How Old Is My Baby Squirrel?
Baby squirrels are born without fur and start to grow after about five weeks. By this age, they are usually dehydrated and starving. You should feed them solid food once they reach about 7 weeks old. By this time, they have eyes and can jump more easily. Mothers teach their babies to navigate tree branches and jump around. By six weeks old, baby squirrels are almost a miniature version of adults. After that, they start to feed themselves and start to explore the world.
Baby squirrels are born without fur
Squirrels have no fur at birth, and the only way to tell if your new pet is a real live one is to examine it. These little critters open their eyes between 3 1/2 to 6 weeks of age. If you see an open eyed squirrel, it is likely more than a month old. If not, it is likely much younger. Observe the development of these features, including the development of the lower front incisors. The upper incisors appear at 4 1/2 weeks and the lower incisors at 3 weeks.
Newborn squirrels are hairless and pink, but within two weeks the fur begins to appear. Their fur grows quickly under the skin, and at four weeks the baby squirrels have a tail covered in white hair. The first eyes open and ears are visible at around five weeks. The mother squirrel weans her baby between 6 and seven weeks of age, and continues to nurse it until 10 to 12 weeks old. By this time, they are almost fully independent, but still return to the nest for safety and sleep.
They are dehydrated
The best way to identify whether your baby squirrel is dehydrated is by examining it. If they are hairless or very thin, they might not have the right body condition to receive a dehydration test. Depending on their age and weight, you can use Pedialyte or make your own electrolyte solution. Pedialyte is high in salt, so it’s important to dilute it with water and add a sweetener.
One way to tell whether your baby squirrel is dehydrated is to pinch their skin over their shoulders. If the skin immediately springs back, the baby squirrel is not dehydrated. But if the skin has tented, it can’t be rehabilitated. If your baby squirrel seems to be drooling and not drinking enough fluid, try giving them a little Pedialyte or a mixture of sugar and water. Don’t give them any food until they have regained enough fluid.
They are starving
Your baby squirrel is probably not hungry yet, but you can help them by giving them some solid food. Start feeding them sunflower seeds and a few nuts a day, and give them small pieces of fresh corn. You should give them formula every four hours, or more if they are over one week old. Once they are around eight weeks, you can start feeding them solid food with 15 cc of formula per feeding.
You can also give them a bottle of Esbilac, which can be purchased in powder form and mixed with water. When mixing it, use one part powder to four parts water. Make sure to use a strainer or lump-free bowl to mix it thoroughly. Make sure that your baby squirrel does not ingest the liquid. If you can’t reach a wildlife rehabber, you can try putting the bottle of formula in a box filled with uncooked rice.
They are ready to eat solid foods
Your baby squirrel is ready to start eating solids around six to seven weeks of age. This is a great age to introduce solid foods, even though they still need formula every four hours. It’s a good idea to introduce a variety of natural foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and pecans. Ideally, you should mix a variety of different foods for your baby to eat, so that they get a good mix of different types of food.
Your baby squirrel should be stimulated to poop and pee before transitioning to solid food. To stimulate their bladder and bowels, wipe their abdomens with a damp cloth. This should result in a bowel movement or urination, though this may take a while. If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian for assistance. You may also wish to check with your veterinarian about the age at which your baby squirrel is ready to start solid food.
They are ready to go outside
The question is, “How old is my baby squirrel?” You should not be alarmed if the little guy starts to behave like a squirrel at eight weeks. At this age, he is already very active, using his sharp claws to climb and hang upside down. By 10 weeks, he already has a full tail and bushy tail and teeth that are nearly fully developed. A seasoned journalist, Heather Vale holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts from York University.
Typically, a baby squirrel will be around five weeks old when they open their eyes. You can stimulate this development by using a moist cloth or wiping it on the squirrel’s abdomen. This will stimulate the squirrel’s digestive system and result in a bowel movement or urination. However, this process may take some time. If the baby squirrel shows any signs of diarrhea, you should change to electrolyte rehydration formula and take them to a veterinarian.
They are ready to be raised with other squirrels
One of the biggest questions a new pet owner will have is, “How old is my baby squirrel?” The best answer to this question is that it depends on their behavior. If they are accustomed to human attention, they will soon overcome their fear of humans. Once this fear has been overcome, they will start to climb up people’s legs and approach people. Nevertheless, if they seem to be nervous about humans, they are probably still very young and need time to develop a fear of humans.
Squirrel babies do not necessarily need a special diet at first. You can feed them supermarket food and rat food pellets. Treats should be kept to a minimum as they are often fattening. Also, don’t be surprised if your baby squirrel pees on the food. This is natural and expected behavior. If you want your squirrel to be social, try to feed them in groups of similar age.
How often should I feed my baby squirrel?
You should feed your baby squirrel every 3-4 hours.
What kind of milk should I feed my baby squirrel?
You should feed your baby squirrel goat’s milk.
How much milk should I feed my baby squirrel?
You should feed your baby squirrel 3-5 cc’s of milk per feeding.
What should I do if my baby squirrel won’t eat?
If your baby squirrel won’t eat you should take him to the veterinarian.
When can I start feeding my baby squirrel solid food?
You can start feeding your baby squirrel solid food at 4-6 weeks old.
What kind of solid food can I feed my baby squirrel?
You can feed your baby squirrel a variety of fruits vegetables and nuts.
How much solid food should I feed my baby squirrel?
You should feed your baby squirrel 1/4 cup of solid food per day.
What should I do if my baby squirrel is losing weight?
If your baby squirrel is losing weight you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel has diarrhea?
If your baby squirrel has diarrhea you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel is constipated?
If your baby squirrel is constipated you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel is vomiting?
If your baby squirrel is vomiting you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel has a cold?
If your baby squirrel has a cold you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel has an ear infection?
If your baby squirrel has an ear infection you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel has an eye infection?
If your baby squirrel has an eye infection you should take him to the veterinarian.
What should I do if my baby squirrel has fleas?
If your baby squirrel has fleas you should take him to the veterinarian.
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.
