Soft release concerns.

[SydneyCoconut]

I’ve had my grey squirrel since April this year. She was about 2 weeks when we found her. Last Wednesday I started the soft release process. My biggest concern is she is not drinking water. It’s now been 8 days and the market in her bottle hasn’t moved. Is this a sign of depression? How can I influence her to drink? I’ve tried ice cubes, shallow dishes, replacing with fresh water, even adding pecans in her water to entice her. No luck. Should I consider keeping her through the winter and trying again in the spring?328041
Additional information. She’s blind in her right eye. A singleton. We live in Sacramento county.
Any other gentle advice is definitely welcomed.

[AverageJoe]

Is she still taking formula or has she completely transitioned to solids?
Is the water source a new one for her, or was she accustomed to it?
When we moved ours to an outside cage, we had a bottle (like a hamster bottle) and a small bowl (about the size of a small yogurt) fixed so they could not turn it over. I watched them drink from each, but it was difficult to judge that much the water level moved. I don't think the volume intake is great, and depending upon the size of your bottle, it could be difficult to visualize small volume changes. Of course we changed the water daily. I would recommend keeping fresh water each day.

[SydneyCoconut]

Thank you for the reply! I use a hamster type bottle as well and it does have a marker in there that helps me see how much she has drank. Typically I was filling it every three to four days with new water because she would drink (and play) with it. Now the marker has been in the same spot. I also just noticed she is chewing a part her enclose. I’m wondering if she’s depressed her anxious. But this is my first release and I’m speculating. Hoping this is normal though and she’s just working through the transition.


Is she still taking formula or has she completely transitioned to solids?
Is the water source a new one for her, or was she accustomed to it?
When we moved ours to an outside cage, we had a bottle (like a hamster bottle) and a small bowl (about the size of a small yogurt) fixed so they could not turn it over. I watched them drink from each, but it was difficult to judge that much the water level moved. I don't think the volume intake is great, and depending upon the size of your bottle, it could be difficult to visualize small volume changes. Of course we changed the water daily. I would recommend keeping fresh water each day.

[Spanky]

If you are providing shallow dish and ice cubes etc... and it's been 8 days I have to believe she is drinking, just maybe not from the bottle; rainwater maybe even?. Make sure the bottle is not clogged.

Chewing ("exploring the world with their teeth") is what squirrels do; that is normal.

I see the cage is close to the house... two things to consider:

1) It may be more difficult for her to wild up and prepare for life in the trees if she is not exposed to "the wilds of the backyard" and other squirrels.

2) She may consider the area close to the house are "her territory" after opening the portal and *may* attack people intruding into her territory. We've seen this before.

3) Are there trees that close to the house? Best that the cage is close to even under / next to trees so they can go from the release cage to trees without the need the be on the ground (when they are most vulnerable). If there is a large space (e.g. lawn) between the house where the release cage is located to the trees, crossing those open spaces when you first open the portal will be harrowing for her (and you if you are observing!). Also large spaces where they are unable to get to the cage from the trees may discourage them returning the first few nights (which most.. I'd say 90% or more... will return for at least a few nights (and even weeks) until they have established a drey of there own in the trees).