🐿️ Overwintering Baby Squirrels: Giving Them Their Best Chance at Survival

Raising a baby squirrel isn’t for the faint of heart. You feed them, clean their cage, and shower them with love and attention—but eventually, every squirrel must be released back into the wild.

In colder areas, the last safe time to release spring babies is typically the end of October, when they’re at least 18 weeks old. If you’ve raised a baby squirrel into early November and they’re not ready for release, it’s time to start thinking about overwintering.

🌨️ What Is Overwintering?

Overwintering is the process of keeping a young animal safe and cared for through the winter months when food and resources are scarce.

A squirrel in the wild spends months preparing for winter—gathering food, building nests, and storing fat. A squirrel raised in captivity, however, has no natural resources to rely on.

Overwintering gives a squirrel the best possible chance of survival until they can be released in the spring. By keeping them through the coldest months, you’re providing the warmth, food, and safety they need to thrive.

Important Note: While overwintering is needed for most squirrels under the age of 18 weeks, the exception to this is Red Squirrels. If a red squirrel is kept longer than necessary, it can lead to capture myopathy, which is caused by extreme stress. This stress triggers a "fight-or-flight" response that causes severe muscle damage and a cascade of physiological problems, including metabolic acidosis, kidney failure, and heart damage.

☎️ Always Contact a Licensed Rehabilitator

If you find a baby squirrel, the first and most important step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

📞 Call 203-214-7427 to find one in your area.

Caring for a squirrel older than 9–10 weeks on your own can make socialization and eventual release much harder. At this age, squirrels begin to establish territory, and it becomes more difficult to integrate a new baby into a group.

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators can place squirrels with others of the same age—a critical step in helping them develop natural behaviors, such as climbing, and running safely.

Even in the wild, squirrels are never alone. From birth, they’re surrounded by their mother and siblings. Being raised among other squirrels helps them build instincts, confidence, and comfort that make their eventual release less stressful.

When squirrels are raised as “siblings,” rehabbers can safely keep groups of males and females of the same age together under supervision, encouraging healthy development and natural behavior.

🏡 If a Rehabilitator Isn’t an Option

If you decide to overwinter a squirrel yourself, it’s still highly recommended that you speak with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before starting. They can walk you through critical topics like feeding, housing, and behavior changes as the squirrel matures.

⚠️ Expect a Wild Teen Phase

At some point, your sweet baby squirrel will hit its “pre-teen” stage—and things can get challenging. They may bite, scratch, or destroy objects out of curiosity and energy. It’s extremely important that they are in a large, secure enclosure in case they become difficult to handle safely.

A proper enclosure should have ample space for climbing, jumping, and enrichment, with materials that can withstand chewing and clawing.

🚫 Safety Around Humans and Pets

Squirrels should never be handled by small children, and they must be kept away from household pets. In the wild, fear keeps them alive. A squirrel that sees cats and dogs as harmless will not survive after release.

🥦 Diet and Nutrition During Overwintering

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of overwintering.

The single most critical component of a proper diet is Henry’s Blocks, as they are the only natural supplement made specifically for a squirrel’s diet 🐿️. Each serving provides 100% of the essential vitamins and minerals squirrels need to help prevent common conditions like Metabolic Bone Disease, while supporting strong bones, healthy organs, and overall wellness. 💪🌿

For more details and feeding guidance, visit our Healthy Diet Guide.

MBD cases are most commonly seen in January and February by wildlife rehabilitators, when overwintered squirrels begin showing symptoms due to an improper diet. Providing a calcium-rich, balanced menu from the start is essential for their long-term health and bone strength.

Maintaining proper nutrition ensures your squirrel grows strong bones, healthy fur, and the resilience needed for eventual release.

🌰 Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

Squirrels are intelligent, curious creatures that need mental engagement to stay healthy. Enrichment helps mimic the challenges of life in the wild and keeps them physically and mentally fit.

Provide safe, natural materials like:

• Clean tree branches and sticks
• Rocks, seashells, or antlers
• Items from Henry’s Cage Gear line for added variety and durability

These materials encourage climbing, gnawing, problem-solving, and exploration—skills they’ll rely on after release.

💕 Closing Thoughts

Overwintering a baby squirrel is an act of compassion and commitment. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to meet their changing needs. By providing proper nutrition, safety, and enrichment through the cold months, you’re giving that squirrel the best possible start in life—and the opportunity to thrive when spring arrives.