Can you keep a squirrel as a pet?

Question

does anyone have one? how would you get one? if you can't have them as pets, why not?

Answer 1

i dont have one, but i dont see why you can't keep one as a pet

Answer 2

You can keep most things as a pet, the question is: Should you?

You could "befriend" one and start out by feeding it and moving it's dish closer and closer to your home - some will eat out of your hand in no time. But... that can be dangerous! So I am not sugesting this at all!

It would be best to have something like that from it's start as a baby, and I don't think it would be easy. Squirrels have so many instinctive qualities that it would be nearly impossible to provide for in a "home setting".

Just read up on them, if it's really what you enjoy and make your yard very squirrel friendly! You will have a lot of squirrel friends in no time!

Answer 3

Yes, if you have done enough research on them. I wouldn't suggest trying to just take one out of a tree though. The best way to do it would be to get one from an experienced exotic animal breeder (and before you do that, make sure they are legal in your area) Usually people who breed exotic animals want the best for them, so they will lead you through the process step by step. If you get a squirrel, usually you get it when it is not quite weaned (you have to feed it) and then you let it sleep in a bonding pouch which is a thing that slings over your neck. Then it gets used to being around you, and it learns that being with you is a safe and comforting thing. Then they can be very good pets. As always-- do the research! :)

Answer 4

Actually after the hhurricanes in Florida a few years ago there was a big problem of people finding baby squirrels who were blown out of their nests and there was a local wildlife rehabilitator which we went to to see how to raise the 2 we found in our yard. She had over 300 squirrels that she had taken in and was getting more by the day. So we agreed to take a few from her. We raised them since they were babies in the house and they were VERY friendly and enjoyed climbing on you. Though as they got older they we knew we had to return them to the wild as our original plan. So we began moving their cage, it used to belong to a lady w/ a very large parrot and was on wheels so it was quite big for them, onto the porch and then began opening the door to let them explore. Now they are out in the wild but come back every day to sit at the sliding glass door until someone comes and opens it. Then they will generally climb up and sit on your shoulder until you give them a peanut.
They don't like being petted much, but that's only because we didn't pet on them much when they were babies because they were to be returned to the wild, except Sterling which my mom loved on and she will sit there and lets my mom still pet on her.
So if you raise them from babies then yes they can become pets.
But if you are looking for more of a pet, try flying sauirrels, we own two, or sugar gliders. They are very friendly, and once again get them from a breeder when they are babies and they will be excellent pets to have. Our male flying squirrel just loves to be on you and jump from person to person, you can train them when they're younger to not be on furniture by encouraging them to be on you.
I hope this helps

Answer 5

I used to know a family who had one. But I wouldn't advise it unless the squirrel had been raised in captivity from day 1: Squirrels have sharp teeth (for cracking open nuts) and long sharp claws, after all.

Answer 6

okay.. squirrels DO NOT carry rabies.. as they have no salivay glands!!! but yes they can carry certain diseases.. but it would be obvious. They do tame down if got when a baby.. but as they get older.. hormones set in.. they do not like being in cage.. they are rodents.. and must chew on something.. your furniture.. lol.. to keep their teeth worn down.. they also like to climb all over you.. You are their tree... and their nails are like razors.. so.. best to leave the little things in the wild where they belong.
they do sell flying squirrels which are much different.

Answer 7

i am invovled in squirrel rescue and have had a total of 3 living indoors as "pets" because they were bottle fed from before they had hair

two females and one male, both were released as soon as it was warm enough for them to survive 100% outside

i fed them parrot pellet, kaytee exact for macaws, they had to be dewormed, my vet sees them but they have to be sedated because they are really irritable with strangers

there is a whole club for people who keep grey squirrels as pets, i never kept them for longer than i had to because they are very skittish and need almost constant maintenance of thier temperment, and they have extremely sharp teeth and nails that cant be clipped or dulled

so good luck if you decide to keep one, but they are really not for the weak of heart, they can live 15+ years and demand alot of attention, they can be noisy and males HAVE to be neutered

dont know where to get a baby, they just end up with me, peopel bring them in, but ask around the local pet stores, and let them know if someone brings a baby in youll foster it

they are illegal to keep as pets

Answer 8

It is illegal to keep them as pets in many states without proper licensing- I can't seem to find a listing for all states, but check with your state's fish and game department.

They are wild animals, not pets:
http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html#Q32

Read 'Do squirrels make good pets?'

Lastly, squirrels can carry rabies- if you keep one illegally, you will be unable to obtain vet care for it, including it's rabies shots, which can endager you and your family.

Answer 9

They are very skttish animal. The one I had looked cute, but had an attitude of wild. Squirrls are not domesticated. They carry parasites, and are very very messy. they poop and pee on you worse than a domestic rat. They can bite very hard with their nut cracking front teeth. The even bite when being fed milk thru a bottle. They have alot of energy, cant sit still except for naps after feeding. An they will bite guests viscously! Even when just playing, they can hurt your skin badly. [e-mail]

Answer 10

A squirrel, raised -entirely- in captivity, has a personality very similar to a chinchilla. They're independent and excitable, but can be hand-tamed with a little persistence.

Answer 11

it depends on where you are. It is illegal to own a squirrel in some areas because they are a rodent. Wild ones also carry diseases.

ask your local animal enforcement agency if it is legal to have one in your area, then find a breeder or petshop that supplies them. your local vet might be able to help.
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