Caring for a hurt chipmunk

[AmyJean]

My neighbor's cat brought a little chipmunk into the house.  I was able to get the poor little thing away from the cat and noticed it was holding up her little left arm.  I brought her home and put her in a cage with branches and some rat food.  I also gave her some peanuts and fruit.  I do not want to release her until she is using her leg again.  So my questions are how do I care for her, what do they eat?  Can I release her once her arm is better and if not can I tame her?  Any thoughts and advise would be great.  Thanks

[Ratlovingkippy06]

i would really conact a vet, it is normally against the law to house and treat wildlife without having permints.

 I would never give rat food, their are foods at petsmart that say " wild mix" wild bird food, different mixes for chipmuck would be better. Give him a wooden house ( like a big house) so they have somewhere nice and dark to go into. Lots of timothy hay. Basically make as realsically wild as you can get him to a vet that takes wildlife. wild animals can be dangerous when cornered and sick.. no matter how cute they look.

[Topaz]

Try looking for a wildlife rehabber nearby.  Call your vet and/or humane society and they can give you some phone numbers of people who can help.  I had a similar situation and a rehabber saved the ground squirrel's life.

[rattietayls]

Don't give her rat food.
How old is she? Is she a baby? If she is a baby, you won't be able to release her unless you find a rehabilitation center.
If she is an adult, Don't hold her at all, because it can apply stress, and they can be very mean... it's also not good if you want to release her.
You have to feed her the right food, and don't socialize with her, its a wild animal, and its not good for it to like humans once released.