Can You Have A Squirrel As A Pet? What You MUST Know First!

The simple answer is: Maybe, but it’s complicated. Whether you can legally keep a squirrel as a pet and whether you should keep a squirrel as a pet are two very different questions. This article will explore the world of pet squirrels, covering legalities, care requirements, the good, the bad, and everything in between.

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Squirrel Pet Legality: Navigating the Legal Maze

Before you even think about bringing a squirrel into your home, you must check your local laws. Squirrel pet legality varies dramatically from place to place.

• State Laws: Some states completely prohibit keeping wild animals as pets, which includes squirrels. Others might allow it, but only with a permit.
• City and County Ordinances: Even if your state allows pet squirrels, your city or county might have its own rules against it. Always check at the local level.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits: Sometimes, you can legally keep a squirrel if you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. These permits often come with strict regulations and limitations.
• Restrictions on Native vs. Exotic Squirrels: Some jurisdictions might differentiate between native squirrel species and exotic ones. Native species are more likely to be restricted.
• Consequences of Illegal Squirrel Ownership: Owning a squirrel illegally can result in fines, confiscation of the animal, and even potential legal charges.

It’s your responsibility to ensure you comply with all applicable laws. Contact your local animal control, state wildlife agency, and city hall to confirm the specific regulations in your area. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Is Keeping a Squirrel as a Pet Right for You? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Even if it is legal to have a squirrel as a pet where you live, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a good idea. Pet squirrel pros and cons must be carefully considered.

Pet Squirrel Pros: The Allure of Squirrel Ownership

• Unique Companionship: Squirrels are intelligent and curious animals. Many owners find them to be entertaining and engaging companions.
• Affectionate Bonds: With proper socialization, squirrels can form strong bonds with their human caregivers and can be quite affectionate.
• Entertaining Behavior: Squirrels are naturally playful and energetic, providing hours of amusement for their owners.
• Rescue/Rehabilitation: Sometimes, people take in orphaned or injured squirrels with the intention of caring for them, especially if the squirrel would otherwise perish.

Pet Squirrel Cons: The Challenges of Squirrel Ownership

• Destructive Behavior: Squirrels have a natural instinct to chew and nest. They can cause significant damage to furniture, wiring, and other household items.
• High Energy Levels: Squirrels require a lot of space and enrichment to stay happy and healthy. They are not suitable pets for small apartments or sedentary owners.
• Specialized Care: Squirrels have very specific dietary and environmental needs. Meeting these needs requires significant research, time, and expense.
• Aggression: While squirrels can be affectionate, they can also be aggressive, especially during mating season or if they feel threatened.
• Lifespan: Squirrels can live for 10-12 years in captivity, so you need to be prepared for a long-term commitment.
• Difficult to Litter Train: While some squirrels can be trained to use a designated area, it is not always successful, and accidents can happen.
• Potential for Disease Transmission: Squirrels can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans, such as salmonellosis, rabies, and tularemia.
• Difficulty Finding Veterinary Care: Many veterinarians are not experienced in treating squirrels, making it difficult to find appropriate medical care when needed.

Here’s a table summarizing the key pros and cons:

Feature	Pros	Cons
Companionship	Unique, engaging, affectionate	Can be aggressive, especially during certain times
Behavior	Playful, entertaining	Destructive, high energy levels, difficult to litter train
Care	Potential for rescue and rehabilitation	Specialized care requirements (diet, environment), difficulty finding vet care
Commitment		Long lifespan (10-12 years)
Health		Potential for disease transmission (salmonellosis, rabies, tularemia)
Overall	Can be rewarding for dedicated owners	Requires significant commitment, research, and resources; not suitable for everyone; ethical concerns about keeping wild animals

A Squirrel Care Guide: Meeting Their Needs

If you’ve carefully considered the pros and cons and are sure that keeping a squirrel as a pet is right for you (and legal!), you need to be prepared to provide them with the proper care. A squirrel care guide is crucial.

Creating the Right Environment

• Large Enclosure: Squirrels need a large enclosure with plenty of space to run, climb, and explore. An outdoor aviary or a large, multi-level cage is ideal. At minimum, the enclosure should be at least 6ft x 6ft x 6ft.
• Enrichment: Provide plenty of enrichment items, such as branches, ropes, swings, tunnels, and chew toys. Rotate these items regularly to keep your squirrel engaged.
• Nesting Box: Squirrels need a safe and secure nesting box where they can sleep and retreat when they feel threatened.
• Temperature Control: Squirrels are sensitive to temperature extremes. Keep their enclosure in a temperature-controlled environment, especially during hot summer months or cold winter months.
• Cleanliness: Regularly clean the enclosure to prevent the buildup of bacteria and parasites.

Squirrel Diet for Pets: Feeding a Squirrel Properly

A proper squirrel diet for pets is crucial for their health and well-being. Squirrels are omnivores, so they need a varied diet that includes:

• Squirrel Blocks: These commercially available blocks provide a balanced source of essential nutrients.
• Fresh Vegetables: Offer a variety of fresh vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
• Fruits: Provide fruits in moderation, such as apples, bananas, berries, and grapes. Avoid citrus fruits, as they can interfere with calcium absorption.
• Nuts: Offer nuts sparingly as treats, as they are high in fat. Avoid giving squirrels peanuts, as they are not nutritionally beneficial and can be harmful.
• Seeds: Offer a variety of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds.
• Water: Always provide fresh, clean water in a heavy bowl that cannot be easily tipped over.

Foods to Avoid:

• Chocolate
• Candy
• Processed Foods
• Dairy Products
• Avocado
• Peanuts

Socialization and Training

• Early Socialization: If you are raising a baby squirrel, handle it frequently from a young age to help it become comfortable with human interaction.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to train your squirrel.
• Consistency: Be consistent with your training and handling to avoid confusing your squirrel.
• Patience: Squirrels can be stubborn and independent, so be patient with the training process.

Health Care

• Finding a Vet: Find a veterinarian who is experienced in treating squirrels.
• Preventative Care: Take your squirrel to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations.
• Parasite Control: Regularly check your squirrel for parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, and treat them as needed.
• Dental Care: Squirrels’ teeth grow continuously, so they need to chew on hard items to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown. Provide plenty of chew toys.

Raising a Baby Squirrel: A Delicate Undertaking

Raising a baby squirrel is a particularly challenging endeavor. It requires a significant time commitment, specialized knowledge, and a lot of patience. If you find an orphaned baby squirrel, the best course of action is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you are unable to do so and decide to care for the baby squirrel yourself, here are some important considerations:

• Warmth: Baby squirrels cannot regulate their own body temperature, so they need to be kept warm. Provide a heat source, such as a heating pad or a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel.
• Feeding: Baby squirrels need to be fed a specialized formula every few hours. Consult with a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator for specific feeding instructions.
• Stimulation: Baby squirrels need to be stimulated to urinate and defecate after each feeding. Gently rub their genital area with a warm, damp cloth.
• Weaning: As the baby squirrel gets older, gradually introduce solid foods into its diet.
• Release: If your goal is to release the squirrel back into the wild, it’s crucial to socialize it with other squirrels and provide it with opportunities to learn how to forage and build nests. Releasing a hand-raised squirrel can be complex and requires careful planning.

Squirrel Behavior as Pets: What to Expect

Squirrel behavior as pets can be unpredictable and challenging. Here are some common behaviors you might encounter:

• Chewing: Squirrels have a natural instinct to chew, so they will chew on anything and everything. Provide plenty of chew toys and protect valuable items from being chewed.
• Burying: Squirrels like to bury food, even in captivity. They might try to bury food in their bedding, in potted plants, or even in your hair.
• Nesting: Squirrels will build nests in their enclosures. Provide them with nesting materials, such as shredded paper, fabric scraps, and leaves.
• Climbing: Squirrels are natural climbers, so they need plenty of opportunities to climb. Provide them with branches, ropes, and swings in their enclosure.
• Vocalization: Squirrels communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including chirps, barks, and chatters.
• Aggression: Squirrels can be aggressive, especially during mating season or if they feel threatened. Be cautious when handling them and avoid sudden movements.

Dangers of Pet Squirrels: Risks to Consider

There are several dangers of pet squirrels that potential owners should be aware of:

• Bites and Scratches: Squirrels have sharp teeth and claws and can bite or scratch if they feel threatened.
• Disease Transmission: Squirrels can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans, such as salmonellosis, rabies, and tularemia.
• Allergies: Some people are allergic to squirrels.
• Destructive Behavior: Squirrels can cause significant damage to property.
• Escape Risk: Squirrels are escape artists and can easily escape from their enclosures. An escaped squirrel can be difficult to recapture and can pose a risk to itself and to the environment.

Alternatives to Pet Squirrels: Options to Consider

If you love squirrels but are not sure that keeping one as a pet is right for you, there are several alternatives to pet squirrels you can consider:

• Wildlife Rehabilitation: Volunteer at a local wildlife rehabilitation center to help care for injured or orphaned squirrels.
• Squirrel Feeding Stations: Set up a squirrel feeding station in your backyard to provide squirrels with food and water.
• Squirrel-Friendly Landscaping: Plant trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter for squirrels.
• Squirrel Watching: Enjoy watching squirrels in their natural habitat.

Squirrel Ownership Requirements: Are You Ready?

Before acquiring a squirrel, carefully review the following squirrel ownership requirements:

• Legal Compliance: Ensure that owning a squirrel is legal in your area and obtain any necessary permits.
• Financial Resources: Be prepared to spend money on food, housing, veterinary care, and enrichment items.
• Time Commitment: Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time caring for your squirrel each day.
• Patience and Understanding: Be patient with your squirrel and understand its natural behaviors.
• Commitment to Long-Term Care: Be prepared to care for your squirrel for its entire lifespan (10-12 years).
• Proper Housing: Provide a large and secure enclosure.
• Correct Diet: Offer a nutritionally balanced diet.
• Veterinary Care: Have access to a qualified veterinarian.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Squirrels

• What do squirrels eat? Squirrels eat a variety of foods, including squirrel blocks, fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
• How long do squirrels live? Squirrels can live for 10-12 years in captivity.
• Are squirrels easy to train? Squirrels can be trained, but they can also be stubborn and independent.
• Do squirrels bite? Squirrels can bite if they feel threatened.
• Can squirrels be litter trained? Some squirrels can be trained to use a designated area, but it is not always successful.
• Are squirrels good pets for children? Squirrels are not generally recommended as pets for children due to their potential for aggression and the specialized care they require.
• How much does it cost to keep a squirrel as a pet? The cost of keeping a squirrel as a pet can vary depending on the individual animal and the owner’s lifestyle, but it can easily cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars per year.
• Can I release a pet squirrel into the wild? Releasing a pet squirrel into the wild is generally not recommended, as it may not have the skills necessary to survive on its own. It can also disrupt the local ecosystem.
• What if I can no longer care for my pet squirrel? Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue organization.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep a squirrel as a pet is a personal one. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully, consider the legal and ethical implications, and ensure that you are prepared to provide the squirrel with the proper care. Remember, a squirrel is not a toy. They are complex and sensitive creatures that deserve respect and responsible care.