How to Feed an Orphaned Baby Squirrel
Squirrels are among the most common wildlife orphans. It is not uncommon to find a baby squirrel alone following a storm or heavy winds. Aside from warming and hydrating the baby squirrel, feeding the squirrel is the most vital element of baby squirrel care. There is a very specific technique that must be used to feed an orphaned baby squirrel, as young squirrels are unable to eat on their own until the age of 6 or 7 weeks, at which point they will begin to wean as solid foods are gradually introduced. Improper feeding techniques can lead to malnutrition, serious respiratory illness and even death.
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Things You'll Need
- Small liquid syringe
- Small cup
- Microwave or tub of warm water
- Esbilac puppy formula
- Small towel
- Warm washcloth
- Paper towels
Instructions
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Begin by mixing just a bit more than the amount of Esbilac puppy formula that will be needed for one feeding. Esbilac puppy formula is the best nutritional supplement for baby squirrels, as it's the closest to what the squirrel would receive in the wild. The frequency and amount of each feeding will vary depending on the baby squirrel's age (see Resources).
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Place the mixed Esbilac puppy formula into a cup and microwave the cup for between 15 and 30 seconds, or until moderately warm. If a microwave is not available, fill a bowl with hot water and place the cup of formula in the hot water, stirring occasionally. If the formula requires additional warming, replace the water in the bowl as it cools.
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Collect the small liquid syringe and a few paper towels to wipe up any drips. Retrieve the cup of formula once warmed and place them within reach of a comfortable chair where the squirrel caretaker will sit while the feeding takes place.
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Collect the orphaned baby squirrel and wrap him in a small towel to maintain his warmth. Keep the baby squirrel upright at all times.
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Fill the liquid syringe with some of the formula and give the baby squirrel formula, one drop at a time. Do not allow the baby squirrel to suck on the liquid syringe, as this will increase his chances of aspirating the liquid. If necessary, provide drops at a faster rate until the baby squirrel has consumed the recommended amount of formula for his age.
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In small baby squirrels, under the age of 6 weeks, the caretaker must control how much food the baby squirrel eats. A squirrel will not fully develop the instinct to stop eating when full until around 6 weeks of age. As long as the baby squirrel is gaining weight, there is no need to increase the food intake. If the squirrel is not steadily gaining weight, or if he appears to be losing weight, feed more frequent meals and increase the concentration of the formula.
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Once the feeding is complete, sit with the squirrel for a few minutes to allow him to digest his meal. Keep the squirrel upright to allow him to burp up any air that he swallowed during the feeding.
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Stimulate urination and defecation in the baby squirrel after he's rested for about 10 minutes following his meal. In the wild, a baby squirrel's mother will stimulate urination and bowel movements in young squirrels (under the age of approximately 6 weeks) by licking the genitals. Bathroom activities must be triggered by using a soft damp washcloth or damp cotton ball to simulate the mother squirrel's licking. It may take a few minutes, so be patient.
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Once the baby squirrel has gone to the bathroom, wipe him up and return him to his cage or box, which must be outfitted with a heat lamp or heating pad and soft cloth for the squirrel to use as a warm nest.
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Tips & Warnings
* If the baby squirrel does not want to eat the recommended amount of formula in one sitting, consider getting dry formula mix and mix the formula slightly stronger and implement smaller, more frequent feedings.
* To allow the caretaker to sleep during the first few weeks of life, young squirrels can be fed every four hours during the night.
* A baby squirrel should be gradually gaining weight and growing. If the squirrel plateaus and fails to gain weight, or if he is losing weight, this is the sign of an illness and a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible.
* Never feed a baby squirrel while he's laying down or in another non-upright position. Keep the squirrel upright to prevent the baby squirrel from aspirating (inhaling) the formula into the lungs.
* Never use an eye dropper or baby bottle to feed a baby squirrel. This increases the squirrel's chances of aspirating the liquid into his lungs, leading to a potentially deadly pneumonia.
* Never feed cow's milk, goat's milk or any other type of milk to a baby squirrel, as this will cause severe diarrhea, dehydration and death. Esbilac formula, available at pet stores, is the only appropriate food for a baby squirrel, aside from the fruits, nuts and vegetables that the squirrel will begin to eat around 7 weeks of age.
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Comments
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jktah4
Oct 08, 2010
What a joke that it is illegal now to care. Walk around the baby squirrel on the ground, look the other way, or you will be fined. No wildlife rehabilitator in your area? Or they are booked up? Oh well, so sad, baby squirrel, got to left you starve to death. Sometimes some laws mean well, but they are out of line, as in this case. The sheer number of rehabilitators needed to care for all those orphans is more than available. I experienced first hand watching a duckling die because the wildlife center was too busy. More than once I have called up a wildlife center for an injured animal and their volunteers were not available and only if I could bring in the animal miles away and drop it off outside of the facility in a cage, and hopefully it would live to morning, then it would get help. To make helping wildlife illegal is stupid and arrogant. It is better to do public education how... -
schmudna
May 05, 2010
Actually, due to cost-cutting practices, Esbilac has been found to be inconsistent lately. They have some batches with higher levels of different minerals and lower of the others. I work with a wildlife rehab and we just recently switched to a company called Fox Valley. It's comparable to Esbilac nutritionally, but they are far more consistent with their nutritional values. The only downside is that the squirrels tend to snort it out their nose a little more often...which is easily remedied with an infant aspirator bulb that you can get for a few bucks at any pharmacy. And as they get older, you might want a good, thick pair of gloves as you handle them more.
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eyota53
Oct 04, 2009
Aww. Good article. Thanks for the information on How to Feed an Orphaned Baby Squirrel. My sons and I adopted two baby racoons many years ago. It was fun and rewarding to know we saved them. 5*
