Just found a baby squirrel...please help

[sugy]

Hi, My daughter just found an abandoned or strayed baby squirrel on the stairs to our house. I picked him(?) up and brought him home. Now, I don't know how I should take good care of him. That is why I have come to the best place, MWC for help and suggestions...

     what to feed, what kind of bedding, the temperature, etc.,.  Please help.

Sugy

[Stupot]

Is he hurt? if so call a vet.  But if not then it's probably best off giving him a drink of water and sending him on his way.

[N.Mott]

First of all, place it in a metal cage instead of a cardboard box, before it chews its way out and ransacks the place!

Couple of wildlife websites for info:

http://www.wildlifeaid.org.uk/

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wildlife21237/

[sugy]

Thank you stupot. He is not hurt, but am definitely not sending him on his way as he looks too fragile and too small to find his way. Maybe I'll send him when he is strong on his own feet.

Naomi, thank you for those websites info. I will check them out. I have put him in a big plastic tub( a thick one) and I think he cannot jump out of it nor can he chew it out. But, that was a very good input from your side, or else I would have missed that point totally(the chewing part!)

Sugy

[N.Mott]

They're not called 'tree-rats' for nothing sugy, 
Would a paste of ground almonds and peanuts be suitable? If it's not old enough to be weaned it's not going to survive. And I remember reading somewhere that very young animals only wee when the mother licks that area. 
Rather you than me sugy 

[DwWin]

This has a lot of good information about raising an orphaned squirrel.

http://www.squirrels.org/raising.html

[go.dot]

Either

RSPCA

or

Mmmmmmmm

[DwWin]

as does this one

http://www.squirrel-rehab.org   

[nassj]

If it is too young to wee, rum it's bum with a warm , wet towel. This is what you do with pups if mum rejects them.

[sugy]

Wow, that was all very helpful, thank you Naomi, DwWin, Go.dot and candy.
Well, I checked out the websites mentioned and I learnt quite a bit. Though quite a few pages talked about finding a rehabilitator, I don't think it is possible here. I am sure they will simply ask me let him go outside my house, just like that! so, I'll have to do something to make him a little stronger before I let him go.

I remember reading somewhere that very young animals only wee when the mother licks that area.

Naomi, that was a scary thought until I thought of my husband doing his bit.

If it is too young to wee, rum it's bum with a warm , wet towel. This is what you do with pups if mum rejects them.

Candy, that saved my husband too! Well, I must say that it sounded a lot like a rhyming poetry...rum,bum,mum! Thanks.

Sugy

[Louise Secker]

Hi - hows the little one getting on?

[Stupot]

Might I suggest skinning it and marinating it in BBQ sauce before shoving the spit up its...

Nah, just kidding.  Hope it had a happy ending.

[sugy]

Hi - hows the little one getting on?

Hi Louise, he(decided to let him be a he!!!) seems to be showing good signs. Last evening when we found him, he was very weak. This morning, I saw him moving around and grooming himself. Hopefully he should start playing soon enough.

Might I suggest skinning it and marinating it in BBQ sauce before shoving the spit up its...

Stupot, I wish I could get my hands on you...

Sugy.

[N.Mott]

"Rum it's bum", oh Candy you crack me up!

[nassj]

Sorry, I meant rub, rub it's bum.