Baby Squirrel Care

Squirrels start being weaned at about six weeks old, at which time you can start to introduce solid foods. If he is younger, he should get his nutrients completely from the formula Esbilac. While Kitten Milk Replacement Formula (KMR) is used for mice and other baby animals, some squirrel rehabilitaors prefer using the Esbilac. Also, do NOT give him cream as someone suggested, as that is cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is very bad for the baby squirrel’s digestive system. Use one part Esbilac diluted by two parts water.

Check first to see if your little one is dehydrated. Gently pinch the skin above his shoulders. It should immediately spring back. If it does not, you can use unflavored Pedialyte to get him rehydrated. Administer it the same way as the formula: a 1cc (best) to 3cc size non-needle syringe. Be very careful when you feed him these, as he can aspirate if he drinks too quickly and the liquid gets into his nose and lungs. If you see the formula or Pedialyte coming out of his nose in bubbles, then it went where it should not have gone. To prevent pneumonia from settling in, tip the baby forward so his head is pointing down. The liquid will drain out of his nose by itself.

For Squirrels that are a bit older:

Rodent Block:
Daily Recommendation: 2 – 4 small blocks
Recommended brands:

Harlan Teklad Rodent Diets
KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice

Vegetables that are High in Calcium
Daily Recommendation: 5-7 small pieces

beet greens
endive
carrots
celery
chicory
chinese cabbage
cilantro
chrysanthemum flowers
collard greens
dandelion greens
escarole
fennel
kale
lettuce
mustard
spinach
parsley
radicchio
radishes
romaine lettuce
squash
turnip greens
watercress

Healthy Vegetables
Daily Recommendation: 2-3 small pieces

asparagus
artichokes
bell peppers
broccoli
brussels sprouts
cabbage
carnations
cauliflower
cucumber
green beans
okra
peas
pumpkin
squash
sweet potato
zucchini.
Wild and Natural Foods:
Daily Recommendation: unlimited while in season.

magnolia cones
pine cones
pine branches
pine bark
branch tips
roses
purslane
plaintain
dandelion greens
whatever the wild squirrels outside in your neighborhood are eating is what’s natural to their diet. Be careful while gathering them and rule out that the area hasn’t been treated with pesticides.
Animal Protein:

live or dried mealworms
crickets
live moths
hard-boiled eggs
cheese
plain yogurt

Fruits:
Daily Recommendation: 2 slices

apple
apricot
bananas
blackberries
blueberries
cantaloupe
cherries
crabapples
cranberries
grapefruit
grapes
honeydew
kiwi
kumquats
lemon
lime
mangos
oranges
nectarines
papaya
passion fruit
peaches
pears
pineapple
pomegranates
raspberries
strawberries
watermelon
Nuts and Seeds:
Daily Recommendation: 2 nuts, still in shell.

acorns
almonds
hazelnuts
macadamia nuts
pecans
pistachios
peanuts
roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds (high in calcium)
walnuts
Something to Chew On:

antlers
tree branches
sea shells
cuttlebone

CAUTION: SOME SEEDS AND PITS CAN BE TOXIC.

FOODS TO AVOID:

• all dried vegetables or fruits
• avocados (high in fat, toxic skin and pits)
• pototato sprouts
• garlic
• onions
• palm hearts
• fresh or dried corn
• yams
• figs
• fruit juice
• plums
• prunes
• raisins
• cashew nuts
• sunflower seeds
• pine nuts (will cause severe calcium loss)
• commercial squirrel food at stores, pet treats, seed mixes
• pasta
• bread
• sugary foods such as candy, cookies, sodas, sweetened yogurt, candy nuts, sweetened breakfast cereals, chocolate etc
• junk foods, chips, crackers, anything salted
• artificial sweeteners or any food items that contain them.

The squirrel diet varies with the seasons and the availability of plant material (such as nuts, fruits, flowers, and plant buds) that almost entirely makes up the animal’s larder. Squirrels also occasionally eat bird eggs or nestlings, and may even pounce on small birds at feeders-much to the dismay of human witnesses who assume that squirrels are passive vegetarians.