Finding an orphaned baby squirrel requires immediate, specialized care due to their highly specific nutritional needs. Providing the wrong nourishment can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, aspiration pneumonia, and death. A swift, correct response focusing on stabilization before feeding is paramount to the squirrel’s survival.
Stabilizing the Infant Before Feeding
The first step before offering any liquid or food is ensuring the infant is warm to the touch. A chilled baby squirrel often presents with hypothermia, which prevents the digestive system from functioning properly. Temporary heat sources, such as a heating pad set on low underneath half of the enclosure or a sock filled with warmed rice, can gradually raise the squirrel’s body temperature.
Once the infant is warm, hydration must be addressed using an oral electrolyte solution, such as unflavored Pedialyte. This solution restores the necessary fluid and mineral balance lost due to dehydration. A quick check for dehydration involves gently pinching the skin between the shoulder blades; if the skin remains “tented,” the squirrel needs continued hydration before moving on to milk replacement. The electrolyte solution should be administered slowly over a period of up to 24 hours before any formula is introduced.
Essential Milk Replacements
Squirrels require a milk replacer formulated specifically for their high-protein, high-fat, and low-lactose needs. The gold standard for professional wildlife rehabilitators involves species-specific formulas like Fox Valley Day One or certain powdered puppy milk replacers. Fox Valley is typically used in two concentrations: the 32/40 formula for very young squirrels with eyes closed and the 20/50 formula for older, eyes-open infants.
These specialized powdered formulas are typically mixed with warm water at a ratio of one part powder to two parts water, though precise instructions should always be followed for the specific product used. The resulting liquid should be fed warm, at approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit, using a syringe with a small nipple attachment. Feeding frequency is dictated by age, with the youngest infants needing to be fed every two to three hours around the clock.
Common household substitutes, including cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or human baby formula, are nutritionally inadequate and dangerous for young squirrels. These alternatives contain high levels of lactose and insufficient protein, leading to severe, often fatal, diarrhea and malabsorption. Even kitten or puppy milk replacers are not suitable alone, often requiring supplementation to achieve the necessary fat and protein content. Non-specialized formulas are unsafe for long-term use due to the risk of causing severe health issues, such as Metabolic Bone Disease from improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.
The Weaning Transition to Solid Foods
The transition from liquid formula to solid food begins naturally around four to six weeks of age, typically coinciding with the opening of the squirrel’s eyes. This stage is a gradual introduction where formula feedings continue but are supplemented with small, easily digestible solid items. The goal of this phase is to introduce nutritious, species-appropriate foods that encourage natural foraging behavior.
The first solid food offered should be a specialized rodent block or lab block, which is nutritionally complete and provides a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals. These blocks should be available in the enclosure at all times, even if the squirrel only nibbles at them initially. Alongside the rodent block, small pieces of fresh vegetables can be introduced, such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, sweet potato, and avocado flesh.
Avocado flesh is beneficial at this stage due to its high-fat content, which aids in the transition away from the high-fat milk formula. Nuts and seeds, while a natural part of an adult squirrel’s diet, should be introduced much later and only in moderation. They are high in fat and phosphorus but low in calcium; excessive consumption can disrupt the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, contributing to serious bone and neurological problems.
Foods to Strictly Avoid
Many common human foods are toxic or nutritionally devastating to a young squirrel’s delicate system and must be avoided. Foods high in sodium, such as salted nuts, pretzels, and processed human snacks, can lead to dehydration and kidney failure. High-sugar items, including candy, chocolate, sugary cereals, and dried fruits, cause digestive upset and provide empty calories that displace necessary nutrients.
Chocolate and caffeine contain compounds toxic to small animals and should never be offered. Common commercial birdseed mixes containing high amounts of sunflower seeds and peanuts are inappropriate, as they lack nutritional balance and are often contaminated with molds or toxins. Any food item that is heavily processed, fried, or contains artificial sweeteners or flavorings poses a significant health risk to the developing squirrel.