Squirrel Nesting Habits: Where and How They Build Their Homes

Squirrels are fascinating creatures that, in addition to their acrobatic nature, are curious and playful. While they are not as common a house pet as cats and dogs, some species of them do make very good pets for those who are ready for their specific needs. In case you are a fresher in adopting a squirrel, it is really important to comprehend what breeds will be best adapted for domestication.

What are the Best Pet Squirrel Breeds for Beginners

In this article, we are sharing the best squirrel breeds for beginners: their nature, the conditions of care, and the reason probably they would be perfect for your home.

1. Eastern Gray Squirrel

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is probably the best-known species and can often be found throughout North America. Such gray squirrels are highly adaptable to different environments. If you are thinking of keeping them as a pet, they are active, curious, and might prove fun with enough space and stimulation.

• Temperament: Active, inquisitive, social when tamed
• Lifespan: Up to 6-12 years in captivity
• Care Requirements: it is necessary to provide a large enclosure and at the same time some branches for climbing, along with various toys to keep them amused. In addition, they should be fed a balanced diet that must necessarily include, among others, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and pellets for squirrels.
• Ideal for: Owners who can provide lots and lots of attention and interaction.

2. Southern Flying Squirrel

Southern Flying Squirrels also make a very good choice for anyone just getting into owning squirrels. They are substantially smaller in size compared to many other species, thus much easier to handle. The special ability that they possess of gliding in between trees is just something amazing to see. They are also known to become attached closely with owners and thus can be great for people wanting a companion animal.

• Temperament: Playful, social, nocturnal
• Lifespan: 10-15 year in captivity
• Care Needed: Tall cage with much vertical space to allow gliding. Diet is nuts, fruits, and insects. Nocturnal; thus, peak activities take place in the dark.
• Owner: great for someone who doesn't want any noise through the day from their pet at all, but really loves to interact with them in the evening.

3. Fox Squirrel

The Fox Squirrel represents the largest species of squirrels in North America and makes such an unusual pet. Due to their larger size, they require more space than stimulation compared to smaller breeds. Fox Squirrels are intelligent and, to a certain degree, can be trained, thus being an entertaining and rewarding pet for the right owner.

• Temperament: Independent; may be tame and friendly
• Lifespan: 8-18 years in captivity
• Care Requirements: They need a large outdoor enclosure or be able to enter a large room for climbing and exploration. They will remain healthy with a diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
• Best for: Pet owners who have a yard and can commit to training sessions.

4. Prevost's Squirrel

Prevost's Squirrel is rather an unusually-looking animal that has this striking tricolor coat of black, white, and orange. While they may be a bit uncommon as pets, serious, experienced owners with much background in keeping squirrels house them. Being far more solitary in nature than some species, talented socialization in life's early stages is necessary. They would be suited better for someone who has prior experience with exotic pet care because of the specific care that they need. 

• Temperament: Not too demanding, independent; may become attached with regular handling
• Lifespan: living in captivity, 10-15 years
• Care Requirements: Need a large, high cage with plenty of branches and climbing facilities. Foods include: fruits, vegetables, seeds, and commercial squirrel food.
• Best for: Advanced owners or people who want a pet to ornament their home.

5. Red Squirrel

The Red Squirrel is smaller and follows a very territorial nature. These are seldomly kept as pets, but they can be very affectionate with the right treatment and patience. Red Squirrels work best for an individual who has experience in raising rodents or other small animals.

• Temperament: Lively, dog protective, and independent
• Lifespan: 5-10 in captivity
• Care Needed: They require a large enclosure that allows the animals to climb and play. A diet containing nuts, seeds, and fruits should be well balanced for them to live a healthy life.
• Best for: Advanced owners who have experience with the needs and requirements of territorial animals.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet Squirrel

While squirrels can be adopted as interesting pets, they do require much attention and space, and they need huge care as well. Here are a few of their essential needs to be taken into consideration when adopting a squirrel as your pet

1. Legal Issues: It is illegal to keep squirrels as pets in many areas. Check your local laws about wildlife and pets before adopting.
2. Space: Squirrels are well taken care of in big cages, which have enough space to climb, play, and glide, especially breeds that need wide spaces like the Flying Squirrel.
3. Time Commitment: Squirrels require interaction and stimulation daily to keep them happy and healthy.
4. Diet: If at all possible, a squirrel should have a diet that consists of what it would be taking in from the wild-scents of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, with some supplemental insect protein.
5. Veterinary care: Not all vets know how to treat squirrels, so make sure you have an exotic animal vet available.

Best Squirrel Breed as Pet for Beginners

In a nutshell, the squirrel is one of the most interesting creatures worldwide due to their agility, intelligence, and playful nature. While to many they may appear to be wild animals, several species can be tamed and make wonderful pets. However, a word of caution can be given that this type of pet care for squirrel pets could demand huge responsibility.

Among various species of squirrel the best breed is:

Southern Flying Squirrel

It is considered the best breed for the amateur. Let's explanation begin about what a good breed that species is for first time squirrel raisers

1. Size and Manageability

Compared to other species of squirrels, the Southern Flying Squirrels are small in size. It usually has a length in the range of 5 to 6 inches and generally weighs about 2 to 3 ounces. In this regard, the size makes the pet manageable in comparison with large breeds of domesticated squirrels such as Fox Squirrels or Prevost's Squirrels. As will be explained below, their enclosures need not be as big as the space required for the bigger breeds.

2. Temperament

Flying Squirrels are affectionate and social creatures. If tamed when young, they cling to the owner and enjoy being taken along. They are playful and very inquisitive, which makes them an extremely fun pet. However, they are nocturnal, so they are active at night. For some owners, this may be ideal, since most people are not home during the day.

3. Low Space Requirement

Flying squirrels do not have as great a requirement for vertical space as larger tree-dwelling species. A tall cage with a branch or two, some ropes, and an area to glide is all that is needed. They do enjoy gliding, but this behavior can actually easily be adapted within a vertically appropriate enclosure.

4. Life expectancy

Since flying squirrels are known to live for 10-15 years in captivity, they can be long-term companions and shall prove to be a very excellent choice for those seeking a long-lasting pet relationship.

Do Pet Squirrels Get Along with other Pets?

Probably one of the most asked questions that people ask, who want to own a squirrel as pets, is whether they can keep them in a house where already other pets found such as dogs, cats, or birds. It would depend on what kind of temperament the squirrel and other household pets have.

• Instincts of Predation in Other Pets: Some dogs and cats-view them more as prey, mainly because of their high prey drive, than as companions. Terriers, in particular, are bred with the instincts to run after small animals. You will also need to take a good hard look at the personality of your other pets, as introducing a pet squirrel to a dog or cat with high prey drive can be dangerous.

• Guided Interactions: Any interactions between these animals and your squirrel should be carefully observed. Many times, just a playful swipe with cats and dogs may indeed harm the squirrel. Squirrels should be placed in a secure enclosure whenever you are not around or directly supervising them. Also, gradual introductions might help alleviate tension between pets; however, that is no place to leave them alone unsupervised.

• The Compatibility of Birds: With birds, depending on the species-such as parrots or budgies-a pet squirrel might get along just fine if the circumstances permit. Both animals are small in nature and can coexist without initiating a prey versus predator dynamic. However, make sure they have different cages and supervise any interaction.

• Companionship from Squirrels: Curiously, squirrels get along pretty well with their own kind. If you're intending to adopt a squirrel, it would be a good idea to adopt two in the same litter. Squirrels are social animals, and having a friend can grant them much mental activity to not feel bored.

Common Health Problems in Squirrels

Like all pets, the pet squirrels are also susceptible to a host of health issues that one is supposed to be informed of in order to take proper precautions to maintain good health in the pet. Following are some of the common health issues in squirrels.

1. Malnutrition

Among the grave problems one may find in a pet squirrel, malnutrition is one. The diet of a squirrel living in nature consists of nuts, fruits, vegetables, and insects. However, due to a lack of knowledge, most people who START raising a squirrel make the mistake of feeding their squirrels nothing but nuts, due to which vital nutrients become deficient.

• Symptoms: Weight loss, bones frail, coat in poor condition.
• Prevention: A diet that is a balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and specifically formulated squirrel food is recommended. Calcium supplements are also needed to prevent metabolic bone diseases, common among domesticated squirrels.

2. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Metabolic Bone Disease is a severe condition caused by calcium deficiency in which the bones are either weak or deformed. This primarily occurs in squirrels that have been fed on a diet that lacks calcium and vitamin D. 

• Symptoms include: Lameness, inability to walk, fractures, and soft or rubbery jaw. 
• Prevention: Primary metabolic bone disease can be prevented with proper supplementation of calcium and vitamin D3 along with exposure of the animal to some natural sunlight or artificial UVB lighting. 

3. Dental Issues 

Their teeth grow continuously, hence the need always to be chewing something hard to avoid the overgrowth of the teeth. Lack of proper dental care results in overgrowth of the teeth in squirrels, hence poor eating, further leading to a variety of ills. 

• Symptoms it causes: Overgrown teeth, trouble eating, drooling. Prevention: Provide your squirrel with hard items to chew on, like branches or specific chew toys. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian will also help you find dental problems early on. 

4. Parasite 

Both internal and external parasites can be a problem in pet squirrels. Mites, fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms are especially a common problem if the squirrel was simply caught wild or otherwise interacted with other outdoor animals. 

• Signs: Pruritus, alopecia, cachexia, lethargy. 
• Prevention: Regular vet checkups and flea medication will keep your squirrel parasite-free. Keep them in a clean environment, and they should avoid contact with wild squirrels. 

5. Respiratory Infections 

Squirrels are also prone to respiratory infections, especially if one is kept in an area that is damp or freezingly cold. Respiratory infections are usually caused by a virus, bacteria, and even cold drafts. 

• Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing with nasal discharge, laboured breathing. 
• Prevention: Provide a clean, dry environment, at an appropriate temperature, for your squirrel. Early signs of respiratory infection require immediate consultation with a veterinarian. 

Conclusion 

Proper selection of the appropriate breed of pet squirrel and familiarization with its needs provide a plus in responsible ownership. One of the best options for new comers is the Southern Flying Squirrel, due to its manageable size, social disposition, and relatively less overall care needed. Generally speaking, squirrels can be combined with other animals, but attentive care should be provided, particularly when keeping them with those pets that may have strong instincts of predation. In addition, the knowledge of main health problems (malnutrition, metabolic bone disease, dental problems, parasites, and respiratory infections) enables a new owner to avoid such health risks.

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