Squirrel moms will not take back a cold baby because they will think it is either sick or dying. It’s up to you to monitor the situation. If the baby is hurt, cold, or it’s nighttime and mom does not come to get the baby within one to two hours, the baby is probably an orphan and needs your help. Human scent on a squirrel baby will not deter the mother from taking them back so touching them is not a worry at any point. If there is more than one baby and one is already dead, the mom will not take the live one(s) back. Therefore it will be up to you to rehab them and see if mom will reclaim them after some time has passed and the scent of her deceased baby subsides.
Baby squirrels should be incubated at about 99 °F (37 °C). If you have a thermometer handy or can borrow one it will help you create the right environment for your baby squirrel’s good health. Some heating pads shut off after a few hours, so check it often to be sure it is still on. If you have no option, but to raise the baby yourself, invest in a non-auto-shut-off heating pad. The baby’s life depends on it. You can also place a towel over top of the container or the lid to the container with air holes punched out to keep the heat inside.
Make a nest inside the box with nesting material from the area where you found the baby. Make a donut-shaped nest and place the baby inside. Be sure the heat source is nuzzled up against the nest but not directly in contact with the baby. If necessary you can use soft fabrics from your home. Do not use towels as baby squirrels can snag their toes and break ankles, lose limbs, etc.
As your baby squirrel warms it will instinctively call for its mother. If she is around there is an excellent chance she will come and get her baby. Squirrel mothers carry their babies just like a cat so don’t worry about the nest being in a tree.
If you have a dog or a cat make sure the baby has its own protected room and other animals are never allowed to have contact with the baby. Make sure you continue to keep the nest warm.
Go to http://www. thesquirrelboard. com for help with the baby squirrel until you find a rehabber. It is a forum that you can join and ask questions that will help you raise the baby until a rehabber is found. If a rehabber cannot be found, the squirrel board will help you raise the baby to release back into the wild.
If it’s a tiny, pink-skinned baby, do not apply any chemicals to the squirrel. Put the spray on the cloth around the baby. Do not spray into wounds. It will sting. Wash your hands immediately after cleaning it, since the parasites could spread to you or other animals.
Wrinkly, sunken eyes or appearing emaciated are also telltale signs of a dehydrated squirrel.
If you are nowhere near a store or drugstore, here is a homemade formula: One teaspoon salt Three teaspoons of sugar One quart of warm water Mix well
Be sure the fluids are warm but not too hot. You can store the unused amounts in the refrigerator. For these little babies, just put one little drop on their lips at a time and let them suck that in. If they won’t take the fluids, poke a drop in their mouth so they can taste some of it first. Some will just open their mouths wide and start sucking away. If their eyes are open, you can let them take the syringe in their mouth and gently give them a few drops. If a lot falls out of their mouth or comes out the nose, you’re going way too fast. Hold them upside down immediately for 10 seconds, then blot the fluids off their nose and out of their nostrils then wait about one minute before you continue.
If the baby is gagging or unresponsive to feeding, take it immediately to a rehabber and request lactated ringers. If done properly, these should help get the baby feeding again. [4] X Research source Feed every two hours around the clock until the baby squirrel is two weeks old. After that, feed every three hours until their eyes open. Then feed the baby every four hours until weaned, which is between seven and ten weeks old. [5] X Research source
Their mothers do this for them in the wild. If they are very dehydrated and haven’t eaten in a while, they may not pee for a quite a few feedings and may not poop for a day.
1 part powdered puppy milk replacer 2 parts distilled water 1/4 part whipping cream (not whipped cream) or plain yogurt
Do not mix Pedialyte and formula. Start with a weak formula mixture. 4 parts water to 1 part powder for 1 day. 3 parts water to 1 part powder for 1 day. 2 parts water to 1 part powder until weaning.
Like a human baby it will also let you know when it’s done with formula by pushing it away. If your squirrel pees on the food, don’t worry, it’s just what baby squirrels do. Give them small amounts of just one food at a time to be sure it doesn’t get diarrhea. Avoid picking acorns from the ground as many contain an invisible toxin that can quickly kill a squirrel. [9] X Research source
Keep a ceramic water source in the cage. If it’s plastic the squirrel will chew, destroy, and possibly eat it. Provide it with toys to play with. Good ideas are pinecones, clean sticks, or a clean, thick dog bone. Bad ideas are anything it can rip apart, choke on, and throw the stuffing all over the place (like a bean-stuffed toy). [10] X Research source Include objects to grind his teeth on, as they never stop growing.
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 once it gets outside and many hand-raised squirrels tend to do just that, ending up easy prey for snakes, cats etc. Rehabilitators will pair a baby squirrel with a friend before either opens their eyes so they bond together. This is yet another reason to take the baby to a rehabilitator: two squirrels will help each other survive in the wild in a variety of ways. [11] X Research source A baby squirrel kept in a small cage too long can have growth deformities from the cramped spaces or from circling the small cage. Once the baby stops taking formula completely, stop taking the baby out. He will need to learn a natural fear of humans to ensure his safety in the wild.
Make sure it has a nesting box, sticks to play with, allows your squirrel to climb and jump on various surfaces, and is partially covered from rain. The cage should also have a solid bottom or your squirrel could pull a daring escape. If you’re building one, a sally port is recommended to ensure he doesn’t jump out when you’re opening the door to feed him. Ensure the cage has a tiny squirrel-sized door for release. This door should be around 4 inches square. This way, if a squirrel is being chased by a larger predator, he can return home safely without fear that the larger predator will follow him and trap him. When it is time for release, open this door only and allow the squirrel to venture out on his own. [12] X Research source Your squirrel should spend at least four weeks in its outdoor cage prior to release. During this time, it’s crucial to feed wild foods so he knows what to look for.
Provide enough food for at least three weeks after release. If you release in your yard, put up a feeder and keep it regularly stocked with fresh food. After all, you already know what your squirrel likes to eat. [13] X Research source Putting your squirrel back in the environment where you found it is a great idea if it is safe and provides to food sources it needs. It’s vitally important not to release your squirrel too soon. At four months a baby is woefully unprepared to survive on its own and is easy prey for predators. You must monitor the squirrel for the first week to make sure he is able to find food, water, and is confident in the new surroundings.
