When to Introduce Solid Food to Your Baby Squirrel
A lot of parents wonder when to introduce solid food to their baby squirrels. Luckily, there are a few simple guidelines to follow. Here are the best foods for your baby squirrel to eat: Esbilac, Fruits, Nuts, and Fiber-rich foods. If you’re unsure of which foods to start with, read this article to get a better idea of what is safe for your squirrel.
Esbilac
When to introduce solid food to your baby squirrel, try Esbilac puppy formula. This powder contains probiotics and is safe for your baby squirrel to eat. Start feeding your baby with the powdered formula for the first three to four weeks. Then, you can transition to straight Fox Valley 20/50 formula. If your baby is doing well on Esbilac, you can feed them the same amount as you would for your human baby.
When to introduce solid food to your baby squirrel is based on the number of weeks he or she has been consuming formula. However, some squirrels can begin nibbling on solids as early as six weeks of age. For this reason, it is best to provide your baby squirrel with a small variety of different foods that he or she can easily eat. Then, you can gradually wean them off the formula when the baby squirrel reaches seven weeks.
Fruits
You can introduce solid food to a baby squirrel when he or she is around six weeks old. Introduce it one vegetable at a time and monitor closely to make sure that it does not choke or become bloated. If the squirrel is not accustomed to solid food, stop giving him or her new items and feed it by hand. Once your baby squirrel is ready to eat solid food, you can give him or her fruits and vegetables.
Bananas are a good choice as they contain carbohydrates, potassium, and healthy fats. However, bananas have more sugar when they’re yellow or brown instead of green. This is because the fiber in bananas changes to sugar as the fruit ripens. In addition to that, a medium banana has more than twice the sugar of an apple. A medium banana also contains three grams of fiber.
Nuts
For a healthy, happy squirrel, you may want to consider giving them a little fruit and nut once a day. A newborn squirrel may not poop for several days after birth, so you don’t want to give them nuts too early. Instead, give them healthy vegetables and a few pieces of fruit every day. Your baby will let you know when the food is finished, and pee on it!
If you have a bottle, use a dropper instead. If your baby squirrel doesn’t like droppers, you can also use an eyedropper or a baby bottle. Be careful not to put the dropper on the squirrel’s tongue or lips, as this can cause aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia. The same principle applies to feeding your baby squirrel nuts and other food items. You should never feed your baby squirrel sugary food or drinks.
Fiber-rich foods
When it comes to feeding your new baby squirrel, it’s important to keep in mind that a largely carnivorous species like the common house squirrel will soon be introduced to a healthy diet of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Squirrels are omnivores, but they will sometimes resort to carnivory if food is scarce. These animals make different sounds and flick their tails when they become prey.
Aside from fruits, other fiber-rich foods you can introduce to your baby squirrel are bananas and corn. Bananas are an excellent source of carbohydrates and potassium and are naturally sweet. Choose a yellow or brown banana as these will contain more sugar than green bananas. Bananas are low in fat and protein, but contain three types of sugar: fructose, glucose, and dietary fiber.
Avoid feeding too much or too often
If you are feeding your baby squirrel solid food, don’t overdo it! A squirrel mother will frequently check on her baby. When she leaves, she will most likely go foraging for food or securing a new nest. Don’t worry; she’ll come back to feed her baby. Instead, feed it in separate, quieter housing. Baby squirrels may even grow into a pair!
A baby squirrel is still milking its mother’s milk up to seven weeks old. If the baby squirrel is found in the wild, you can feed it puppy milk formula powder. For recently-found babies, you can mix 4 parts puppy milk powder with lukewarm water. Do not use human baby formula or goat’s milk. The amount of formula that a baby squirrel needs is between six and eight cubic centimeters or one to three fluid ounces.
When should you introduce solid food to a baby squirrel?
At around 6 to 8 weeks old.
What type of food should you introduce to a baby squirrel?
Soft nutritious foods like vegetables fruits insects and nuts.
How often should you feed a baby squirrel solid food?
Once or twice a day.
What happens if you introduce solid food to a baby squirrel too early?
If you introduce solid food to a baby squirrel too early they may not be able to digest it properly and could become sick.
What happens if you don’t introduce solid food to a baby squirrel early enough?
If you don’t introduce solid food to a baby squirrel early enough they may not get the nutrients they need and could become malnourished.
How do you know if a baby squirrel is ready for solid food?
If they are able to sit up on their own and have lost their “milk teeth” they are likely ready for solid food.
What are some signs that a baby squirrel is not ready for solid food?
If they are not able to sit up on their own if they still have their “milk teeth” or if they are not interested in food they are likely not ready for solid food.
How do you introduce solid food to a baby squirrel?
Slowly and gradually.
Start with small amounts of soft easy-to-digest food and increase the amount and variety as they get older.
What should you do if a baby squirrel refuses to eat solid food?
Don’t force them to eat.
Some baby squirrels may take longer to adjust to solid food than others.
Just keep offering it to them and eventually they will eat it.
What should you do if a baby squirrel vomits after eating solid food?
This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Just make sure they are getting enough fluids.
What should you do if a baby squirrel has diarrhea after eating solid food?
This is usually nothing to worry about and will resolve itself.
Just make sure they are getting enough fluids.
However if the diarrhea is persistent or severe please consult a veterinarian.
What are some common solid food items that you can feed a baby squirrel?
Vegetables (such as carrots sweet potatoes and green beans) fruits (such as bananas apples and pears) insects (such as mealworms and crickets) and nuts (such as almonds and peanuts).
What should you avoid feeding a baby squirrel?
Avoid feeding them junk food sugary foods or spicy foods.
These can upset their stomach and make them sick.
How do you know if a baby squirrel is getting enough solid food?
If they are gaining weight and growing at a normal rate they are likely getting enough solid food.
What are some common health problems that can occur if a baby squirrel doesn’t get enough solid food?
They can become malnourished or underweight which can lead to a host of health problems.
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.
