The idea of keeping squirrels as pets may seem strange to some but not to everyone. With 87 million US families owning a pet, dogs and cats are the most preferred. But squirrels can make great pets too. They, too, show affection to people and other squirrels. Here’s is all you need to know about these social and friendly animals.

How squirrels show affection?

Squirrels show affection to each other and to humans as well. You’ll notice squirrels showing affection as they play and mate with each other.

When it comes to humans, squirrels show affection through nibbling and licking. At times, because they are wild animals, they can show affection by biting and nibbling you. Even the more tame squirrels tend to bite.

Once they are used to you, they can get closer to you and even eat from your hands. Squirrels can also communicate to you by chirping, although you may not understand what they mean.

How do squirrels show affection to other squirrels?

Just like puppies, young squirrels also chase each other around playfully as a sign of affection. Squirrels show different types of affection, just like human beings:

• Parental Affection: Squirrels are very kind and tend to adopt young orphan squirrels, they will show affection by taking care of the orphan squirrel
• Courting: When it is time for mating, male squirrels look for and gather around the female territory and wait for her to become receptive to him. They will show affection by participating in a mating chase.

How to get a squirrel to show affection?

You can get a squirrel to show affection by showing it kindness. Start by sitting down where squirrels frequent and offering any squirrels that interact with you nuts.

Feed them while gradually reducing the space between you and the animal. They will get used to you and will naturally begin moving closer. Allow them to climb up on you, your hands and lap. You can also place some nuts on your shoulder and let them climb on you and eat off your shoulder.

Is staring a sign of affection?

In most cases, a squirrel will stare at you to watch for your next move, determining whether it should run away or stay. Staring can also communicate that it wants you to feed it.

Why does my squirrel nibble on me?

Squirrels have four long incisors that are always growing. The reason why they are always nibbling, chewing, or biting objects or you is that this helps them reduce the pressure on their teeth.

In addition, because their teeth are always growing, the squirrel nibbles on things in order to wear their teeth down, this keeps them at a manageable length.

 What to do if a squirrel bites you.

Squirrel bites are dangerous and harmful. If a squirrel bites you it can pass on diseases like Typhus, Tularemia, Lyme disease, and other bacteria and fungal infections.

If a squirrel bites you then you treat the wound like a normal wound. Use soap and water to wash the area. Also, avoid rubbing Hydrogen Peroxide or Alcohol as these two chemicals slow down the healing process.

If the squirrel didn’t bite too deep into the skin you can apply an antibiotic cream and cover the wound with a bandage. Best practice would be to visit a doctor for a check-up.

How to get a squirrel to trust you.

Wild squirrel

If you want a wild squirrel to trust you then make a chirping sound mimicking the sound they make, do this when they enter your yard. After they’ve given you their attention throw them a peanut. Use the same sound every time they come back. They will soon associate the chipping sound with being fed by you and will thus learn to trust you.

Domestic squirrel

If you’re dealing with domestic squirrels, put food out daily at a particular place and specific time. They will learn to trust you since you provide a reliable and regular source of food to them.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: why do squirrels run in front of cars, how do squirrels drink, why do squirrels run across the road, why do squirrels tease dogs,  how do squirrels move so fast,