How to Raise Ground Squirrels

Investigate the age and life background of your squirrel before you bring it home. Younger squirrels are easier to tame than older ones, as are those raised in captivity. Adult animals captured in the wild may have been stressed from the capture and wary of people; they rarely can be trained to be suitable pets.

Commit yourself to caring properly for your squirrel over the course of its lifetime. Expect your squirrel to live from three to six years, depending on the species.

Provide proper shelter for your squirrel. It will be happiest in a shelter that resembles its natural environment. Most ground squirrels live in burrows in the wild; a multilevel ferret cage or other large enclosure will give it room to move as it would in a burrow, as well as space to stand up. The cage should be kept lined with clean, unscented wood shavings or a suitable type of small animal bedding. Fine shavings can irritate the squirrel's eyes and nose and should be avoided. Provide a box for nesting and soft nesting materials such as straw and soft cloth for the squirrel to shred. Also provide two boxes of sand: one for use as a latrine, the other for digging.

Keep your squirrel from getting bored. Lengths of 3- to 4-inch diameter PVC pipe, pieces of cloth for chewing and shredding and washable wooden boards placed at different heights make the environment in the cage more interactive and interesting. Another way to keep your squirrel engaged is to rearrange these elements regularly. Squirrels also love to run and need to burn off energy, so a wheel in the cage may be a wise investment. A large, solid (not wide mesh) wheel for rats would be the best choice--squirrels have long toenails that can get caught in a mesh wheel.

Ensure your squirrel is properly fed. Fresh greens (such as romaine lettuce and dandelion greens and flowers) and fresh fruit (such as melon, bananas and apple pieces) are good choices, as are unsalted nuts and seeds. Commercially available feed for prairie dogs is also an option. Provide a water bottle in the cage for your squirrel, but remember that they rarely drink water in the wild, preferring to get their water from vegetable and fruit sources. Experiment with different food items, as individual squirrels vary in their preferences. Also remember that ground squirrels typically love to eat and can overeat to the point of sickness if given the opportunity, so avoid the temptation to overfeed.

Train your squirrel. Many species do not take naturally to human contact, and only become comfortable being held and petted after repeated exposure to people. When you first get your squirrel, hold it as often as you can to help it get used to you. Be mindful not to grip it too tightly, as this can injure it or obstruct its breathing. Do not let the squirrel jump out when you open its cage; make sure it always jumps onto your arm first before you bring it out. Be firm when training a squirrel; it must be conditioned to consider you dominant. However, once accustomed to you, your squirrel will be an affectionate and loyal pet.

Be vigilant of your squirrel's health needs. Respiratory problems are common and can be mitigated by running a misting humidifier about a yard from the cage for about half the day. Other common problems, such as overgrown toenails and incisors, can be mitigated by providing the squirrel with sufficient stimulation and opportunity for physical activity in its cage. This will allow it ample opportunity to dig and chew, as it would in its natural environment.

Treat your squirrel with respect. Squirrels have a variety of vocalizations they use to express emotion. Learn how your squirrel communicates and respond to its needs.