


Squirrels are quick, so have the area ready with secured entryways so the animals cannot speedily escape.īe careful allowing pets to share common areas. Scampering around the house or designated area is good for their bodily development and sense of adventure. Let the squirrel out of its cage a couple of hours each day. Small animal toys are available in pet stores and pet supply outlets. Little ones need toys to play with, which will help to focus their attention, keep them actively moving for healthy development, and fosters a positive mindset, so they don’t become anxious or depressed.

Keep the cage clean as you would for other domestic pets like hamsters or gerbils. If a baby squirrel does get chilled, don’t feed it until the body temperature rises to normal, as babies cannot digest food while cold. A small animal pouch like those used for possums will help to keep the baby warm as well. The heating cushion should be under just part of the bedding so that the other part remains cool if the baby tries to move away and cool down. A warming blanket or heating pad set at about 100 degrees can be placed under a soft blanket that serves as bedding. If the cage is placed in a drafty location, as in a shed or barn, it’s probably best to partially cover the cage with a heavy cloth to hold in the heat when the temperature drops.īabies need body heat to survive. Outdoor cages should be sheltered from the elements and protected in bad weather, like heavy rain or snow and high winds. You might want to place newspaper or a tarp under the cage to catch fallout. They’ll even defecate and urinate on the sides of the cage to keep it away from the interior. Squirrels like clean living space and they toss debris like leftover food or toys out of the cage. The cage can be kept indoors or outdoors in temperate weather. Keeping squirrels as pets means you will have to make or build a sizable cage as housing. They are not as docile as dogs nor as independent as cats, and extra care will be required. Before making this decision, it is a good idea to find out what will be needed to raise healthy, well-adapted baby squirrels as pets. These may be cared for by a vet or wildlife rehabilitator who can nurse the baby to healthy adulthood and then safely release it into the woods.Īlso, squirrel breeders sell babies as pets for those who are willing to take on the challenge. However, baby squirrels are sometimes rescued in the wilderness after being abandoned by their moms or getting injured. They are born in the wild and are extremely difficult to train for a domestic lifestyle. The short answer is no you should not try to capture and keep an adult squirrel. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Ĭan you have squirrels as pets? This is a popular question often asked of veterinarians.
