How to Rear Squirrels

Squirrels can make highly entertaining pets. These cute little creatures are capable of jumping over 10 feet horizontally and are amazing climbers. Some squirrels are quite shy, while others are not intimidated by humans. Squirrels build nests on trees and tall bushes. The mother squirrel cares for its young until the young become independent. Squirrel nests are usually secure, but occasionally a baby squirrel may fall from its nest onto the ground. When this happens, people sometimes care for the squirrel until it is able to take care of itself.

Things You'll Need

  • Heating pad
  • Towel
  • Pedialyte
  • Eyedropper
  • Syringe
  • Cotton
  • Saucer
  • Cage
  • Puppy milk
  • Fruits
  • Cereals
  • Nuts
  • Acorns with shells
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Instructions

    • 1

      If you see a baby squirrel on the ground, do not pick it up for three hours. This will give the mother squirrel a chance to recover its baby.

    • 2

      Look in surrounding trees and bushes for its nest. If there are other babies in its nest, it might be possible to return the baby back to the nest.

    • 3

      After three hours, pick up the baby squirrel using a soft cloth. Examine its body for injuries, insects and dehydration. If the baby squirrel has severe injuries, has multiple insects covering its body, excretes dark urine or follows people around with its eyes open, do not return it to the nest. These are signs that the mother is gone or that the mother will not accept the baby if it is returned.

    • 4

      If the baby squirrel shows none of the symptoms listed in Step 3, return it to the nest or the spot where you found it. Observe it from a safe distance for two days (its mother might come and rescue it). Check every four hours to see if the mother rescued it.

    • 5

      If its mother does not rescue it, gently pick it up and wrap it in a towel. Call a veterinarian or the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to check whether you can keep it as a pet.

    • 6

      If the squirrel is cold to the touch, lay it on top of a heating pad on a towel. The warmth of the heating pad should slowly raise its body temperature. When warm, remove it from the heating pad and lay it in its cage, on the towel.

    • 7

      Feed the squirrel Pedialyte through an eyedropper or syringe. Take it to the vet, who will determine its age for you. Cover the floor of its cage with leaves and twigs so that it will get used to a wild habitat.

    • 8

      Keep a saucer of fresh water in the cage. Feed the squirrel puppy milk replacement. Babies under three weeks of age require 3 cc. of milk every four hours. Warm the milk to 98 degrees Fahrenheit before feeding.

    • 9

      When the baby opens its eyes, reduce the interval between feeding times to every six hours. Offer the baby cereals and fruits. The squirrel will begin to wean away from milk.

    • 10

      Gradually lengthen the interval between feeding times, until the baby becomes fully dependent on fruits and cereals. Offer the squirrel acorns and nuts. These items will help the teething process as well as provide it with a nutritious food source.