What Do Baby Squirrels Eat in Captivity?

Squirrels are herbivores and will eat almost anything that is put in front of them, which is not to say that this is healthy for these animals. Raising baby squirrels out of their natural habitat requires knowing which foods will make them healthy. Feeding baby squirrels the wrong types of food, even if they appear to like consuming it, can result in health problems and interfere with their development.

  1. Formulas

    • If the baby squirrel is very young, that is only days or a few weeks old, it will need to be carefully fed on a liquid-formula diet. The best way to do this is through a syringe that can imitate the mother's nipple that it would normally be feeding from at this stage of its life. First of all, very young squirrels need a rehydration solution before they consume formulas. Buy baby squirrel formulas from pet stores and introduce them gradually into their diet with the rehydration fluids. Never use cow, goat or other milk as this is quite unsuitable.

    Fruits

    • Fruits make up a large part of a squirrel's diet. After about 7 weeks of age a baby squirrel's teeth are developed enough to cope with some solid foods, and at this stage a variety of fruits will be suitable for it to eat. Small chunks of chopped up fruit are ideal and some suitable fruits include apple, grapes, berries, bananas and avocados.

    Nuts and Seeds

    • Squirrels store nuts away to survive through the winter and as such, nuts naturally form a large part of their diet. Sunflower seeds are ideal to introduce some real solid food to very young squirrels at about 6 weeks old, when their teeth first emerge. As they get older, usually around 12 weeks of age, larger and harder nuts can be introduced. Almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and walnuts are all suitable and will be a welcome treat for any baby squirrel.

    Vegetables

    • For a baby squirrel to have a well-balanced diet, a good proportion of vegetables should also be included. Vegetables such as yams and broccoli are particular favorites of baby squirrels. Other vegetables such as carrots, spinach, peas, cucumbers and beans are also ideal.