What do you do if you find a baby squirrel that fell out of a tree but cant find it's nest?

Answer 1

Many squirrel mothers will collect their fallen babies if given the chance, so if it is safe for the babies - stay away from the babies for an hour or so to give the mother a chance to retrieve them.

If the babies need to be rescued, they will need a safe warn place to grow up. If a heating pad is available, place a box with a few towels in it on the pad and turn the pad on low. Extreme care must be taken to make sure the heat is not too high. The babies new "nest" should be warm but not hot.

It is usually the case that the babies need electrolytes and fluids before they need milk. Drug stores have this product (Pedialyte). Many pet stores have kits to feed young mammals that include bottles and nipples. The babies will need fluids every 2 to 3 hours around the clock for a day. Feeding baby squirrels takes patience..... it can take 5 to 10 minutes per baby to get the required fluids in.

On day two milk can be introduced. Squirrel pups need puppy milk replacer...NOT kitten milk replacer (dogs and squirrels are omnivores - cats are carnivores). Most pet stores sell puppy milk replacer. Start at half strength milk to make sure the pups are tolerating it. Again offer milk every 2 to 3 hours.

The pups will need to be stimulated to urinate and defecate several times a day. Wet a cotton ball with warm water and gently swab the rear of the pup to stimulate the passing of waste.

When the pups eyes are open, solid foods (rodent block and nuts) can be placed in the nest to begin to acclimate them to adult food... however it will be many days before they start to sample it. Weaning begins at around (every pup is an individual) 6 or 7 weeks and finishes at around 8 to 10 weeks.

To release the squirrels back into the wild a cage as large as possible should be placed outside in the shade and the squirrel pups should live in the cage for as long as possible before release to acclimate them to the outside world. When the pups are completely weaned, the door can be opened early in the day and left open (so they can return if desired). The door should be left propped open and kept stocked with fresh food and water for several days or until the squirrels stop returning.

The above guidelines are just that...guidelines. Professional help from a veterinarian or licensed rehabilitator should be sought when needed.

You really should NEVER think of taking a baby squirrel into your care. Leave that to the professionals. After all, it is illegal to take care of squirrels from the wild without a permit. I suggest you get on the internet and find wildlife rehabilitators, who are professionals, then give the baby squirrels to them. Never think of trying to take care of a squirrel yourself.

Answer 2

Adopting wild animals always has its risks. They often carry parasites such as fleas or ticks. Squirrels are a very abundant species, often considered to be rather a nuisance in urban areas, who may get into people's garbage cans and so forth, so you need not feel obligated to nurture and rescue a sick baby squirrel. And for that matter, I don't know exactly why it is sick or what kind of sickness it has, but it may very well have some illness that you would not be able to treat by yourself, which would require the (expensive) services of a veterinarian. That said, all baby mammals drink milk, so feed it milk if you wish, and see if it recovers.

Answer 3

Id keep it till i found the nest, find someone who would take it or give it to rspca