccoli, fresh string beans, apples, pears, peaches, endive, NO LETTUCE OF ANY TYPE they can't digest it very well that can cause problems, no milk products(cow, goat or otherwise)potatoes or sweet potatoes are a treat and extremely fattening but squirrels love um so only as a treat 1 or 2 times a week, keep fresh water always(filtered or bottle)city water has chemicals that can harm them and NO CANDY AT ALL SUGAR WILL HARM THEM. We have 2 eastern greys,Tiffy(is 8) & Savannah(is 7), they fell from a tree and momma never came for them a year apart. They also like Brussels sprouts and cabbage but not everyday, sunflower seeds, peanuts, brazil nuts, walnuts(sorta),and pecans. Hope this helps.
I have had two, the first live almost 8 yrs and the current "Chopper" is now 4. They need a salt wheel in their cage as they require salt periodically just like all other animals.
In addition to walnuts and pecans, Chopper likes orange peel,wild bird seed mix (for large birds) as it contains almonds, corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other seeds that squirrels like. Feed them apple peel or apple core or a small piece of apple, they love cherries, grapes and an occasional piece of bread crust or oyster cracker, pieces of plums, peach peel and even a little tomato peel now and then. Acorns especially and the seeds of oak trees some really like peanut butter although Chopper doesn't care for it much. They love to chew so put a small piece of hickory, oak walnut etc tree in their cage so they can sharpen their claws and teeth.
Good luck, they are great pets and enjoy long lives if taken care of.
A gray squirrel normally only lives 2 or 3 yrs in the wild due to natural predators, disease and territorial disputes, you can almost triple that with a little TLC. Chopper had deformed upper incisors and finally lost them as they snagged and broke on her cage so like you I crack all of her nuts and acorns but I leave the meat connected to the shell and she enjoys scooping it out with her bottom ones...she feels like she's opening them herself.
Hi I also have a baby eastern gray squirrel, his name is 'Baby' and he is only 4 weeks old. A possum ate all his siblings and his mom too... But as much as I have read these little guys after they are weaned like veggies, fruit, pealed grapes, and monkey food nuts should be given only as a treat. they love peanuts, unsalted... best of luck...
Jody & 'Baby'
hi my name is sally and my daughter and i have 2 boy grey squirrels. our boys eat almonds 4 calcium and walnuts and pecans as snacks. in the daytime we give them fresh fruit and veggies. they like broccoli (good calcium)...they need lots of calcium !!!! small amounts of corn on the cob.....cut into small pieces..carrots..kiwi..apples..they love sweet potatoes..green beans...as with everything cut it small and just try it and see if autumn likes it..grapes 2 cut in half and raisins...give plenty of stripped sunflower seeds..it has oils in them that the squirrels need. we also use a mulit vitamin 4 ferrets since no squirrel vitamins i can find. my boys are william and lee lee and they just turned 2 years old aug. 3..we got them as pinkies...3 days old...they were cut down in a tree 2 by my dad. we love those lil guys 2 death....
My rosco was "put to sleep",in the spring of 08. Dr.Wright said she had a tumor on her sinuse, forgive the spelling. Rosco was a female squirrel. I cared for her for 61/2, years. She at the pecans out of my icecream and the sauce from my pasta dishes. Onions ?, She took that from me too!
I was just finished reading that you can purchase nut balls on line and they last 3 months and they are very nutritious for squirrels, I don't have a pet squirrel but I feed a wild squirrel in the woods for the past 2 months, and I love him and he comes to me every time I call him and one can make their own nut balls. Here is a web site that will help you ensure your little squirrels are getting the best nutrition here is the web site Squirrel Nutrition.com don't give her any dairy products, only 1 or 2 peanuts a day, you can give her mango, carrot, snow peas, avocado, dates one third of a date, peaches, cantaloupe, mulberries ,blueberries 3 a day, orange, green bell pepper, corn1 inch slice,strawberries about the size of the top of your thumb,Pumpkin seed feed very sparingly, snow peas, snap peas, sweet potato, broccoli, blackberries, nectarines, 1 or 2 raisins per day. Grapes 1 or 2 per day, plum , pineapple, tomato, do not give her green acorns, and to many peanuts will deplete the calcium in their bones so one or 2 is best, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, give sunflower seeds very sparingly as they are not good for them, pistachios but only the white ones, brazil nuts and almonds give very sparingly. I got this from a lady who raised a lot of squirrels anyway good luck with your autumn squirrel, as they are beautiful.
They need a diet of fruit and vegetables and a full 20 min of sun for vitamin d everyday. They cannot live on nuts alone. They need a balance of calcium and phosphorous. There are good websites on what to feed them. You need to check them out.
Your squirrel cannot survive on nuts. They have to have vegetables and fruit. My squirrel would only eat avocados and he became sick. He was not getting enough calcium. He got Metabolic Bone Disease. This will kill the squirrel and it is painful. It can also cause paralysis in back legs. He didn't want to do anything but lay around. He wouldn't climb or want to go outside. After a week of calcium he was getting back to his old self. It has been two weeks now and he is great. I am going to take him to a rehabilitation center to get him ready for release. He is about nine months old and his hormones have kicked in and he is getting mean. Wants to be free. At times he is still loving and will play but still loves to be petted holds his paw up to pet his stomach. I will miss him but he belongs in the wild. I don't know if female squirrels will act like this when they go into puberty or not. You also need rodent blocks for your squirrel. I couldn't find any at a pet food store. You need to go on line and order them. This is suppose to make up most of their diet. Google information on squirrels. I have gotten a lot of information on how to raise them by Google. They are so lovable when they are little but the wild starts taking hold. It makes it easier to let them go. My squirrel knows my voice and he will come to me when he is ready to come inside. I put my hands out and he will walk on them and up my arm. Yesterday when I got home, I didn't recognize him. He sat up screaming at me like he was going to attack me. Just to let you know what it could be like. Maybe females aren't that bad. I have kept mine away from the dogs because I always had intentions of letting him go. Its just hard. Good luck.
Try acorns, raisins, apple, tomatoes, bananas, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, corn, and get some calcium tablets. Oh and pears all fresh cut in small pieces.
As well as fruits, give them vegetables and plenty of rodent block.
The best formula to use is goats milk. Puppy formula is not recommended as it contains eggs. Also when starting solid food you must provide plenty of fresh fruits and veggies daily. I also use vitamins to ensure they get the calcium that is required. An all nut diet provides no calcium and will lead to seizures/paralysis and eventually death. Not a good idea to let a squirrel loose inside. Just make sure they have a huge cage. Sunlight is also very important for health. Mine stay outside all day (weather permitting) and come in at night. It's a routine and they actually expect it along with their morning broccoli (fav. veggie). I have 3 and everyone gets loving time (cuddles and scratches). They roll over like puppies for a belly scratch the minute I start scratching the neck and the butt scratch near the tail puts em right out. They were all rescues.
Your squirrel can eat almonds, hazelnuts, pears, apple, cantaloupe, nectarine, celery, carrots green beans, romaine lettuce, and calcium from pet store.
Hey Amanda check out thesquirrelboard.com it has nutrition, and other information that might prove useful.
Hi Amanda, last March my wife and daughter found a squirrel (Cyril!) which had fallen out of its nest, age about 6 weeks. Cyril was very dehydrated so my wife syringe fed him on goats milk. For two days he ate and slept but quickly recovered. We let him have a run of the house - under supervision as he chews anything. I built a purpose made tall indoor cage with a sleeping room and apart from tree branches and platforms he also has a collection of soft toys which he loves. Unfortunately as he grew up he became aggressive to anyone except my wife and attacks anyone who goes near him or my wife. We have released him 7 times but he comes back!. He is not a suitable pet but my wife loves him and vice versa. We feed him nuts of all kinds, he loves chestnuts, pecans, and walnuts, not brazil. He also has apple, coconut, and carrots.
We are going to try to release him again in spring, I don't know what will happen. Regards Chris Woodcock
I've always wanted a pet squirrel they're so cute!
Does anyone that has a squirrel live in nj or by the poconos in PA? I need one for a commercial.
Hello I found a baby squirrel at work one night that laid in the driveway for 4 hours it was newborn, and it was a little chilly out. I went out and got him finally didn't think the mother was coming back after 4 long hours. I warmed him, and fed him with an eye dropper puppy formula, now he is almost 3 years old, he could never learn to crack open his own food, nuts, we have to do that for him still,so I don't think he would have survived in the wild. We feed him fruit and nut bird food, he just loves fresh baked potatoes, mushrooms, leafy spinach, apples, melons, sweet potatoes, and corn, canned corn or corn on the cob. Occasionly we let him run in the tree out front when he gets tired he comes and sits in my hand when I put it up to the tree, and we have a pherrots leash to walk him with. We no longer let him run in house because he loves to chew up the furniture, and is hard to catch he gets mad, he lives in a big cage in our house, and he loves his padded doggy bed and his covers in it we have a small step stool over it to give him cover, he loves his little house, and he loves to play and swing on his toys we have in their for him..He is amazing..
My Doberman brought me home a blind baby squirrel. We have found a place for him in our home. A small problem is that he 'bites' us occassionaly, the bites are gentle, they do not break the skin. I guess that he thinks we could be food. When we pick him up, he doesn't struggle to get away from us. He seems very affectionate, moving to the sound of my voice and falling asleep in my hand. Does anyone have an idea on this? Also, will he stay tame, or become more agressive as he gets older?
Sometimes the males when they reach puberty might become a little agressive - but possibly not. No one can know the future. Nibbling on your hands - so do puppies, kitties etc - they are getting used to the taste of everything and probably cutting teeth. Not really biting - nibbling. Enjoy and good for you.
Thank you for a great website..I have enjoyed reading everyones stories.My dad found a baby squirrel that fell out of a 30 foot tree. I ended up taking him home with me. I'm not sure how old he was but from what I got read on the internet he must have been 4 or 5 weeks old.Now it's September. I have had more fun with 'SURVIVOR' thats the name my 7yr. old named him. I have kept him in till he was old enough to go out. The first time he lft and didnt come back for a night. I was so worried. He came back stayed and left again a few days later. He has done this all summer. One time I didnt see him for two weeks and I was scared because I saw a squirral down the raod got hit by a car..But he is still alive and I love this little thing. But Now I'm worried because He is acting different. Not as 'SQUIRRLY' . He is eating and drinking for me. His eyes are a little glossy. I think he is a little skinny..I'm keeping him in for a few days to watch him..Any ideas would be great.. I am going to get my license to be a rehabber because I just love these little guys.. Thanks ,Karen
A fella is just going to do what he is going to do and your little guy is probably just getting into some arguements over gals. Their life ex[ectancy in captivity will run as high as 12 - 13 years but in the wild it is about 4 - 5. You can try giveing him some pedilyte water (buy it at th grocery store in the baby department) for hydration. If you can give him a box (almost like a nesting box) that he can use as a safe place to sleep. Box filled with leaves, sawdust etc close to where you feed him but maybe just safe. Try giving him some mashed food so he an eat it faster and eat more - including nuts, sweet potatoe - little meat. Hopefully he will be Ok to fight for another gal again.
I have raised Rudy for about 4 months now. She has been outside in her cage and squirrel box / nest. For quite a while now. We have been getting very brave & she had her 3 big all day left loose time today. But she didn't return tonight. I sure am hoping she is ok. I hope she figured out how to make a nest somewhere in a tree. I know there is no telling what is going on, without a crystal ball. :( This is always the hardest part of release for me. Maybe she will be back tomorrow. ????
Just fine I am sure. He/she is reaching sexual maturity and found a friend. I'd keep putting food in the cage (as needed) just in case. Don't be surprised if they return with babies to meet you. I think she/he will come back once inawhile to check on you.
Thank you for the feed back. She still hasn't returned so I'm sure she found friends & exciting squirrel adventures. I guess I just worry too much. I did my job & saved a little life. :)
My grandma had a pet squirrel she raised and let it go in and outside the kitchen window. It dissapeared for awhile and then brough her babies back with her and right into the kitchen. Never know.
Hi, my update on my squirrels. Miss Rudy hasn't returned I'm believing she is ok, making babies. I decided to not release Miss Twitch, she seems very content in my home & good and chubby. Many toys & a wide range of food for her menu. She is a grape freek & even frozen grapes when it is 90 + degrees. Love to watch her play! Thanks for all the help.
I have a female grey squirrel. I have hand raised her from a small baby she didn't even have furr yet and eyes were closed. She lived inside our 2nd bathroom for about 5 months before being placed in a huge 8ft cage in our kitchen. I would let her out everyday to play yet she started chewing on everything and when in her cage she often made a huge mess all over the kitchen floor, so I placed her outside in our wash room. She is so loveable to me yet she will not let anyone else near her. Just about every day I would take her out the cage & bring her in the house where she could only roam in the kitchen & bathroom. One day when I went to get her out the cage I seen she was watching two other squirrel playing on the big oak tree next to my house, so feeling bad for her I wanted to see if she would climb the tree at 1st she wouldn't even jump off me so I placed her on the tree tried walking away but she only jumped back on me. So I placed her back in her cage then the next day done the same thing it took many times before she actually started playing with me while climbing the tree. Many days she would just play where I could see her or she could see me. Yet when it was time to go in she wouldn't mine being placed back into her cage. Well about a month ago I found the cage open & Skip gone. I'm thinking on of the kids in the neighborhood may have been trying to play with her & didn't close the cage. Which they shouldn't have been!! Unsure how long she was out, I started looking every where for her afraid may my cat may have caught her or something. After a few minutes of searching I spotted a squirrel next door in the neighbors pine tree, I walked over there and she ran down to met only to be scared back up the tree by the neighbors dog. She would come down after that and stayed out all night. The next morning she was in the oak tree nexts to my house & gladly ran down to jump on my shoulder. After a few days of being locked up in the cage cause we went on vacation I took her out and she jumped in the oak tree going the highest I had even seen. As night time came she never came down for 5 days she was gone, then one after noon when I was leaving the house about to get in my car, she ran up my pants leg and up upon my shoulder, which scared the mess out of me at 1st....lol...she was all loveable and wanting attention bad & food. After being gone for 5 days I couldnt being myself to place her back into the cage, cause it just seem mean so I just let her run lose in the wash room with the door open so she could go as she pleased. She stayed in the wash room for about 4 days sleeping on some hangers that was hanging on a pole with a few old clothes. The other morning when I went to wash a load of clothes she jumped on me and wouldnt get off so I walked inside the house doing chores as she just chilled on my shoulder, often jump on top of my head playing with my ponytail. I went outside to switch the clothes over and she still didn't want to get off so she stayed on me chilling for about an hour, I walked out the front door and the neighbor dog stared barking which spooked her, she then ran on the brick of the house and back up the tree. This time she only stayed gone for 2 days, this morning I found her trying to get into the house by the back door. Do ya'll think it's safe to keep letting her go & come as she pleases??? She knows how to crack nuts but is use to eating already cracked nuts, fruit & vegetables!
Hi, With the squirrels I have released each one has taken different lengths of time to take off on their own. With my latest I set up a cage outside that she stayed in over night . I would slowly leave her loose longer & longer during the day. She would eventuality discover new trees to explore. It is always very nerve racking for me but when they do leave to start their little journey I feel like I have done some good in the world. I with that my 'Twitch' had taken off for her sake, but she seems to enjoy herself in my home. She is very fat & eats better than I do. :) Once that they have left they may still show up from time to time so you can leave food & water out for her just in case. As I release my guys I give them nuts outside as we play & they instinctively figure out to bury them. It is fun to watch them progress. How old is your squirrel by the way? Well I hope this helps, good wishes!