Baby Squirrel Formula
The information provided here is intended to help you with the initial steps to caring for a baby squirrel.
Baby squirrel formula. Eastern grey squirrels are black gray or brown. Weigh the baby every day at the same time to determine if they are gaining or losing weight and adjust the formula amount as needed. After the first 6 to 12 hours you can start feeding your baby squirrel a milk replacement formula. Squirrels are wild animals that live their best lives in the wild rather than being kept as pets if you find a baby squirrel that you re sure needs care contact a wildlife rehabilitator first to get expert guidance prepare a rehydrating solution or milk replacement formula as advised and feed the squirrel slowly carefully and frequently as directed.
Baby squirrels make a high pitched squeaking noise. This is where many people get really confused and scared because there are a whole lot of people in the rehab community that militantly advocate feeding only a certain type of puppy formula to baby squirrels with the dire warning that your baby squirrel will die if cows milk ever crosses it s lips. Gradual introduction of formula following rehydration. American red squirrels are reddish brown with a black stripe on their nose.
After the baby has had several feedings of rehydration solution introduce the milk formula gradually using the following 4 steps. Always check to ensure this is safe for your baby. Basic steps to hand rearing a baby squirrel. Baby squirrels need to be taken care of until they are 12 weeks old.
Remove the fleas and maggots by hand with flea combs and or tweezers. For squirrels up to four weeks of age the best formula is fox valley day one 32 40 appropriate for baby squirrels under four weeks eastern cottontail or baby opossum under 45 grams. For squirrels over four weeks or with eyes opened fox valley day one 20 50 is recommended. This recipe uses eggs to boost the proportion of these two nutrients in cow milk to the correct amount but any other source of fat and protein can be substituted if you prefer be aware that this easy squirrel milk recipe contains almost 3 times as much sugar as regular squirrel milk.
We urgently recommend that the baby be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately upon receiving the animal. Baby squirrels will overeat if you let them and get diarrhea or bloating which can be fatal. Mix one part esbilac powder to four parts lukewarm water for the first feeding if your esbilac is premixed dilute it with equal parts water. Be aware that baby squirrels might have parasites such as fleas mites ticks and maggots.
Petco also sells flea and mite sprays made specifically for small animals such as hamsters. Clean your baby squirrel. Squirrel milk is rich in fat and protein. Again your baby squirrel s life depends on you getting the right formula if you get the wrong formula both the baby and you will undoubtedly suffer.