Grow a Garden Squirrel Explained: Abilities, Hatching, and Strategy
The Squirrel in Grow a Garden has become a point of interest for many players, especially those aiming to optimize their long-term garden setup. While it once had a trait that made it infamous for duplicating seeds, changes introduced in recent updates have reshaped its role. It’s no longer about quick gains through exploits, but about smart play through efficient tools and steady progress.
The History of the Squirrel Pet in Grow a Garden
The Squirrel was added during the Blood Moon Event on May 17, 2025. At the time, its passive ability allowed a 2.5% chance to keep a seed after planting and not consuming it during the process. On paper, that seemed like a mild bonus. But in practice, players used this trait to reclaim and replant the same seed repeatedly, creating an unintended duplication loop.
This quickly drew attention from both players and developers. While some players saw it as a smart use of the system, it became clear that it disrupted the balance of the game. The economy of seeds—especially rare or event-limited ones—were at risk of losing value.
In version 1386, the seed-saving ability was removed. The Squirrel no longer interacts with the planting system in that way. Instead, the developers gave it a more sustainable purpose by tying it to another key mechanic: reclaiming. This shift moved the Squirrel away from its previous use as an exploit tool and into a more strategic, balanced category of pets.
What does the Squirrel Do in the Current Version of GAG?
As of the most recent update, the Squirrel pet offers two passive abilities designed for consistent, long-term benefit:
Seed‑Stash support: When you use the Reclaimer tool to convert plants or trees into seeds, the Squirrel gives a small chance that a use won’t count against the tool’s durability. It doesn’t happen every time—but over extensive reclaiming sessions, those saved uses add up and help conserve resources.
Continuous XP boost: With the Squirrel equipped, you receive a steady trickle of bonus experience per second. This gradual gain supports pet aging, leveling efforts, and XP-based progression activities. The boost is passive, working in the background, and tends to become more impactful as the pet levels and matures.
These traits are subtle but purposeful. They shine brightest for players who regularly reclaim plants to restructure gardens, recover experimental seeds, or optimize layouts. The XP bonus complements idle and extended play, allowing progress to build quietly over time without requiring active input.
Also Read: Grow a Garden Corrupted Kitsune: Everything You Need to Know
Steps to Get a Squirrel Pet in Your Garden
You won’t find the Squirrel in just any egg—it hatches only from Mythical Eggs, which are relatively rare compared to Common, Uncommon, or even Epic ones.
Here’s what to know if you’re aiming for one:
Where to find the egg: Mythical Eggs appear at the Pet Egg stand, but not in every refresh. The stand updates approximately every 30 minutes, and there’s only a small chance that a Mythical Egg will be available when it does.
Price range: The cost can vary based on the version and in-game economy, but typically ranges from 3 to 8 million Sheckles.
Hatch odds: If you manage to buy a Mythical Egg, there’s about a 26.79% chance it will contain a Squirrel. Other pets like the Grey Mouse, Red Fox, and Red Giant Ant also come from the same egg pool.
Once you hatch a Squirrel, it starts with a hunger value of 15,000. To get the most out of it, you’ll need to feed it regularly. Aging pets in Grow a Garden increases their effectiveness, so a well-fed Squirrel will perform better over time—especially in how consistently it applies its traits.
Also Read: Red Fox in Grow a Garden: Everything You Need to Know
Best Ways to Use the Squirrel in Grow a Garden
The Squirrel works best in playstyles where reclaiming and efficiency are part of your routine. Here are a few ways to get the most from the Squirrel in Grow a Garden:
Combine with long reclaiming sessions: If you're clearing out large areas of your garden, especially during seasonal events or layout changes, equip the Squirrel to reduce the wear on your Reclaimer tool. Even a small chance to preserve durability can result in fewer replacements over time.
Pair with other XP-focused pets: Pets like the Brown Mouse or Grey Mouse also offer passive experience bonuses. When used together, these can increase your XP gain without needing to take extra actions. This is useful for players who keep the game running in the background or are grinding toward specific milestones.
Focus on aging: A young Squirrel won’t provide the same consistency as an aged one. Make feeding it a habit so its passive traits activate more often and at higher potency. The more mature the pet, the more reliable it becomes.
Optimize idle sessions: If you leave your character running overnight or for long stretches, the Squirrel can quietly generate experience while saving Reclaimer uses when needed. It’s one of those pets that does more than it seems—especially if you’re playing the long game.
What the GAG Community Thinks and What Might Come Next?
Since the changes to its ability, the Squirrel has sparked a lot of discussion. Players who relied on its old trait for seed duplication were understandably frustrated, but many now recognize that the change was necessary for long-term balance.
Some have pointed out that the current passive abilities are subtle and only make a difference with consistent play. But that’s also what makes it appealing to veteran players who appreciate gradual progress over instant rewards.
There have also been community suggestions for how the pet might evolve. Ideas include letting the Squirrel interact with seed storage or provide bonuses during planting without triggering duplication concerns. So far, developers haven’t announced any plans to modify the pet again, but the fact that it has already gone through a major rework suggests it’s not off the table.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Pets in Grow a Garden
Final Thoughts
The Squirrel in Grow a Garden isn’t the pet it used to be—but that’s a good thing. Its original duplication mechanic made it powerful but unsustainable. Today, it serves a different purpose. It helps you stretch your tools further and speeds up progression in a more balanced, consistent way.
Getting a Squirrel takes time and luck, since it only hatches from Mythical Eggs. But once you have one, it becomes a quiet workhorse that fits into almost any efficient garden setup. As the game continues to evolve, pets like the Squirrel offer value not through big effects but through their ability to support thoughtful gameplay.
If you focus on reclaiming, tool management, and long-term progress, this pet is absolutely worth adding to your collection.
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