Instructions
Squeeze the skin at the back of the squirrel's neck, and watch how quickly it returns to position. If it is almost immediate, the squirrel has been recently fed. If it is slow, your squirrel is dehydrated. Dehydration is a serious cause of concern for infant squirrels. Prepare some lactated ringer's solution, available from vets and pet stores, and feed around 10 percent of the squirrel's weight every two hours.
Clean a large plastic container, and stand it somewhere where it is secure --- avoid balancing it on a surface, as the squirrels weight may make it fall off.
Line the box with tissue to provide a soft surface. Stick a heat pad to the bottom of one side of the box. The temperature of the box should be constantly monitored, to provide a heat between 95 and 100 degrees Farenheit. If you are struggling to reach this temperature with the heat pad, purchase a reptile light and attach a 10-watt refridgerator bulb to provide extra heat.
Mix some small animal formula. Large pet stores or vets will be able to recommend a variety. These are usually mixed one part powder to two parts water, but read the instructions before you use it. Make enough for one feed --- around 5 percent of the squirrel's weight.
Wrap the squirrel in a thick face cloth or small towel. Check that the squirrel is secure, and offer the solution from a pipette. Slowly release the fluid, giving the squirrel chance to swallow. Avoid touching the squirrel directly if you plan to release it, as you do not want to risk the squirrel becoming too tame.
Weigh the squirrel regularly. Fox squirrels are very small, and tend to weight little, but you should notice a steady gain in weight even if it is only a few grams each time. If you have more then one squirrel, make sure you are weighing the right one.
Stimulate the squirrel's lower abdomens using a moistened cotton bud to stimulate defecation. Some squirrels will quickly begin to defecate without this, while others will need stimulation after every feed. This is important: failure to do this can cause major problems with the digestive system.
Begin to feed your squirrel solid foods when it reaches 13 weeks old. This can include fresh corn, grains, nuts, berries and insects (these can be bought from many pet shops). Also offer a small bowl of water, but make sure that it is not big enough for the squirrel to drown in.
How to Raise Fox Squirrels
Orphaned fox squirrels can often be found on the ground after their parents have been scared away; it is rare for the parent to come back in time to save the youngster. If you find an abandoned fox squirrel, you can raise it yourself, either to release it back into the wild or to keep as a pet.