Do squirrels drink milk? The biological answer is yes, but only during a brief period of infancy. Adult squirrels, like most wild mammals, do not naturally consume milk and should never be given dairy products. This is a matter of biological safety rooted in their digestive anatomy. Offering a squirrel cow’s milk, even with good intentions, can be extremely harmful to their health.
Squirrels and Mother’s Milk
Infant squirrels, called kits or pups, are entirely dependent on their mother’s milk for the first several weeks of life. This milk provides the precise balance of fats, proteins, and nutrients necessary for their rapid early development. Young animals are born with the ability to produce the digestive enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, the primary sugar found in milk.
The weaning process begins when pups start exploring solid foods, typically around six to eight weeks old. This transition is gradual, with mother’s milk remaining part of their diet until they are between 12 and 16 weeks old. As squirrels mature and transition fully to a natural diet of nuts, seeds, and plants, their body’s production of the lactase enzyme slowly declines. This biological shift prepares them for a life without milk.
Why Cow’s Milk is Dangerous for Adult Squirrels
The cessation of lactase production after weaning means that adult squirrels are naturally lactose intolerant. When an adult consumes cow’s milk, the lactose cannot be properly digested in the small intestine. The undigested milk sugar passes into the large intestine, where it rapidly ferments due to gut bacteria. This fermentation creates gas, causing severe gastrointestinal distress, bloating, and painful cramps. This reaction also draws water into the digestive tract, resulting in acute and potentially life-threatening diarrhea and dehydration.
Because squirrels are small animals, a single episode of severe diarrhea can quickly lead to profound fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Furthermore, the nutritional composition of cow’s milk is profoundly different from a mother squirrel’s milk. Squirrel milk has significantly higher fat and protein content, which is necessary for the rapid growth of the young. Cow’s milk is nutritionally inadequate for a young squirrel and actively harmful for an adult. The foreign proteins and sugars overwhelm the digestive system, leading to malnourishment and digestive failure, which can potentially lead to death.
Safe Hydration and Alternatives
For any wild adult squirrel, the only appropriate liquid is fresh, clean water. Offering water in a shallow dish, especially during periods of extreme heat or drought, provides the safest means of hydration. Squirrels are adapted to find water from natural sources, but a readily available clean supply can be beneficial in urban or suburban environments.
If an orphaned infant squirrel is encountered, it is imperative to avoid using cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or human baby formula. These products lack the correct fat-to-protein ratio and will cause severe digestive issues. Orphaned kits require a specialized, species-specific milk replacer, such as Esbilac or Fox Valley formula, which mimics the nutrient profile of squirrel milk.
For feeding adult squirrels, safe solid food alternatives include whole, unsalted nuts still in their shell, such as hickory nuts, walnuts, and pecans. These nuts also provide necessary abrasive action for their continually growing teeth. Seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and certain fruits and vegetables can be offered in moderation. The guidance for safe intervention is to provide only clean water and appropriate solid foods, or to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for orphaned or injured animals.