As an avid squirrel enthusiast who has spent years observing these adorable rodents, I’m often asked: What do baby squirrels eat? I’ve learned through extensive research and personal experience that baby squirrels require a specific diet and care regimen to grow up healthy and strong.

In this complete guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding and caring for orphaned or injured baby squirrels. I’ll provide age-specific dietary guidelines, formula recipes, weaning techniques, and tips for reuniting babies with their mothers.

Here’s the best video about how to feed and care for baby squirrels:

As soon as you find an orphaned baby squirrel, there is a very important step to do before anything else: check if the baby squirrel is dehydrated.

Rehydrating Baby Squirrels Before Feeding

Before offering any formula or milk to a baby squirrel, it’s crucial to first rehydrate them if they are dehydrated. Dehydration is extremely dangerous and can be fatal for juvenile squirrels.

To check for dehydration, gently pinch the skin over the shoulders and see how quickly it springs back. If the skin is slow to flatten out, usually taking 4 seconds or more, the baby is likely dehydrated.

Rehydrate using an electrolyte solution like unflavored Pedialyte. Use an oral syringe to slowly give small amounts every 15-30 minutes until the skin tenting resolves. Expect to provide 10-15ml per 100g body weight over several hours.

Only once the baby squirrel is properly hydrated should you proceed with feeding formula. Attempting to feed a dehydrated baby can lead to bloat, diarrhea, and even death. Rehydration must come first for their health and safety.

With patience and proper technique, you can get the fluids a dehydrated baby squirrel desperately needs before moving on to their other nutritional needs. Their life depends on it!

Warming the newborn baby squirrel before feeding

To warm hairless newborn squirrels, use a heating pad or “rice buddy” (a sock filled with rice and microwaved) placed halfway under the baby’s container so they can move on or off the warmth as needed.

How to Identify a Baby Squirrel’s Age

Determining the age of a baby squirrel is key to providing appropriate food and care. Here’s how to estimate age based on physical traits:

Newborn: Pink, no fur, eyes closed, about 3 inches long
2 weeks: Light fur growing on back, eyes still closed
3 weeks: About 4 inches long, lower front teeth emerging, eyes closed
4 weeks: 5 inches long, fur growing on the underside, eyes open
5 weeks: 6 inches long, upper front teeth erupting
6 weeks: Back cheek teeth developing, can hold food, it becomes more active
7-8 weeks: Full adult fur, learning to climb, still smaller than adults

Baby Squirrel Diet by Age

The amount of formula baby squirrels need varies by age. Here are some general Esbilac feeding guidelines:

Newborns: 0.1 ml per gram of body weight, increasing to 0.2 ml per gram over the first week, every 2-3 hours
2 weeks old: 5-8 ml per feeding
3 weeks old: 8-10 ml per feeding
4 weeks old: 10-15 ml per feeding
5-7 weeks old: 15-20 ml per feeding

To track growth, weigh the baby squirrel daily. Adjust amounts based on appetite and weight gain. Their belly should be round, not tight, after feedings.

You can purchase the Esbilac formula for baby squirrels here:

Milk For Baby Squirrels

PetAg Esbilac

This high-quality milk powder is generally used to feed baby squirrels that still don’t eat solid foods.

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Newborn to 3 Weeks – Formula

Mother’s milk provides the perfect balance of protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals for developing baby squirrels. The best substitute is a puppy milk replacer like Esbilac powder mixed with water. The powder formula allows you to control the concentration.

For the first few days, dilute the formula to make it easier to digest. Then gradually increase to full strength. Refrigerate the prepared formula between feedings. Warm to body temperature before feeding.

3 to 7 Weeks – Formula + Weaning Foods

At 3 weeks old, place rodent block food in the cage to encourage nibbling. Then at 5-6 weeks, introduce solid weaning foods like chopped nuts, fruits, vegetables, and supplemental insects.

At 5-6 weeks old, baby squirrels are ready to start weaning off formula. This transition allows them to adapt to solid foods they’ll eat in the wild.

Good weaning foods for baby squirrels include:

Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts
Fresh or dried fruits like apples, grapes, berries
Cooked sweet potato cubes or baby food carrots
Chopped veggies like broccoli, kale, green beans
Rodent block chow formulated for squirrels or primates

Gradually introduce new weaning foods one at a time to check for diarrhea or allergies. Let the baby squirrel eat as much solid food as desired while slowly reducing formula feeds.

Let the baby squirrel eat as much solid food as desired while slowly decreasing formula feeds. By 7-8 weeks, the formula can be eliminated.

8+ Weeks – Solid Foods for Juvenile Squirrels

From 8-12 weeks, the juvenile squirrel diet should consist of an unlimited amount of:

Rodent blocks, primate chow
Chopped nuts, seeds, coconut
Berries, fruits, vegetables
Leafy greens like kale, dandelion greens
Insects like mealworms, grasshoppers, or crickets

Clean fresh water should be available at all times once eating solids.

Their adult diet will consist mainly of tree nuts and seeds, fruits, fungi, and some insects. Continue providing a variety of wholesome weaning foods until the squirrel is old enough for release at 12+ weeks old.

Finally, by 10-12 weeks the baby squirrel is ready for release into the wild.

If you need even more details about feeding and caring for a baby squirrel, then check out this article.

Feeding Techniques

Use these feeding tips to reduce aspiration risks:

Feed with a syringe or specialized nipple, not a bottle
Hold baby upright, never on the back
Press the plunger slowly; don’t squirt into the baby squirrel’s mouth
Gently rub genitals with a wet cloth to stimulate urination
Transition gradually from formula to solids

Additionally, feed every 2-3 hours during daylight. Get guidance from a professional wildlife rehabber if needed.

Avoiding Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic bone disease is caused by improper nutrition leading to calcium deficiency. Prevent MBD by:

Using species-specific formula, not cat or dog milk
Providing UV light, sun exposure, or calcium supplements
Feeding nuts, greens, sweet potato, and other calcium sources
Eliminating excess seeds, corn, and foods high in phosphorus

If a baby squirrel shows signs of MBD like weakness or bone deformities, get veterinary help immediately.

What if Your Baby Squirrel Won’t Eat?

It takes patience to feed an orphaned baby squirrel. Try these tips:

Make sure that the formula is warm – they won’t like to drink it cold!
Gently rub the belly to stimulate hunger
Let them lick the formula from your finger at first
Add soy infant formula or coconut water to Esbilac
Stick to a consistent feeding schedule

Contact a rehabber right away if the baby is extremely weak or unhealthy.

The Most Important Things Baby Squirrels Need

When caring for a baby squirrel, there are two key things you need to provide:

Hydration: Dehydration is extremely dangerous for baby squirrels. Before feeding, use Pedialyte or an electrolyte solution to rehydrate. Pinch the skin to check for dehydration.
Warmth: Baby squirrels cannot regulate their body temperature. Use a heating pad or rice sock to prevent hypothermia.

Once those basic needs are met, you can move on to feeding the baby squirrel an appropriate formula and weaning diet. Never give food or milk to a dehydrated or cold baby.

Reuniting Baby Squirrels with the Mother

If possible, reunite healthy abandoned babies with their mother. Tips for reunion:

Warm up cold babies first
Place the baby in a basket near the nest tree
Leave the area so mom will return
Observe from afar for 4+ hours
If mom doesn’t come back, call a wildlife rehabilitator

With patience, many orphaned babies can return to their mothers to continue nursing.

Protecting Baby Squirrels from Predators

Baby squirrels are vulnerable to predators like hawks, cats, and snakes. Keep them safe by:

Placing the nest box high up in a tree cavity
Using a predator-proof enclosure if raising outdoors
Blocking potential entry points to the nest
Installing plastic sheeting around wooden nest boxes
Keeping pets indoors during nesting season

Creating a Balanced Diet Plan

Baby squirrels need a nutritionally balanced diet with:

Adequate protein from Esbilac, insects, nuts, and seeds
Carbohydrates from fruits, veggies, greens
Essential vitamins and minerals from varied whole foods
Calcium and phosphorus in proper ratios to prevent MBD
Small, frequent meals suited to their fast metabolism

Consult a rehab specialist to formulate the ideal squirrel diet plan.

Building the Right Balance of Nutrients

A good–balanced diet not only supplies adequate nutrition, but also helps reduce potential health problems. When creating an appropriate diet plan for young squirrels, it is important to understand their dietary requirements and provide them with a variety of foods including proteins and carbohydrates. Care must also be taken to ensure freshness and safety as contaminated food can adversely affect their wellbeing.

Essential Minerals & Vitamins

Ensure adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to support healthy development in your baby squirrels by providing access to nuts, fruits and vegetables such as apples, melons or carrots that contain essential micronutrients such as calcium magnesium iron zinc etc. In addition provide dark green leafy vegetables like kale or spinach that are rich in Vitamin A which is necessary for vision development during infancy.

Healthy Proteins & Carbohydrates

Include high-protein sources like lean meats including poultry fish eggs beans legumes nuts etc into your infant’s daily diet plan which will help build strong muscles bones organs skin nerve tissues bones etc; This coupled with carbohydrates from grains fruits vegetables etc will help supply required energy levels needed throughout the day playing exploring nibbling on things learning how to deal with objects around them etc

Conclusion

Caring for baby squirrels requires providing proper hydration, warmth, nutrition and stimulation. The best squirrel formula is Esbilac, with gradual introduction of weaning foods like nuts, seeds, and produce starting at 5-6 weeks old.

With the right diet, feeding techniques, and reunion tactics, you can give orphaned or injured baby squirrels a fighting chance.

From specially formulated milk to a diverse weaning diet, baby squirrels have very specific nutritional needs. By following age-based feeding guidelines, using proper techniques, and watching for MBD, you can raise healthy orphaned or injured babies. With dedication and the help of wildlife rehabilitators, baby squirrels can grow into thriving juveniles ready for release back into the wild.

Always reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabber for guidance when needed. With dedicated care, baby squirrels can grow into healthy, thriving adults.

FAQ

What can be done with an orphaned baby squirrel?

If you come across a baby squirrel who has been abandoned, it is best to contact an animal rehabilitation specialist. The expert can assess the situation and provide the best plan of action. It may be possible to reunite the cub with its mother or care for it until it’s old enough to survive on its own. Some steps that should be taken include:

Keep the squirrels warm by wrapping them in a soft cloth and placing them in a box.
Provide water but no food as young squirrels require their mothers’ milk for nourishment.
Do not attempt to feed any foods as this can cause harm.
Keep loud noises and pets away from the area.

What is the age of a baby squirrel?

In order to determine the age of a baby squirrel, there are certain indicators that can be used. These include physical development and behavior. For example, at two weeks old the eyes will begin to open and by five or six weeks they will start exploratory behaviors like venturing away from their nest. In addition, having fully developed teeth is an indication of a mature squirrel. Lastly, size is another factor that allows one to accurately gauge how old a baby squirrel is.

How long can a baby squirrel survive without its mother?

Newborn squirrels have a limited period of time without the care and protection of their mother. Generally, they are able to survive on their own after five or six weeks. Prior to that point, they require assistance from their parent in order to sustain life.

Can young squirrels survive without their parent?

Yes, baby squirrels can survive even without their mother. Research suggests that at the age of five to six weeks, a young squirrel has already developed enough independence and web-foot coordination to be able to explore its surroundings on its own.

Given this development in survival skills, the newborn will be able to cope with extreme conditions outside the safety of its mother’s nest; it is even capable of making decisions as complex as abandoning any offspring that may fall from a tree.