Feeding Your Flying Squirrel Baby
When feeding your flying squirrel, it is essential to keep a few things in mind. Make sure you use elongated feeding nipples and try not to give your flying squirrel any junk food. A flying squirrel’s first meal should consist of grapes. When it’s around a month and a half old, you can introduce other foods such as fruits and vegetables.
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Using elongated feeding nipples
It is essential to get the correct information about re-feeding a flying squirrel baby if you want to avoid causing unnecessary damage. First, the baby squirrel must be isolated in a quiet room. Once the squirrel is no longer a baby, it is extremely independent and will bite if you try to feed it. A clean washcloth will mimic the motions of a mother licking her baby.
Secondly, it is important to use the proper syringe for the proper dosage. Using a 10cc syringe will not provide a baby with the proper amount of formula. Always go slowly and watch the squirrel carefully while feeding. If you see air bubbles, the baby is sucking more fluid than the plunger is allowing it to swallow.
Avoiding giving junk food to a flying squirrel
When feeding your flying squirrel baby, you should avoid giving it junk food. These creatures have a slow metabolism and are easily choked on soft, slimy foods. Begin by providing a firm vegetable, then gradually introduce more complex foods. Be sure to avoid unpeeled fruits or frozen food. Choose organic food and avoid giving your flying squirrel baby any seeds. Your flying squirrel will love the variety of vegetables and fruit that you give him or her.
You can also give your flying squirrel baby commercial formula, but be sure that you don’t give it too much. It’s important that the baby gets a balanced diet, since this is the key to healthy bones and teeth. Avoid giving your flying squirrel baby a commercial formula, as some can cause death. If you want to keep your flying squirrel baby alive, hand-rearing is a better option.
Introducing new foods to a flying squirrel
When feeding your baby flying squirrel, start with fresh fruit and vegetables. These foods contain vitamins and minerals and will add variety to the flying squirrel’s diet. Eventually, you can introduce fruit, but be sure to introduce it slowly. Too much fruit can cause diarrhea, so start with a few pieces of fruit. Eventually, your flying squirrel will be able to eat a whole pecan! And you can add other nuts and fruit to the mix, too.
Once your flying squirrel is well-nourished, you can introduce new foods. Formula can be introduced to your flying squirrel baby by using a syringe or an appropriate feeding bottle. The smallest syringe is the best, as it reduces the risk of aspirating the baby. Try to buy a high-quality formula, such as Esbilac, from a pet store or online.
Weaning a flying squirrel from its mother’s milk
There are several steps involved in weaning a flying squirrel baby from its mom’s milk. The first step involves placing the baby squirrel in an upright position to drink. Hold the baby squirrel still and keep it comfortable. If possible, use cotton gloves to absorb the smell of the squirrel and help the baby feel safe and secure. You can also place a glass of water in the same location where the mother squirrel used to drink.
Weaning a flying squirrel baby from the mother’s milk may take more than ten weeks. The best time to wean a flying squirrel baby is once it has learned how to glide. By twelve weeks, the baby will be able to wean itself from its mother’s milk. The process may take longer depending on how good the mother squirrel is at nursing her baby.
Checking for dehydration in a flying squirrel
There are several ways to check for dehydration in a flying squirrel. A very mild case can be easily treated with rehydration fluid like Pedialyte. A squirrel that has been deprived of its usual feed for several hours will require rehydration fluid to recover. However, if a squirrel’s condition is serious, force feeding may be necessary. When in doubt, you should try to check the condition of your flying squirrel baby with gentle examination. Those with moderate to severe dehydration should be given Pedialyte or another similar solution.
If you notice that your flying squirrel baby has diarrhea, you should change its diet. A squirrel’s stool should be soft, not mushy. Non-formed or runny stools are indicative of dehydration. If the baby has not finished the meal, change the food to a high-quality electrolyte rehydration formula. Ideally, you should seek medical advice immediately.
How many cc’s of formula should a flying squirrel baby have?
A flying squirrel baby should have 30-35 cc’s of formula per day.
How many times a day should a flying squirrel baby be fed?
A flying squirrel baby should be fed every 3-4 hours.
What is the best type of formula to feed a flying squirrel baby?
The best type of formula to feed a flying squirrel baby is a gamebird/poultry formula.
How long should a flying squirrel baby be on formula?
A flying squirrel baby should be on formula for at least the first 4 weeks of life.
When can a flying squirrel baby start eating solid food?
A flying squirrel baby can start eating solid food around 6-8 weeks of age.
What type of solid food can a flying squirrel baby eat?
A flying squirrel baby can eat fruits vegetables and insects.
How often should a flying squirrel baby eat solid food?
A flying squirrel baby should eat solid food 3-4 times per day.
What is the best type of water to give a flying squirrel baby?
The best type of water to give a flying squirrel baby is filtered or distilled water.
How often should a flying squirrel baby be given water?
A flying squirrel baby should be given water 2-3 times per day.
What is the best way to heat formula for a flying squirrel baby?
The best way to heat formula for a flying squirrel baby is to use a bottle warmer.
How often should a flying squirrel baby be given a bath?
A flying squirrel baby should be given a bath 1-2 times per week.
What type of shampoo should be used to bath a flying squirrel baby?
A hypoallergenic unscented baby shampoo should be used to bath a flying squirrel baby.
How often should a flying squirrel baby’s cage be cleaned?
A flying squirrel baby’s cage should be cleaned 1-2 times per week.
What type of bedding should be used in a flying squirrel baby’s cage?
The best type of bedding to use in a flying squirrel baby’s cage is aspen shavings.
What is the best way to socialize a flying squirrel baby?
The best way to socialize a flying squirrel baby is to slowly introduce it to other flying squirrels.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
