
Squirrels are a common pest for gardeners, and one way to deal with them is to use chocolate-flavoured laxatives. However, this method is not recommended, as it is inhumane and ineffective. Squirrels will eat whatever they want, and chocolate laxatives will not deter them from eating plants.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type | Chocolate-flavoured |
Effect | Causes diarrhoea |
What You'll Learn
How to stimulate a baby squirrel to go to the bathroom
To stimulate a baby squirrel to go to the bathroom, you will need cotton balls, squares, or soft tissue, and moderately warm (not hot) water. Take a soft cotton ball or tissue and gently but rapidly stroke the genital area in a circular motion, mimicking how a mother squirrel would do it. The baby should produce urine within a few seconds, but sometimes it may take longer, so be persistent. Keep stimulating the baby until it stops urinating.
Baby squirrels also need to be stimulated to defecate. Their faeces are typically very small, oblong, mild-smelling, and firm. If the faeces look and smell like the food that was ingested, the baby is not digesting properly. In this case, dilute the formula with water until the situation improves.
It is important to stimulate the baby to urinate and defecate every time you feed it. Failure to do so regularly will result in a painful death. You should stimulate the baby for at least two minutes after each feeding and clean up the bottom with a scent-free baby wipe or warm water on a clean cotton ball or tissue.
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How to feed a baby squirrel
Initial Steps
Before feeding a baby squirrel, it is important to ensure that it is an orphan and requires assistance. If the baby squirrel appears healthy, it is best to leave it where it is and monitor it from a distance, as the mother may return. If the baby squirrel is injured, dehydrated, or malnourished, it may be necessary to intervene.
If you determine that the baby squirrel needs your help, the first step is to contact a wildlife rehabilitator for expert guidance. They will be able to provide specific instructions and recommendations for the care of the baby squirrel. It is important to note that caring for a baby squirrel can be challenging, and it is always best to seek professional help if possible.
Preparing the Formula
Once you have consulted with a wildlife rehabilitator, the next step is to prepare a rehydrating solution or milk replacement formula. Baby squirrels require a special diet, and it is important to follow the instructions provided by the rehabilitator.
If the baby squirrel is dehydrated, you can use Pedialyte or a homemade mix of salt, sugar, and water. For milk replacement, a powdered puppy milk replacer is recommended. You can mix this with distilled water and whipping cream or plain, full-fat yogurt. It is important to follow the correct proportions and mix the formula thoroughly.
Feeding Techniques
When feeding the baby squirrel, it is crucial to use a slow and careful approach. Use an oral syringe or dropper to dispense the formula, and always test the temperature of the liquid before feeding. The liquid should be warm, but not too hot.
For tiny, pink-skinned, eyes-closed babies under 2 weeks of age, administer 0.5 to 1 cc (ml) of formula every 2 hours. For older babies with open eyes and fur, use a larger syringe and provide 2-4 cc (ml) every 3 hours. From 6 weeks of age until the baby is weaned, increase the amount to 4-5 cc (ml) every 4 hours.
To prevent aspiration or choking, hold the baby squirrel upright and point the dropper towards the roof of its mouth. Dispense the formula slowly, one drop at a time for hairless, pink babies, and a few drops at a time for furred babies with open eyes. After each feeding, stimulate the newborn squirrel's bowels by gently rubbing its genital and anal area with a warm, damp cloth.
Transitioning to Solid Food
In consultation with the wildlife rehabilitator, you can start introducing solid food once the baby squirrel's eyes have opened. Place feeding blocks into the squirrel's enclosure and provide a shallow dish of fresh water. You can also offer small pieces of dark, leafy greens, such as broccoli or kale, and gradually introduce seeds, nuts, and fruit.
Always follow the guidance of the wildlife rehabilitator and be cautious when making any dietary changes. It is important to monitor the baby squirrel's reaction to new foods and introduce them slowly to ensure their health and well-being.
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How to keep a baby squirrel warm
If you find a baby squirrel that has fallen from its nest, keeping it warm and safe should be your first priority. Once a baby squirrel's temperature drops, its mother will no longer be able to identify it, and it will likely die without assistance.
The normal body temperature for a grey squirrel is between 99° and 101° Fahrenheit (F) or 37.4° to 38.5° Celsius, and slightly higher for a fox squirrel. It is vital that the baby squirrel is warmed to at least 98° to 99° F before attempting to feed it or reunite it with its mother.
- Fan the squirrel with heat from a car heater, hairdryer, or closely monitored heat lamp, being careful not to overheat or burn the baby.
- Wrap a microwavable heating pack in a towel and place it in a box with the squirrel, or place it halfway under the nest.
- Fill a plastic bottle with hot water, wrap it with a cloth, and place it inside the box with the squirrel. Ensure the bottle is wrapped and cannot roll onto or come into direct contact with the baby.
- Fill a sock two-thirds full of uncooked rice and microwave on high for one minute or two to two and a half minutes. Carefully wrap the rice in a towel and place it in the box near the baby. Make sure the squirrel can move away from the heat source if necessary.
- Immerse the baby squirrel in a bath of warm (not hot) water, ensuring its head stays above the water at all times. Dry the squirrel off completely afterwards.
- Place the squirrel in a plastic tub with a soft fleece and shredded newspaper lining. Set half of the tub on a heating pad on a low setting. This will allow the squirrel to cool off on the other side of the tub if it gets too warm.
- If you have more than one baby squirrel, they will typically be able to maintain their body temperature by snuggling together in warm bedding, such as fleece or cotton.
It is important to monitor the baby squirrel's temperature and ensure it stays within the range of 98° to 102° F. Do not feed the squirrel if its temperature falls below 98°. Keep the squirrel away from direct sunlight, as their eyes are extremely sensitive to bright light. Additionally, do not allow the squirrel's box to reach temperatures above 100° F.
Once a baby squirrel is warmed, it is important to keep it warm to prevent hypothermia and potential death. A furless baby squirrel should be kept in an environment with a constant temperature of 100° F. A furred baby between four to ten weeks old will be sensitive to cold but will do fine in temperatures between 96° to 98° F.
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How to find a squirrel rehabilitation centre
If you need to find a squirrel rehabilitation centre, there are several steps you can take to locate one in your area. Firstly, it is important to assess whether the squirrel truly needs your help. Young wild animals, for instance, are often better left alone as their parents may be foraging for food nearby. If you have determined that the squirrel is orphaned or injured and requires human intervention, you can try the following methods to find a rehabilitation centre:
- Contact your local animal control bureau or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
- Refer to state-by-state listings provided by organisations such as The Humane Society of the United States. These listings provide contact information for wildlife rehabilitators in each state.
- Visit the AnimalHelpNow website to find the nearest wildlife rehabilitators.
- Locate wildlife rehabilitators through the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) by visiting their "Finding a Rehabilitator" page on their website. You can also contact their central office by phone.
- The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council's website can help you locate emergency wildlife rehabilitators in your area.
- If you are in Thousand Oaks, California area, you can contact Squirrelmender Wildlife Rehabilitation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation for orphaned and injured wildlife, with a focus on squirrels.
- If you are in Vancouver, you can reach out to the Squirrel Refuge, which specialises in the rescue of small mammals like squirrels.
Remember, if you are unable to locate a rehabilitation centre, you can always contact your local veterinary office or a veterinarian for assistance. They may have information on nearby wildlife rehabilitators or be able to provide advice on how to care for the squirrel until further help is available.
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How to transition a baby squirrel to adolescence
Once a baby squirrel reaches adolescence, it will be ready to leave the nest. At this stage, it will be fully covered in fur, with keen senses of sight, sound and smell. Its important chewing teeth will have appeared, and it will be able to stand up and hold food in its front paws.
At this point, the squirrel will be around 7 to 8 inches long, and furry all over its body, including the underside of its tail. Its front and back toenails will be sharp enough to climb tree bark.
A baby squirrel is considered an adolescent when it is between 6 and 14 weeks old. During this time, it will sleep less and play fight with its siblings. By 12 to 14 weeks, its body will be fully developed, and it will be three-quarters of its adult size.
It is important to note that a squirrel is independent at 10 to 12 weeks old, and in most cases, human intervention is not necessary. However, if the squirrel is approaching humans or pets, it may be a sign that it is hungry or sick and should be taken to a rehabilitator.
- Provide a large cage: Squirrels need room to run and move around. The cage should be at least 2'2'x3' and include shelves, a bed, and places to hide and climb.
- Include objects to chew on: Squirrel teeth never stop growing, so provide them with objects to grind their teeth on.
- Play with the baby squirrel: They need social interaction, especially if they are alone. This should include at least one hour of outside-the-cage playtime every day.
- Move the squirrel to an outdoor cage: At four to five months of age, the squirrel will need to be moved to an outdoor cage that is as large as possible, preferably at least six feet tall. This will help prepare them for release back into the wild.
- Provide wild foods: During the last four weeks before release, feed the squirrel wild foods so it knows what to look for in the wild.
- Let the squirrel go: Choose a safe release area that is free from predators and has plenty of water, food, and fruit and nut trees. Continue to provide food for at least three weeks after release to ensure the squirrel has adjusted to its new surroundings.
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