Feeding a baby squirrel and confirming it's a squirrel

[LaurenN1215]

So a neighbor found a squirrel baby in a nest. Put the nest up and left it for a while but mom never came back and moved the baby. So my dad who had taken care of previous squirrels has been taking care of it. What would be the best thing to feed the baby and how to tell I'd it's a squirrel or a rat. The baby has a short tail and a square head which I've seen would only be a squirrel. Thanks!315372

[island rehabber]

yes, pinky squirrel about 10 days old. do you need us to help you find a rehabber? Squirrels this young need an experienced person who can feed formula every 3 hrs around the clock.
We have quite a few contacts in Florida. :thumbsup

[stepnstone]

It is a squirrel, it is dehydrated so that is your first concern to get it hydrated.
I'm attaching a link on baby squirrel care and the homemade hydration fluid.
Go to this link this is a HUGE help.
It's 6 pages long with the next button on the top right corner.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/

Homemade hydration:
Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.
************
1/2 measure:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoon sugar (3-teaspoons)
16 oz water (1-pint)
*************
1/4 measure:
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water

[LaurenN1215]

yes, pinky squirrel about 10 days old. do you need us to help you find a rehabber? Squirrels this young need an experienced person who can feed formula every 3 hrs around the clock.
We have quite a few contacts in Florida. :thumbsup

No thank you, my dad who has tons of experience has rehabbed squirrels for years has been taking care of her and so have I. Just wanted a little more information on it for my own self.

[LaurenN1215]

It is a squirrel, it is dehydrated so that is your first concern to get it hydrated.
I'm attaching a link on baby squirrel care and the homemade hydration fluid.
Go to this link this is a HUGE help.
It's 6 pages long with the next button on the top right corner.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/

Homemade hydration:
Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.
************
1/2 measure:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoon sugar (3-teaspoons)
16 oz water (1-pint)
*************
1/4 measure:
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water



Thank you so much we have been feeding it every 2 hours but I will definitely incorporate this also and will be reading that page!

[LaurenN1215]

It is a squirrel, it is dehydrated so that is your first concern to get it hydrated.
I'm attaching a link on baby squirrel care and the homemade hydration fluid.
Go to this link this is a HUGE help.
It's 6 pages long with the next button on the top right corner.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/

Homemade hydration:
Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.
************
1/2 measure:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoon sugar (3-teaspoons)
16 oz water (1-pint)
*************
1/4 measure:
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water



Hi! I just wanted to say thank you so much for your advice and the website. I did as instructed and she started acting so much better and within the first 3 times of the hydrating liquid the pinch test was perfect. Definitely going to continue as the page says for a few days.

[island rehabber]

Hi! I just wanted to say thank you so much for your advice and the website. I did as instructed and she started acting so much better and within the first 3 times of the hydrating liquid the pinch test was perfect. Definitely going to continue as the page says for a few days.

:bliss:w00t good job!