quick question regarding human handling

[Henry's Nuts]

Long story short, rescued a baby squirrel, he's about 3 weeks old, and I am so far doing everything by the book (http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm#8); after pedialyte the first day, I am currently starting to slowly get him on the Milk n water, but wanted to ask about human handling. He's doing well, good appetite, etc.

Is it important that he not be handled too much by me, girlfriend, etc? My girlfriend wants to let her daughter hold it and stuff and I wanted to know if it's important to limit such contact. I felt like he should basically only be exposed to his primary caregiver at this point.

Please let me know your opinion cuz I want to do what's right for the squirrel as we have the intent to release him when he's ready.

[Anne]

Nothing wrong with handling and loving on a baby squirrel. Perhaps give the squirrel a few minutes after feeding before handling though to let the formula settle. How is important is the age of the child that wants to handle the baby. Very young children, under the age of ten or are not all suited to being careful or gentle enough for baby squirrels. However, if the child is calm,quiet, and supervised and shows I don't see any harm. It must be understood that the baby squirrel is not a toy and can be quickly hurt if mishandled. Just my two cents worth!

[Henry's Nuts]

Nothing wrong with handling and loving on a baby squirrel. Perhaps give the squirrel a few minutes after feeding before handling though to let the formula settle. How is important is the age of the child that wants to handle the baby. Very young children, under the age of ten or are not all suited to being careful or gentle enough for baby squirrels. However, if the child is calm,quiet, and supervised and shows I don't see any harm. It must be understood that the baby squirrel is not a toy and can be quickly hurt if mishandled. Just my two cents worth!

I was under the impression they needed just one handler? Too much human contact or whatever?

[UDoWhat]

I was under the impression they needed just one handler? Too much human contact or whatever?

I completely agree with Anne. :highfive Great advice !!!!!!!

Mostly it is important to have one person who does the feedings. However, a child should never feed. I can't stress that enough. If there is another adult feeder, then that would be acceptable. Baby squirrels are so easy to aspirate. I don't believe that a child would be able to react fast enough to a baby squirrel in trouble from being aspirated.

Now that being said... It is fine for caregivers to handle babies and fine for a child over the age of ten, with supervision, to gently hold the baby. Baby squirrels can be hurt and even die if dropped or not treated gently. We would love to see pictures of your little one. How much does he weigh now ? :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Henry's Nuts]

I completely agree with Anne. :highfive Great advice !!!!!!!

Mostly it is important to have one person who does the feedings. However, a child should never feed. I can't stress that enough. If there is another adult feeder, then that would be acceptable. Baby squirrels are so easy to aspirate. I don't believe that a child would be able to react fast enough to a baby squirrel in trouble from being aspirated.

Now that being said... It is fine for caregivers to handle babies and fine for a child over the age of ten, with supervision, to gently hold the baby. Baby squirrels can be hurt and even die if dropped or not treated gently. We would love to see pictures of your little one. How much does he weigh now ? :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

Thanks for the advice, guys. Okay, so she can hold it, but is there to be a limit on how much handling there should be? Doesn't this thing need to sleep a lot, and grow? Like, would you even let the girl handle it each and every day?

I'm asking mainly cuz the article I came across stressed that they should habituate to only one human, their surrogate mother. I know the girl would be very gentle with it, and loving, so I'm not worried about that...just worried about over-handling. Maybe it was over-stated in that article though...I'd be glad to loosen restrictions if that's what best for lil' Henry. Let me know!

Thanks in advance for your inputs!

[UDoWhat]

I would say, as Anne suggested, to allow him to be held for a few minutes after feedings. He will just curl up and go to sleep. I would be sure he is snuggled up in a piece of fleece while being held. They love to be gently scratched under their chin. They will pull their little arms back in what we call "armage". It is too cute. :Love_Icon I have to admit I sometimes go into my squirrel room and take the top off the bins to check my babies and just can't resist picking them up and giving a little kiss on their heads. :blowkissI believe they need some touches and love, especially a singleton. :Love_Icon

[Mel1959]

Great advice by all those that have previously responded. :great:great. I don't rehab many squirrels as others on here do. The boys that I had a close relationship with while they were growing up continue to come around after being released for a year. The girls that I conscientiously tried not to get too attached to and didn't handle as much were released and they took off.

With that being said, if you want to foster a long term relationship with this guy and are going to release him in your yard, then by all means, build the relationship now. They love to be scritched and cuddled.

[Floppysquirrel04]

lol protective over your baby much? It should be fine, as others said, as long as she is gentle and supervised. It is probably better for him to know more than one person when he is young, or else he might wind up thinking everybody but u is a monster. :)

[Katie]

I read that too about only having one caregiver. It kind of works out that way as the people who want to hold or pet a little squirrel are not there every few hours for feedings. I do think it's to help them "wild up" later. That process was not hindered for our squirrel who had at least two other people hold him and a few people pet him when I was holding him. Our released squirrel keeps its distance from all humans except me, the main caregiver.