Things You'll Need:
- Large multi-level cage
- water dish or bottle
- nesting material
- plentiful supply of food
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Step 1
Find a veterinarian in the area who is experienced at treating ground squirrels. Take your squirrel to the veterinarian regularly. Ground squirrels are susceptible to internal and external parasites.
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Step 2
Purchase a large cage for your pet ground squirrel. A rabbit cage, sugar glider, ferret or other large rodent cage works well. A multilevel cage is the best option as the squirrel needs room to play and climb.
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Step 3
Create a nest in the cage for the squirrel. Use cloth or hay as nesting material. Place the nest away form the squirrel's food and litter box.
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Step 4
Put a small litter box in the cage. Fill the cage with organic litter—do not use cedar chips. Clean the litterbox often. Squirrels are very clean animals.
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Step 5
Feed your pet ground squirrel grasses, seeds and grains. Nuts, cottage cheese and yogurt should be given only as a rare treat. Give the squirrel a dish with fresh water or use a water bottle made for gerbils.
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Step 6
Shower your pet with attention. Ground squirrels are very affectionate and need to spend a lot of time with their pet owner.
Comments
syanidexpoison said
on 8/14/2009 Furthermore, someone can release a house cat and if it has babies in the wild and those babies don't have human interaction they in turn become wild. It doesn't mean you can't keep them as a pet and domesticate them.
So, if I wanted to go out and catch a snake or something that's breaking the law? If I wanted to go out and catch a fish and keep it in an aquarium that is breaking the law? Maybe I'm going to the creek later and going to catch 10 crawfish and put the in a 50gal tank with a filter and catch some minnows for them to eat.. are you going to report me?
syanidexpoison said
on 8/14/2009 Sharron you're an idiot.
Ground Squirrels are legal to keep as pets throughout the entire Unite States. The ones in Pet Shops is what this article is talking about. Not once has this article said "Go out and catch a Ground Squirrel" or "If you see a Ground Squirrel outside this is how you keep it as a pet". In no way at all is the article breaking the law.
You need to see shrink or just get up to snuff on your information before you post.
MrOpportunity said
on 10/30/2008 In response to the above comment, At one time all animals were wild,If you feel that strongly about wildlife get rid of your pets but by no means condem another person for trying to inform people on how to properly take care of an abanded animal just because you are too close minded and heartless to understand. If I see ANY hurt animal im going to do my best to help it any way I can.That life means more than any LAW!!!!! I guess you might be one of those people that are too cold blooded and pig-headed to have any compassion for another living creature. I think you guys are doing a great thing, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK :-)
Sharron said
on 1/6/2008 It is illegal in most states to keep any wildlife as a pet. In fact, it is illegal to keep them more than 48 hours before turning them over to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. What you are teaching is breaking the law.