What to Do If Your Dog Gets a Squirrel in Your Yard 
If your dog gets a squirrel in your yard, there are several steps you need to take. The first thing is to make sure that the squirrel is not poisonous. The squirrel may be carrying a variety of parasites. Your veterinarian can run the appropriate tests and prescribe the best course of action. In extreme cases, euthanizing the animal may be the best option. A vet can also help you determine whether your dog needs to seek treatment for Lyme disease, Roundworm, or Leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis
The symptoms of Leptospirosis in dogs are not always apparent. If your dog eats a squirrel, it might develop lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever. Other symptoms include changes in urination frequency and amount and increased thirst. Your dog may also become dehydrated and have lethargy. If you suspect your dog has contracted leptospirosis, see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
In the early stages of the infection, antibiotic treatment is effective. Most dogs respond quickly to antibiotics. Treatment will include two phases, the first phase clearing the infection and the second phase fighting lingering infection. If your dog has severe liver or kidney damage, you may need to transfer it to a 24 hour critical-care hospital. Your veterinarian may also prescribe an extended course of antibiotics for your dog to finish the infection and avoid a relapse.
Roundworm
If your dog gets a squirrel, the first thing you need to do is separate the squirrel from your dog. Dogs are very possessive about their kills and can even be aggressive. You should separate your dog from the squirrel if it begins to guard the squirrel. There are several ways to handle this situation. A good approach is to start training your dog in low-distraction areas and work your way up.
If your dog is afraid of a squirrel, a trick that works for many dogs is to tie the animal to a tree. The squirrel will fall out of the tree if your dog barks, but if it doesn’t, you can use a lead to tether the dog to a tree. You can also hang a dead squirrel from a tree branch. This trick will distract your dog enough so that it can’t bite the squirrel.
Lyme disease
If your dog accidentally bites a deer or squirrel, how do you treat Lyme disease? Until a vaccine is developed, prevention is key. Killing the animal could worsen the situation, as the tick’s larvae will move to the remaining deer. But that doesn’t mean you can kill your dog! It might even increase the risk of Lyme disease.
Generally, the symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, vomiting, convulsions, and loss of appetite. Your dog will require aggressive antibiotics and fluids. While squirrels don’t carry fleas, they do carry ticks, which can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease to dogs. Your dog will likely exhibit a high fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, lameness, and fever. Treatment for this disease involves giving your dog antibiotics over a period of 30 days.
Euthanizing a squirrel
Euthanizing a squirrel if your dogs catches a squirrel is a legal option for the owner to follow. However, if you decide to use poison, you are risking the animal’s life. If you choose to use live-catch traps, the animal must be released immediately. The other option is to euthanize the squirrel by using legal methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Neither method is acceptable.
The good news is that squirrels are not carriers of rabies, which makes euthanizing the animal a safe option for dogs. Although a dog cannot contract rabies from a dead animal, the dog can be put off woodland walks for life if a squirrel is found dead. Furthermore, dead animals are contaminated with toxic chemicals, which can be passed on to dogs. Therefore, it is best to euthanize a squirrel if your dog catches a squirrel.
Keeping your dog healthy after a squirrel bite
Generally, a squirrel bite on your dog isn’t going to cause any permanent damage, but you should still seek veterinarian care if it appears to be a bacterial infection. This bacteria, which is excreted by infected squirrels, can cause serious problems, including bleeding disorders, kidney failure, and convulsions. To help prevent infection, keep your dog on a leash and away from wooded areas.
If your dog is bitten by a squirrel, make sure it takes antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian. It is not safe to stop treatment early, as this may promote the development of resistance. You may also want to consider visiting a vet for guidance on how best to clean the wounds at home and with what kind of treatment. This will ensure that your dog stays healthy and comfortable for the next few days.
1.
What should you do if you see your dog with a squirrel in its mouth?
Answer: Immediately remove the squirrel from your dog’s mouth and do not allow your dog to play with it or eat it.
2.
How can you tell if a squirrel is sick or injured?
Answer: If a squirrel is sick or injured it may be lethargic have difficulty moving or be bleeding.
3.
Should you try to feed a sick or injured squirrel?
Answer: No you should not try to feed a sick or injured squirrel.
4.
What should you do if you find an injured squirrel?
Answer: Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for assistance.
5.
What should you do if you find a sick squirrel?
Answer: Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for assistance.
6.
Is it legal to keep a squirrel as a pet?
Answer: In most states it is illegal to keep a squirrel as a pet.
7.
What kind of food do squirrels eat?
Answer: Squirrels are mostly herbivores and eat a variety of plant foods including nuts seeds fruits and flowers.
8.
What is the best way to humanely trap a squirrel?
Answer: The best way to humanely trap a squirrel is to use a live trap baited with food.
9.
What should you do once you have trapped a squirrel?
Answer: Once you have trapped a squirrel contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for assistance.
10.
How can you tell if a squirrel is a baby?
Answer: Baby squirrels are usually born blind and hairless.
As they grow they will develop fur and their eyes will open.
11.
What should you do if you find a baby squirrel?
Answer: If you find a baby squirrel contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for assistance.
12.
How can you tell if a squirrel is dead?
Answer: A squirrel is dead if it is not moving and does not respond to touch or noise.
13.
What should you do with a dead squirrel?
Answer: Contact your local animal control or sanitation department to dispose of the squirrel.
14.
What diseases can squirrels carry?
Answer: Squirrels can carry a variety of diseases including rabies typhus and tularemia.
15.
What should you do if you are bitten by a squirrel?
Answer: Wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.
If possible capture the squirrel and contact your local animal control or health department for further instructions.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
