How to Keep an Orphaned Baby Squirrel Warm

Baby squirrels are among the most commonly orphaned wildlife. Helping an orphaned baby squirrel can be a bit tricky, as the baby squirrel will require frequent feedings and a constantly warm environment. The latter task, keeping the squirrel warm, is vital to the baby's well-being, as a cold squirrel will quickly develop hypothermia and this ultimately leads to death. There are several methods that can be used to keep a baby squirrel warm during those first 12 weeks of life.

Things You'll Need

  • Heating lamp or heating pad
  • Squirrel buddy
  • Thermometer or adhesive thermometer strip
  • Box, aquarium or cage with fabric for nesting
  • Microwave
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by selecting the baby squirrel's box or cage. For baby squirrels under the age of approximately six weeks (when the eyes are still closed), a box will be suitable as a home for the baby squirrel. Once the eyes are open and the baby squirrel becomes more mobile, a small animal cage will be required.

    • 2

      Place fabric inside the squirrel's box or cage. Select cotton for it's warmth and absorbency. Old Tt-shirts, a towel or old sheets (cut up into smaller squares of fabric) work well. These must be changed daily or when soiled, whichever occurs first. Be generous with the fabric, as the squirrel needs to be able to cuddle up inside the fabric to stay warm.

    • 3

      Place the thermometer or adhesive thermometer strip at one side of the cage or box. This is the side of the cage or box that will be heated for the baby squirrel. Only half or two-thirds of the box or cage should be heated with a heating pad or heat lamp, as the baby squirrel will need a place to go if he gets too warm and needs to escape the heat.

    • 4

      Get a warm lamp or heating pad. Reptile heating pads are ideal, as they have an adhesive that can stick the pad to the underside of the cage, preventing access to dangerous wires. These can only be used on aquariums or cages made of a thick plastic or metal, as they get too hot for cardboard or thin plastic. The other option is a warm lamp. Special heat lamps for young animals are available online, but in the interim, visit the hardware store for a clip-on lamp (that can be clipped on the side of an aquarium) or find a desk lamp that will keep the light source close to the squirrel. The clip-on lamp or warm desk lamp can be positioned just outside the box or cage. It should shine directly on one half of the box, tank or cage.

    • 5

      The ideal temperature for an unfurred baby squirrel is around 99 degrees. For a furred squirrel, the ideal temperature is slightly lower by a few degrees. Monitor the temperature in the baby squirrel's box, aquarium or cage to ensure that the temperature is suitable.

    • 6

      Create a Squirrel Buddy. Fill a large sock with uncooked rice or beans and tie or sew the sock closed. The Squirrel Buddy can then be placed inside the microwave and warmed. The baby can then be given the squirrel buddy (check that it's not too hot!) for added warmth and comfort. The Squirrel Buddy is comforting since it feels like the baby is cuddled against another squirrel's body. The Squirrel Buddy will remain warm for about one hour.