What Can I Give a Baby Squirrel to Eat? 
You can start your baby squirrel on solid foods at 6 weeks old. Start off with a small platter of solid food. Eventually you can wean your baby squirrel off of formula. In the meantime, you can introduce various foods to your baby squirrel. Broccoli, kale, Sweet potatoes, pecans, and other nuts are good choices. After these first few weeks, you can wean your baby squirrel off of formula.
Broccoli
If you’ve ever been around a squirrel, you’ve probably fed it or laid out food for it to eat. Squirrels love food, but many types of food don’t have much nutritional value and can harm the digestive system. Starchy foods, such as rice, pasta, bread, and rye, are not good choices. They are filled with carbohydrates and have little nutritional value, and may even be harmful for the squirrel’s digestive system.
Kale
If you have a baby squirrel at home, you may wonder if it is safe to feed it kale. Squirrels love kale, and the green leafy vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals. Squirrels also love kale in the fall and summer, which may be a precursor to hibernation. This superfood is also good for the squirrel’s kidneys.
Sweet potatoes
The benefits of sweet potatoes are endless. They are highly nutritious, rich in fiber, and filling. In addition, they are a great source of potassium, which is important for the body’s ability to synthesize proteins and repair damaged muscles. Nonetheless, they are not the only food that wildlife enjoys. Here are some additional tips to make sure your pet squirrel is getting all the nutrition it needs:
Pecans
Your baby squirrel should be fed a high-quality diet full of vitamins and minerals. Without proper nutrition, they are susceptible to bone diseases. Try giving them fruit and vegetable pieces or rat or mouse pellets. You can also feed them nuts, preferably tree nuts. These are also excellent sources of calcium and magnesium, which are essential for healthy bones. In addition, you can keep the squirrel hydrated with water.
Milk powder
To give a baby squirrel nutritious food, you can buy milk powder. The powder can be mixed with warm water. Store in the fridge for at least a day and mix with water before feeding. Stir it well before each feeding. A squirrel’s face will be slightly sticky and will need about 30 seconds of warming before eating. After each feeding, clean it with a warm cloth. If the formula is too cold, it may cause diarrhea. In this case, change to a different brand or formula.
Avoiding fried food
You can provide your baby squirrel with a variety of nutritious foods by avoiding fried foods. Squirrels love peanuts and tree bark, so make sure to give them plenty of those! Other healthy foods for squirrels include carrots, which promote eye and bone health. Pumpkin seeds, which provide essential nutrients for squirrels, are also a good choice. Cabbage is another feel-good food for small animals. Rats and mice often nibble on cabbage leaves in your garden. The leaves are particularly tasty for your baby squirrel!
Limiting peanuts
Squirrels love to snack on peanuts and other nut products. While you may think of peanuts as an everyday food, it’s important to remember that they are a source of fat and protein, so they can travel a long distance to gather them, resulting in allergies. While this food is highly preferred by squirrels, it is never a top priority over other types of insects, fruits, seeds, and fungi. Some varieties of peanuts, including peanut butter, can be toxic to your squirrel’s body, and should not be offered to your squirrel. Furthermore, peanut butter is not recommended, as it may contain aflatoxins, which can lead to liver diseases, as well as naturally-occurring mycotoxins that can impair blood clotting and protein synthesis.
Keeping a baby squirrel in a cage
Keeping a baby squirrel in a tin or wire cage can be fun for you and the squirrel. However, this can have disastrous consequences for the baby. Once it is grown up, squirrels are quite independent and are likely to bite if they are not fed. Keeping a squirrel as a pet is a terrible idea. It’s a much better idea to feed the squirrel in a natural environment where it will feel safe and protected.
Can I give a baby squirrel cow’s milk?
No you should not give a baby squirrel cow’s milk because it does not have the right amount of nutrients that a baby squirrel needs.
What can I give a baby squirrel to drink?
You can give a baby squirrel water but make sure it is clean and filtered.
You can also give a baby squirrel infant formula but only if it is specifically designed for squirrels.
How often should I feed a baby squirrel?
You should feed a baby squirrel every 2-3 hours.
What kind of food can I give a baby squirrel?
You can give a baby squirrel commercially prepared squirrel formula dog food cat food or baby food.
How do I know if a baby squirrel is dehydrated?
Dehydration in baby squirrels is indicated by sunken eyes a dry mouth and lethargy.
How do I rehydrate a baby squirrel?
You can rehydrate a baby squirrel by giving it water or an electrolyte solution designed for animals.
What do I do if a baby squirrel is hypothermic?
Hypothermia in baby squirrels is indicated by cold body temperature lethargy and stiffness.
You should immediately seek professional medical help if a baby squirrel is hypothermic.
How do I warm up a hypothermic baby squirrel?
You should warm up a hypothermic baby squirrel gradually by placing it in a warm not hot environment and gradually increasing the temperature.
You should never put a baby squirrel in a microwave oven.
What is the best way to handle a baby squirrel?
The best way to handle a baby squirrel is to support its head and body with your hands while being careful not to constrict its chest.
What is the best way to transport a baby squirrel?
The best way to transport a baby squirrel is in a well-ventilated container with soft bedding.
Make sure the container is not too big or too small.
How can I tell if a baby squirrel is injured?
Injured baby squirrels may have visible injuries but they may also be lethargic have trouble breathing or be unwilling to move.
If you suspect a baby squirrel is injured you should take it to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
What should I do if I find an injured baby squirrel?
If you find an injured baby squirrel the best thing to do is to take it to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
What should I do if I find a baby squirrel that seems healthy?
If you find a healthy baby squirrel the best thing to do is to leave it alone.
If you try to take care of it you may do more harm than good.
How can I tell if a baby squirrel is orphaned?
Orphaned baby squirrels are usually found alone and are not afraid of humans.
They may also be crying seem lethargic or have an obvious injury.
What should I do if I find an orphaned baby squirrel?
The best thing to do if you find an orphaned baby squirrel is to take it to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
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.
