Care for an Orphaned Baby Squirrel

Experienced wildlife rehabilitators are typically the most qualified to care for an orphaned baby squirrel, but it’s not always possible to get the baby to a rehabilitator within hours of his or her discovery, so understanding how to properly care for the baby will help to ensure survival.

The first priority when locating a baby squirrel is to get the orphan to a veterinary clinic for assessment. Often, these babies are injured, dehydrated, hungry and in need of immediate care. The age of the baby squirrel will also dictate feeding frequency and the type of food offered, so it’s vital to get the orphan assessed as soon as possible to ensure that the proper care is provided.

There are four major issues that squirrel caretakers will have to address when they first find one of these orphaned tree-dwellers: warmth, dehydration, feeding and injury care.

Dr. Michael Levine, DVM offered the following recommendations for new squirrel caretakers:

• Heating: Warming a baby squirrel is the first priority, as a cold baby will quickly succumb to hypothermia. A constant heat source must be provided, particularly for younger orphans who have yet to develop a sufficient coat and are unable to create their own body heat.

A heat pad is a reliable constant heat source, though care should be taken to ensure that the baby does not chew the cord. Reptile heating pads can be affixed to the bottom of a cage, fish tank or box, providing constant heat without exposing the baby to an electric cord. A microwavable heat pack can serve as a temporary heat source, as can a sealed zip-lock bag filled with hot water. If one of the latter heat sources is used, try to provide a warm lamp as well, since this will provide continual heat, even as the heat pack or water cools.

“You also need to ensure that the baby is in a secure location. If he’s in a box, there needs to be a cover. A small cage or covered fish tank is ideal. Even a very young squirrel is mobile and if they escape, they will quickly succumb to hypothermia and die,” Dr. Levine added.

• Hydration: Dehydration is the second most pressing issue that needs to be addressed, as serious dehydration can set in within a matter of a few hours, leading to illness and finally death.

“Do not ever give milk to a baby squirrel! This will trigger diarrhea and it can lead to death,” Dr. Levine warned, adding, “Ideally, the baby should receive a subcutaneous injection of fluids at the vet’s office, but this isn’t always immediately possible. So the most effective product is Pedialyte because it will restore fluids and provide electrolytes. This is available at the supermarket in the baby care aisle. If that is unavailable, mix one quart of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and four teaspoons of sugar and offer this. Fluids should be given separately from formula.”

The Pedialyte or hydration solution should be warmed and then given using a medicine syringe (preferred for the good control over the amount of fluid that emerges) or eye dropper. To help minimize the risk of aspirating the fluid into the lungs, deposit one drop at a time on the baby’s tongue. Avoid offering too much fluid at once and do not deposit the fluids at the back of the mouth.

• Treating Injuries: Injuries will require immediate veterinary attention, but certain measures should be taken at home to stabilize the animal in the event that the veterinary clinic is more than ten minutes away.

Wounds should be immediately cleaned to help minimize the risk of infection. Use an anti-bacterial soap like Dial to wash wounds and using a warm water, rinse away the soap and flush the wounds for two full minutes. After drying the baby, use betadine – a no-sting disinfectant solution – to clean the wounds. Apply directly to the wound or use a sterile gauze pad to apply a generous amount of betadine, which should then be allowed to air dry.

In the event of serious fractures, the break should be splinted. For individuals who are not comfortable splinting the fracture, wrap the baby using gauze, an ace bandage or a blanket in a manner that keeps the limb up against the body in a comfortable, natural position. This will limit movement. Use caution when wrapping to ensure that the baby does not have difficulty breathing; the wrapping should be somewhat firm but not tight.

• Feeding: Offering food is the fourth step. Esbilac milk replacement formula is the only food that is suitable for an orphaned baby squirrel.

“Esbilac is the closest to a squirrel’s milk, so it’s the least likely to cause digestive upset and diarrhea, which can be deadly in these little guys,” Dr. Levine explained, adding, “Never use any other milk replacement product, even if they claim to be suitable for squirrels. Human formula, cow’s milk or cream, and goat’s milk are also unacceptable. These will kill your baby by leading to uncontrollable diarrhea and dehydration."

The same technique used for hydrating should be used with feeding. Ideally, caretakers should use a medicine syringe and to minimize the risk of aspiration, deposit one drop at a time on the baby’s tongue.

Related Reading:

* Caring for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

* Orphaned Squirrel Basics

Baby squirrels require lots of care!

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