Squirrels are not pets and live their best lives in the wild.If you find a baby squirrel that needs help, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.Prepare a rehydrating solution or milk replacement formula and feed the squirrel slowly.Solid foods can be slowly introduced with the help of the rehabilitator.
Step 1: Before taking in a wild squirrel, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
Contact your government's environmental, wildlife, or similar agency if you search online for "wildlife rehabilitators near me."Don't help the squirrel if you're told to.There are many reasons to consult an expert before helping a baby squirrel, including that it may not be in need of help.The mother may be hiding nearby waiting for you to leave.Squirrels need round-the-clock care for the first few weeks of life.It is difficult to care for a baby squirrel in the wild.It will not have the skills it needs.It is illegal to take in or care for wild animals where you live.You could be subject to fines or even jail time.
Step 2: If advised to do so, pick up the baby squirrel.
If the wildlife rehabilitator tells you to pick up the baby squirrel and build a temporary nest, you should.The following is how to gather up some material.You can put it in your pocket.Scoop up the baby squirrel with care.Wear gloves if you can, and wash your hands as soon as possible.Take the squirrel home and put it in a small container.There are a lot of holes in the lid.You can make a nest using the material in your pocket.The squirrel should be moved into the nest.On top of a heating pad set to low or medium, place the other half of the box.Warm that half of the box to 99 F.
Step 3: Check for dehydration, as advised by the wildlife rehabilitator.
You can check for dehydration by pinching the baby squirrel's skin.The squirrel is likely dehydrated if the pinched skin remains raised for more than 1 second.The squirrel is most likely dehydrated if the skin falls quickly.Provide hydration if advised by the wildlife rehabilitator.
Step 4: If you need a rehydrating solution, use Pedialyte, water, or a homemade mix.
Water won't work for rehydration, but Pedialyte is a better choice.Do not drink sports drinks.You can make your own rehydrating solution by combining salt, sugar, and water.The mixture should be kept in the refrigerator.If the squirrel needs to be rehydrated, use one of these options.Don't use it for regular feedings.
Step 5: If the baby squirrel is thirsty, use powdered puppy milk replacer.
You can provide this formula if the baby squirrel doesn't need rehydration.You will shift to this formula once you have completed the process of rehydrating the squirrel.Purchase powdered puppy milk replacer at any pet store and mix it with distilled water, whipping cream, or plain.Store the mixture in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Step 6: Warm a small amount of liquid.
You can draw up enough Pedialyte, water, homemade rehydrator, or formula to fill a 1cc oral syringe.Put it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 5 seconds.To test the temperature, squeeze a drop on your wrist and draw it back into the dropper.The solution should be reheated for 5 more seconds if it feels cold.If it is warm on your skin, you should not feed it to the squirrel.If the baby squirrel has fur and is more than 2 weeks old, you can use an oral syringe.
Step 7: The dropper should be drawn with the appropriate amount of liquid in it.
Once your rehydrating solution or milk replacer formula is mixed and warmed, use the measurement lines on the oral syringe to get the right amount for a feedingFollow the recommendations of the wildlife rehabilitator that you have contacted.Tiny, pink-skinned, eyes- closed babies under 2 weeks of age should get a small amount of liquid every 2 hours.Open-eyed, fully-furred babies should get a small amount of water every 3 hours.When the baby is 6 weeks old, feed them 4-5cc every 4 hours.This includes night feedings until at least 6 weeks of age.
Step 8: The dropper should be pointed at the roof of the baby's mouth.
It is very easy for baby squirrels to aspirate the feeding liquid, which can lead to pneumonia and death.Aspiration will be less likely if the squirrel is upright.Pick up the squirrel and cradle it tightly to keep it safe.The squirrel's head can be kept tilted slightly upward by using your thumb.Before and after handling a squirrel, wash your hands.Wear latex or thin leather gloves.Follow the alternate feeding instructions of the wildlife rehabilitator.
Step 9: Feeding liquid should be dispersed slowly to prevent aspiration.
Place a single drop on the baby's lips.You can squeeze 3-4 drops at a time if the baby has fur and its eyes are open.It may take up to an hour to complete a feeding at a one-drop-at-a-time pace.If the liquid is running out of the squirrel's mouth, you're feeding it too quickly.Wait about a minute before you resume.
Step 10: A newborn squirrel needs to be stimulated with its bowels after each feeding.
The squirrel needs external stimulation to urinate and defecate if its eyes are still closed.After each feeding, gently rub the newborn's genital and anal area with a cotton ball or cotton swab dipped in warm water.Remove the mess with a damp cloth.When the squirrel's eyes are open, it should urinate and defecate.
Step 11: If there are feeding issues, get the wildlife rehabilitator involved.
If the baby squirrel gags when you try to feed it, immediately contact the wildlife rehabilitator again.If there are feeding problems, you should always get the squirrel to the rehabilitator so they can care for it.If the squirrel won't urinate or defecate even with stimulation, get the rehabilitator's help right away.
Step 12: The rehabilitator recommends the first solid food.
Different wildlife rehabilitators have different preferences regarding the best food to feed a baby squirrel.You can buy packaged feeding blocks at pet stores.Some experts prefer feeding blocks for rodents, while others prefer squirrel-specific blocks.They may recommend the best place to get the feeding blocks.
Step 13: Try to get the squirrel to open his eyes.
Squirrels open their eyes at around 4-5 weeks of age.Place your feeding block in the squirrel's enclosure after you give it a feeding with the dropper.It will show no interest at first.It will start nibbling on the block after a while.Add a water source to the enclosure when you add the food block.Fresh water can be found in a shallow dish in the enclosure.The squirrel formula should be fed every 4 hours until it shows no interest in it.It will lose interest in formula and only want solid food at 7 to 10 weeks of age.
Step 14: One at a time, introduce veggies and other healthy foods.
Add small, ripped-up pieces of broccoli, kale, spring mix, or other dark greens after the squirrel has taken to the feeding blocks.Start with one vegetable at a time and wait a few days before trying another.You can offer seeds, nuts, and pieces of fruit at a time.The feeding blocks should not be replaced with these other foods.You can add a few pieces at a time.It's easier to determine if the squirrel has a bad response to a particular food if you give them new foods one at a time.It's the most obvious sign of this.
Step 15: If you take the squirrel to a rehabilitator, it will be released into the wild.
The squirrel is ready to return to the wild once it is weaned.You should let an expert handle the transition because it is very challenging.If you want to transfer the squirrel to their care, contact the rehabilitationilitator.You could take in the squirrel as a pet.Squirrels are very demanding pets regardless of where you live.It will live a better life in the wild.