If you find a baby squirrel, the best thing you can do is contact a wildlife rehabilitation center. However, more people are becoming squirrel parents and raising them on their own. That’s why I wanted to find out everything I could about the importance of Esbilac Powder for squirrels.
Esbilac Powder for Squirrels
Baby squirrels require a special diet that consists of Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer, to ensure they get all the required nutrients they need to grow. Before buying just any type of powdered formula, you need to ensure that the ingredient labels contain the following ingredients:
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Vegetable Oil
- Casein
- Cream and Dried skim milk
Depending on the age of the baby, they won’t be able to consume solid food. You will need to feed them with a syringe every 2-3 hours.
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Feeding them the wrong formula can result in irreversible medical problems such as Metabolic Bone Disease. Here are some images from what an improper diet can do to a squirrel.
That’s why it’s recommended that anyone who rescues a baby squirrel feed them puppy formula for squirrels. (I share some of the best ones below)
How to Tell How Old A Baby Squirrel Is
If you have found a squirrel, check out my in-depth article to help you understand the steps to take for an orphaned squirrel. If you do decide to rescue it and nurse it back to health, the first thing you need to do is determine the age of it.
You can easily do this by looking at some characteristics on their body.
You’ll also need to ensure that you are available to set up a feeding schedule. Baby squirrels eat a lot and cannot go long without eating.
Now let’s take a look at some of the best milk for baby squirrels to ensure that you’re feeding them the right product. You can buy all the products on Amazon, and I’ve found the best prices for you below.
4 Squirrel Milk Replacer Products to Choose From
All these products are great for infant squirrel care. Regardless of whether you’re rescuing a squirrel to release it back to the wild or planning on keeping it as a pet. (I don’t really think squirrels make good pets)
I’ve done my best to round up all the information you need for feeding them formula as well as the feeding tools you will need.
#1 Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer for Squirrels
If you’re taking care of baby squirrels, then you need to consider Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer for squirrels. According to Chris’s Squirrels and More, Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer by PetAg is a recommended source of food for orphaned squirrels and other wildlife like raccoons, opossums, rabbits, and even squirrels.
It isn’t labeled for use with wildlife, it is a common choice to use with Wildlife Rehabilitation centers.
Puppy milk formula is colostrum milk that provides a great source of prebiotics and probiotics. Helps provide extra nutrition and protect the immunity from diseases.
Pros:
Easy to Use: This dry powder milk is easy to use and can mix easily with warm water.
Animal Shelter: When you buy, you are supporting your local animal shelter.
Cons:
Couldn’t find any negative reviews. Make sure you do your due diligence before you buy.
Even though it is NOT labeled for wildlife use, it can be used for orphan squirrels. You can buy it on Amazon
This is the best formula for baby squirrels that are recommended by wildlife rehabilitation centers.
#2 Fox Valley Squirrel Formula
Fox Valley Day One 20/50 Formula is designed specifically for orphaned squirrels that are older than 4 weeks old. (their eyes should be open). To use, just mix with distilled water. You don’t have to worry about adding cream, yogurt, or probiotics.
Some people say it’s like baby squirrel crack. They love it more than Ebsilac formula. After eating it for a while, you’ll notice that your baby has more energy, their coat will become more fluffy.
You can rest assured that your orphaned baby will grow up healthy because they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Pros:
Easy to Use: Comes in the form of a powder and mix with 2 parts distilled water.
Long Lasting: This product will last, even though squirrels eat a lot.
Cons:
Species: Depending on the species you’re feeding, it may not contain enough calcium. Not a problem for baby squirrels, but not enough for Opossums.
This formula comes in a 1lb bag of powdered milk replacer. You can check out the best price on Amazon.
#3 Goats Milk Esbilac for Baby Squirrels
Goats milk Esbilac is another formula that can be used to rehabilitate wildlife such as rabbits, squirrels, and opossums. This product is formulated to provide similar proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that a baby would get from their mother.
Supplies the required supplements and nutrients that wildlife babies would need to ensure proper growth. It’s perfect for young animals that have been orphaned, injured, or abandoned, that cannot access their mother’s milk.
The Goat’s Milk Esbilac provides the young squirrels with a full spectrum of nutritional needs so they don’t grow up malnourished, underdeveloped, or even causing paralysis in the hindquarters. (which is common in malnourished squirrels)
Pros:
Easy to Make: Simple easy to follow instructions and can be made in minutes.
Nourishment: Provides all the nutrients orphaned wildlife need to ensure proper growth.
Cons:
Temperature: The only downside is that if you need to store it in the refrigerator, it must be set the WARMEST temperature, or it will get too cold to feed the baby.
This is the best formula for baby squirrels and other young wildlife. You can read more about it on Amazon.
#4 Henry’s Healthy Pets Fox Valley
This is specially formulated for orphaned squirrels that are less than 5 weeks old. (their eyes will be closed). Just add distilled water, no need to add probiotics, yogurt, or cream.
Perfect for young animals who cannot get enough of their mother’s milk. It is specifically designed for use for squirrels, rats, mice, opossums, ad Eastern cottontails.
This formula will help your squirrels hydrated and they will be more satisfied and full after each meal.
Pros:
Nutrition: You can rest assured that they will receive all the nutrients they need to grow fast and avoid diseases.
They Love It: Baby squirrels love this formula and if you feed them too much, they can get fat!
Cons:
Dries Quickly: It dries like glue if you drip it. However, it is easy to clean up.
If you’ve been wondering what to feed orphaned squirrels, this product will provide them with all the nutrients they need. You can check out this product and buy it for the best price on Amazon.
Esbilac Formula for Squirrels
These are the best Esbilac powder milk replacer products I found online after doing research. Rescuing a baby squirrel requires a lot of work and a special diet. You can’t expect a newborn baby squirrel to eat bananas or other solid food.
They require a special diet if you want them to survive. A baby that doesn’t get the proper nutrients from one of the above milk replacers can die.
How to Feed A Baby Squirrel
This is a video of an infant squirrel, they are feeding a baby Fox squirrel puppy milk. However, you can also use any of the milk replacers above. He even covers some of the best syringes you can use.
This formula is great for Grey squirrels, red, fox, and even flying squirrels.
Tools You Need to Feed A Baby Squirrel
Depending on the age of a mammal, you will need to invest in some tools to feed them. You’ll need a dropper or syringe that they can drink the formula. People who rescue squirrels say that it is easier to feed a baby squirrel with a syringe.
The Syringe Kit is very popular and is easy to use. It’s durable and reusable, for their next meal. You will need something that will allow them to drink milk without getting air.
Be sure you watch the video above to find out what other feeding tools you will need. Baby squirrels eat fast and you want to make sure that you’re doing it correctly so you don’t harm them.
Should You Wean A Squirrel Off Of Formula?
In the wild, a mother will wean a young squirrel that is only 8 weeks old. The weaning process usually lasts around 2-4 weeks. However, if you’re raising a squirrel, you don’t want to wean off of formula too soon.
Keep the baby on formula until they are at least 14-16 weeks old. If you are releasing them back into the wild, wait until they are 4-6 months old.
If they are NOT being raised by their mother, they will need to be on formula longer than a wild squirrel who is living and nursing from their mother.
Related Articles on Baby Squirrels and Other Facts
- Can Baby Squirrels Drink Cow Milk?
- What Is The Best Food for Wild Squirrels?
- Can Baby Squirrels Eat Bananas?
References and Further Reading
Squirrel-Rehab: Helping Orphaned Squirrels – Baby Squirrel Feeding With Eyes Closed