It might sound odd today, but people in early America often kept squirrels as pets. Wealthy families and curious kids tamed gray, red, and even flying squirrels.
Yep — squirrels really were common household pets, especially back in the 1700s and 1800s.
Stories pop up about squirrels on little leashes, learning tricks, or even starring in old portraits and poems. Let’s look at how this quirky trend started, why people loved it, and what eventually sent squirrels back outside where they belong.
The Fascinating Era of Squirrels as Beloved Pets
You’ll find out how squirrels ended up as household companions, which types folks kept, and some pretty famous examples that show just how close owners got to their tiny pets.
Popularity in Early America and Europe
Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, people in America and Europe often picked squirrels as pets. They liked them because squirrels were lively, small, and easy to feed.
Wealthy families sometimes bought young squirrels or took them straight from nests. Kids posed with gray squirrels on tiny leashes in portraits, showing off their social status.
Pet care guides from the 1800s suggested cages lined with tin and exercise wheels. Squirrels chew wood and need lots of activity, after all.
Markets and early pet shops sold gray, red, and flying squirrels. Over time, attitudes changed. By the early 1900s, more places banned or restricted pet squirrels since they’re wild, tough to tame, and can do serious damage at home.
Famous Pet Squirrels and Cultural References
You might’ve heard about Benjamin Franklin’s eulogy for a pet squirrel named Mungo. Franklin’s tribute really shows how much people cared about their squirrels.
Painters and writers loved including pet squirrels in family scenes, which helped spread their image as cute companions.
These days, some people remember TV personalities like Bob Ross and his pet squirrel Peapod. Museums even keep collections about squirrel keeping.
Books like Katherine Grier’s Pets in America talk about how popular squirrel ownership was and why it faded. These stories show both the affection people felt and, honestly, the headaches that came with it.
Common Squirrel Species Kept as Pets
Most folks chose American gray squirrels for their size and bushy tails. Red squirrels were popular too, especially for their bright fur and busy energy.
Flying squirrels got plenty of attention. They’re tiny, nocturnal, and can glide—lots of old stories mention kids bonding with flying squirrels that leaped and glided around the house.
Each type needed different care. Gray squirrels wanted space to climb. Red squirrels needed places to stash food and burn off energy.
Flying squirrels required darkness and vertical space for gliding. Some species proved harder to keep, which probably nudged experts and lawmakers to say, “You know, maybe let’s leave these guys in the wild.”
Why Squirrels Are Rarely Kept as Pets Today
Legal issues, tricky care, and changing attitudes about wildlife—these all play a big part in why you don’t see pet squirrels much anymore.
Legal Status and Exotic Pet Laws
A lot of people don’t realize that many states and cities ban pet squirrels. Laws usually treat them as wildlife, not pets.
Officials worry about public health, disease, and the risk of escaped squirrels causing trouble. If you live somewhere that allows pet squirrels, you’ll probably need a permit, health checks, or proof your squirrel was bred in captivity.
Some places have even stricter exotic pet laws for animals that are tough to care for or can hurt local ecosystems. For the exact rules, check your state wildlife agency or a site like Natural State Wildlife Solutions.
Challenges of Keeping Squirrels at Home
Squirrels need space to climb, forage, and hide food. Most homes or cages just can’t give them what they need.
Without branches and vertical space, squirrels get stressed and might start biting or chewing everything in sight. Their diet’s a bit fussy too—lots of nuts, fruits, and even insects, but not too much fat or salt.
Squirrels scratch up furniture and sometimes chew wires or insulation. They can carry parasites and diseases, so finding a vet who knows what to do isn’t always easy.
Wildlife Conservation and Changing Attitudes
Think about conservation laws and ethics before you decide to keep a wild animal. People used to catch wild squirrels and keep them as pets, but things have changed. Now, most folks care more about protecting native wildlife.
This change has made a real difference. Fewer wild animals end up in homes, and local ecosystems get a better chance to thrive.
Wildlife groups, along with newer exotic pet laws, really push against keeping wild animals at home. These rules try to protect species and cut down on disease risks.
If you’re hoping for a small, playful pet that loves to climb, you’ve got options. Check out legal, captive-bred pets instead of taking a squirrel from the wild.
