What to Do If You Find an Abandoned Baby Squirrel
If you find an abandoned baby squirrel, the first thing you should do is return it to its mother. The scent of human hands can contaminate the baby and make it reject its mother. Gently pick up the baby squirrel and examine it for any injuries and temperature. If it is uninjured and healthy, return it to its mother. If not, you should consider keeping the baby squirrel as a pet.
Reuniting a baby squirrel with its mother
In an effort to reunite an abandoned baby squirrel with its mother, Kimberly, Doug, and Faith took action. They discovered the baby squirrel having fallen out of a nearby tree. The family lined the nest with a soft cloth and a hot water bottle. They waited until the mother returned and brought the baby back down. Considering the plight of the baby squirrel, they did not disturb the mother or the nest while they were attempting to attract the mother.
If you discover the baby squirrel alone and not in the nest of its mother, you should take it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. This facility will provide the young animal with the care and attention it needs until it is old enough to survive on its own. However, be sure not to handle the baby squirrel yourself. It may be extremely dangerous. Make sure the young animal is out of reach of children or pets. The baby squirrel may die if it cannot relieve itself properly.
Avoid feeding a baby squirrel
If you find an abandoned baby squirrel, don’t feed it. If you do, it may have fallen from its nest. If it is not injured, it’s not likely to suffer any damage. But you still need to be sure that it is indeed a baby. If the tail of the squirrel is fluffed out and the body is long, it probably is. Normally, there are no visible wounds on a baby squirrel. To confirm its age, check whether there are nests nearby or if it’s an orphan.
If you suspect that the baby squirrel has diarrhea, hold it upright in a hand towel. It is best to do this in a quiet room. Then, wipe it down with flea powder, starting with the nose and working backwards. Be very careful when doing this, as the fluid may get into the squirrel’s lungs and cause pneumonia. Always consult a veterinarian before feeding the animal. Remember that the baby squirrel is still very young.
Keep it warm
If you find an abandoned baby squirrel, you can put it in a plastic tub with soft fleece and shredded newspaper lining. Put it in a warm place with air holes in the top and leave it there until it gets to 98 degrees. If you have a heating pad nearby, place half of the tub on top of it, and keep it on the other side of the tub as warm as possible.
To re-unite the mother and baby squirrel, the infant needs to be kept warm and dark. The parent squirrel is the best person to raise her baby. However, if you find an injured mother or dead baby, do not attempt to reunite the two. You can also ask your pet to help you. The baby squirrel will probably not be able to do this on its own, so you need to stay out of the way while it re-nests.
Guide it back to its nesting tree
If you see a baby squirrel abandoned on a branch, try to get it back to its nesting tree as quickly as possible. Mother squirrels often check on their babies before leaving to feed or secure a new nest. You should never leave a baby squirrel unattended, as it is likely to suffer from pneumonia or starvation. You can help the baby squirrel return home safely by finding the mother squirrel and guiding it back to its nesting tree.
If the baby squirrel is fluffy and has a full tail, it will survive on its own. If the squirrel has not been injured, you can gently guide it back to its nesting tree. You must be careful to avoid stepping on the squirrel’s tail, as the animal may carry disease or pests with it. Always wear gardening gloves when handling baby squirrels. Even if the baby squirrel looks healthy and is not harmed, it’s best to keep a safe distance from the baby squirrel to prevent injury.
Bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator
If you come across an abandoned baby squirrel in your yard, it’s best to take it to a wildlife rehabilitator. This is because young animals don’t have the skills necessary to survive on their own. You can also help it by keeping it warm by placing a hot water bottle in a small box and putting instant hand warmers inside. If you’re not sure where to start, follow these steps to get a young squirrel to a wildlife rehabilitator.
First, check to see if the baby squirrel is injured or has fallen out of its nest. Often, baby squirrels are left alone by their mothers or are displaced from their nests. If you do find a baby squirrel, you should first give it food and water to make sure it’s still alive. You can bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator for further evaluation and care.
What do you need to do if you find an abandoned baby squirrel?
The first thing you need to do is find the nest.
If you can’t find the nest then you need to create a sanctuary for the baby squirrel.
You will need to line a small crate with a soft material like a towel and place it in a warm quiet area away from any pets.
Make sure to put a water bottle and some nuts or other food that the squirrel can eat.
Once you have done this you can contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
What is the best way to find an abandoned baby squirrel’s nest?
The best way to find an abandoned baby squirrel’s nest is to look for it in the area where you found the squirrel.
If you can’t find the nest then you can try to locate the mother squirrel.
Once you have found the mother squirrel you can follow her back to the nest.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is abandoned?
There are a few ways to tell if a baby squirrel is abandoned.
One way is to see if the squirrel is crying or making any noise.
Another way is to see if the squirrel is injured in any way.
If the squirrel is neither crying nor injured then it is likely that it is not abandoned.
What should you do if you can’t find the nest or the mother squirrel?
If you can’t find the nest or the mother squirrel then you need to create a sanctuary for the baby squirrel.
You will need to line a small crate with a soft material like a towel and place it in a warm quiet area away from any pets.
Make sure to put a water bottle and some nuts or other food that the squirrel can eat.
Once you have done this you can contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
How do you create a sanctuary for an abandoned baby squirrel?
You will need to line a small crate with a soft material like a towel and place it in a warm quiet area away from any pets.
Make sure to put a water bottle and some nuts or other food that the squirrel can eat.
Once you have done this you can contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
What should you do if the baby squirrel is injured?
If the baby squirrel is injured then you need to take it to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
What should you do if the baby squirrel is crying?
If the baby squirrel is crying then it is likely that it is abandoned.
The first thing you need to do is find the nest.
If you can’t find the nest then you need to create a sanctuary for the baby squirrel.
You will need to line a small crate with a soft material like a towel and place it in a warm quiet area away from any pets.
Make sure to put a water bottle and some nuts or other food that the squirrel can eat.
Once you have done this you can contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
Where should you put the sanctuary for the baby squirrel?
The sanctuary should be placed in a warm quiet area away from any pets.
What do you need to put in the sanctuary for the baby squirrel?
You will need to put a water bottle and some nuts or other food that the squirrel can eat in the sanctuary.
How often should you feed the baby squirrel?
You should feed the baby squirrel every few hours.
What kind of food can the baby squirrel eat?
The baby squirrel can eat nuts or other food that is easy for them to chew and digest.
How long does a baby squirrel stay with its mother?
A baby squirrel stays with its mother for about two months.
When can a baby squirrel start to eat solid food?
A baby squirrel can start to eat solid food at about six weeks old.
What is the average lifespan of a squirrel?
The average lifespan of a squirrel is about six years.
What should you do if you can’t take care of the baby squirrel?
If you can’t take care of the baby squirrel then you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

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.