Ever spot a chipmunk darting by and think, “Could I pet that little guy?” You’re definitely not the only one. They look adorable and harmless, but honestly, it’s not a smart move to try picking up or touching a wild chipmunk.
They might carry diseases, and if you spook them, they’ll bite. Trying to handle them also causes a lot of stress for the animal.
Chipmunks might seem safe because they’re tiny and not aggressive, but they can still pass on germs like rabies or salmonella. These animals do best when left in their own habitat.
Admiring them from a distance? It’s honestly the safest plan for you and for the chipmunks.
Risks and Concerns of Petting Chipmunks
Petting chipmunks might seem harmless, but there are some real risks to consider. Health, behavior, and even legal issues all come into play.
If you know what’s at stake, you’ll make better choices for yourself and for the chipmunk.
Potential Health Hazards
Chipmunks live in the wild and can carry germs that spread to people. Fleas and ticks often hitch a ride on them, leading to itchy bites or, in some cases, more serious illnesses.
You could also pick up diseases like salmonella or hantavirus from their droppings or saliva. That’s not something most people want to risk.
If a chipmunk bites or scratches you, your skin can get infected. Always wash your hands after any contact with wild animals, just in case.
If you have cuts or scrapes, don’t pet chipmunks—why take the chance? Wild chipmunks never get vet checkups, so you really don’t know what they might carry.
Stress and Welfare of Chipmunks
Chipmunks get stressed out easily by humans. They’re prey animals, so being grabbed or startled scares them a lot.
Stress can make them hide, stop eating, or act out with weird pacing or other repetitive behaviors. Over time, this can actually hurt their health.
Petting them interrupts their routines. Chipmunks need quiet, safe spaces to feel okay.
If you try to touch them often, you’ll probably just freak them out and leave them scared. It’s usually better to just watch from a distance and let them be.
Legal Considerations
Plenty of places have laws about touching or keeping chipmunks. For instance, Siberian chipmunks are illegal to buy, sell, or breed in the EU because they’re considered invasive.
Sometimes, even disturbing wild chipmunks can break local wildlife rules.
Before you interact with a chipmunk, check your local laws. If you already have one as a pet, you’ll need to follow strict care and housing rules.
Skipping these laws can mean fines or worse.
Aggressive Behaviors and Biting
Chipmunks move fast and can get aggressive if they feel threatened. They’ll bite or scratch to protect themselves, especially if you try to pick them up.
Their teeth are sharp, and those bites do hurt.
Even if a chipmunk seems used to people, it might suddenly bite without warning. Bite wounds can get infected, so you should always clean them carefully.
If you want to stay safe, don’t grab at chipmunks and move slowly around them. Pay attention if they try to get away or look upset.
For more on chipmunk behavior and pet care, check out this detailed guide on how to care for chipmunks.
Comparing Chipmunks and Squirrels as Pets
It’s easy to want a chipmunk or squirrel as a pet, but there are some big differences in their behavior and care needs.
Knowing what you’re getting into helps you decide if either one really fits your life.
Natural Behavior Differences
Chipmunks are small, striped, and love digging. They spend a lot of time underground in burrows, storing food in their cheeks.
They’re usually shy and stick close to the ground. Chipmunks are active during the day and need space to dig and explore.
Squirrels are bigger and live up in trees. They’re great climbers and stash food way up high.
Squirrels show more curiosity and can be bolder than chipmunks. They have tons of energy and need room to jump and climb.
Both animals act wild and move quickly, so their natural behaviors make them tough to keep as pets. You’ll need to give them lots of space and things to do if you want them to be happy.
Domestication Challenges
People haven’t domesticated chipmunks or squirrels. They haven’t been bred to live with us, so they’re usually nervous and don’t like being handled.
Chipmunks tend to run and hide when people get near. Squirrels might come closer sometimes, but they can also get aggressive or chew things up.
Taming either animal takes a lot of time and patience. If you keep one as a pet, expect to watch more than cuddle.
Wildlife Wellbeing
Wild animals don’t do well as pets. Chipmunks need space to dig and hide underground.
If you keep them in cages, they might get stressed or sick.
Squirrels need big, tree-like areas to climb. Keeping them inside stops them from acting naturally and can cause health problems.
Wild animals also have special diets and needs that are tough to meet at home. Taking them from the wild can hurt local ecosystems, too.
If you’re looking for a small pet, a domesticated animal is usually a much better choice for everyone involved.
Impact on Gardens and Homes
When chipmunks or squirrels get into your home, they can really mess things up. Chipmunks usually stay close to the ground, but they love to dig around in gardens and can uproot your plants or bulbs.
Squirrels, on the other hand, go after wires and wooden beams. Sometimes they even sneak into attics and make a mess.
Both chipmunks and squirrels stash food wherever they feel like, often in places you’d rather they didn’t. Their digging and chewing might end up costing you more than you’d expect.
If you want to get ahead of their habits, it helps to understand what they’re up to.
Check out this guide on squirrels vs chipmunks for more details, or get some pet care tips at A-Z Animals.
