How to Hand-Feed American Red Squirrels

If you live in Canada or in the Rocky Mountain region, North Central or North East United States, chances are you've seen American red squirrels foraging and scampering in your yard or in local parks. For time to time, a baby squirrel can become separated from its mother, and you might find the baby and feel compelled to care for it. There are a few basic instructions for nursing and raising a squirrel.

Things You'll Need

  • Medium-sized box
  • Cotton cloths or rags
  • Small syringe (1cc to 3cc)
  • Esbilac formula (found at most pet stores)
  • Unflavored Pedialyte
  • Heating pad
  • Wire cage
  • Small rodent water bottle
  • Rabbit cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the cotton cloths or rags in the bottom of the box and place the box in a quiet room indoors. Place the box on top of the heating pad and set the heating pad on low. Place the baby squirrel in the box.

    • 2

      Feed the baby Pedialyte for its first few meals because more often than not the baby will be dehydrated. Feed the baby every two to three hours. Hold the baby in an upright position; and never feed the baby while it's lying on its back.

    • 3

      Mix the Esbilac formula following the instructions on the package. The formula should be lukewarm and never hot. Feed the baby approximately every two to three hours for the first six weeks. Feed it about .5 cc per feeding at 1 week of age and .75 to 1 cc per feeding at 2 weeks. When the baby is about 3 weeks old, begin feeding it 1 cc per each week of age. For example, at 3 weeks, feed it 3 cc, and at five weeks, feed it 5 cc. At six weeks the squirrel should be eating some solid food so reduce the number of milk feedings to four times a day.

    • 4

      Supplement the squirrel's diet with fruits and vegetables (excluding corn or potatoes) at about 6 to 7 weeks, but continue offering formula according to the guidelines discussed in Step 3. Feed the baby formula about four times a day at 7 to 9 weeks and continue to feed fruits and vegetables, allowing the squirrel to eat all the solid foods it wants. The baby will reject formula at about 10 to 12 weeks, so offer fruits, vegetables, almonds, pecans and a handful of stripped sunflower seeds each day.

    • 5

      Replace the cloth or rags in the box every other day to keep the habitat clean and dry. Place the squirrel in a rabbit cage with a small rodent water bottle at about 7 to 9 weeks of age.

    • 6

      Place the cage outside in the shade and elevated in a safe place so the squirrel can become acclimated to its environment at 10 weeks of age. Place a piece of plywood on top of the cage to provide the squirrel with shelter. Allow the squirrel to live outdoors in its cage for two weeks before its released. Release the squirrel at about 12 weeks old.