Ever wondered if squirrels were ever really domesticated, or if you could actually tame one? Squirrels are wild animals and have never been truly domesticated like dogs or cats, so, honestly, you can’t expect them to behave like your average house pet or follow commands.
Let’s dig into why squirrels stay wild, what actually happens when people try to keep them, and what risks and rewards come with getting close. I’ll cover their behavior, legal and care headaches, and some practical advice if you ever end up helping a young or injured squirrel.
Can Squirrels Be Domesticated?
Let’s talk about the real difference between taming and actual domestication. There are some short historical attempts to keep squirrels, but they never really caught on. Here’s why these clever little creatures still live wild.
Differences Between Domestication and Taming
Domestication changes an animal’s genetics over many generations. People bred dogs and farm animals to have calmer temperaments and predictable breeding, making them fit into our lives.
Squirrels just haven’t gone through that kind of genetic shift.
Taming is different. If you raise a baby squirrel by hand, it might get used to you. It could let you handle it, eat from your palm, and even live in a cage.
But deep down, it still acts wild—full of energy, always looking for an escape route, and sometimes quick to bite if startled.
If you’re thinking about it, here’s the bottom line: a tame squirrel still needs a special diet, lots of room to climb, and can easily get stressed or defensive. There really aren’t any “pet” squirrels bred for life with humans.
Historical Attempts at Squirrel Domestication
People have tried keeping squirrels as pets for centuries, though it’s always been in small numbers. Old records mention squirrels in homes and as curiosities in Europe and elsewhere.
But those were just cases of taming, not real breeding programs.
In the 1800s and early 1900s, a few folks tried to breed squirrels in captivity. It didn’t go well—captive pairs rarely reproduced reliably.
Modern laws and wildlife protections also made it harder for people to keep or breed squirrels.
These days, you’ll mostly find hobbyists who raise “tame” squirrels or work with rescued babies. They focus on individual animals, not creating a domesticated line. That’s worth thinking about if you’re considering a pet squirrel.
Why Squirrels Remain Wild Animals
Squirrels just keep traits that block domestication. They live up in trees, crave constant stimulation, and have a strong urge to run away from danger.
Those habits make it tough—maybe impossible—for you to give them a good life indoors.
Breeding them in captivity is another huge hurdle. Squirrels breed seasonally and have complicated social lives. Getting a truly domesticated line would take generations and a lot of work, which, let’s face it, most people won’t even try.
On top of that, legal issues and disease risks turn most folks away.
If you want to interact with squirrels, maybe volunteer with a wildlife rehab group. Or, you know, stick with animals that have already been domesticated. Trying to keep a wild squirrel as a pet can hurt the animal and might break the law, so check your local rules and really think about what’s best for the squirrel.
Squirrels as Pets and Human Interaction
Let’s get into laws, care problems, feeding needs, and how squirrels change when they live with people. Here’s what you’ll run into if you try to handle or keep a squirrel.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
First, check your local laws before even thinking about keeping a wild squirrel. A lot of states and countries ban private squirrel ownership or require special permits.
Wild mammals can carry diseases and mess with local wildlife populations. If you want to do rehab or long-term care, you’ll probably need a license.
Think about the squirrel’s welfare too. Squirrels are made to roam, forage, and climb.
Taking one from the wild can mess with local populations and break natural behaviors. If you find an orphaned baby, it’s better to call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator than try to raise it yourself.
Challenges of Keeping Squirrels as Pets
Squirrels never stop moving. They need a huge cage or aviary with lots of vertical space, branches, and places to hide.
Without enough room or stuff to do, they’ll get stressed, bite, pace, or chew up everything in sight.
There are health and safety risks for you, too. Squirrels can bite or scratch if scared, and sometimes carry parasites or disease.
Even hand-raised squirrels keep their wild instincts and usually don’t bond the way a dog or cat would. Most people quit because it’s way more work, money, and hassle than expected.
Squirrel Behavior and Diet in Captivity
Squirrels love to hoard, chew, and stay busy. You’ll need to keep them entertained with daily foraging, puzzle feeders, and lots of branches.
Flying squirrels need setups for gliding at night, while tree squirrels want tall places to climb.
Their diet is tricky. Give them species-appropriate pellets or a mix of nuts and seeds, plus fresh fruits and veggies. Young or flying squirrels might need some insects or extra protein.
Don’t feed them bread, junk food, or fatty human snacks. Always keep fresh water available.
Urban and Human-Squirrel Relationships
In cities, you’ll notice squirrels lose their fear of people pretty quickly. They start picking up new feeding habits too.
Urban squirrels eat leftover human food, and when food is easy to find, they breed more often. That bumps up the local squirrel population, so people run into them a lot more.
If you decide to feed a wild squirrel, try to do it responsibly. Stick with foods that are safe for the species, and don’t hand-feed them too much or too often.
It’s smart to keep pets and small children away from squirrels that seem too comfortable around people. Even a fluffy city squirrel can bite if it feels trapped or threatened.
If a squirrel becomes a problem, reach out to local wildlife control or a rehabilitator. It’s usually not a great idea to try capturing the animal yourself.
