Young squirrels, like all developing mammals, have precise dietary needs that change significantly as they grow. Their ability to survive and thrive depends on receiving the correct nutrition at each stage of their early lives.
Mother’s Milk: The First Diet
For the initial weeks of their lives, mother’s milk is the sole source of sustenance for young squirrels. This milk provides all necessary components for rapid growth and development, including fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains antibodies, offering passive immunity to protect vulnerable newborns from pathogens.
Squirrel milk is notably high in protein and calcium, supporting rapid bone and muscle development. While composition varies, analyses indicate protein levels around 9-10% and fat content around 12%. This rich, energy-dense liquid helps young squirrels grow quickly, often doubling their weight within their first week.
Young squirrels typically rely exclusively on mother’s milk for approximately seven weeks. They then begin a gradual transition to solid foods, though they may continue to supplement their diet with milk until 10 to 16 weeks old. The milk’s composition changes throughout lactation, adapting to the varying nutritional demands of her growing offspring.
Transition to Solid Foods in Nature
The natural weaning process begins around 6 to 7 weeks of age, coinciding with eye opening. At this stage, incisor teeth typically emerge, enabling them to nibble on softer items. This gradual transition involves the mother squirrel guiding her young to appropriate food sources, continuing to provide milk alongside solid offerings.
Initially, young squirrels explore easily digestible natural foods like tender plant shoots, soft buds, and young leaves. As their digestive systems mature and teeth strengthen, their diet expands to include a wider range of items. This progression often involves soft fruits such as apples and grapes, and vegetables like kale, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.
Over time, their diet diversifies to include harder natural foods. This involves mushrooms, fungi, and eventually nuts and seeds, which are a common part of an adult squirrel’s diet. Developing the ability to crack hard-shelled nuts is a significant milestone, indicating readiness for full independence.
Guidance for Found Young Squirrels
Discovering a young squirrel alone can prompt a desire to help, but direct intervention, particularly feeding, can be harmful without proper knowledge. The most important action is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately; these professionals possess the expertise and resources for proper care. Attempting to feed a found squirrel without expert guidance is not recommended.
Offering cow’s milk or human food to young squirrels is a common and dangerous mistake. Squirrels cannot properly digest the lactose in cow’s milk, which can lead to severe diarrhea, rapid dehydration, malnutrition, and potentially death. Human baby formula, soy milk, almond milk, or other non-wildlife specific milks are unsuitable and can cause serious digestive issues or aspiration pneumonia if incorrectly administered.
Before professional help arrives, keep the young squirrel warm, quiet, and safe. A cold squirrel cannot digest food properly, so providing a heat source, such as a sock filled with warm rice or a warm water bottle wrapped in a cloth, is crucial. Place the squirrel in a dark, enclosed container with soft bedding, away from pets and excessive noise. Do not force-feed any liquids or food, as this can lead to aspiration into the lungs, which is often fatal. While waiting, a licensed rehabilitator can provide specific, temporary guidance.