What to Do If You Find a Baby Squirrel?

Finding a baby squirrel should be taken seriously. Here are some key steps to provide first aid to a baby squirrel:

Look for the Mother and Give Her a Chance to Retrieve the Baby: If the baby squirrel is warm and appears healthy, the first option is to try to reunite it with its mother. If possible, leave the baby where you found it and observe to see if the mother comes back. You can use a recording of a baby squirrel's call to attract the mother back to her baby. Ensure you are far enough away so the mother does not feel threatened by human presence.

Play this audio recording multiple times:

Sometimes storms and strong winds can knock down squirrel nests and the babies fall out; however, mother squirrels always make at least two backup nests, so it may take some time for the mother to move all the babies to another nest. Never leave the baby alone, as there is a danger from cats, dogs, children, passersby, vehicles, etc.

Additionally, another mother squirrel may come and adopt the baby. Mother squirrels are known to take in other squirrels' babies if they find them. So, give some time for someone to come for the baby.

Hydrate the Baby Squirrel: Dehydration is common in abandoned or injured baby animals. Test for dehydration by gently pinching the skin above the shoulders. If the skin remains pinched for a few seconds, the baby is dehydrated and needs fluids. The best option is to use an oral rehydration solution (without added flavors), available at pharmacies. Dilute the solution (already in liquid form) with 1/3 solution and 2/3 water (lukewarm) and use a small insulin syringe (1cc – 1ml) to very slowly drip a small amount of liquid into the baby's mouth. Do not use a bottle or quickly squirt liquid, as this can cause aspiration. The liquid should be lukewarm, not hot. Repeat this every 15 minutes for the first hour. After that, dilute the solution to half/half, 1x every hour for the next 2 hours. Then, you can dilute the solution to 2/3 solution and 1/3 water and drip 1x every hour for the next 2 hours.

If you do not have a rehydration solution, you can make one by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 mg) of salt and 3 teaspoons (15 mg) of sugar in 1 liter of water. Store this mixture in the fridge, but warm it gradually to a comfortable lukewarm temperature before giving it to the baby.

Never use hydration solutions for adults with added flavors, juices, cow's milk, or alcohol. While hydrating or feeding the baby, hold it in a "semi-sitting-standing" position (sternal position), never lying down.

REMEMBER – A cold and dehydrated baby cannot digest any food, not even milk. If necessary, a baby can survive for a few days on rehydration solution alone, so it is crucial to hydrate and warm the baby before offering milk.

Clean and Warm the Baby: If the baby is very dirty or has wounds, gently wash and dry it. Do not use harsh detergents or shampoos; bathe it in warm-lukewarm water. Provide the baby with a dry and clean place to recover.

Sometimes the baby may have parasites, so it is important to bathe it and manually remove the parasites one by one. Do not use any anti-parasite treatments, as they are toxic to squirrels and could cause immediate death.

Start Proper Feeding: If the mother does not return for the baby and dehydration is overcome, it is time to start feeding the baby. How to do this correctly can be read HERE.

Place the Baby in a Box and Warm It: Do not leave the baby alone on a branch or on the ground; instead, you can improvise a small "house" with an opening for the mother to enter, and place pieces of paper towel, toilet paper, leaves, or fabric like an old shirt or towel at the bottom of the box. Move a bit away and wait for the mother squirrel.

If night is approaching and the mother has not come, you can take the baby squirrel with you, but return it the next day and wait at least 10 hours to make sure the mother will not come for the baby. Place it in a box with soft fabrics like old shirts. Keep the box in a warm and dark place inside the house, away from children and pets. The baby should be warm to the touch. If it is cold, you can use a bottle of warm water wrapped in a shirt or a hot water bottle wrapped in a thick towel to provide warmth – be careful that it is comfortably warm and not too hot to avoid burning the baby.

If the baby will stay with you, you need to make an incubator for it to stay in until it is 5 weeks old. How to make an incubator for squirrels can be read HERE.

* It is important to note that contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible is the best course of action. They have the expertise and resources to provide proper care for wild animals. These steps are meant for temporary care and emergency situations. Proper care, feeding, and handling of wild animals should be left to professionals experienced in wildlife rehabilitation.

In Western Europe and the USA, there are many rehabilitation centers specializing in squirrels. Unfortunately, we do not have this here, except for the wildlife rescue center in Zagreb:

AWAP

Association for Wild Animals Protection (AWAP)

Rescue Centre for Confiscated and Injured Protected

Tel/fax +385 1 339 2795

e-mail : ingeborg.bata@gmail.com (dr. vet. med. Ingeborg Bata)

+ 385 98 1950306 ( volonteer)

In Istria, in the Poreč branch of the veterinary hospital, there is also a veterinarian in Labin, univ.mag. Jelena Missoni, who specializes in exotic animals.

Address: Ul. Trg labinskih rudara 7, 52220, Labin

E-mail: veterinarskapraksa.ultravet@gmail.com

Mobitel: +385 099 490 5407

If you are in Istria, you can also seek help at the veterinary hospital in Poreč.Address: Ul. Mate Vlašića 45, 52440, Poreč

E-mail: info@veterina-porec.com

Emergency phone 0-24 +385 91 521 6783