5 Week Old Fox Squirrel - Biting

I am formula feeding my 5 week old baby boy fox squirrel. He doesn't have sibling and when I put him back in his box after feedings, he tends to suck/bite on his feet and tail. Is this normal and ok? I'm sure if he had siblings they would all be sucking on each other.

Also, what size Miracle Nipple is recommended for his age (Regular or Mini)?

I have been feeding him every 6cc's every 4 hrs including at night and he is an eager eater. Today he weighs 108g.

This is my first baby and this message board has been SOOOO helpful!

Thank You!

If he weighs 108grams then 6cc's is perfect, every 4 hours. He is used to being with more squee's, you might want to give him a small stuffed animal to cuddle with. I wouldn't worry about the sucking, unless he starts on his own penis, usually it is other siblings sucking on each other, so hopefully he doesn't start.

I use the regular size nipple for all of the kids, even the pinkys.

Welcome to the world of squirrels, once you come, you can never leave :D :D

Please share some photos of your baby with us, we can't get enough pictures.

I've also included the feeding chart that one of our members created.

Attachment 270656

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by catmut

I am formula feeding my 5 week old baby boy fox squirrel. He doesn't have sibling and when I put him back in his box after feedings, he tends to suck/bite on his feet and tail. Is this normal and ok? I'm sure if he had siblings they would all be sucking on each other.
Also, what size Miracle Nipple is recommended for his age (Regular or Mini)?
I have been feeding him every 6cc's every 4 hrs including at night and he is an eager eater. Today he weighs 108g.
This is my first baby and this message board has been SOOOO helpful!
Thank You!

---

Sucking/biting on themselves or with siblings is something we try to avoid.
Is he being cleaned after feedings, could he be sucking at dripped formula?
Does he do this to fall asleep?

I prefer the regular size MN myself for this age, they seem to do better for me.

For his weight 5%-7% would be the range of 5.4 -7.5, you could try increasing
a little to see if that helps as long as his bowels remain stable.

Eyes open even with taking formula they need to be introduced to a good quility
rodent block. This may also help to direct his chewing in another direction...

Thanks for the confirmation! He has two stuffed animals that he loves to snuggle with and spoon. I attached a picture of my little one with his banana.

Was also wondering about night feedings. At what point can I stop, and how many hours at most should a let him sleep with out waking him to eat?




Attachment 270657

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stepnstone

Sucking/biting on themselves or with siblings is something we try to avoid.
Is he being cleaned after feedings, could he be sucking at dripped formula?
Does he do this to fall asleep?

I prefer the regular size MN myself for this age, they seem to do better for me.

For his weight 5%-7% would be the range of 5.4 -7.5, you could try increasing
a little to see if that helps as long as his bowels remain stable.

Eyes open even with taking formula they need to be introduced to a good quility
rodent block. This may also help to direct his chewing in another direction...

---

Yes I clean him after each formula feeding, and he falls asleep after a couple minutes of licking/biting/sucking his feet and tail. I got the rodent block from Henry's. I will try leaving it in with him to see if it diverts his attention. Eyes opened 3 days ago.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kcassidy

Welcome to the world of squirrels, once you come, you can never leave :D :D


Attachment 270656

---

No truer words have ever been said.
We were toast after the very first one. :grin2

Cute little Foxer catmut!
Good luck with him.

At that age, he does not need night time feedings. Put some quality rodent block in with him. He can go all night w/o you getting up to feed him now. Would try to do last feeding around 11/midnight, then 5-6am. He can easily go that long. Esp. with the rodent block, will give him a chance to start nibbling it if he gets hungry. Lucky you, a foxer! We do not have them here...wish we did!

Ah...he is adorable! :Love_Icon

He looks good! :Welcome:Welcome