Can you neuter a squirrel

I had walked to my garden and around the outside of the home with her many times, but this one time, she wandered, this time stopping and looking back at me before running off app 8wks. This was a very difficult task, I'm a mother, and this was harder than an infant, alot of touch and go moments. I strongly do not recommend trying it. If you come in contact find a no kill habitat, or hmu shancharb gmail. But it was rewarding. And I knew she'd always eventually have to be released.

But I made it on her terms. And, I see her playing with a black squirrel every day on the outskirts of the forest around my house. Nathan Mueller September 11, Hi Ginger, Thank you for your interest in the article. After reading your comments, I would like to add that it is not possible for guinea pigs and squirrels to breed and have offspring.

We had Weezer for several years, he slept in bed with us, ate at the table with us and goes in the litter box. He actually bred with one of our Guinne pigs, and they had 3 pups. They look like Guinnes with long busy tails, and very friendly.

I am really surprised to look at the dark picture painted about how bad it is to have a squirrel as a pet, but I would beg to differ from the opinion. Of course I didn't have them after I started living in US in the state of Virginia, but during my young years and until 25 years of my age I have tended and had close to 12 squirrels who have lived a ripe age and died of growing old to ones who died because of natural predators, all our squirrels were rescued ones from the stage where their eyes haven't opened to a month and half old ones as well.

They are apprehensive and defensive as mentioned, but once when you start feeding them and build a relationship, they look at you as family, in all the time I had squirrels, I had 3 bites and that too the reason they got chased by predators and were holed up somewhere and when I went to get them there was a instinct like article due to fear and they bit, but they left the bite right away after getting my scent. We never had caged any of them, because they were free to roam around the house, but they always were playing outside in the wild as well.

Come evening they return to their nest which is our home and they spent the rest of the evening spending time with us playing until we get the lights out, in which case many a times they will be cuddled up near me in my bed, yes there is a possibility I could have squashed them, but being with I got used to sleep cautiously. Yes their nails are sharp when they climb over you and leave marks, but for an animal lover it's really hard to consider that a problem, yes sometimes they will pee on you in the moment of playing, but for some reason all my squirrels somehow was trained a small tray we created for them to use as a bathroom, we used sawdust to keep the tray clean.

They are the most interactive and most smart intelligent creature right in par with dog. They want you to play with them, they are not loners and they are very social. Ryan Keith Worsham July 21, You did not mention two very impotant things. Baby squirels do not produce there own heat.

Thry must be kept on a heating pad or else they will die of hypothermia. And most importantly baby squirels cant poop on there own. A mother will lick there genitals to get them to poop and pee every thirty minutes to an hour. So as a human we must simulate this with a wet q-tip in order to keep them regular.

If not they will die of toxic shock. I rehabed two boys and a girl once from two weeks old. Not a good idea but better than what my local shelter and state wildlife control said to do with them. I said. Now they are alive and well in a denver park. I'm repulsed by your article, however I do understand why you would type it.

One passed the 1st nite,which we expected due to a far fall. The other is thriving to this moment. I know that most people cannot keep a wild animal alive, however, she has overcome a calcium deficiency, which I realized immediately when she became inactive.

It was easily treated immediately. That was back in May. Today she runs about like a household pet. Ourcat which we had a year before her gets along great. She does have nails, BUT she won't use them on our bare skin. She does have teeth BUT we buy chew toys for her to use for any pain caused by those ever growing teeth.

She has never bitten us, only nibbled slightly. She uses the litter box. She does toss things out of the cage where she made her first nest and retires to before dark until dawn but it's nothing uninhabitable or nothing a daily cleaning doesn't fix. We've tried releasing her. THATS the only point which she becomes hurtful. She's happy. We love her. She loves us. I don't agree with ALL your theories.

My squirrels were wonderful experience. Wood clearing ended up taking a nest. Not albino because his eyes were not pink. Cleaner too. When they were about 8 months old they went thru a super chew phase. Two were very 'tamed'. To the females bad luck. While I was at work my stepdad let his niece hold one and she crushed her.

I started outdoor training them after. Sootica and Tomas did pretty well. Jeremiah was too tame. I had him 5 years. He was large, plump and plush. The dark one was silky and not as fluffy as the other 3. During the time I was in visiting my real dad 3 weeks, my parents split and my stepdad gave him to his girlfriend, Jeremiah went beserk and got loose. I wouldnt go hunting a squirrel for a pet but I would not feel negative about adopting and training one again.

Rodents are simply a lot of work no matter their size.. They had bigger fat heads and and large ears , but not fox squirrels. I raised an abandoned male squirrel for a little over a year. I agree wholeheartedly that they should be rehabbed and released. They are totally lovable, intelligent creatures. But destructive, you bet. Probably thousand dollars worth of damage to woodwork, furniture, etc. And when they mature, very territorial. I disagree that they smell. This guy had no smell whatsoever.

I kept his huge cage extremely clean. I finally released him in a very safe place where I see him pretty frequently. Phyllis DeGioia January 21, Years ago a storm destroyed a tree with two young squirrels, neighbor boy took the male. I got the female. Phyllis DeGioia November 21, Geckos make lovely pets as long as they have proper husbandry.

Most diseases that reptiles get are related to poor husbandry, so do your research and have a proper environment and you will have a happy, fun pet with a gecko! How about a green gecko? I have had them before and remember them being pleasant to be around. Very glad I came here before I let myself go find one as a pet we had a family squirrels, duh in a tree in our front yard, three of them chased a prowling neighbor cat barking at the retreating cat.

I live 60 miles west of Las Vegas in the rural desert of Nevada. We have ground squirrels here; I think they are "antelope" squirrels. Early this year , I started to feed the quail and dove around my home. The ground squirrels helped themselves to the bird food.

I would sit on the porch and watch them all. The squirrels started coming up near me. I put peanuts down and they would take them. I put the peanuts closer to me until I actually put them between my toes. Then I started putting a trail of peanuts into my house. Shortly, they were coming into my living room and taking the nuts from my toes.

I had up to 6 in my house at once, but only a couple would come to me. As the summer progressed I had small raptors and the resident golden eagle pair prowling the area, and also snakes. By late summer there were only a couple of squirrels left. Now in October, there seems to be only one squirrel left.

This one has been coming into my living room and taking the peanuts I leave on the floor, and from my hand on the floor. Now it will leap over a foot into my hand to take a nut. Just in the last week, it has started jumping onto my my sofa to take the nuts. It will grab a nut and hop down and scurry back out the door. It will come back every couple of minutes for another. It will also shell sunflower seeds right out of my hand. If I am not paying attention and have not left it a nut, it will come and sniff my toes and take a tiny nibble.

It has never come close to breaking skin. It is too small to inflict damage with its teeth and claws. I jump startled, and it will scurry to the door, but will come right back, especially when I talk to it. I am impressed with the courage, boldness, and brashness of this tiny creature.

I am sure it feels triumph at having taken a nut from "the monster" as it hops out the door. I grew up on a farm in Texas. We had cows, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats. Animals have always been a joy to me, but I swear, no animal has ever given me such joy as this beautiful little thing. They are less than half the size of the tree squirrels which this discussion is about. I would not try to capture it and keep it restrained. I hope the birds, snakes, dogs, and cats don't kill it. Taking in an injured or orphaned squirrel is one thing.

But if you just want a pet, all you have to do is entice it with food and it will come to you when it wants, and it will leave when it is full. You get the joy of its beauty without having to provide for all of its needs.

That is my story of my "wild pet" squirrels and I am sticking to it. Phyllis DeGioia September 26, Hi Nutz's momma, How wonderful of you to rehab so many squirrels and release them! Thank you for doing that. Unfortunately, he is not likely to figure out he shouldn't bite his favorite person the hand that feeds him. As wildlife specialist Dr.

Gentz said to another commenter who asked about aggression, "Now that your squirrel has started this behavior, it is unlikely to stop. I am concerned about how many times and how many people he has bitten. I know this is hard to hear, but he would do better out in the wild skimming across trees and coming to you for visits, as do many of your other rehabbed squirrels.

He too will know he can always come to you for food and attention, and I don't think you'll lose sight of him. My heart is with you. I have rehabbed baby squirrels rescued from storms, predators, fallen from nests and who have been abandoned. All have done very well and still come in the evenings for treats. Several will jump on shoulder to enjoy a nut or fruit. This year I was given a male baby that was rescued after his nest tree was cut down killing his mother and siblings. He has a 4ftx6ft cage that is left open in his own room.

I also let him out of his room for about an hour or so each day. Since about 5 months he is only friendly to me. HATES and will bite my husband who has fed him many times in the past. In fact if anyone comes into a room where he and I are, he will bite ME. I thought about having him neutered as it seems this behavior started once his testicles dropped.

But reading that it may make him worse has me second guessing doing it. Hi MlB, I'm glad to hear things are going well with your black squirrel they are so lovely.

Rabbits also like to bite through cables, by the way; it can help to cover the wires with PVC pipe or some other type of cover. Be aware, though, that sexual maturity in squirrels happens between the ages of 1 to 2, and temperaments tend to change then, and some become aggressive.

He may or may not be as sweet afterwards. I have had a black squirrel for about 7 months. It got pushed from its nest at about I would say three weeks old.

It played with my hand and bit softly almost immediately. I keep him inside, no cage, he made a nest ontop of a cabinet close to the ceiling. He bit me hard a couple of times, but that was it. He is now about 7 months, great little guy, very playful with soft biting much like a trained dog. Does although bitebthrough many cables and wires which is the worst thing he does.

Other than that he's kind of awesome. I keep a food tray stocked at his convenience, peanuts, corn cobs, spinach, avocado, mango seed, pine cones, branches and things from outside, also eats various other things, hazelnut, walnut, almonds,little bits of blueberry, whole grain bread.

Want to get some rodent blocks might be a good idea. Thanks for this article. Sigrid Warren, licensed wildlife rehabilitator February 5, Well, at last I read the truth from people who keep squirrels as pets. The aggression as the animal matures even when neutered, something Facebook users vehemently deny.

I have been warning people about keeping a squirrel for well over a dozen years now. What the article does not mention is that a squirrel on the attack will jump in your face and can easily destroy one or both our eyes with its razor sharp claws. I really get upset when I see children in squirrel households. Someone wondered if the aggression has to do with their going into heat twice yearly.

A female will become a very dangerous animal while in heat, and I dread having to overwinter a mature female due to illness. But the aggression stems from the animal being unhappy, plain and simple. A squirrel wants ti race through the tree tops, not dangle from your drapes. It wants to feel the excitement of the wind in its fur, the rush of chasing and being chased by others of its kind, it wants to be FREE.

Wildlife grows up and matures, whereas domestic dogs tend to retain their puppy-like behavior throughout their lives. In my many years of rehabilitating hundreds upon hundreds of squirrels I have learned one thing: they rather be dead than spend their lives in a cage. It does not matter how attached we humans get to them, for their sake we must let them be free. And those who cannot ever be released, sometimes we must make a tough decision.

Our feelings must always come secondary regardless how hard that may be. Maybe the squirrels become aggressive because they mate two times per year and it could be hormones especially with females. Protecting the nest so to speak!

Hi Nicole, I'm sorry to hear that your squirrel's temperament has taken such an unexpected turn. It was so kind of you to rehabilitate him. Have you spoken to the veterinarian who neutered him about the change? I have no idea why he would turn more aggressive after neutering than he was before it.

Unfortunately, as wildlife specialist Dr. Gentz said to another commenter, "Now that your squirrel has started this behavior, it is unlikely to stop. Understand that he may choose not to stay around, or only return infrequently, but he is clearly unhappy. Escalating aggression in any species, whether it be squirrel, dog, or human, is potentially dangerous and your safety and health are primary. I've had a boy squirrel named Willington for about a year and half now.

He fell out of a tree and nearly at death because he was so young, he was a baby. I resucued him back to life and then I got really attached so I kept him. Ever since I got him he has always been attached to only me while my boyfriend always gets attacked by him. I took him to a vet nearby that takes care of squirrels and the doctor told me if you want him to be nice to get him neutered so I did just that and now he is even meaner then he was before.

As of right now he is attacking me now and biting me and I don't know what to do, any suggestions. I really don't want to get rid of him but I feel like something has to be done.

Not so fast, Charlie is 5. Has she ever bitten me, yes, but then I yell at people sometimes too! Squirrels are difficult the first 1. Squirrel lover November 29, Although once old enough and capable of breaking nuts on their own as well as being weeded AND being able to drink water on their own I do allow them to run free outside. They always come home though when they're needing comfort they actually come down my chimney which I leave cracked open inside the house.

When they get old enuf and start to socialize with other squirrels they only come visit once or twice per week, mainly to get easy food from my hands.

I do believe one day in the trees is better than a lifetime in a cage for any wild animal unless it's special needs. I find this article to be just infuriating! My husband and I have 2 grey squirrels that we hand raised from around weeks of age. They are now 2 and 3 years old. And I've had just about any pet you can imagine. Our squirrels, Ipsy and Skipper, female and male, are the best of friends. They play together, sleep together, eat together and give us a good laugh every single day.

They are healthy and well cared for. They are in cages when we are not home or when we have company. If we are home they are free to run around whatever room we are in. Theyare never left inattended, which is extremely irresponsible with a squirrel.

It infuriates me when I see things like oh, my squirrel drowned in the toilet. To say squirrels make terrible pets is Ludacris and irresponsible. They make amazing pets and as someone stated above in other parts of the world, squirrels ARE domesticated animals! They are incredibly smart! Well, if you train them like you would a dog or cat you wont have that issue! Yes they chew! PRovide them with enough stuff to chew on and that isn't a problem either. That is just ridiculous!

Did you DO any research before you wrote this irresponsible article? They have absolutely ZERO odor! They clean themselves like a cat and I've never owned such clean animals! If they do when you take them in a very simple bath will take care of that issue never to be had again! Ours would be DEAD if we hadn't taken them in. The thought of that breaks my heart. It's a wild critter. Why on earth would anyone rescue a squirrel and keep it?

Let alone if it was lice ridden and had diabetes, etc. I worked in the wildlife dept at the spca in college and I will NEVER understand why anyone would want a wild animal- let alone a squirrel! What happened today has broken my heart. The squirrel chewed a hole through its regular caging, and since my brother is pretty busy, he put it in a cage that the squirrel could easily climb through while he left for work.

He came home to find the squirrel dead, drowned its poor self in the toilet. Please take great care with these animals; if you find one please let an experienced rehabilitator return it to the wild, as with any other undomesticated animal. These cute creatures are too curious and driven to be kept in a busy household. I "have" a squirrel lives in the woods and comes "home" only to eat and climb around on me for 30 min to an hour.

She then goes back in the wild. Tim, that's a large and amazing set up for your squirrel! Most people won't go to that effort and will just stick it in a cage as they would a parakeet. The branches are a great idea.

We didn't say squirrels shouldn't be kept under any circumstances; the two squirrels in the article has illnesses and could not be released. Their enclosures are smaller than yours, so they need far more time out of their enclosure. Thanks for telling us about it. I had a pet squirrel fir many years. I raised it from very young, though after its eyes were open. The squirrel was not difficult to care for. Tge suggestion that under no circumstances should anyone try to keep a pet squirrel is ludicrous.

Thus squirrel would have been dead if I hadn't cared for it. Neutering is done to a variety of household pets but can you neuter a squirrel? This article looks into it. You can neuter a squirrel. There are many positives to neutering a squirrel and these include reducing the risk of prostate and testicular illnesses.

Neutering a squirrel will also make the squirrel much less aggressive making it safer to have around your family. You can neuter a squirrel as soon as its testicles drop. In the wild squirrels tend to live up to 5 years. Whereas domestic pet squirrels live up to 12 years. Neutering a wild adult squirrel reduces their aggression.

Neutering of pets in general has also been shown to reduce the risk of prostate and testicular related diseases in animals. You can neuter a squirrel to reduce its aggressive behaviour.

Access through your institution. Add or change institution. Save Preferences. Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Access your subscriptions. Free access to newly published articles. Purchase access. I always start out by letting all my pet babies smell and see me taking care of any baby animal. This includes them in their care and they learn to love them also.

I always hold my babies as this is happening so they can't suddenly decide to attack him. I always put their cage where they can see each other and watch each other play. I would never leave him running loose or allow him to roam freely because it is a natural response to go after squirrels and I have to keep him safe. I am a licenced Wildlife Rehabilitator from TN.

Esbilac is the correct formula to feed infant squirrels. Human milk does not have enough fat in it to substain a growing squirrel. KMR is used on Raccoons and Opossum. If you want to kill a baby squirrel go ahead and feed it goat milk, human milk, cheap puppy milk or any other ridiculas form of milk.

More important than feeding a baby milk is to make sure the baby is keep warm and then hydrated. I use Pedialyte and a small syrigne without the needle and warm the liquid to room temperture.

If you really care about the baby you will call a licenced rehabber and turn it over to their care. Squirrel do not belong in cages for the rest of their lives! How would you feel being locked up waiting for someone to feed you and not doing what comes natural, the act of procreation? Totally agree. I'm in the process right now taking care of a orphaned squirrel at first I hydrated him and I am using the Esbilac for puppies and so far all is well , right now I do have him in a dog cage because we have a dog who will play with him ,I have put some rocks,pinecones leaves and twigs in there too.

What I need to know is while giving the milk to the squirrel can I also give him water , he has a cozy little bed which I change daily and a blanket that I put over him to keep him warm , the trouble I'm having is he moves so much and it breaks my heart not to let him roam around in the wild I totally need a wildlife rehabilitor because while taking care of baby squirrel I am also taking care of my grand-children but there is no one around here and I don't drive ,but I don't want to just let the poor baby go that is just not an option that I will take I called every rehabber in my city, every outlet for abandoned wildlife and nobody would take my boy.

Now I've taken care of him for almost a month. I've done everything by the book. Up every 3 hours feeding him. He is doing everything he is supposed to. So screw the wildlife rehabbers where I live. They didn't give Rocky a chance. So I made the very big decision to take him,in and raise him,on my own. I didn't do it for a fun time.. It's hard work! But I wouldn't change it. I love him now.. Atleast they get at chance at life So yeah, he's not gonna get to live his full wild life, and yes that does make me sad, but atleast he gets to live A life..

I was in this exact situation. Took an injured baby to the Audubon Society and they said all they could do for me was Euthanize Him, just because he was not a Native Species. I couldn't go through with it, so I took him home. I don't want to ruin his chances of Surviving in the wild by raising him in my home, but what else am I supposed to do when the only Rehabor in the Area wants him dead?

We were in the same situation, every rehabber full and the SPCA would euthanize him as well. He's healthy. We ordered nut balls online, have rodent block, pine cones veggies, fruit, greens. He's loose when we are home has a seven foot home made cat Tree made from trees, and a huge ferret cage inside and also has one outside so he can be with us and get used to the outdoors sounds and fresh air!

We love him!! Again, same here. Found 5 weeks old Acorn and hydrated her and sent her to Audobon the next day. They cannot take her in in unless humanly euthananize her. Took her home, 1. Getting used to us which is not good bc they need to be afraid of humans. Still in big box and Milk replacer from GNC which works great , she love walnut and pecans I've read not to overdo it with the nuts or they'll get fat. We Rcvd our red squirrel a few weeks ago she had 3 owners n was eating only peanuts when we rcvd her she's about 3 months old.

I immed started giving her carrots walnuts almonds I gave her a grape I had to make an opening in it for her n I heard the chittering of mine mine mine so cute the pecans got the same chittering reaction so funny. She can't leave us cause her teeth are not sitting right she will never be able to chew hard pieces her jaw was jury at birth. We have to trim her teeth every 2 weeks n she let's us doesn't like it but lays on her back n allows me to trim them.

She will be with us forever she has a number of toys an old wooden bird house with a comforter for a blankee n is in a 4ftx5ftx3ft tall on a rolling platform she loves to run in circles end to end then being held n then goes in circles summersaults in my hands bites my nails n hangs from my hands to play I wiggle my fingers n away she goes end over end she'd be in gymnastics if she was human haha I love her more people would be shocked no scent no poopy messes a perfect pet if she wouldn't chew electric cords etc if let loose.

Gr8 pet. Kimmi, I recently aquired a baby wk old and she is doing well, i have her on esiblac goats milk mixed with water and heavy whipping cream per about 4 other sites ive found im nervous its not the right thing for her but thats why im now trying to do some more research on what to be feeding her.

She loves grapes but wont touch anything else, she also has a stuffed animal squirrel we gave her that she loves to cuddle with and carries around with her even though its almost double her size.

She will not be able to be re released eaither due to 2 birthdefects she has and we are trying to overcome she has what seems to almost be a cleft palet her one side of her left nose doesnt open all the way and her mouth seems to be a little off too and her toe has a huge red bulge on her joint. I was able to get her home and nurse her back to health with the help of some antibiotics for a pretty nasty cold she had on top of it.

Ive had her for a month and i cant get her to eat hard foods at all, i dont know if she will permnatly be on soft food and formula but im thinking maybe her teeth have something to do with it- so my question is this. How do you trim her teeth? This is my first time with a little squirrel and i need to make sure im doing whats best for her so can you just walk me though your teeth trimming process? We have a squirrel that is 8 months old now, I started him out on Esbilac as recommended on some articles, however I quickly ordered FV formula for him, and he thrived on it.

I would say that it was worth the cost, We only had to purchase 3 lbs. All of the others I tried gave him a real runny stool. I knew that couldn't be good for him. Nick at FV was very helpful. Thanks for writing this article, I have a squirrel myself and your information was very helpful.

Does you squirrel have any toys or things to play with? Do not give them toys with plastic eyes. Make sure the eyes are just embroidered on. I just hope we can keep this squirrel alive Thank you and please To the above comment on May 26, Keep the squirrel warm. Give the squirrel "plenty" of warm sugar water to keep it hydrated. They like the sweetness of the sugar so they will take it in. Make a account at www. They helped me with ours that was super skinny from our lack of knowledge.

They also saved his life by my reading a previous post about "Why my squirrel is not moving and gasping for air. Oh and get a scale that weighs in Grams. We have 2 squirrels. One 14 mths, one about 10 weeks. We've used kitten milk replacement on both and they have thrived. My question is about my 14 mth old male. Has anyone experienced aggression in a young make? Although my husband is certainly daddy and he has definitely imprinted on him.

I can not handle him anymore unless daddy is home. Luke I said most of the time he is the sweetest thing. But lately, he has started this growling kinda noise and chattering his teeth and just outright biting to the point you feel under attack. I'm assuming at his age and beind a male, and we believe an alpha male, that it is hormone related. But we've both been bitten pretty badly. Does anyone know if neutering will help? We absolutely can not turn him loose, it would surely be a death sentence.

We've had him since we'll before his eyes were open and he knows no one but us. And while he's not big on strangers, he doesn't have the fear of humans or animals if prey. Not to mention he'd starve. But we are in serious need of help. And now we've just taken in a 2nd, about 10 weeks old or so. Is there any chance of integrating them. Right now the older one appears to be very aggressive toward the baby. The older one sleeps in my husband's pillowcase every night if that gives you any indication of how bonded they are.

That's why we are so confused and upset about this recent behavior. Only goes in his cage! Never has an accident outside the cage. In fact I was cleaning the cage the other night and my husband was holding him. He started squirming and we couldn't figure out why. The minute I got his cage clean he zoomec in there and pee peed and pooped! Hi,I am from India, and my husband has found 2 baby squirrel, about days ago, out of which 1 died may be because of wrong eating method, and he was injured also.

But his sister could manage to live, we are feeding her from past 20 days, I am not sure about her age, but she has got some small hairs now and has got two lower teeth, so after reading many articles about squirrel, I am assuming her is about weeks not sure probably. I am giving her lactogen human infant food whey protein predominant formula , and she was doing good so far, she was active and the stool was also yellow in color which I think is normal, but from last 2 days she has got loose motions, watery green fluid comes out of anus, please help me, if I am feeding her correct food or anything else went wrong, may be due to I changed her cage, the earlier cage was darker that have a lid, and holes in it, but now I have shifted her to open cage with a cotton peices in it.

I am not sure what went wrong please let me know where I have mistaken and yes the squirrel is healthy and active, she play well over my hands, the only thing which worries me is her stool.

They need Esbilac puppy formula they can't handle the enzymes and fat in human baby formula or any cow's milk. Actually, you want to give them scaleded cows milk. Puppy and kitten formula will cause digestive problems. I learned this from my wildlife rehabilitator friend when I started raising my squirrel over 2 years ago.

First of all, this person is in India. They most likely won't have commercial milk replacers. I don't like scalded milk. There are too many problems associated with it. I prefer a goats milk formula. There is a recipe for it on TheSquirrelBoard. The only thing you need to be careful of is some of your native squirrels have a much different diet than native squirrels in the U.

I always use kitten milk replacement for any baby squirrel and so far have never lost one. Mine love dried cat food as they get older, grapes, pecans, peanuts , deer antler to chew on , small carrot pieces, small pieces lettuce or kale.

I put a heating pad under cage or carrier so they stay warm but can't chew up. I include baby blanket and a stuffed animal to sleep with. They naturally burrow under blanket to get to the warm spot. I love every one so much and they are really so sweet to play with. Mine usually come from my cats bringing them to me as babies or my vet calls me to rescue. I never know what new baby will be arriving.

Best formula is Fox Valley, they have different fat balance for different ages, and sell the correct nipples and syringes of various sizes as they grow. Website is also called FoxValley, Nick is super helpful. Formula is made for squirrels, just like Henry's Healthy blocks when they get older, another good made for squirrels product.

My guy is super cuddly and loving with me but will pace if he isn't getting human contact, a very social creature, happiest out four or more hours per day out and touching people. He also growls and violently bites strangers and other animals and will jump back to me and chitter at them like he knows I will be on his side and help like a little bully, so good thing I am anti social because he will hurt people. He isn't neutered and is big, so I bet it is an Alpha thing.

Pees a bit to mark 'his' spots too. Chews the heck out of the wood trim in my house, but he will stop biting or chewing or jumping to a place he shouldn't if I clap my hands and then give training sounds-so I have to be there and watching.

He responds to sharp, staccato commands, or clapped hands to 'stop' or 'come' and purring and chewing when cuddling. Very receptive to learning sound based training, communicative little guy.

Be careful about bytes! But cute pet! Squirrel diet is a good idea.. He has one eye that looks as if it has a gray haze covering it. The other eye looks like it was maybe pecked by a bird. He also has some holes in his one ear. He barely sees. He uses the scanning movements from side to side. I have gotten within inches of him and he responds mainly to sound. We are getting ready for vacation and I hate to leave him without his food. I read that just peanuts aren't good, but initially were just giving them to "our" squirrels as a treat.

It has been nearly for a few days and he comes up to our stone porch and spreads out I think to try and cool off some. Any general suggestions? For the sight-impaired squirrel in the previous comment You are right, that peanuts are not the best for a steady diet.

While you are out of town you might want to leave a large woodpecker block that you can get any place that sells wild bird food. Also, when you are in town, you might offer fresh veggies like kale, tomatoes, sweet peppers, etc.

Also, since the temperature is so hot, please leave a source of water. If possible a pan of water with a hose slowly dripping into it, to keep it fresh. Thank you for caring for your squirrel friends! I am so glad I found your website,very informative. I found 4 babies back in Feb. He has a indoor cage and I also got him a chicken coop for outdoor play, and of course he runs free in the house alot too. My arms and shoulders look alot like yours, although he has never once bit me, just others.

He knows I'm his momma. Thanks again.. How to Care for the baby Squirrels found in my yard? Recently, I have bought a flying squirrel. My baby squirrel is almost 5 months i can tell his winter coat is starting to grow but he has a bald spot in the middle of his back any ideas of what could be wrong? I have a question seeing as you have raised them from babies..

I have tried the warm q tip thing and it's just not working.. What do I do? I have a 6 month old boy squirrel, named blue. I got him a couple of days after being born. I feed him esbilac puppy food replacement.

His now looks full grown. I bottleathsd feed him with a syringe, and I gave him bathes in the sink at about 3 weeks, I always rubbed his butt and pepe, with a tissue, and he would go to bathroom. Or if water ran over his privates, he would go. So everytime I feed him, he got a rinse off, with warm water, and went potty. So now he always potties after eating and goes in a little litter box. Just keep ticckling his privates he will go. Really great information Thanks for writing this, its been so helpful, I have a rescued squirrel that is only 7 weeks old and I got in touch with local wildlife rescue.

Somehow they convinced me to take care of her myself and told me what to get at the petstore ,formula for her. Now,I'm getting extremely attached! The wildlife rescue here,amazing to talk someone into doing it themselves when I don't do this year round like them and emotionally used to letting them go eventually.

But apparantly they are overwhelmed with orphaned litters. My husband found a wk old squirrel in the yard in Sept while he was mowing I also called squirrel rescue. I used the Ebsilac formula per bottle then used a dish until he refused it. He loves all nuts, apples, cheerios at times, sweet potatoes, tree bark and seeds. Trying to get him to eat more veggies.

However, I too have become attached to our baby Rocky, an Eastern Gray. He is like a cat-dog-monkey in one! He plays tag, runs after nuts and wrestles with a small stuffed animal. I don't like to see animals caged and began taking him outside for hrs daily, staying out with him. On Nov 8th, he went up a tree and wouldn't come back. I cried, bribed and begged him.

We put up 5 wooden tree houses. We made them and put about 20 ft up in trees. I filled them with pillow stuffing and food. He stayed out for about 24 days. The Ohio weather began to get really cold, then snow. I then brought him back in. He is the sweetest.

He gets out in a 26' x 5' mudroom to play for hrs per day. I keep the shade open on a floor length window on the back mudroom door. He looks out often but doesn't seem sad.

He seems happy to be in a warm place with food, although he gets bored at times. His cage is 4ft x 4 ft-we had purchased a larger one every few months as he grew.

I'm looking for some wooden balls bigger than marbles so he can play and roll them around. My goal is to release him in late Spring. He will have the 5 apartments by the pond to chose from He has been a great joy and gift for us empty nesters! My little one is about 8 weeks now, I think she was about 5 weeks when my hasband saved her. Kiki is doing wonderful and seems just as happy as can be. We have started introducing new real food to her and she is taking them well and also still being a little piggy when its milk time.

I have read just about every article I have found so I know what she needs. However, I am not sure when I should take her off formula? Even though she is eating food she still acts like she is starving at milk time. What age should she be weaned off milk? I fed mine milk until he didnt want it anymore. The milk has alot of good vitamins they need. Now he is 5 months, looks full grown and has all hair.

He eats everything vegs fruit and nuts. It's been over a month since we saved our Rocko. I've been reading alot about grey squirrels and learning alot as I go. So far I haven't seen anything about which states where its leagal to have one. I love my lttle guy and I know he loves me. I live in California is it leagal to have a grey squirrel or what? I couldn't bear of loosing him! I to am trying to figure out what states it is illegal to raise a squirrel and have not found anything.

I live in Ohio and it's illegal to raise wild animals here since that idiot in Bainbridge killed himself after releasing a variety of wild animals, including lions, bears Very sad. I guess you could check google with your specific state.

They will fine us and euthenize him if found out! Wali was brought in by the cat, just a few days old I raised him by bottle feeding him and nursing his wounds. I tried to release him when he was about 5 months old. The other squirrels beat him up and he came running back. Well this past Easter he escaped for 4 days, when he came home he was terrified.. A few days later he had a sore under his arm. I treated it but it wouldn't heal I watched a you tube video and removed it..

He has always been so lovable.. My problem is he bit me a couple of days ago and now yesterday he attacked me. He always came to me when I called him but he doesn't come now.. What do you think I should do I'm heartbroken. The aggressiveness you are seeing is common in male squirrels, because they like to take their place in the herarchy. He is trying to challange you for dominence.