Squirrels– How to Help in an Emergency
If you experience an actual emergency with a wild squirrel or a squirrel nest, please don’t try to raise baby squirrels at home. They need an experienced, licensed wildlife rehabilitator to receive proper care. Squirrels are delicate, and they are difficult to rehabilitate. Their needs change daily, as does their diet and regimen of maintenance.
Many websites offer care advice, and much of the information given is entirely wrong.
For example, many sites instruct to feed baby squirrels puppy or kitten milk replacer. These milks are completely different in composition from squirrel milk and will cause a multitude of growth problems. Milk composition differs from species to species as well as throughout their development, which is why it is extremely important to provide animals with species and age-appropriate support by getting them to a professional.
You can find local wildlife rehabilitators quickly by using online search engines: Just type your state and the term “wildlife rehabilitation” in the search box. Calls to your state wildlife agencies, local veterinarians, animal shelters, and even 911 will often have successful results.
While searching for professional help, keep the squirrel warm in a dark and quiet location. Don’t give it any food or water. Warmth, dark and quiet are all the temporary help they need.
Check out our general emergency support page for information on how to get an animal to a rehabilitator in Pennsylvania.
The information provided below will help to determine if a squirrel is in need of assistance. Although these guidelines are helpful, it is important to always contact a rehabilitator prior to bringing an animal in for care.
Identifying Emergencies
Any visible injuries, blood, fly strike (this will appear as small yellowish grains which can be scattered or clumped together on the animal), visible maggots, and diarrhea are all signs that a squirrel is in serious danger.
Any squirrel that was in a dog’s or cat’s mouth should be treated with antibiotics. Dogs, and especially cats, carry bacteria in their mouths, including pasterellia. This bacterium is highly infectious to wild animals, especially young squirrels. Untreated, the animal can develop a systemic infection that attacks major organs. This is another situation that is considered a true emergency.
Fallen Squirrels
It is not uncommon for young squirrels to explore too far and fall from their nests. They may also be blown or knocked out of their nests during storms. The tree or branch their nest is in may be cut down during a tree-trimming project.
When this happens, there are several steps that can help us determine what kind of help is best for the squirrels.
First, check for visible injuries. This can look like visible blood and/or wounds, crusted fluid or blood around the nose, and/or bruises. Injuries like this indicate emergencies that require assistance from a wildlife rehabilitator.
If there are no injuries, the best next step is to attempt to reunite the babies with mom. This can be done by placing the babies in a container or cardboard box that is tall enough the babies will not be able to reach the edge to climb out (even eyes-closed squirrels are notorious climbers) but that mom will still be able to get into. Leave the babies in the box with paper towels, an old t-shirt, or old blanket (making sure there are no visible threads for baby to wrap itself in). You can also add a heat source such as a hot water bottle wrapped in an old t-shirt if the temperature will be below 75 degrees. The babies can be left until the sun begins to go down. If you are concerned about predators, kids in the neighborhood, or feral cats, you can keep watch from a window or somewhere you would not be visible to mom if she approaches. She may hesitate to collect her babies if she sees you in the area.
If mom does not return by sunset, then we consider the babies to be in need of help from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Remember, it is always best to call ahead to ensure the rehabilitator you want to go to is able to accept the species you are bringing and can be prepared for your arrival.
Squirrels Approaching People
If a squirrel, especially a young squirrel, is approaching people, then this is an emergency. Squirrels are a species that will ask for help when they need it. Adult squirrels approaching people are extremely abnormal, and also in need of help.