The Water Needs of Squirrels

We asked Dr. Ingeborg Bata, DVM, Head of the Veterinary Services at the Zagreb Zoo, founder and director of the Croatian Wildlife Rescue Center, and President of AWAP – the Association for Wild Animal Protection, to explain the water needs of squirrels. Here’s what she shared:

"Squirrels, which weigh an average of 350 g, need 30 to 90 ml of water daily. If a squirrel is pregnant, her water needs are higher, and this also applies during hot summer days. Due to climate changes in our region, squirrels have started to hibernate briefly, so they need access to water even during mild winters. Drinking water not only ensures proper hydration but also helps, to some extent, with body thermoregulation.

Squirrels find water in various places and will always choose the nearest sources to their nests, especially if they have young. If water is only available on the ground, such as puddles on trails or roads, squirrels will be forced to drink there, increasing their risk of predator attacks (seagulls, crows, cats, dogs in coastal areas) or being hit by vehicles.

If squirrels use pools where other animals, such as birds (seagulls), rodents (mice, rats), cats, or other creatures drink or bathe, there is a risk of water contamination with bacteria, which could lead to squirrels contracting various pathogens (coccidia, pasteurella, leptospira, salmonella, intestinal parasites). If such watering stations are not cleaned daily, the likelihood of illness and pathogen spread is high, particularly during periods when young are present. In stagnant water, insects can further increase the risk of infectious diseases.

It is especially important to note that these diseases can spread very quickly within a population. Since sick individuals are difficult to spot and even harder to capture in time for treatment, a significant number of squirrels could die quickly, potentially leading to the complete disappearance of the population in a given area.

To prevent disease, maintain health, and sustain population numbers, we recommend installing appropriate feeders and watering stations for squirrels. The water in these stations must be changed regularly. If other pools are left available to other animals, they should be cleaned and filled with fresh water daily."

Dr. Ingeborg Bata, DVM
AWAP – Association for Wild Animal Protection