Finding a tiny, newborn squirrel can be alarming, but don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the essential steps to care for the little one until you can reach a wildlife rehabilitator. We understand you might be feeling overwhelmed, so let’s break down exactly How To Care For A Newborn Squirrel effectively and safely. For those looking for immediate supplies, consider exploring Baby Squirrel Kits which provide many necessities, including Fox Valley formula, a trusted brand for baby squirrels. If you need to gather supplies quickly from local stores, here’s an emergency shopping list to get you started.
Emergency Shopping List
- A spacious plastic container along with soft bedding like flannel or fleece.
- A heating pad that does not automatically shut off. If you can’t find one immediately, a temporary “rice buddy” can work.
- A digital kitchen scale to accurately weigh the baby squirrel. Feeding amounts are determined by weight.
- Syringes for feeding. Check with your local pharmacist. In a pinch, an eye dropper can be used temporarily.
- Temporary formula options: Esbilac Puppy Milk powder is a good choice, OR you can prepare a Homemade Goat Milk Formula (mix 3 tablespoons of goat milk, 3 tablespoons of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, and ½ egg yolk to make approximately ½ cup of formula). More details on formula options are on page 3 of many squirrel care guides.
Crucially, avoid these formulas: Esbilac liquid, KMR, human baby formula, condensed milk, scalded milk, GNC puppy formula, soy/almond milk, Pet-Lac, kitten formula, Whiskas Cat Milk, Esbilac “Milk Replacer Plus,” breast milk, regular milk, Kid Milk, etc. These are not appropriate and can harm the baby squirrel.
Always ensure the formula is very warm when feeding. Baby squirrels are unlikely to drink liquids that are just lukewarm!
Assessing the Baby Squirrel’s Condition
Before proceeding, it’s vital to quickly evaluate the newborn squirrel’s condition.
- Check for Thinness: Is the baby squirrel noticeably skinny? Starving squirrels require smaller, more frequent feedings initially. More information on feeding starved babies is usually available on page 3 of detailed care guides.
- Dehydration Test: Gently pinch the skin on the squirrel’s belly. Time how long it takes for the skin to flatten back down. If it takes 4 seconds or longer, the squirrel is severely dehydrated, which is a life-threatening emergency. Dehydration information is often found on page 2 of squirrel care guides.
- Injury Inspection: Carefully look for any visible injuries such as cuts, bruises, or swelling.
- Fly Egg Check: Examine the squirrel closely for fly eggs. These appear as tiny, beige, rice-like grains. They must be removed immediately as they will hatch into maggots and can be fatal to the baby squirrel. Check carefully around the eyes, inside the ears, and around the anus. More on fly eggs and maggot treatment can typically be found on page 5 of comprehensive guides.
If the baby squirrel is injured, emaciated, or severely dehydrated, it needs urgent, specialized care. Contact a wildlife rescue organization or a veterinarian experienced with wildlife immediately. You can often find images of healthy and unhealthy baby squirrels on page 6 of detailed guides to help you assess the situation.
Remember the guiding principle: “First you warm him, then you hydrate him, then you feed him.”
Step 1: Gently Warm the Baby Squirrel
The very first step in how to care for a newborn squirrel is to warm it up. You can start by holding the baby squirrel in your hands to transfer your body heat. Alternatively, create a “rice buddy” for gentle warmth. To make a rice buddy, fill a clean sock with about 1 cup of dry, uncooked rice or beans and microwave it for approximately 30 seconds. Carefully knead the sock to break up any hot spots and ensure even warmth. Place the rice buddy next to the baby squirrel in its container and cover the baby gently. Reheat the rice buddy every 2 hours to maintain warmth. For consistent overnight warming, a no-shutoff heating pad is highly recommended.
Set up the warming environment as shown in the image below. It’s crucial to follow these instructions precisely. A cardboard box is not suitable as it can draw out moisture and dehydrate the squirrel. Towels are also not ideal because their loops can snag the squirrel’s tiny nails. A heating pad is essential to prevent chilling, which can be fatal. Heat lamps are too drying and will dehydrate the baby. Reptile warmers often don’t provide sufficient warmth. Position the heating pad under only half of the plastic container, not inside it, to prevent overheating and allow the baby to move to a cooler area if needed.
Place the baby squirrel on the soft bedding inside the container and gently cover it partially with a flap of the bedding. Once the baby squirrel feels warm to the touch, proceed to the next crucial step: hydration.
The Ideal Setup for Newborn Squirrel Care:
Setup
A safe and effective setup for caring for a newborn squirrel includes a plastic container with soft bedding and a heating pad placed underneath half of the container to provide warmth without overheating.
Essential Tips for Success
- Always keep the lid of the container securely in place. Baby squirrels are surprisingly mobile and can escape.
- Use a generous amount of bedding. This allows the baby squirrel to move away from the heat source if it gets too warm, or burrow down into the bedding to get warmer if it feels chilled.
- Keep household pets and young children away from the baby squirrel’s environment. This minimizes stress and ensures the baby’s safety.
- Never leave the baby squirrel outside, in a garage, or on a porch. Bring it indoors to a temperature-controlled environment.
For a printable version of this guide, you can often find resources like “PRINT THIS GUIDE” online, which can be helpful to have on hand. Remember, this guide is for initial care. Contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is crucial for the long-term well-being of the newborn squirrel. They have the expertise and resources to provide the specialized care these delicate creatures need to thrive and eventually be released back into the wild.
