If you find a baby squirrel, you just need to remember the acronym WHAM to function like a care professional!

WHAM is a four-step process to ensure you cover all bases by providing a systematic approach to ensuring a baby squirrel has every chance to survive.

“W” stands for Warm.

Baby squirrels lose body heat very quickly, especially around the time they are born, usually in early March. Ideally, you’d like the mother to come get you, but it’s hard to leave a nearly naked body lying in the early March cold waiting for its mother. I found that a small cardboard box with a microwaved cloth bag of rice nailed to the tree keeps the baby comfortable and away from predators while it waits for its mother to find it. If she doesn’t come looking for him, the box and bag of rice make a great incubator to house the baby during early care, especially during the first five weeks when her eyes are closed. A baby squirrel should always feel warmer than your hand when you pick it up!

“H” stands for Hydrate.

A baby squirrel can become dehydrated very quickly. Their bodies are so small that it doesn’t take long for them to develop an electrolyte imbalance. If it gets bad enough, it can cause the heart to beat irregularly or even stop. If the baby looks very dry and wrinkled and his skin does not return to its normal flat appearance when you pinch him, or if the baby is very slow to respond, even after warming him, you need to rehydrate him!

Many rehabs and veterinarians will tell you to give them unflavored Pedialyte electrolyte replacement fluid. This is fine, just warm it up and give small amounts with a dropper or small syringe. My only question is; Where does a mother squirrel get Pedialyte when she picks up her baby and it’s dehydrated? I have never lost a dehydrated baby squirrel by going straight to formula. So, do what you want, just hydrate the baby.

“A” means accommodate.

If you have reached this point in the WHAM process, you will need to make a decision about the future care of this creature. Are you going to hold it and try to pick it up and set it free? Or are you going to take him to a rehabilitation center?

Aside from accommodating it is to take a second, closer look at it. She has warmed and hydrated it, now check it out and check for any other issues. If it has fur, look closely for vermin. Fleas and lice may be present. I use Hartz Kitten Flea Spray on a cotton ball to kill any bugs and pick them off with tweezers.

Look for any bruises or open wounds. Check their legs for possible fractures. I treat the wounds with raw coconut oil. You can wash them with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment.

Look for any signs of difficulty breathing. A baby squirrel shouldn’t have to use more than its chest muscles to breathe. If you’re having trouble breathing and your skin doesn’t look pink, you may have internal injuries. Look at your abdomen for bruising or discoloration. This may be a sign of internal injuries. If you have any questions, find a Veterinarian with experience in exotic pets or wildlife.

A baby squirrel can be very comfortable in a box until it opens its eyes. So, you’re going to need a cage. A small cage is fine initially, but a larger cage will be necessary as the baby physically matures. My last cage before launch is a big one to get into my backyard. It allows my squirrels to acclimate to life outdoors, while allowing them to observe how other squirrels behave. It also allows them room to exercise and the climbing skills they will need when released.

“M” stands for Hold.

Maintaining simply means continuing to do the things that need to be done to ensure that the squirrel has everything it needs to grow into a healthy adult squirrel. Keeping him warm and fed when he’s a baby. Allow her to breastfeed until she comes off formula, and then provide the right types of food and calcium to prevent metabolic bone disease.

Keeping a squirrel until it is ready to be released is not difficult and does not have to be expensive, but it does require diligence and desire. My wife and I have a passion for raising healthy, disease-resistant squirrels and are always willing to help others do the same! It’s a labor of love for us, and that makes all the difference in the world!