Having a pet squirrel is surely a charming pet. From their fluffy tails to their quick movements and cute behavior. A photo of a squirrel for sale might make you think of bringing a squirrel wild animal to the comforts of your home. But, it is vital to point out that their ownership is equally challenging and complex, making it fairly different from the care required for a cat or a dog.
This blog will provide you the information you need to prepare for squirrel ownership. We will cover the legal aspects, the care specifics, the benefits and disadvantages, and the legal sources from where you can get one. These aspects and the wildlife’s overall care and health depend on your consideration.
Is Keeping a Pet Squirrel Legal?
Before you even begin searching to buy a pet squirrel, the first and most crucial point is to understand the pet squirrel ownership laws. Being a pet owner is a different thing for a country, a state, and even a city. In most areas, the ownership of wildlife, such as the Eastern Gray squirrel, is illegal.
Understanding the Law
- State Wildlife Regulations: All the states in the U.S. have laws that regulate which animals can and can’t be kept as pets. Squirrels usually fall under the designation of “Wildlife” or “Game Animals.” Owning them privately is illegal without special permits. Unfortunately, these permits are usually reserved for wildlife rehabilitators, schools, or scientific research institutes.
- Species Matters: The type of squirrel in question can greatly determine the legality of owning one. In most states, owning a native Gray or Red Squirrel is illegal, but some states have different rules for non-native or “Exotic” species, like Prevost’s Squirrel or Flying Squirrels. There are, however, rules and regulations that tend to be associated with these as well.
- Zoning and Local Ordinances: Even if your state allows for squirrel ownership, your city or county may have regulations that specifically prohibit exotic pets. Always check your local jurisdiction prior to squirrel ownership.
Not following these rules may lead to hefty fines, losing the animal, and other possible legal issues. Don’t take a squirrel from the wild and try to keep it as a pet. It is illegal in most places, and the animal’s well being is at stake.
The Reality of Squirrel Care
Squirrels are wild animals that cannot be tamed, so they need more than just a cage and a few peanuts. Squirrel care is more than a few nuts a day. Time and finances are also important and should be prioritized.
Squirrel Care – Housing
Squirrels cannot be kept in a small cage, as they are active and need room to jump and hoola.
- Enclosure Size: For a single squirrel, the smallest enclosure that is recommended is often 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep and 8 feet tall. However, the enclosure should ideally be a dedicated room, as that will more than meet the requirements of a multi-level aviary. The material for the enclosure should be strong wire mesh, as squirrels can easily chew through plastic and wood.
- Enrichment is Essential: Squirrels need to chew and climb, so they should be supplied with natural branches, thick and thin. Squirrels should also be given hammocks, shelves, ropes, and various nest boxes and dreys for sleeping and safety. Natural behavior indicating foraging toys are important for mental stimulation.
Diet: More Than Just Acorns
- Feeding a squirrel is not as simple as giving them some seeds or nuts. Such a diet violates the dietary complexities of a squirrel and can cause various health concerns when feeding a squirrel in captivity. One of the major ailments caused due to improper feeding is metabolism bone disease.
- For a squirrel, a imbalanced diet with no variations is likely to lack a foundational rodent block. It should be tailored specifically towards the squirrel substrate. Within the rodent block is a valuable combination of minerals and vitamins, included calcium and phosphorus. In the squirrel diet, block should comprise nearly 80 alien artifacts.
- .Supplement the squirrel diet daily with various health, low oxate rodent blocks. Acceptable options include leafy green blends, such as, kales, arugula, and squash, or mushrooms and broccoli.
- Fruits, seeds, and nuts should always be reserved and given as occasional prizes or rewards due to their high phosphorus, low calcium, and fat content. An adult squirrel stand to benefit more when limited to only one or two nuts a day.
Bones and teeth can suffer severely in the absence of a natural/calcium source. Cuttlebone or cleaned deer antlers can be provided.
Health and Veterinary Needs
Vets capable of treating squirrels are hard to find and most ordinary vets do not practice exotic pet medicine so you will need to find a professional in wildlife or exotic animal medicine and you should do this before getting a squirrel.
Some health problem with pet squirrels include:
- MBD: painful and often fatal due to lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet.
- Dental Issues: teeth grow constantly. Squirrels need the proper gnawing materials so this issue does not get out of hand where they cannot eat.
- Injuries: high level of activity leads to higher risk of falls and injuries.
- Parasites: like any animal, they are susceptible to internal and external parasites.
They are costly but a necessary expense. you are responsible for the payment.
Where to Find a Pet Squirrel for Sale
If you have confirmed it is legal in your area and ready for the commitment, the source of your squirrel is crucial. The only ethical and legal way is to get it from a registered breeder.
- breeders In states where squirrel ownership is legal, there are USDAlicensed breeders who specialize with raising certain species for the pet trade. These breeders should have proof of their license as well as documentation regarding the lineage of their animals. In the case of reliable breeders, they give care instructions.
- Scam and illegal sellers Be extra careful of online posts, especially those from classified and social media sites. Most of the ‘pet squirrel for sale’ posts are scams and capture wild animals illegally. Such animals, referred to as poached squirrels, are in most cases traumatized, sick, and infected with diseases. Such trade should be condemned as unethical and cruel.
Do not forget that rehabilitators do not supply sources for pets. Their legal and ethically permissible domain involves the rescue, treating and releasing of wild animals in their natural homes. They do not give out non-releasable animals for adoption as pets.
The advantages and disadvantages of pet squirrels
The unique experience of pet squirrels is one that one needs to give careful consideration for the benefits and the challenges that comes with owning it.
The advantages
Notable traits: These animals are one of the most intelligent, forming attachment with the main caregiver. They exhibit playful behavior and are curious, providing enjoyment to the observer.
- Unique Companionship: Bonds with pets such as squirrels can bring fulfillment to one’s life whereas nothing else may serve such a purpose. For some, exotic pets are a real bargain because they are different.
- Long Lifespan: For those who want a companion capitive squirrels are the best as they can live for a decade or even longer.
The Cons:
- Destructive Behavior: The moment a squirrel makes it home with you, there’s no telling the havoc it can unleash. These pets are natural chewers and will cut down anything from you to the furniture, walls, wires and even the doors, as long as it stands in their path. You will end up with deep claw marks as a result of their bad habit.
- They Are Not Cuddly Pets: The action of sitting calmly with any squirrel is unheard of. Identifying a peaceful squirrel is like looking for a unicorn. They’re constantly on the move and require something active to do. One of the ways in which they can express their dissatisfaction is by biting.
- Difficult to Socialize: Having multiple pets is a challenging and complicated stratergy. Horses and ponies do not mix well with other pets as they will be scared of them. Squirrels tend to connect with only a single individual, which makes them appear to be aggressive. Having people over can be quite a challenge.
- Messy Habits: You will certainly be left wondering whether they are indeed your pets or your roommates as they will eat without any sense of care. The inability to be trained is a real flimsy excuse.
- High Cost and Commitment: A proper setup requires important and costly enclosures. An ongoing specialized diet along with enrichment and exotic vet care also adds quickly. Because they can live so long, this is a commitment of over a decade.
The Verdict on Pet Squirrel Ownership
The phrase “pet squirrel for sale” can prompt a curious image doused in fantasies, however it is a route that is not practical for most. Squirrels, wild animals, do not shed their instincts as one enters a domesticated arena. Their arrangements are far more complicated than many animals kept as pets.
Proper squirrel ownership requires a lot of research, a lot of money, space, and above all knowledge of animal behavior. It is a major lifestyle change when accommodating a animal that is a strong chewer, climber, and a possible biter.
For exotic pet owners, confirmed local legality, and completely ready for the struggle, you might believe that acquiring a squirrel can be done easily, however it is not. For the majority, the most recommended way to appreciate these amazing animals is to look at them in their natural habitat and from a far.
