6-7 week old squirrels refusing formula

[ShadowTailSquirrel]

Hi all! Last night I acquired four orphaned eastern gray squirrels. I would put them at about 6-7 weeks old. Before I got them, the person who rescued them wasn't regularly feeding them formula. They are however readily eating their Henry's baby blocks. I've tried to feed all four of them Foxy Valley 20/50 formula, but none are taking it, and are VERY squirmy and grumpy with me when I handle them. Suggestions? Are they weaning themselves already at this age? I'm worried they aren't getting all the nutrients they need! =/

[Nancy in New York]

I moved your thread to get more attention.
Try covering their little heads when feeding. They most likely
aren't used to being handled and at this age, it can be difficult
at first.

I would take a piece of fleece, cover their whole body and head.
Then have the syringes preloaded, so that you don't have to break
the rhythm of feeding, and see if they will take it that way.
Can you post a picture of them?

IF this doesn't work, offer a very shallow bowl with the formula
warmed and barely covering the surface of the bowl. See if they
will lap it up that way. This can be a messy process, but I would do
everything possible to KEEP them on the formula as long as you can.

Are you planning on release this year?

[ShadowTailSquirrel]

Thank you Nancy! I will try this & get some photos to post. I'm planning on over wintering them since they are so young.

[ShadowTailSquirrel]

So I tried the fleece covering method, but only my little runt would hold still and stop fussing enough to take about 5ml of formula. I tried putting a shallow dish of the formula in their crate, and that seems to be working. They started lapping at it here and there. Should I continue to put the dish out for them every 3-4 hours? Here is a photo! Thank you for the tips Nancy!

263836

[Sinful]

Nancy - my two rescues are now at 10 weeks and are eating lots of vegetables and fruits but are still taking in some milk (not much of it) twice a day. I'll offer it and they both still very eagerly drink it. At 10 weeks, should I still be offering it? I wouldn't think it could hurt them ...


I moved your thread to get more attention.
Try covering their little heads when feeding. They most likely
aren't used to being handled and at this age, it can be difficult
at first.

I would take a piece of fleece, cover their whole body and head.
Then have the syringes preloaded, so that you don't have to break
the rhythm of feeding, and see if they will take it that way.
Can you post a picture of them?

IF this doesn't work, offer a very shallow bowl with the formula
warmed and barely covering the surface of the bowl. See if they
will lap it up that way. This can be a messy process, but I would do
everything possible to KEEP them on the formula as long as you can.

Are you planning on release this year?

[Spanky]

Nancy - my two rescues are now at 10 weeks and are eating lots of vegetables and fruits but are still taking in some milk (not much of it) twice a day. I'll offer it and they both still very eagerly drink it. At 10 weeks, should I still be offering it? I wouldn't think it could hurt them ...

Nancy may not see this (but she may) but I am comfortable she'd tell you to give the babies the formula for as long as they will continue to drink it. It is there best insurance against MBD and some non releasable squirrels continue on formula forever. I will continue to offer it on a small shallow dish long after they stop taking from the syringes.

Short answer: The longer the better! It is very good stuff for them!