Eastern Grey Squirrel Care

Eastern grey squirrels, common all over North America, live anywhere large deciduous trees grow. This usually means forests, but it may also include yards and city parks. In the wild, they make nests in trees, either in branch crevices or trunk holes. Despite the name, some grey squirrels may be completely black. Many states don't allow squirrels to be kept as pets, but if an injured or infant one is found -- and a professional wildlife rehabilitator cannot be located -- it's important to know how to keep the animal healthy.

  1. Adult Squirrel Feeding and Health

    • In the wild, eastern grey squirrels eat a variety of nuts and seeds, as well as flowers, fruit, fungi, insects and sometimes bird eggs or baby birds. Once in captivity, a squirrel needs to be provided with a similarly well-rounded diet, mostly vegetables and fruit. Parrot feed is a good source of seeds squirrels like. Squirrel teeth grow throughout the animal's life, so chewing material like bones or hard bark should be provided. A constant supply of water -- whether in a dish or bottle attached to the cage -- is also needed. Exercise and good nutrition will ensure a squirrel's health. Signs of an unhealthy squirrel include watery eyes, listlessness and excessive skin scratching or weight loss.

    Adult Squirrel Housing and Behavior

    • Eastern grey squirrels live in trees and usually make their nests out of leaves; but they can also use grass, twigs, moss, feathers and shredded bark. In any captive habitat, it is best to imitate their natural world inside a wire-mesh cage that is at least three feet square. A boxed-in area should be provided for nesting. Deposit the usual items a squirrel will use to create a nest on the bottom of the cage. Branches should be placed around the cage as well -- so the squirrel can get the kind of exercise it would in the wild -- running along tree trunks and branches. Eastern grey squirrels are solitary creatures and should be kept away from other pets. They are inquisitive, alert and fairly aggressive, and unlike most other rodents, they are most active during the day.

    Infant Squirrel Feeding and Health

    • Precise care of an orphaned infant eastern grey squirrel is crucial to its survival. It is advised to try reuniting it with its mother first, by placing it outside in a box with a hot water bottle. If the infant isn't retrieved within two hours -- or because it is sick, injured or cold -- then it will need to be cared for. Infant squirrels get dehydrated very easily. The best solution is unflavored Pedialyte served at a lukewarm temperature, administered with a 1cc oral syringe. They also need to be fed formula. Esbilac is recommended. Once an infant squirrel reaches six weeks of age, it will be ready for solid food like broccoli, sweet potato, kale, apples, grapes and un-shelled nuts. The many health problems associated with infant squirrels include maggot infestation, hypoglycemia, emaciation, head trauma and pneumonia.

    Infant Squirrel Housing and Physical Appearance

    • Infant eastern grey squirrels, if taken-in after abandonment, need to be placed in a box filled with soft smooth cloth that doesn't have anything that their claws can get caught in, like the loops or threads found on terrycloth. If the squirrel is still cold, a heating pad set on low should be placed in one half of the box. Infant squirrels are born with their eyes closed. If they need to be awakened, gently rub their face and belly with a damp cloth. This imitates the feeling of their mother licking them. The belly should look full and round after feeding, but not so full that it appears tight.