Q. Causes for Squirrel Suckling, Loose Stools and Proper Feeding Amounts for 6-7-Week-Old Squirrels

Posted by Mia Carter Oct 4, 2008

On October 4, 2008, I received the following question from a visitor to my blog titled Why Won't My Baby Orphaned Squirrel Return to the Wild?

The reader asked: I have 3 baby squirrels, all siblings who are about 6-7 weeks old. One of the girls has taken to nursing on herself even after feedings. I was wondering if this is a habit she has developed (ie. sucking thumb for a child) or if it isn't something more serious. Her stools appear to be watery and the other two squirrels' stools are golden but mushy. Otherwise they seem to be healthy. They are just now getting to be very active and stay awake more often. I am feeding them Esbilac liquid formula 4 times a day, five hours apart. They have not taken much interest yet in solid food.

"Also, I don't know if I'm feeding the proper amount. I give them each about 1 1/3-1 1/2 tsp. at each feeding yet they still seem hungry. I am afraid to give them more because of the stool issues...I just want to make sure that I'm giving them the best possible care so they are completely healthy when I release them."

Suckling in Baby Orphaned Squirrels

Suckling is a common behavior among animals who are orphaned. Most pet owners will be familiar with this behavior as it's seen in kittens and even adult cats who will often suckle on fabrics. This is a soothing habit, much like a child who sucks his thumb.

Loose Stools in a Baby Squirrel

For the baby girl squirrel, I would offer her some probiotics to help her digestive system. Orphaned squirrels and orphaned rabbits in particular are prone to digestive upset due to a lack of "good" bacteria in their gut. Fortunately, this "good bacteria" can be replaced using a probiotic containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus, which is available at large pet supply stores like Petco and PetSmart. If this does not remedy the problem, I would arrange for a vet visit, as other ailments, such as intestinal parasites, can cause chronic diarrhea and dehydration.

Feeding Amounts for 6 to 7-Week-Old Squirrels

In terms of feeding amounts for a six or seven-week-old squirrel, the average amount is around 9cc's per meal. Once the squirrel reaches the age of seven weeks, there is no longer a limit on how much they can eat. The squirrels can eat until they are full, as by this age, they have a sense of feeling "full" that's not present in younger squirrels.

For a look at the feeding schedule for these little guys, you can check out Squirrel Age and Development, which looks at squirrel care and development for babies ages six weeks to 12 weeks. My article titled Feeding a Baby Squirrel also has some great information on feeding young squirrels.

Weaning Baby Squirrels & Switching to Solid Foods

As for solid foods, I would continue to offer a small amount of solid foods to the baby squirrels on a daily basis, and as they grow, they will naturally begin to gain interest in solid foods. Some baby squirrels tend to begin eating solid foods sooner, while others switch over a bit later. You also must remember that we cannot be 100% certain about their age - we can only make an educated guess about the baby squirrel's age. So they may actually be a bit younger than you realize, making their unwillingness to eat solids completely normal for their age group.

Notably, squirrels are natural weaners - there is little effort required to wean a baby squirrel. It's a process that occurs naturally and gradually. Weaning problems are very rare in baby squirrels, who tend to self-wean as they age and grow. Weaning and the squirrels' switch to solid foods is also discussed in Squirrel Age and Development.

As always, I urge visitors to check out my ever-growing Baby Squirrel Care Page for more information on caring for orphaned baby squirrels.

Have a pet question? Or a suggestion for a pet care article? Send your questions and suggestions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.