Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Grey squirrels diet and housing?

and how large should the cage beGrey squirrels diet and housing?
Honestly, the squirrel will never be happy in a cage. If you do keep it in a cage, get the biggest cage you can, and make sure you let it out as often as possible. Squirrels require a LOT of hands on involvement. They are not goldfish. They require constant attention, affection, and play. Loads of play. Beanie Babies make great toys. They love to wrestle. Also, squirrels need to constantly have things to chew on. Get a good assortment of chew toys.





As far as the diet goes, plenty of fresh fruits and vegatables. An assortment of nuts, seeds, and corn. You can normally find Squirrel food in bags wherever you buy bird food for birdfeeders. I leave the bagged food out all day for my squirrel, and then I give him extra fruits, nuts, and vegis by hand.





Squirrels make wonderful pets, but they are a huge commitment of time and love. Don't take it on lightly. If you don't think you can handle a squirrel then find a good rehaber in your area. You can probably find one online or get a recommendation from a vet if you call a few.Grey squirrels diet and housing?
Why would you want to cage a squirrel? Where are you getting it? If it's from a pet store, they will know the diet. If not, don't do it.
If it is a wild animal, you should know that is illegal to keep it without a permit. You should probably contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, so they can take care of it correctly.





It it is a pet:





Ideal cage space is at least 3x3x5 feet, or even better at least 4x4x5 feet. For food, good quality dog food, rat food (blocks not mix), or primate food is really good, but what important is that they eat it. Seeds and nuts should be kept to a minimum, but offer fresh fruit such as apples and grapes.
In captivity, it is best to try and imitate a woodland home for your squirrel. Purchase or build a cage that is a minimum of 3 cubic feet per squirrel. It is best to use a mesh wire cage, with a removable tray for easier cleaning.


Provide a nesting box (usually hung on the outside of the cage with an opening into the cage). To make your squirrel feel more at home, put twigs, leaves, grass, and bark on the bottom of the cage. This will give him a variety of materials to choose from when making his nest comfortable.


Provide your squirrel also with branches throughout the cage so he can get his exercise and feel more comfortable. To ensure the health of your pet, make sure to thoroughly cean the cage with hot water at least once a week.








In captivity, squirrels need to be provided with a variety of foods to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition. Good mixtures to feed your squirrel include vegetables (such as celery, carrots, green beans, and romaine lettuce), and many fruits (such as apples and bananas). You can also try insects and mealworms. Parrot food is another good choice since it has many seeds that squirrels like. Calcium is also very important, so you should include a calcium supplement for squirrels kept as pets. There are many types of tablets and powders available at pet stores that can be used.





Squirrels teeth grow constantly throughout their lives, and so you should make sure that they are provided with chewing material. Hard bark and large bones are good for this.





Make sure there is a constant supply of water for your squirrel. Put water in a heavy dish or in a water bottle attached to the side of the cage. Also make sure to thoroughly clean food and water dishes daily with hot water.

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