06/07/2026
🦌 Did you know a fawn’s coat can tell us a lot about what’s happening on the inside?
Take a look at these two photos.
The fawn on the left has been struggling with gastrointestinal issues. Notice how the coat appears rougher, duller, and less sleek along the topline.
The fawn on the right has a digestive system that is functioning properly. The coat is smoother, fuller, and lays neatly against the body.
Why does this matter?
Because one of the most common causes of digestive problems in orphaned fawns is being fed the wrong thing before they arrive at a licensed rehabilitator.
🚨 Please do NOT feed a fawn you find. 🚨
Cow’s milk, goat’s milk, feed-store formulas, and homemade mixtures can cause severe digestive upset, dehydration, malnutrition, diarrhea, and even death. Sometimes the damage isn’t immediately obvious, but over time we often see the effects in poor growth, unhealthy coats, and a struggling digestive system.
If you find a fawn:
🦌 Do not feed it.
🦌 Do not give it water.
🦌 Keep pets and people away.
🦌 Take photos or video if possible.
🦌 Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Remember, mother deer only visit their babies a few times a day to nurse. A quiet, curled-up fawn is usually exactly where it is supposed to be.
When in doubt, call first. A healthy fawn can quickly become a medical emergency after being fed the wrong thing.
Sometimes, a fawn’s coat tells the story of what its little body has been through long before we ever see the symptoms.
