How to Keep a Pet Squirrel in a Chicken Wire Cage

In the right home, pet squirrels bring a high level of entertainment to their owners with their curious nature and energy. Along with the fun aspect of having a pet squirrel, owners have the responsibilities to properly house and raise these small animals in captivity. Through recreating a woodland environment in your squirrel's chicken wire cage, you can provide a happy home for your pet squirrel.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire cage
  • Climbing accessories
  • Small tree branches
  • Squirrel food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the right size cage. In order to keep your pet squirrel happy, your chicken wire cage needs to have considerable height to accommodate for this animal's desire to climb and jump. For an adult squirrel, the chicken wire cage should be at least 4-by-6-by-6 foot for an adequate living space.

    • 2

      Add climbing units to the cage. Squirrels are avid climbers. Encourage exercise with your pet squirrel by adding climbing shelves to the inside of your chicken wire cage. This will allow your pet to climb, jump and utilize the entire height of the cage.

    • 3

      Pick some toys for your pet squirrel. Curious by nature, your squirrel will benefit from a variety of toys including running wheels to exercise on or small stuffed animals to wrestle and play with. Keep safety in mind when choosing toys by ensuring no parts of the toy could be chewed off and swallowed by your squirrel.

    • 4

      Place a nest box in the chicken wire cage. Meet your pet squirrel's need for somewhere to sleep by placing a small nest box in the bottom of the cage. Fill the box with animal bedding or a small blanket.

    • 5

      Give your pet squirrel some chew toys. With teeth that grow 6 inches per year, squirrels must chew in order to keep their teeth at an appropriate size. Small wooden chew toys meant for rabbits also are sufficient for squirrels.