New squirrel mom has a lot of questions!!

[wolfiea1]

Hello I'm new here and to this whole, squirrel mommy thing. I've been taking care of animals in need all my life, but this is the first time I've had to take care of a squirrel, and I know you have to be careful with them, so I have some questions! Also, I'm sorry if I'm not posting this in the right place, I'm not very acquainted with forums, lol.

A few days ago I was given a baby gray, I'm thinking somewhere between 5-7 weeks old. His mommy was eaten by a cat on my street, and some old woman saved him from the scene so he wouldn't meet the same fate. It is a boy as far as I can tell, and he seems perfectly healthy! I have been feeding him puppy formula a few times a day, whenever he's hungry with a bottle that came with the formula. I've read that I should be using a syringe for feeding, but he seems to like the bottle fine. He drinks about 10ml's at a time every few hours. He mostly sleeps all day, or so I think since he hides in my sweater all day (it's kind of where he lives, lol). Every once in a while he'll come out to wander a little, but usually just to eat more, lol. He's most of active very early in the morning of course!! He can eat solids, somewhat. I say somewhat because he only has his bottom two teeth, but I can feel the two tops starting to come in when he sticks my fingers in his mouth, lol. So far he's struggled, but been able to eat peanuts out of the shell, and pieces of apples. He's getting better at eating without the top teeth.

The questions I have are mainly about re-releasing him once he's old enough.
How old does he have to be to be released? Will he be too dependent on me or too friendly to be released?
Would it be bad to release him somewhere far from here? Or would he be upset to not see me anymore? As much as I'd like to release him back around here, I really don't trust the area, as I live in the city. I fear he may get eaten, hurt by some not so friendly people, or ran over. The place I have in mind to release him, if I can, is a very foresty area a few miles from here. Far from streets and a lot of people.
Also, as he is now, I said I think he's between 5-7 weeks, but I'm thinking he's closer to 6-7 now that I've seen how bushy his tail really is! I currently have him in a quite large animal carrier cage for when I need to be away, but I mostly just have him (in my sweater) on my bed most of the day beside me. I mention this because I'm wondering if he's okay to be alone for a few hours a day as long as he's fed? I ask because I am currently having to bring him back and forth from my mothers house to my father's, and although he's much better off at my father's (because there are no other animals there, other than a bird) he would be alone for quite a few hours every day as I only go over once my father finishes work, (around 3pmish). I'm sure he probably shouldn't be alone for that long a day, but I figured I'd ask anyway.
Also, if he becomes acquainted with the pets, (cats dogs) I assume that would put him in danger of being eaten in the wild since he'd probably try to approach them, right?

I've had him since Saturday, and like I said he seems to be doing fine. Always eating, perky when active, normal poop. I just don't want to do anything wrong, especially when it comes to letting him go again, (if he isn't dependent). Any advice is appreciated, thanks!!!

[Spanky]

A few days ago I was given a baby gray, I'm thinking somewhere between 5-7 weeks old.

for helping this baby. And :welcome to TSB.

I have been feeding him puppy formula a few times a day, whenever he's hungry with a bottle that came with the formula. I've read that I should be using a syringe for feeding, but he seems to like the bottle fine. He drinks about 10ml's at a time every few hours.

You should not feed them just any puppy formula, you should feed Esbilac puppy formula; the powdered version with pre and probiotics. The third ingredient will be “dried whey protein concentrate”. Watch for diarrhea and dehydration that usually comes along with most other puppy formulas. I would not use the bottle and switch to a small syringe for feeding, it is simply very risky and if he gets aspiration pneumonia from the bottle feeding it can be deadly.

So far he's struggled, but been able to eat peanuts out of the shell, and pieces of apples. He's getting better at eating without the top teeth.

The baby should not be getting peanuts at this point, but a high quality rodent block. Henry’s Health Blocks are squirrel specific:
http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/
Nuts should only be given as occasional treats (especially peanuts!) and only after they have eaten their healthy things. Here is the healthy diet:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...-Pet-Squirrels

The questions I have are mainly about re-releasing him once he's old enough. How old does he have to be to be released?

16 weeks +/-, but since winter is approaching he will need to be overwintered and released in the spring when the leaves start to return to the trees. The dog crate will not serve this purpose, he will chew his way out eventually.

Will he be too dependent on me or too friendly to be released?
Would it be bad to release him somewhere far from here?
Or would he be upset to not see me anymore?

The release process is used to allow the squirrel to get acclimated to being outdoors and ready for release. It means they are in a large outdoor cage for weeks with limited human contact before opening the cage. Even after it’s opened they may hang around for quite a while. You can research “soft release” here on TSB. You may also want to consider seeking out someone with a release cage set up who is experienced with the process. We have members in Montreal.

Also, if he becomes acquainted with the pets, (cats dogs) I assume that would put him in danger of being eaten in the wild since he'd probably try to approach them, right?

Yes, it is extremely dangerous and reckless to allow a squirrel that will eventually be released to become acclimated to dogs, cats and the like.

[stepnstone]

for helping this baby. And :welcome to TSB.

You should not feed them just any puppy formula, you should feed Esbilac puppy formula; the powdered version with pre and probiotics. The third ingredient will be “dried whey protein concentrate”. Watch for diarrhea and dehydration that usually comes along with most other puppy formulas. I would not use the bottle and switch to a small syringe for feeding, it is simply very risky and if he gets aspiration pneumonia from the bottle feeding it can be deadly.

The baby should not be getting peanuts at this point, but a high quality rodent block. Henry’s Health Blocks are squirrel specific:
http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/
Nuts should only be given as occasional treats (especially peanuts!) and only after they have eaten their healthy things. Here is the healthy diet:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...-Pet-Squirrels

16 weeks +/-, but since winter is approaching he will need to be overwintered and released in the spring when the leaves start to return to the trees. The dog crate will not serve this purpose, he will chew his way out eventually.

The release process is used to allow the squirrel to get acclimated to being outdoors and ready for release. It means they are in a large outdoor cage for weeks with limited human contact before opening the cage. Even after it’s opened they may hang around for quite a while. You can research “soft release” here on TSB. You may also want to consider seeking out someone with a release cage set up who is experienced with the process. We have members in Montreal.

Yes, it is extremely dangerous and reckless to allow a squirrel that will eventually be released to become acclimated to dogs, cats and the like.

If you seriously don't want to do anything wrong, right out of the gate you'll scrap that bottle and feed with a syringe where you control the flow, not the baby. Aspiration can happen quickly and aspiration pneumonia takes them down just as quick. You need a weight on that baby as they should be eating between 5-7% of their body weight at proper intervals. A hungry baby will keep eating, overfeeding can cause many complications that can even lead to death. The first solid food you should introduce to a "captive" squirrel is a good quality rodent block and they should be eating that well before introducing other foods.
As stated, he will need to be overwintered and first go through a proper soft release before setting free. Without a proper release you would just be turning loose bait for predators...

[wolfiea1]

for helping this baby. And :welcome to TSB.

You should not feed them just any puppy formula, you should feed Esbilac puppy formula; the powdered version with pre and probiotics. The third ingredient will be “dried whey protein concentrate”. Watch for diarrhea and dehydration that usually comes along with most other puppy formulas. I would not use the bottle and switch to a small syringe for feeding, it is simply very risky and if he gets aspiration pneumonia from the bottle feeding it can be deadly.

The baby should not be getting peanuts at this point, but a high quality rodent block. Henry’s Health Blocks are squirrel specific:
http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/
Nuts should only be given as occasional treats (especially peanuts!) and only after they have eaten their healthy things. Here is the healthy diet:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...-Pet-Squirrels


16 weeks +/-, but since winter is approaching he will need to be overwintered and released in the spring when the leaves start to return to the trees. The dog crate will not serve this purpose, he will chew his way out eventually.

The release process is used to allow the squirrel to get acclimated to being outdoors and ready for release. It means they are in a large outdoor cage for weeks with limited human contact before opening the cage. Even after it’s opened they may hang around for quite a while. You can research “soft release” here on TSB. You may also want to consider seeking out someone with a release cage set up who is experienced with the process. We have members in Montreal.



Yes, it is extremely dangerous and reckless to allow a squirrel that will eventually be released to become acclimated to dogs, cats and the like.

Could I possibly get in contact with a rehabilitater around here? I'm afraid I cannot provide the proper accommodations for him to be properly reintroduced into the wild as I live in an apartment and don't have anywhere to set up a large outdoor cage. I'm located in the west island of Montreal, in Lachine. Thanks.

[Spanky]

I will try to bring this thread to the attention of some of the members in Montreal.

[iwonka]

Please write to me at kimusiek at gmail dot com or send a message to https://www.facebook.com/Ecureuil-La...3278/timeline/ (French)

Talk to you soon.