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Have you found an orphaned baby squirrel? It is possible for you to take care of it and raise it to adulthood. Raising feral animals can be tricky, and is generally far more difficult and hazardous than raising an animal that has been domesticated from birth. However, it can be done. Given the right food and shelter conditions, your squirrel with thrive in your own home!



  1. Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 1.jpg
    Do try to take the baby to her mother. Always first try to get the baby to its mother. Please read this article for instruction. http://www.mary.cc/squirrels/reunite.htm
    • If the baby is hurt, cold, or it's night time or mom does not come to get the baby within 2-3 hours, the baby is probably a orphan and needs you to help it.
  2. 2
    Pick the baby up.
    • Get a small box about a foot square; a cat carrier, a large Tupperware (without the lid on) or another container.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 2Bullet1.jpg
    • Place soft fabric at the bottom but no towels - squirrels can get their claws stuck in the loops.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 2Bullet2.jpg
    • Put on thick leather gloves (just to be safe).
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 2Bullet3.jpg
    • Gently pick the baby up. Take this chance to observe the baby to check for injuries, bugs, bleeding, bumps or wounds. If they are bleeding or you see broken bones or serious injury, take them to a vet as soon as possible.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 2Bullet4.jpg
  3. 3
    Make the baby warm.
    • Find or borrow a heating pad or electric blanket. A liquid heating pad that recirculates water is better for heat control. At center ages infant will overheat before moving Put the heating pad or blanket on low to medium temperature, depending upon type. Place the container on top of half of the pad. This way if it gets too hot, they can simply crawl off the pad.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 3Bullet1.jpg
    • Baby squirrels should be incubated at about 99 degrees F. They can't make their own heat when they are babies, so they need heat.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 3Bullet2.jpg
    • Make sure that you check to make sure the container and/or squirrel doesn't get too hot. Some heating pads shut off after a few hours, so check it often to be sure it is still on. Place a towel over top of the container to keep the heat inside. If it's a summer day, they might not need the towel on top.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 3Bullet3.jpg
    • If you don't have a heating pad or blanket, you can use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Don't let their skin touch the bottle or they can be burned.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 3Bullet4.jpg
  4. 4
    Look for a squirrel rehabilitation centre.
    • Call your local vets, animal shelters, humane societies, Fish & Game, Fish & Wildlife and Wildlife groups to get a referral for a local wildlife rehabilitator that takes in squirrels. You can also search online by typing in "squirrel rehabilitation" and your state and city.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 4Bullet1.jpg
    • Go to http://www.thesquirrelboard.com for help with the baby squirrel until you find a rehabber. It is a forum that you can join and ask questions that will help you raise the baby until a rehabber is found. If a rehabber cannot be found, the squirrel board will help you raise the baby to release back into the wild.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 4Bullet2.jpg
  5. 5
    Get the baby hydrated.
    • Most fallen babies will be in need of water. You can see how dehydrated they are by gently pinching their skin.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet1.jpg
    • If the "tent" of their skin stays there over a second or more, they are dehydrated.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet2.jpg
    • If they look wrinkly, have sunken eyes or appear emaciated, they are dehydrated. Most super markets and drug stores carry Pedialyte in the baby section or their own brand of rehydrating baby fluid. Gerber has a brand also. Squirrels like fruit flavors, but plain will do if it's all they've got. If you can't find Pedialyte, there is always Gatorade.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet3.jpg
    • If you are nowhere near a store or drug store, here is a homemade formula:
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet4.jpg
      • One teaspoon salt
      • three teaspoons of sugar mixed into one quart of warm water.
    • Use oral syringes, i.e. syringes with no needles, but you can use a clean eye dropper or an oral baby syringe. They also sell syringe feeders at Petco and Petsmart right next to the Esbilac puppy milk.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet5.jpg
    • Make sure the baby is warm before you give it any fluids or it won't be able to digest them.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet6.jpg
    • If they are tiny hairless pink babies about 2-3 inches long, you must be very careful when giving them fluids. It's easy to aspirate the babies and get the fluid in their lungs. This will give them pneumonia and they might die. #*Just put one little drop on their lips at a time and let them suck that in.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet7.jpg
    • If their eyes are open, you can let them take the syringe in their mouth and gently give them a few drops.
    • If a lot falls out of their mouth or comes out the nose, you're going way too fast.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet9.jpg
    • If you get some coming out their nose, hold them upside down instantly for 10 seconds then blot the fluids off their nose, out of their nostrils. Wait a about minute before you continue.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet10.jpg
    • Make sure you give these fluids warm, but not too hot. Store unused amounts in the refrigerator.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet11.jpg
    • If they won't take the fluids, put a drop on their lips or poke a drop in their mouth so they can taste some of it first. Some will just open their mouths wide and start sucking away. Give tiny, eyes-closed pink babies 1 cc every two hours, fully furred eyes-closed babies 1-2 cc about every two hours, open-eyed babies 2-4 cc every three hours until a rehabber calls you back with your instructions. (1 cc is about 20-25 drops from an eye dropper,5 cc is 1 tsp)
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 5Bullet12.jpg
  6. 6
    Stimulate the baby squirrels as they need to be stimulated to poo and pee when their eyes are closed.
    • After each feeding of fluids you will need to gently wipe the genital and anal area with a warm, moist cotton ball or Q-tip until they pee or poo. If they are very dehydrated and haven't eaten in a while, they may not pee for a quite a few feedings and may not poo for a day.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 6Bullet1.jpg
    • Keep trying after every feeding time.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 6Bullet2.jpg
  7. 7
    Be aware that baby squirrels might have parasites such as fleas, mites, ticks and maggots.
    • Remove the fleas and maggots by hand with flea combs and/or tweezers. Petco also sells flea and mite sprays made specifically for small animals such as hamsters.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 7Bullet1.jpg
    • If it's a tiny, pink-skinned baby, do not apply anything to the squirrel. Put the spray on the cloth around the baby. Do not spray into wounds. It will sting.
      Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 7Bullet2.jpg
  8. Raise a Baby Squirrel Step 8.jpg
    Do know what else you should do with the baby squirrels. You, as rehabbers, will nurse the baby squirrel until they are old enough to eat on their own. Then you will teach them how to eat soft and hard foods. When they can eat on their own, you take them from the indoor cages and put them into large 8' tall outdoor cages. Here they learn how to find food, build a regular squirrel nest, climb, jump and interact with other juvenile squirrels. When they are 4.5 to 5 months old it is necessary release the squirrels within two miles of where they were found. This will probably be your back yard if you wish. Put them in an outdoor nest box which is wired to a tree or post. After a few days later they will leave their box and build their own nest. They will be able to find food and care for themselves at this time.

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Things You'll Need

  • Feeding instruments
  • Pedialyte (optional)

Sources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Animal Rescue

Recent edits by: GeGeGeLL, HipsterGirl302, Razor2988

In other languages:

Español: Cómo criar a una ardilla bebé, Italiano: Come Prendersi Cura di uno Scoiattolino, Português: Como Criar um Bebê Esquilo, Русский: выходить бельчонка, Deutsch: Ein Babyeichhörnchen großziehen, Français: Comment élever un bébé écureuil

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