So You Found A Baby Squirrel... Now What?
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First and foremost I don't advocate for keeping wildlife in captivity but sometimes it needs a little help in the right direction. I do suggest trying to contact a licensed wildlife rehabber to take over the care of orphaned or abandoned babies of any species. These little lives are fragile and each species has specific dietary needs. There is a difference between surviving and thriving, a difference between living and dying. If you can't meet the needs of these little ones, they are the ones to suffer. For a rehabber in your area check Animal Help Now
I want you to understand that in spite of what most people say, squirrels don't often make the best pets. They are wild animals that belong in the trees if at all possible. Sometimes there are instances of non release due to injuries that cause life long ailments and you have a decision to make taking on the huge responsibility of caring for this animal until release or for the remainder of it's life. Squirrels are not cheap, they cost money to care for. Are you ready for that expense? Squirrels in the wild, the average life span is 1 to 3 years. Most don't make it to the second winter though there are plenty of instances that people report squirrels sticking around for 4 to 6 years. A squirrel in captivity barring any health issues can live 6 to 11 years on average. That's a long time to see to their dietary needs, playful stimulation, fits or hormone changes during mating seasons and having the large space to accommodate them. That's just a dent in the bucket. Squirrels if they bond with a human mostly bond with just one human, that is something to take into consideration as well especially if there are several in your household. Squirrel bites can be terrible for an adult but think about if it were to a child.
Something else to think of too. Vets! Most vets are not wildlife vets and will not treat wildlife nor are they versed in the needs of wild animals. If your squirrel were to get sick or injured what are you going to do? In the US it is illegal to keep wildlife in captivity. You either have to be a licensed rehabber, have specific permits, work under a licensed rehabber or have paperwork that you obtained the squirrel through a licensed breeder. Check your state laws for specific info. If caught with a "wild" squirrel without the proper paperwork regardless of your best intentions they can take the squirrel from you and fine you. You thought you were doing what's right but you didn't through the eyes of conservation.
Squirrels when young do best with litter mates, they learn from each other and are a lot easier to release. Single baby squirrels are just that, single and much harder to release. I highly suggest contacting a licensed rehabber to pair up the singlet with others close to its age to heighten the chances of a successful release.
What Next?
So, you found this baby squirrel and don't know what to do. It's advised if at all possible to try and reunite it with its mother. Human scent won't deter mom from coming back if she comes back. First though, check it for injuries, bumps, bruises, bug bites and fleas. If any of those are visible you may have to step in. For fleas you can bathe baby in Dawn dish washing soap. You can place baby in a box with some fleece or an old torn up t-shirt to keep it warm and place the box close to where you found the baby. Mom won't retrieve a cold baby. Terry cloth materials have loops that nails can snag on so don't use those. If mom will come back it would usually be within a couple of hours.
If she hasn't come back, you'll need to intervene until you can find a licensed rehabber. For very young babies with eyes and ears still closed you'll need to make sure the baby is warm. A cold baby won't eat. A heating pad that doesn't shut off placed under the plastic tote (don't use a cardboard box, it can take the moisture out of the air surrounding the baby) will keep baby warm. Place it under just one side so that the baby has room to move off of it if it gets too warm. A heating pad is used until baby's eyes open at approximately 5 weeks old.
The next step is hydration. You can test this by doing a pinch test at the back of the neck behind the ears. If the skin stays tented for more than a second or two the baby definitely needs to be hydrated before formula. If the fur is spikey it needs fluids. Pedialyte is used for this but no more than 24 hours due to the salt content. If baby is still dehydrated beyond the first 24 hours, sugar water is fine to give. Babies like fluids and formula super warm. It's also recommended to give a couple hydration feedings before formula in the beginning regardless if baby is deydrated or not. It helps flush out mom's milk to make the transition to pre-made formula easier.
Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
Sugar Water
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
So, you found this baby squirrel and don't know what to do. It's advised if at all possible to try and reunite it with its mother. Human scent won't deter mom from coming back if she comes back. First though, check it for injuries, bumps, bruises, bug bites and fleas. If any of those are visible you may have to step in. For fleas you can bathe baby in Dawn dish washing soap. You can place baby in a box with some fleece or an old torn up t-shirt to keep it warm and place the box close to where you found the baby. Mom won't retrieve a cold baby. Terry cloth materials have loops that nails can snag on so don't use those. If mom will come back it would usually be within a couple of hours.
If she hasn't come back, you'll need to intervene until you can find a licensed rehabber. For very young babies with eyes and ears still closed you'll need to make sure the baby is warm. A cold baby won't eat. A heating pad that doesn't shut off placed under the plastic tote (don't use a cardboard box, it can take the moisture out of the air surrounding the baby) will keep baby warm. Place it under just one side so that the baby has room to move off of it if it gets too warm. A heating pad is used until baby's eyes open at approximately 5 weeks old.
The next step is hydration. You can test this by doing a pinch test at the back of the neck behind the ears. If the skin stays tented for more than a second or two the baby definitely needs to be hydrated before formula. If the fur is spikey it needs fluids. Pedialyte is used for this but no more than 24 hours due to the salt content. If baby is still dehydrated beyond the first 24 hours, sugar water is fine to give. Babies like fluids and formula super warm. It's also recommended to give a couple hydration feedings before formula in the beginning regardless if baby is deydrated or not. It helps flush out mom's milk to make the transition to pre-made formula easier.
Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
Sugar Water
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
Fluids and formula are fed using a miracle nipple (mini for the pinkies and regular for the older babies) and a 1 or 3 cc syringe, anything bigger can be problematic in that it can cause the baby to easily asphyxiate. Asphyxiation can cause pneumonia which is fatal to a baby squirrel. Do not use kitten or puppy bottles and nipples. Those are far too big for these little guys and you can't control the amount of fluids coming out. Feed in the upright position with the syringe tip pointed upwards, if fluids come out of the nose, turn baby upside down and let it drain out then wipe it away. In dire cases you can put your mouth over the baby's nose and suck it out gently. Pneumonia in a baby squirrel can be discerned by a clicking sound when it breaths. At that point it immediately would need antibiotics to treat this. Having a wildlife vet and the proper paper work is important in instances such as this one. Do NOT dose the baby yourself with any kind of meds, seek help! Babies are fed anywhere from every 3 to 4 hours depending on age. Babies with eyes open don't need to be fed through the night, get some sleep! We feed 5 to 7% of their body weight each feeding and we weigh baby in grams. Overfeeding can cause bloat and is deadly to a baby. Bloat is a big hard round belly, normal full baby belly is soft and shaped like a balloon. If a baby has bloat, you would need to take steps in getting his bowels moving to expel the backed up fecal matter. In pinkies, babies with no hair yet you can see a milk line across the naked belly. If the milk line is there you need to extend the feeding time a bit and let that milk line go down before feeding again to avoid it getting bloat. Babies with eyes closed need to be stimulated like mom would do so that they urinate and defecate. Use a warm wet cotton ball or q-tip and wipe off the genitals and anal area to replicate what mom would do. It may take a few minutes to achieve any results.
1cc is read as 1.0
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Formula
Esbilac puppy milk replacer formula can be used IF expiration date is on or after 10/2021. Anything before this date should not be used.
If your baby is older than 3 1/2 weeks old, Fox Valley 20/50 is recommended. This can be purchased at Henry's Pets or on Amazon. Babies under 3 1/2 weeks old can be fed a the following formula.
TEMPORARY GOAT'S MILK FORMULA:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.
Formula is made up in batches for the day, it needs to sit in the fridge for approximately 6 hours to allow time for the powder particles to break down. For the first 24 hours of feeding when transitioning baby over from hydration fluids the formula should be watered down at a 50/50 ratio. If baby does well then move on to the full strength.
Esbilac puppy milk replacer formula can be used IF expiration date is on or after 10/2021. Anything before this date should not be used.
If your baby is older than 3 1/2 weeks old, Fox Valley 20/50 is recommended. This can be purchased at Henry's Pets or on Amazon. Babies under 3 1/2 weeks old can be fed a the following formula.
TEMPORARY GOAT'S MILK FORMULA:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.
Formula is made up in batches for the day, it needs to sit in the fridge for approximately 6 hours to allow time for the powder particles to break down. For the first 24 hours of feeding when transitioning baby over from hydration fluids the formula should be watered down at a 50/50 ratio. If baby does well then move on to the full strength.
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If persistent diarrhea is present you would need to use the Brac's formula, this is added into each feeding but also hydrate in between feedings with sugar water. *Do not mix pedialyte with formula*
1/2 ts baby rice ceral
1/2 ts baby banana puree
1/2 ts baby rice ceral
1/2 ts baby banana puree
Weaning
Babies start weaning around 7 to 9 weeks but can take formula for several weeks longer. Give it to them for however long they will take it. The formula is a great preventative of MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease in squirrels.
At 5 weeks of age is about when baby will open his eyes. Around this time baby is going to want to explore his surroundings. A cage is recommended to keep him safe and allow him climbing, hiding and playing room. He's also going to need things to chew on. A few things you can add to his environment:
Sticks and twigs
Sea shells
Small rocks
Cuttle bones
Deer antlers
Wood blocks as long as the wood is untreated, pine is preferred
Ferret hammocks
Small shipping boxes to hide in
Fleece bedding materials
Carboard tubes
Plain white tissue paper
Note: hamster type bedding and cedar shavings aren't recommended. While baby is still really little you can line the bottom of the cage with fleece to keep baby's feet from falling through and remove once his climbing capabilities are good.
Babies start weaning around 7 to 9 weeks but can take formula for several weeks longer. Give it to them for however long they will take it. The formula is a great preventative of MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease in squirrels.
At 5 weeks of age is about when baby will open his eyes. Around this time baby is going to want to explore his surroundings. A cage is recommended to keep him safe and allow him climbing, hiding and playing room. He's also going to need things to chew on. A few things you can add to his environment:
Sticks and twigs
Sea shells
Small rocks
Cuttle bones
Deer antlers
Wood blocks as long as the wood is untreated, pine is preferred
Ferret hammocks
Small shipping boxes to hide in
Fleece bedding materials
Carboard tubes
Plain white tissue paper
Note: hamster type bedding and cedar shavings aren't recommended. While baby is still really little you can line the bottom of the cage with fleece to keep baby's feet from falling through and remove once his climbing capabilities are good.
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Squirrel diet beyond formula
So when do you start a solid food diet? Usually the solid foods start when eyes open but there is a specific diet you'd need to follow to keep baby healthy. Squirrel block is always recommended for a first food. Two blocks a day contain what baby needs in vitamins and minerals. At first baby may shred it, play with it, hide it or even pee on it. Keep at it, he needs this! Once your baby is well on its way to eating the blocks daily then you can introduce in greens. The following food chart is the recommended do's and don'ts for a healthy squirrel diet.
So when do you start a solid food diet? Usually the solid foods start when eyes open but there is a specific diet you'd need to follow to keep baby healthy. Squirrel block is always recommended for a first food. Two blocks a day contain what baby needs in vitamins and minerals. At first baby may shred it, play with it, hide it or even pee on it. Keep at it, he needs this! Once your baby is well on its way to eating the blocks daily then you can introduce in greens. The following food chart is the recommended do's and don'ts for a healthy squirrel diet.
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A great source for squirrel supplies and baby care is Henry's Pets. Nipples, syringes and squirrel block can be found here.
A note on nuts:
Nuts are a food item that we see all wild squirrels scurrying after and hiding everywhere. In captivity too many are not good and can cause severe health issues. Wild squirrels can regulate their diets on their own, captive squirrels can not. Help your squirrel thrive rather than just survive. High phosphorus foods like nuts, seeds and corn will cause calcium to be pulled from the bones. It's a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. It is deadly. It can be avoided with a healthy diet. Those things should be given in moderation. Nuts are treats, not the majority of the diet.
It's also recommended not to give nuts you find yourself outside. Nuts such as acorns contain toxins believe it or not. A wild squirrel will know when those toxins have leached out or not and will either bury it or eat it. A captive squirrel will eat it just because it's a nut and it's there. Nuts should be bought roasted and unsalted. Two a day as treats is what is suggested. Almonds are the best choice.
Nuts are a food item that we see all wild squirrels scurrying after and hiding everywhere. In captivity too many are not good and can cause severe health issues. Wild squirrels can regulate their diets on their own, captive squirrels can not. Help your squirrel thrive rather than just survive. High phosphorus foods like nuts, seeds and corn will cause calcium to be pulled from the bones. It's a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. It is deadly. It can be avoided with a healthy diet. Those things should be given in moderation. Nuts are treats, not the majority of the diet.
It's also recommended not to give nuts you find yourself outside. Nuts such as acorns contain toxins believe it or not. A wild squirrel will know when those toxins have leached out or not and will either bury it or eat it. A captive squirrel will eat it just because it's a nut and it's there. Nuts should be bought roasted and unsalted. Two a day as treats is what is suggested. Almonds are the best choice.
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When to release
You've done your best to start your baby off right. It's time for release but when? Normally squirrels can be released at 5 months of age. Remember that eyes opening are a clue that baby is right at 5 weeks old. Time to move baby and cage outside for 2 to 4 weeks. This allows baby time to acclimate to sights, sounds and temps. Continue to feed baby a healthy diet and once the baby has been outside for a bit then it's time to leave the door open. (Note: variance under Squirrel Boxes.) Leave the cage where it is as well as feed and water for another 2 weeks. Baby will need a couple of weeks to learn to forage for food on his own. Once he has the hang of it, your job is done!
If baby is at the age of 5 months and release has you closer to the end of the year you may have to over winter baby til spring depending on the weather and seasonal changes in your area. If this is the case, baby may need more time in the pre-release cage come spring time and follow the same steps above. If you over winter you will need to have plenty of space for your squirrel and change up play and chewing items every couple of days to keep them from boredom.
You've done your best to start your baby off right. It's time for release but when? Normally squirrels can be released at 5 months of age. Remember that eyes opening are a clue that baby is right at 5 weeks old. Time to move baby and cage outside for 2 to 4 weeks. This allows baby time to acclimate to sights, sounds and temps. Continue to feed baby a healthy diet and once the baby has been outside for a bit then it's time to leave the door open. (Note: variance under Squirrel Boxes.) Leave the cage where it is as well as feed and water for another 2 weeks. Baby will need a couple of weeks to learn to forage for food on his own. Once he has the hang of it, your job is done!
If baby is at the age of 5 months and release has you closer to the end of the year you may have to over winter baby til spring depending on the weather and seasonal changes in your area. If this is the case, baby may need more time in the pre-release cage come spring time and follow the same steps above. If you over winter you will need to have plenty of space for your squirrel and change up play and chewing items every couple of days to keep them from boredom.
Squirrel Boxes
These are wooden boxes that can be introduced to your squirrel at any time they are climbing well in your care. They provide a safe haven and sleeping area for your squirrel in captivity. At release time you can place baby in the box, cover the hole with duct tape and get it mounted up in the tree, remove the tape and let him come out on his own. Squirrels that I've had in my care I've placed the squirrel box inside the cage or attached it to the outside of the cage where one of the small side doors are then move the squirrel box to the tree at time of full release.
These are wooden boxes that can be introduced to your squirrel at any time they are climbing well in your care. They provide a safe haven and sleeping area for your squirrel in captivity. At release time you can place baby in the box, cover the hole with duct tape and get it mounted up in the tree, remove the tape and let him come out on his own. Squirrels that I've had in my care I've placed the squirrel box inside the cage or attached it to the outside of the cage where one of the small side doors are then move the squirrel box to the tree at time of full release.
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Outside Enclosures for Pre-release or non-release
One of the squirrels in my care I was unable to release on time due to several circumstances and he needed a bigger enclosure. Premade store bought cages won't be enough for a squirrel that is kept for a longer period of time or for non-releases. The minimum space size for an enclosure like this is 6' tall x 6' wide and 4' deep. Below are some examples of larger or pre-release enclosures. These are made with untreated pine and 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth. Chicken wire is useless, a squirrel will chew right through it. All should have an entry door that you can walk through, a double entry door for squirrels trying to escape works best and a small 4" food door with a shelf beneath it on the inside to place their food dish on. A water bottle attached to the cage or a shallow dish for water will also be needed. You can add in tree limbs, branches, ropes, hammocks, squirrel box, dig box filled with dirt etc. to keep them busy. Each side is made as a panel with 2" x 4"s, the hardware cloth is attached to the outside of each panel then covered with a 1" x 2" piece of lumber, you want to sandwich the ends of the hardware cloth in between. The panels are screwed together directly or you can screw them together with angle brackets. If the enclosure is placed on dirt you want the hardware cloth on the bottom, a squirrel will dig its way out or a predator can try to dig its way in. No roofing material is needed other than the hardware cloth if the enclosure is built inside. If your enclosure is inside make sure that your squirrel can get plenty of sunshine or provide artificial lighting that will give that to him and supplementing his diet with calcium will greatly help.
One of the squirrels in my care I was unable to release on time due to several circumstances and he needed a bigger enclosure. Premade store bought cages won't be enough for a squirrel that is kept for a longer period of time or for non-releases. The minimum space size for an enclosure like this is 6' tall x 6' wide and 4' deep. Below are some examples of larger or pre-release enclosures. These are made with untreated pine and 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth. Chicken wire is useless, a squirrel will chew right through it. All should have an entry door that you can walk through, a double entry door for squirrels trying to escape works best and a small 4" food door with a shelf beneath it on the inside to place their food dish on. A water bottle attached to the cage or a shallow dish for water will also be needed. You can add in tree limbs, branches, ropes, hammocks, squirrel box, dig box filled with dirt etc. to keep them busy. Each side is made as a panel with 2" x 4"s, the hardware cloth is attached to the outside of each panel then covered with a 1" x 2" piece of lumber, you want to sandwich the ends of the hardware cloth in between. The panels are screwed together directly or you can screw them together with angle brackets. If the enclosure is placed on dirt you want the hardware cloth on the bottom, a squirrel will dig its way out or a predator can try to dig its way in. No roofing material is needed other than the hardware cloth if the enclosure is built inside. If your enclosure is inside make sure that your squirrel can get plenty of sunshine or provide artificial lighting that will give that to him and supplementing his diet with calcium will greatly help.
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More examples
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Helpful Tips
Is it a baby squirrel or something else? One of the biggest things in determining if it's a baby squirrel or any other type of rodent is the color of the nails. Baby squirrels have black nails from birth, once their fur comes in their tails are white and the black comes in around 2 to 4 weeks old. All other small rodent type animals (mice, rats, voles) have clear or white nails.
Human scent
The old wives tale of touching a baby animal deterring mom from coming back is not true. If she's going to come back she will and she will continue taking care of her babies. This also includes birds. The only time rodent type animals may abandon their young is if she is deceased, seriously injured, her babies are injured and in some instances if her babies are cold.
Rabies
Rabies in a squirrel is an extremely rare occurrence. Squirrels aren't carriers. A rabid animal would have to catch the squirrel first, transmit the disease to the squirrel then the disease transmitted to a human through a squirrel bite. There is no known documentation of a human contracting rabies from a squirrel.
Is it a baby squirrel or something else? One of the biggest things in determining if it's a baby squirrel or any other type of rodent is the color of the nails. Baby squirrels have black nails from birth, once their fur comes in their tails are white and the black comes in around 2 to 4 weeks old. All other small rodent type animals (mice, rats, voles) have clear or white nails.
Human scent
The old wives tale of touching a baby animal deterring mom from coming back is not true. If she's going to come back she will and she will continue taking care of her babies. This also includes birds. The only time rodent type animals may abandon their young is if she is deceased, seriously injured, her babies are injured and in some instances if her babies are cold.
Rabies
Rabies in a squirrel is an extremely rare occurrence. Squirrels aren't carriers. A rabid animal would have to catch the squirrel first, transmit the disease to the squirrel then the disease transmitted to a human through a squirrel bite. There is no known documentation of a human contracting rabies from a squirrel.
Baby Rat vs Baby Mouse
Size – A rat’s body in general is bulkier while a mouse’s body is more slender.
Tail – A mouse’s tail is about the same length as its head and body combined while the tail of a rat is shorter than its head and body combined. A black rat’s tail is dark above and pale beneath while a house mouse’s tail is uniformly dark. 6cm dark tail and 6-7cm body
Head – A mouse has a small head that is proportional in size to its body while a young rat has a large head for its body. A mouse has a more pointed muzzle while a rat’s nose is more blunt.
Ears – A mouse has large ears for its head size (you could pull them over its eyes) while a rat has proportionally small ears with hairs inside (if you get close enough to check!).
Feet – A mouse has small feet that are in proportion to its body, while a young rat has feet that are large compared to the rest of its body.
Size – A rat’s body in general is bulkier while a mouse’s body is more slender.
Tail – A mouse’s tail is about the same length as its head and body combined while the tail of a rat is shorter than its head and body combined. A black rat’s tail is dark above and pale beneath while a house mouse’s tail is uniformly dark. 6cm dark tail and 6-7cm body
Head – A mouse has a small head that is proportional in size to its body while a young rat has a large head for its body. A mouse has a more pointed muzzle while a rat’s nose is more blunt.
Ears – A mouse has large ears for its head size (you could pull them over its eyes) while a rat has proportionally small ears with hairs inside (if you get close enough to check!).
Feet – A mouse has small feet that are in proportion to its body, while a young rat has feet that are large compared to the rest of its body.
Editor's Note and disclaimer:
I am in no way an expert on wildlife care but I do have experience with caring for baby squirrels. I am under the direction of several licensed wildlife rehabbers and wildlife rescue and they are my resources for knowledge. I've studied extensively in gathering information known to be tried and true in providing care for and keeping a squirrel healthy. The information above is as accurate as I know it to be. Using any of the above information is at your own risk and you hold no liability against me or Molten Mania for anything written or suggested.
I am in no way an expert on wildlife care but I do have experience with caring for baby squirrels. I am under the direction of several licensed wildlife rehabbers and wildlife rescue and they are my resources for knowledge. I've studied extensively in gathering information known to be tried and true in providing care for and keeping a squirrel healthy. The information above is as accurate as I know it to be. Using any of the above information is at your own risk and you hold no liability against me or Molten Mania for anything written or suggested.
