Many of us have noticed that squirrels tease dogs, but why does this happen? Why do squirrels tease dogs?

One reason why squirrels tease dogs may be to relieve boredom, teasing each other keeps them active and entertained. Another reason for their behaviour could be that the squirrel is trying to protect its territory from this large predator.

Animals have various ways of interacting and forming relationships with each other. Squirrels tease dogs, tiger cubs play with monkeys and cats play with mice like toys. One would naturally think that squirrels would view dogs as predators, because of their size and hunting abilities, but squirrels sometimes tease dogs. But why do squirrels tease dogs? If you’re a dog owner, a squirrel watcher, a wildlife enthusiast or are simply curious this article will help you figure out why squirrels tease dogs

Why do squirrels tease dogs?

There are many theories as to why squirrels tease dogs, we don’t know what’s happening in the mind of squirrels and dogs but from our observations, there are a couple of reasons why squirrels tease dogs

If you pay attention to small animals you may have noticed that they enjoy teasing the large ones, this is the case with squirrels and dogs. Both animals seem to be enjoying this back-and-forth. It appears to be a way to cure boardroom in dogs and a way to entertain squirrels, this eliminates boredom in both animals.

There is no indication that squirrels are afraid of dogs. The two seem to be very comfortable with each other, they also seem to love each other. Squirrels don’t bark or cry in the presence of dogs like they do with cats

Another theory suggests something very different. Just as a dog would bark at a postman to protect its territory a squirrel will irritate a dog to protect its territory, “teasing” is how to squirrels protect it’s territory from the dog.

Also, some say that squirrels running around has nothing to do with the dog, squirrels are simply looking for food. The act of climbing trees and running around the garden is their way of paying attention and keeping an eye on the predator (the dog) but still staying out of sight. They can even warn the dog by flicking their tails, chit-chatting, growling in an effort to threaten this larger animal

Are squirrels dangerous to dogs? 

Squirrels can be dangerous to dogs. Squirrels can give dogs harmful diseases, parasites and can even attack dogs. 

Squirrels, as cute as they seem, are still rodents. Your domesticated dogs are not equipped to deal with wild animal diseases. Squirrels do not carry fleas but unfortunately, the gray squirrel can carry ticks. Ticks can give your dog Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a loss of appetite, fever and lethargy. These ticks can be a threat to humans as well. If you see any of the signs in your dog call a vet.

If your dog makes the mistake of eating a dead squirrel it can develop food poisoning and diarrhoea. If your dog eats a poisoned squirrel on accident the poison can be transferred to your dog and this poison can kill your dog as well.

Squirrels are cute, little innocent-looking animals but they can attack your dog using their long claws and long teeth. A squirrel can do some real damage to your dog and this may warrant a trip to the vet. Your dog can get injuries from a squirrel’s teeth and claws if it digs into the dog’s soft tissue.

Summary 

In summary, because we can’t get into a squirrel or a dogs head we don’t know why squirrels seem to tease dogs. One reason why they do this may be to relieve boredom. Another reason for their behaviour could be that the squirrel is trying to protect its territory from this large predator.

Squirrels can be dangerous to dogs. They can give your canine fleas which can result in your dog developing Lyme disease. Squirrels can also scratch into dogs and deep enough to reach the dog’s deep tissue.

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, how do squirrels show affection,  how do squirrels move so fast,