Would a nursing cat take on a baby squirrel?

I had an orphan beagle pup that was accepted by a Mother cat. She nursed him and cleaned him every bit as wonderful as her own babies. It's was something to see. As for the squirrel, it's possible but infant squirrels stay small longer than a pup. You've got what we call a pinkie. These guys need very good care and they are protected under federal law. The best thing to ensure this little one survives is to contact a wildlife rehabilitator or a wildlife sanctuary provided the infant cannot be returned to the Mother. Ask the kids to show you where the baby came from. If it's by a tree...then the Mother will be looking for her baby. She has the ability to pick her baby up and put it in the nest....and she will given the chance. If this is not possible than please get some professional help. For tonight.... Please put the infant in a shoe box lined with soft clean cloths. Make a little nest with a small plastic bowl and soft cloths. Place a heating pad on LOW...half on and half off the box. This allows the baby to move away from the heat source if necessary. Place a few moisten cotton balls in a tiny container. What this will do is raise the moisture. Now...cover over the infant with a small clean cloth. The baby must be warm before it can eat. Hold the baby in your hand to determine if he is warm enough. Don't be concerned about diseases. There are no diseases we are concerned with when handling squirrels. Once the baby is warm, take a syringe or eyedropper and make a solution of 3 parts warm water, 1 part sugar and a tiny pinch of salt. This formula will restore electrolites thus hydrating the baby. You need to go very slowly and always belly down. There is a danger of aspiration...so you want to take extreme care. The infant is most like about 7-10 grams so feed 1/2 cc of the formula. Try to get the baby to take 3 of these feedings about every 45 minutes. This should hold the baby over tonight although he could have another feeding if you're up late. If for whatever reason you can't bring the baby in the morning to a wildlife rehabilitator...please go to the pet store and get Puppy Esbilac. You'll find it either in powder or liquid form. Mix either one with warm water. You can add a small amount of baby rice cereal for bulk. These babies need to eat about every three hours, sometimes every two hours depending on how much formula they are taking per feeding. After every feeding including the ones you'll do tonight, you must "stimulate" the infant. Use a cotton ball with warm water. Rub tummy and genitals. Be patient. Sometimes it's takes awhile for the baby to urinate. Here's a link to help you find a wildlife rehabilitator. If you think anything is wrong PLEASE take the infant to a Animal Emergency Hospital. They are open throughtout the night for emergencies and will take wildlife at no charge. This is because wildlife belongs to the state. If you don't know of one, call your vet's office. The message will include where to take an animal when the office is closed. http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/rehabilitators/directory-us.html Thanks for caring about wildlife! dee Lic. Wildlife Rehabilitator, 17 yrs Avian & Small Mammals Former Director DRS Animal ER

NO DON'T, you should not even try. You have no idea if the squirrel has any dangerous diseases and bugs the it could pass on to your cat and her kittens. I have tried raising baby squirrels and rabbits but they have always died anyway. They need a special kind of milk. Cats could get away with lactose free milk so if it was a stray kitten it would work (have done that as well) Nursing is an instinct and yes I have heard of cats nursing other kittens...I had two female cats, one got pregnant and the other shared nursing the kittens even though she didn't have milk at first. Her milk did come in about a week later so they both took care of the litter!!! I know how you feel as you seem like a caring person but take it to an animal shelter or call them to pick it up. (put it in a box first). You may also try leaving it where you found it. The mom may come looking for it if it fell out of the nest.

maybe????

It'd be possible, but it's a long shot. The best thing for the baby squirrel is to be taken to a vet's office. And plus you have no idea what the squirrel has. It could have worms or some disease and you don't want to expose your cat or kittens to that.

You can try. Smear some butter on this little orphan, let her lick it off and transfer some cat scent to it, and maybe she'll nurse it. But keep an eye on this until you're sure, as she could also eat it.

This might be a really bad idea, the mother could see the squirrel as a threat to her and her kittens, she might attack it or even kill it. If your going to try this make sure someone is holding down the cat and you cover her eyes, wrap the squirrel in a blanket and then try it. If this doesn't work you could buy a special formula to feed the squirrel hope this helps!!

I would never let the squirrel near your cat or kittens because squirrels are one of the highest rabies carriers...take the squirrel to a wildlife preserve if you can.

No. Baby cats don't even take on a baby cat that ain't theres.