Feeding a Baby Squirrel
How Much to Feed an Orphaned Squirrel, When to Switch to Solid Foods
Sep 24, 2008
Feeding is perhaps the most difficult and time-consuming element of baby squirrel care. While an experienced wildlife rehabilitator is always the best place for a baby squirrel, it's not always possible to transfer the orphaned squirrel to an experienced, qualified caretaker immediately after his/her rescue.
The result is a novice orphaned squirrel caretaker who is often inundated with questions like "What should I feed the baby squirrel?," "How much should I feed the baby squirrel?" and "How often should I feed the orphaned squirrel?"
Unfortunately, squirrel caretakers often find that the answers to these squirrel feeding questions seem to vary depending on which website they visit. And to compound the problem, many veterinarians have limited experience in caring for wildlife like orphaned baby squirrels, so the information they provide is often only an educated guess.
Fortunately, Suite101 found several longtime wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians with extensive experience in orphaned squirrel care who were willing to share their advice which has been compiled into the following feeding schedule and guide for baby orphaned squirrels.
What to Feed a Baby Squirrel
For the first six weeks of life, a baby squirrel's diet is limited to liquids. During this time, the only appropriate food for a baby squirrel is Esbilac Puppy Formula.
Notably, many squirrel owners are incorrectly told that the Esbilac kitten formula (sold under the name of KMR, or Kitten Milk Replacer) is acceptable, but an analysis of the kitten formula revealed that the formulation is less similar to a mother squirrel's milk; the puppy formula is a closer match.
This said, the Esbilac Puppy Formula has been associated with the best chances of survival. Wildlife rehabilitators agree that baby squirrels who are fed the puppy formula have a lower risk of developing diarrhea, dehydration and the overall mortality rate is lower when the orphaned squirrel is fed puppy formula.
"If you are feeding the kitten formula to a baby squirrel, you cannot switch over to the puppy formula right away - this will put the baby squirrel at risk of developing diarrhea. The transition must be a slow one, performed over the course of five or six days," explained Daniela Martin, experienced wildlife rehabilitator.
How to Feed a Baby Squirrel
Aspiration of formula is a leading cause of deadly respiratory infections in baby squirrels, so precautions must be taken to feed the baby squirrel in an upright position to lessen the chances that he/she will inhale the fluid into their lungs.
When a baby squirrel is eating only liquids, all feedings must be performed with a liquid syringe (or a needle syringe with the needle removed) to lessen the risk of aspiration. Liquid syringes are widely available at drug stores (they're used for giving medicine to children) and at veterinary clinics. A baby squirrel must never be fed with dropper-style device or a baby bottle.
How Much and How Often to Feed a Baby Squirrel
The proper amount and frequency of formula feedings for baby squirrels varies depending on the squirrel's age.
The following is a guide to formula feeding amounts for baby squirrels and frequencies. It should be noted that this may vary slightly from squirrel to squirrel based on size and other factors.
Please note that at week five, the baby squirrel gets a better sense of when he is "full." So starting at week five, the recommended feeding amount can be increased beyond the recommended amount if the baby squirrel is still hungry.
Week One - One-week-old squirrels must be fed between .50 and .75 cc’s every 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Week Two - Two-week-old squirrels must be fed between .75 cc’s and 1.75 cc’s every 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Week Three - Three-week-old squirrels must be fed between 1.75 cc’s and 3 cc’s every 2 1/2 hours.
Week Four - Four-week-old squirrels must be fed between 3 cc’s and 4 cc’s every 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Week Five - Five-week-old squirrels must be fed between 5cc's and 6cc's every 4 hours.
Week Six - Six-week-old squirrels must be fed between 8cc's and 9cc's every 4 hours.
Week Seven - Seven-week-old baby squirrels can eat formula until full every 5 hours. Keep solid foods available at all times.
Week Eight - Eight-week-old baby squirrels can eat formula until full every 6 hours. Keep solid foods available at all times.
Week Nine - Nine-week-old baby squirrels can eat formula until full every 7 hours. Keep solid foods available at all times.
Week Ten and Up - Beginning at ten weeks, baby squirrels can eat formula until full every 8 hours. Keep solid foods available at all times.
Usually between weeks nine and ten, the baby squirrel will begin to eat noticeably less and less formula and more and more solid foods. Little intervention is required, as baby squirrels tend to "self wean."
Related Reading
Baby squirrel caretakers should also read Squirrel Development: Weeks 1 to 5 and Squirrel Development: Weeks 6 through 12.
Orphaned baby squirrel caretakers may also find the Baby Squirrel Resource Page helpful.
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