Have you found a baby squirrel?You can take care of it and raise it to adulthood if you want to.This is illegal in many states.First of all, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.Raising an animal that has been domesticated from birth can be more difficult than raising a wild animal.Your squirrel will thrive in your home until it is ready to go back to the wild, if you give it the right food, shelter, and care.It's important to remember that a baby squirrel is best raised by their parent.When hand-rearing a baby squirrel, the success rate is low.
Step 1: Look for the baby's mother.
No one can raise a baby squirrel better than its mom.It's important to try to get the baby and mother back together when you find a baby squirrel.If they are warm, a squirrel mama will look for her babies.Squirrel moms don't take back cold babies because they think the baby is dying or sick.It's your job to keep an eye on the situation.The baby is probably an orphan if the mom doesn't come to get it within one to two hours.The scent of a human on a squirrel baby is not going to deter the mother from taking them back.The mom will not take the live baby back if there is more than one baby dead.It is up to you to rehabilitate them and see if mom will return them after some time has passed.
Step 2: The baby should be gently picked up.
If you wear thick leather gloves, you can observe the baby and check for injuries, bugs, bleeding, bumps or wounds.You need to find a vet who will see a squirrel as soon as possible if they are bleeding or injured.Unless you are licensed, most vets won't see the squirrel.Call any and all the rehabbers in your area if this is the case.
Step 3: The baby needs to be warm.
Squirrels don't have their own heat so you have to help them.You can find a heating pad, electric blanket, hot water bottle, or even a hand warmer.It's best to use a liquid heating pad that recirculates water.The heating apparatus should be a low-to-medium temperature.The baby squirrel should be kept at a temperature of 37 C.If you have a thermometer, you can use it to create the right environment for your baby squirrel.Check the heating pads frequently to be sure they are still on after a few hours.If you can't raise the baby on your own, invest in a heating pad.The baby's life is dependent on that.If you want to keep the heat inside, you can place a towel over the container or the lid with air holes punched out.
Step 4: You should get a small box.
Once you have what you need to warm your baby squirrel, a small box, basket or a large Tupperware about a foot square (with air holes punched out of the lid), or another similar container is needed.The heating device should be placed on one side.The baby squirrel can crawl away from the pad if it gets too hot.If a heating pad is used, make sure it's under the container, not inside with the baby.You can make a nest inside the box by taking the material from the area where the baby was found.Put the baby inside the donut-shaped nest.If the heat source isuzzled up against the nest, it's not in contact with the baby.Soft fabrics can be found in your home.Babies can break toes and lose limbs if they use towels.
Step 5: One more time, try to find mama.
The nest should be outside.You can put the nest on the ground if the area is safe from animals.If you're not sure, put it in a tree or pole.As the baby squirrel warms up, it will call for its mom.There is a good chance she will come and get her baby if she is around.Squirrel mothers carry their babies just like a cat so don't worry about the nest being in a tree.
Step 6: The nest needs to be inside.
It's time to throw in the towel after a couple of hours.There are many reasons why the mother won't come.She may be dead or injured.At this point, the baby and your nest need to join your household.If you have a dog or cat, make sure the baby has its own protected room, and other animals are not allowed to have contact with it.Continue to keep the nest warm.
Step 7: There is a squirrel rehabilitation center.
You can get a referral for a local wildlife rehabilitator by calling your local vets, animal shelters, humane societies, Fish & Game, and Wildlife groups.You can search for squirrel rehabilitation by typing in your state and city.If you need help with the baby squirrel, go to The Squirrelboard.com.It is a place where you can ask questions that will help you raise the baby until a rehabber is found.The squirrel board will help you raise the baby if you can't find a rehabber.
Step 8: Some countries and states have strict laws about squirrel raising.
It is a criminal offense in the United Kingdom to rear, keep or reintroduce a grey squirrel.Some states in the U.S., such as Washington state, have laws that make it illegal to possess or provide rehabilitation to a sick, injured, or orphan wild animal unless you have a license to do so.If it is illegal to raise orphan wildlife in your area, you may be liable for prosecution.
Step 9: Take care of your baby squirrel.
You should be aware that baby squirrels might have parasites.Flea and/or tweezers can be used to remove the fleas.Flea and mite sprays are made for small animals.Make sure this is safe for your baby.Blue Dawn dish soap (blue only) is a non-chemical option.If it's a small baby, don't use chemicals on the squirrel.The baby should be protected from the spray by the cloth.Don't spray wounds.It will hurt.It's a good idea to wash your hands after you clean it.
Step 10: Check for dehydration.
By pinching their skin, you can see how dehydrated they are.They are dehydrated if the "tent" of their skin stays there over a second or more.You don't know how long a dehydrated baby squirrel has been without water, so you have to give it as much as you can.A dehydrated squirrel's sunken eyes are a sign.
Step 11: You can choose your liquid.
Babies who have fallen will need water.If you want to buy Pedialyte in the baby section, you can go to the supermarket or drug store.Gerber has a store brand of rehydrating baby fluid.Squirrels like fruit flavors, but plain will do if it's all they've got.Do not drink any sports drinks.If you're not near a store or drugstore, you can make this at home.
Step 12: You can use oral needles.
These are the types of needles that do not have a needle.Don't use anything larger than a 5cc needle.The best option would be to use 1cc needles.Ask your local pharmacy for some needle-less needles.
Step 13: The baby's temperature should be checked.
The baby needs to be warm to the touch to get a precise temperature.It won't be able to digest what you're feeding it if it's not warm.
Step 14: Feed hairless, pink babies.
If your baby is hairless and pink, it's probably less than 2 inches long.It's easy to aspirate the babies when they are small and that leads to fluid in their lungs.They might die because of this.To avoid this, hold the baby upright in your hand and point the needle at the roof of their mouth.Do not force the baby to be fed.It will take an hour to get 1cc in the baby.The fluids should be warm but not hot.You can keep the unused amounts in the fridge.Put a small drop on their lips at a time and let them suck that in.If they don't want to take the fluids, give them a drop in their mouth.Some people will open their mouths and start sucking.You can give them a few drops if they open their eyes.You're going too fast if they fall out of their mouth or nose.Hold them upside down for 10 seconds, then remove the fluids from their nose and nostrils, and wait about one minute.
Step 15: Give the correct amount.
Give tiny, eyes- closed pink babies 1cc every two hours, fully furred eyes closed babies 1-2cc, and open-eyed babies 2-4cc until a rehabber calls you back with your instructions.If the baby is gagging or unresponsive to food, take it to a rehabber and ask for lactated ringers.These should help get the baby to feed again.The baby squirrel needs to be fed every two hours.Feed every three hours until they open their eyes.Between seven and ten weeks old, the baby should be fed every four hours.
Step 16: The baby squirrel needs to be stimulated.
They need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom when their eyes are closed so before and after each feeding of fluids you should gently wipe the genital and anal area with a warm, moist cotton ball or Q-tip.If they don't, their stomach will bloat and result in death.In the wild, their mothers do this for them.They may not poop for a day if they are very dehydrated and have not eaten in a while.
Step 17: The time between feedings should be reduced.
Feed the baby every hour for four to six hours if it is feeding well and growing well.The following recipe can be used as a guideline: 1 part powdered puppy milk replacer, 2 parts distilled water, and 4 parts whipping cream.
Step 18: Warm the food.
It's fine to microwave.Gradually introduce this soft food.You will move up the feeding steps quicker than the Pedialyte.Don't mix formula and pedialyte.Start with a weak formula.For a day, 4 parts water to 1 part powder.Water and powder for one day.2 parts water and 1 part powder.
Step 19: Wean your baby.
You can use Rodent Blocks at most pet stores once your little one is ready for food.They have the right amount of vitamins and minerals.At Henry's Pets.com, you can buy blocks made for squirrels.Give the blocks to the squirrel.
Step 20: It is not a good idea to introduce nuts as a first food.
Start with vegetables that are healthy.You can slowly introduce fruits and nuts once the baby is eating blocks and veggies.Only one nut and 1-2 small pieces of fruit can be given.It will let you know when it's done with formula by pushing it away.If your squirrel pees on the food, you don't need to worry.Give them a small amount of food at a time to make sure they don't get sick.A squirrel can be killed by an invisible toxin if you pick acorns from the ground.
Step 21: Purchase a large cage.
Squirrels need some room to run.The cage needs to be at least 2'2'x3' with shelves, a bed, and places to hide and climb.There is a water source in the cage.The squirrel will chew, destroy, and possibly eat it if it's plastic.It should have toys to play with.Pinecones, clean sticks, and a thick dog bone are good ideas.Bad ideas are anything that can rip apart, choke on, and throw the stuffing all over the place.His teeth never stop growing, so include objects to grind them on.
Step 22: There is a baby squirrel.
If your baby is a solitary person, they need social interaction.There should be at least one hour of fun every day.If you don't have a room safe for this, either get a larger outdoor cage for them to spend time in, or move the baby to a different cage.The baby should not be allowed to play outside.Hawks and other predatory animals are quicker than you and may grab the baby before you have a chance to react.The baby may run away and get spooked.It is a good idea to let them get used to heights and curtain rods will be a great help here.You don't want your baby to be crawling on the ground when it gets outside, and many hand-raised Squirrels end up being easy prey for snakes, cats etc.Rehabilitators will pair a baby squirrel with a friend so they can bond together.Two squirrels will help each other survive in the wild in a variety of ways, which is why the baby should be taken to a rehabilitator.A baby squirrel can have growth problems if it is kept in a small cage for too long.If the baby stops taking formula completely, stop taking him out.He will need to learn to fear humans in order to survive in the wild.
Step 23: The rehabilitation should be moved into the wild.
At four to five months of age, the squirrel needs to be moved to an outside cage that is at least six feet tall.It needs to be predator-proof.It should have a nest box, sticks to play with, and be partially covered from the rain.Your squirrel could pull a daring escape if the cage has a solid bottom.A sally port is needed to make sure he doesn't jump out when you open the door to feed him.Make sure the cage has a small door for release.It should be around 4 inches square.If a squirrel is being chased by a larger predator, he can return home safely without fear of being caught.When the time is right, open the door and let the squirrel out on his own.A squirrel should be in an outdoor cage for at least four weeks prior to release.It's important to feed wild foods so he knows what to look for.
Step 24: Let the squirrel go.
You have to make sure the release area is safe because it has no mother or siblings.There should be plenty of water, food and fruit in the area.Enough food will be provided for at least three weeks after release.If you release food in your yard, keep it stocked with fresh food.You know what your squirrel likes to eat.It is a good idea to put your squirrel back in the place you found it if it is safe and has food sources it needs.Don't release your squirrel too soon.A baby is not prepared to survive on its own at four months.You need to keep an eye on the squirrel for the first week to make sure he can find food and water.