Look, if you're holding a hairless, pinkie squirrel smaller than your thumb right now, you're probably panicking. I get it. Found one trembling under my oak tree last spring during a storm. Thought I'd just keep it warm overnight... ended up with a 3 AM Walmart run for syringes. This ain't like raising kittens. Mess up the formula? They die. Wrong temperature? They die. It's brutal. But if you're committed, here's exactly how to care for an infant squirrel based on hard lessons and wildlife rehab mentors.
Is This Baby Really Orphaned? Don't Kidnap!
Saw a fuzzy lump on the sidewalk? Stop. Mother squirrels relocate babies constantly. If the baby is:
- Plump and warm → Mom's likely nearby
- In a safe spot (not road/dog area) → Leave it alone
- Cold, injured, or covered in bugs → Needs intervention
Monitor from a distance for 4-6 hours. Seriously. I once "rescued" a perfectly healthy juvenile while mom watched from a branch. Felt like an idiot.
Emergency First Steps: Do THIS Immediately
Warming That Lil' Ice Cube
Hypothermia kills faster than hunger. Never feed a cold squirrel! Here’s how I do it:
- Fill a sock with rice, microwave 30 seconds (test on wrist!)
- Wrap sock in thin towel, place beside baby in container (NOT under them)
- Use a heating pad on LOW under HALF the container (so they can move away)
Ideal temp: 99°F-100°F (use a thermometer). Too hot? They pant. Too cold? Lethargic. Took me three failed fosters to nail this.
Hydration Before Milk
Dehydrated? Mix:
| Signs of Dehydration | Emergency Fluid Recipe | How to Give |
|---|---|---|
| Skin "tents" when pinched | 1 cup warm water + 1 tsp sugar + ¼ tsp salt | Syringe droplets on lips |
| Dry gums | Unflavored Pedialyte | Every 30 mins for 2 hrs |
No improvement after 4 hours? Vet time. Lost two to dehydration thinking "just a bit more fluid..."
The Feeding Minefield: Formulas and Schedules
Choosing Formula - Skip the Pet Store Stuff
Most over-the-counter kits are junk. After trial and error (and one constipated baby), here's what works:
| Age | Best Formula | What to AVOID |
|---|---|---|
| Pinkies (no fur) | Fox Valley Day One 32/40 | Cow's milk, human formula |
| Furred eyes closed | Fox Valley 20/50 | Puppy/kitten milk replacers |
| Eyes open | Esbilac Puppy Milk Powder | Baby cereal or bread |
Mix powder with hot water, cool to 102°F. Test on wrist. Cold formula = deadly bloat.
Feeding Schedule That Won't Kill You
Forget "every 2 hours" myths. Realistic timelines:
- Under 2 weeks: 0.5-1.5cc every 2-3 hours (yes, even nights. Set alarms)
- 2-4 weeks: 2-4cc every 3-4 hours (night feeds optional if weight good)
- 4-6 weeks: 5-7cc every 4 hours (sleep through night? Maybe!)
Weigh daily with gram scale (cheap on Amazon). Should gain 1-4g/day. No gain in 48 hrs? Vet.
⚠️ Killer Mistake: Force-feeding. If milk bubbles from nose, stop immediately! Tilt head down, wipe nose. Aspiration pneumonia is fatal fast.
Home Setup: More Than a Shoebox
My first "nest" was a towel-lined salad bowl. Big mistake. Ideal setup:
- Container: Plastic bin (10 gal minimum) with ventilation holes HIGH up
- Bedding: Fleece scraps (no loops) changed DAILY. Avoid towels – claws snag.
- Heat Source: Ceramic heat emitter + thermostat (cheaper than vet bills)
- Hideout: Small cardboard box or fleece pouch
Clean with vinegar/water daily. Bleach kills. Ask me how I know.
Health Red Flags: When to Panic
Wildlife rehabbers see these constantly. Don't wait:
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green/yellow poop | Wrong formula, infection | Switch formula + vet |
| Sneezing/wheezing | Aspiration, URI | Antibiotics needed ASAP |
| Bloated belly | Overfeeding, gas | Massage tummy, reduce feeding volume |
Find an exotics vet BEFORE emergencies. Regular vets often refuse squirrels.
Weaning: The Messy Teenage Phase
Around 6-7 weeks (eyes open, climbing), introduce solids:
- Stage 1: Monkey biscuits soaked in formula
- Stage 2: Raw broccoli, apple slices, rodent blocks
- Stage 3: Nuts in shells, mushrooms, hard veggies
🍎 Pro Tip: Still offer formula during weaning! They need those calories until 12 weeks.
Release Prep: Don’t Create a Pet
If you want it to survive wild:
- Location: Where found (if safe) or wooded area with water source
- Cage Training: 4 weeks in outdoor cage (minimum 4'x4'x8')
- Food Transition: Scatter native nuts/seeds daily
- Timing: Spring/early summer only. Fall releases fail.
Open the cage door... but keep feeding station 2 more weeks. They come back.
Legal Stuff: Don't Go to Jail
In most US states:
- Keeping squirrels long-term requires wildlife rehab permit
- It’s illegal to keep them as pets (yes, even if "cute")
- Fines up to $2,000 per animal
Contact Animal Help Now (ahnow.org) for local rehabbers. Swallow your pride. Better than a fine.
FAQ: Stuff You're Secretly Googling
Can I use regular milk in a pinch?
Nope. Cow milk causes diarrhea → dehydration → death. Even goat milk needs modification. Keep emergency formula powder stocked.
How do I help it pee/poop?
Mother squirrels lick genitals. You use a warm, damp cotton ball. Gently stroke genital/anal area before/after feeds. Stop when they start going alone (around 5 weeks).
Do they carry rabies?
Extremely rare. But they bite HARD when older. Wear gloves during handling after 8 weeks. My thumb scar agrees.
Will my cat/dog hurt it?
Even "friendly" pets carry bacteria deadly to squirrels. Keep in separate, locked room. Always.
Brutal Truth Time
Infant squirrel care is exhausting, expensive ($200+ for setup/formula), and often ends in heartbreak. Mortality rates are high even for pros. If you're not ready for 3 AM feeds or cleaning poop-smeared fleece... call a rehabber immediately. But if you're committed? This guide covers the real-world gaps most articles skip. Good luck. You'll need it.