Starvation/Refusing Food

Treatment Options

  • Rehydration should be initiated before trying to give the bat food. Make sure the bat is warm and able to swallow. Give water in small amounts, very frequently (every 20 to 30 minutes, increasing to every two hours) until bat is much brighter.
  • Then use liquid food, for example diluted mealworm insides or diluted Hill’s AD, from a small clean paintbrush or small syringe.
  • Progress to mini or regular mealworms depending on the size/species of bat. Occasional waxworms can be given for extra calories.

Considerations

  • The cause of the problem – are there underlying factors that have prevented the bat from feeding, for example a broken jaw or damaged tongue?
  • Is the bat warm?
  • Bats disturbed in hibernation, which cannot be released immediately, frequently refuse food and want to return to torpor – check their body condition.
  • When bats begin to take whole mealworms after being undernourished they can eat very slowly, have patience!