Baby Squirrel Not Eating Enough?

[megabeagle]

Hello,

I've found a baby squirrel in my backyard and have not been able to find its mother. I've been taking care of him for 4 days now. He is off his rehydration fluid and I'm giving him esbilac every 4 hours. He looks to be a 5 weeks old eastern grey squirrel. I've been trying to follow this website's advice

http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm#11

It says he should be eating 10-12cc each feeding but he will only eat 5-7cc.
Should I be worried?

(I'll try to post a picture when he's awake for the next feeding)

[DarkLies212]

Welcome to TSB! Thanks for saving this little one.

To feed him the right amount, you need to go by his weight in grams. Do you have a gram scale? If not, Walmart sells them pretty cheaply ($10ish). Once you weigh him, multiple 5% of his body weight and feed that in CCs.

Example: 89 gram squirrel x 5% = 4.45CCs of formula

[stepnstone]

Hello,

I've found a baby squirrel in my backyard and have not been able to find its mother. I've been taking care of him for 4 days now. He is off his rehydration fluid and I'm giving him esbilac every 4 hours. He looks to be a 5 weeks old eastern grey squirrel. I've been trying to follow this website's advice

http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm#11

It says he should be eating 10-12cc each feeding but he will only eat 5-7cc.
Should I be worried?
(I'll try to post a picture when he's awake for the next feeding)

A picture will be helpful to try and determine age, is his eyes open?
I looked at the site you posted and can see they too list suggested feeding amounts according to
gram weight of baby which is the only way to properly know how much to be feeding a squirrel.
Both underfeeding and overfeeding can have adverse consequences. It is essential to obtain a scale
and know the weight to properly care for these babies.
It is also important knowing the weight of these babies if for any reason you would need to provide
medication, as medications can only be dosed *according to the weight of the squirrel in question.

*(Not to be confused with "weighing" medications by use of a scale!)

[Mommaluvy]

Hello,

I've found a baby squirrel in my backyard and have not been able to find its mother. I've been taking care of him for 4 days now. He is off his rehydration fluid and I'm giving him esbilac every 4 hours. He looks to be a 5 weeks old eastern grey squirrel. I've been trying to follow this website's advice

http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm#11

It says he should be eating 10-12cc each feeding but he will only eat 5-7cc.
Should I be worried?

(I'll try to post a picture when he's awake for the next feeding)

Megabeagle that site is awesome. And I think it was what led me here 2 yrs ago.

Step and Dark are correct. The body weight of the individual is what we base the feed amounts on. Do you have a gram scale? Usually pretty cheap at stores. You can get as fancy or as cheap as you like.

My squirrels never ate the amount that chart said.. Not at first at least.

[ALittleNutty]

Some take longer to get used to eating from a nipple, are picky about which nipple and some are picky about formula temp. Most like it very warm. 5% is the minimum to shoot for but it may take a few feedings to work up to that. How far apart are you spacing feedings?

[megabeagle]

Thanks everyone,

I managed to get my hands on a scale. He is 110 grams so I guess he is eating enough. I never try to force him to eat more than he wants, but at least now I will know when he is getting enough. Also, here are the pictures. I named him Chai.

[Daisey007]

Oh, he is precious!!!