Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels

[4skwerlz]

Below is the latest version of the Healthy Diet. We are also currently working on a Rodent Block substitute for squirrels that won't eat commercially produced rodent block.

Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels
(Revised November 2008)

Your squirrel needs a balanced diet containing protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals, including lots of calcium. The only way for them to get these nutrients is to feed the diet below:

• Rodent blocks or squirrel blocks (75% of diet)
• Healthy vegetables (20% of diet)
• Wild foods and things to gnaw on (5% of diet)
• Healthy treats such as fruit and nuts (<1% of diet)

1. Rodent Block or Squirrel Blocks. Rodent blocks provide the proper amounts of nutrients in a concentrated form. Below are two of the best commercially produced blocks:

Harlan Teklad 2014 and 2018 Rodent Diets. Vegetarian formulas contain no preservatives, phytoestrogens, or nitrosamines. The 2014 is a low-fat, low-protein formula suitable for older squirrels. The 2018 is for growing squirrels (under 12 months old). Available online at:
http://www.craftyrat.com/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=FS

KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice. A tasty vegetarian rodent diet. Does contain added sugars such as molasses, as well as preservatives for long shelf life. Available at Petco stores and online at:
http://www.petco.com/product/5906/Ka...-Rat-Food.aspx

If your squirrel won’t eat commercial rodent block, you can make nutritionally complete Squirrel Blocks by following the recipe found in the “Squirrel Nutrition Forum.”

2. Healthy Vegetables. These are a supplement to rodent blocks and add variety, fiber, fresh Vitamin C, and other nutrients to your squirrel’s diet.

artichokes, arugula, asparagus, avocado*, Belgian endive, bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherry tomatoes, chicory, chinese cabbage (bok choy), cilantro (fresh), collard greens, cucumber, dandelion greens, escarole, fennel, green beans, kale, lettuce (looseleaf), mushrooms, mustard spinach, okra, parsley (fresh), pumpkin, purslane, radicchio, radishes, romaine lettuce, squash (all types; raw or cooked), sugar snap peas, sweet potato** (raw or cooked), swiss chard, turnip greens, watercress, zucchini
*High in fat; remove the skin and pit as they are toxic
**Somewhat higher in sugars/starches
Avoid: Dried vegetables, fresh corn, garlic, onion, palm hearts, potatoes, sprouts, yams, soybeans

3. Wild Foods and Things to Chew On.These add nutrients, provide amusement, and help keep teeth worn down.

Magnolia cones, pine cones, pine branches and bark, branch tips of nontoxic trees, flowers from your garden (carnations, chrysanthemums, hibiscus), wild rose hips, purslane, plaintain, lambsquarters, and dandelion greens. Look to see what the wild squirrels are eating in your area. Make sure the area wasn’t sprayed, fertilized, or treated with any chemicals. Antlers, tree branches, sea shells, or a walnut-sized rock from outdoors provide trace minerals and keep teeth from overgrowing. A cuttlebone can also be hung on the side of the cage. Some squirrels like rawhide chews designed for dogs. Check first before feeding any wild food not on the list above to be sure it isn’t toxic.

4. Healthy Treats. Some experts recommend limiting sweet foods like fruits to avoid overweight and diabetes. Nuts should be limited to no more than 1-2 per day.

Healthy fruits: apple, apricot, bananas,* blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries* (sweet), cherries (sour), crabapples,* cranberries, grapefruit, grapes,* honeydew, kiwi, kumquats, lemon, lime, mangos,* navel oranges, nectarines, papaya, passion fruit,* peaches, pears, pineapple, pomegranates,* raspberries, strawberries, watermelon.
*Somewhat higher in sugars/starches
Note: The pits and seeds of some fruits can be toxic, except for berries.
Avoid: Dates, dried fruit of any kind, figs, fruit juice, persimmons, plums, prunes, raisins, as these are very high in sugar.

Nuts: acorns, whole roasted pumpkin seeds, and almonds are the healthiest, followed by hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, English walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and peanuts, in that order. Unlike other nuts/seeds, sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium.
Avoid: Cashews, sunflower seeds, dried corn, pine nuts (can cause severe calcium loss).

Foods to Avoid:

Packaged “squirrel food,” “pet treats,” or seed mixes
Processed foods: pasta, bread, grains, seeds, rice, potatoes, “human foods”
Sweets: candy, cookies, dried fruit, banana chips, soda, fruit juices, sweetened yogurt, granola, most breakfast cereals
Junk food: french fries, potato chips, pretzels, crackers, anything salted
Legumes: beans (kidney beans, lentils, etc.) and soybeans (except for green beans and sugar snap peas in the pod)
Artificial sweeteners like Nutra-Sweet or aspartame. Splenda (sucralose) is fine.

Also Important for Good Health:

Natural sunlight. 1 hour per day in an outdoor cage or screened porch during the warm months provides Vit D and will help keep your squirrel healthy. An open window screened with aluminum screening or hardware cloth is another option. Indoors, a full-spectrum light (FSL) for 8 hrs per day is also recommended; although it does not provide Vit D, it is believed to have other health benefits.

Exercise. Wild squirrels are extremely active; most pet squirrels are not. Provide your squirrel with things to climb and explore, and have at least one active play session per day. This will help keep them healthy and happy.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight. Being overweight causes all kinds of health problems and is a factor in diabetes in older animals. “Healthy weights” may vary: northern squirrels tend to be heavier than southern squirrels, and foxers are heavier than greys. In general, your pet should look like the healthy wild squirrels in your area. For squirrels that are older, overweight, or less active, you should severely limit foods that are high in sugars, starches, or fat.

[Rockypal]

Okay, thank you for that.

[jerry]

hi everybody, just a quick question, what about coconut?
Rocky found a coconut cake before I could put it away and just loved it. Can he eat coconut?

[Pam]

I wouldn't give Rocky coconut. Several pet squirrels have gotten upset stomachs from eating coconut.

[jerry]

thanks for answering so fast. he went crazy over it but I won't give it to him.

[momoftooie]

Is it ok to feed an adult squirrel cream cheese?

[4skwerlz]

Originally Posted by momoftooie

Is it ok to feed an adult squirrel cream cheese?

Sure, in moderation because of the fat content.

[momoftooie]

Originally Posted by 4skwerlz

Sure, in moderation because of the fat content.

Yea! Thanks 4skwerlz for a quick response. Tooie LOVES it and I was afraid to give it to him without checking.

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Ive given Bean my inside grey squirrel coconut..and YES it does give them diareah IF they get TOO much..no, more than a dime size..per feeding...and I have given Bean cream cheese too..he didnt care for it..

[tatcat]

good to know 4s i like cream cheese....i wanted to give tweakerz a taste...

[island rehabber]

Yes please watch that coconut .....so far it has given Lynn's Sammy and Rachel's Bean a real nice case of "the runs" It has been known to do that to some rehabbers you all know, as well..

[LynninIN]

Coconut gave Sammy significant diarrhea. It was the only time he's been sick.

Here is a link to the thread about it.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...=sammy+coconut

[Sciurus1]

My Friend who rehabs squirrels, told me that one brand of Rodent Block ha pork binder in it! She gets another brand without that in it. If anyone is interested le me know, and I will get that info from her to share here.

[4skwerlz]

Originally Posted by Sciurus1

My Friend who rehabs squirrels, told me that one brand of Rodent Block ha pork binder in it! She gets another brand without that in it. If anyone is interested le me know, and I will get that info from her to share here.

Yes, the Mazuri contains pork fat; so does Zupreem. The Kaytee and Harlan Teklad do not contain any meat products.

[adoptedmom]

The calcium to phosphorus ratio in coconut indicates it should be a treat (if given at all) rather than a regular item in the diet.

[FallensMommie]

This Diet post needs to be a STICKY NOTE at the top of this forum

For newbies coming on looking for a squirrel diet one would have to scroll through to find it...I think it is important
enough to be a STICKY at the top of the forum

[4skwerlz]

*bump*

The Healthy Diet is the first post in this thread.....

[Ardilla]

I have a pomegranate tree in my back yard. Are the buds and fruit ok for my flyer?

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

I'm a bit confused about the block count.
Says 2-4 blocks a day , however my adults eat about 4-6 per day and the big ones eat more sometimes, and the rest veggies. The fruits and nuts they get as a treat only and not daily here. They consumes maybe 3-4 nuts a week here.
Rodent block is supposed to be 80% of the diet but if following this diet it looks like its not even %50 ?

Just a bit confused.

[4skwerlz]

Originally Posted by ShesASquirrelyGirl

I'm a bit confused about the block count.
Says 2-4 blocks a day , however my adults eat about 4-6 per day and the big ones eat more sometimes, and the rest veggies. The fruits and nuts they get as a treat only and not daily here. They consumes maybe 3-4 nuts a week here.
Rodent block is supposed to be 80% of the diet but if following this diet it looks like its not even %50 ?

Just a bit confused.

The number of blocks will depend partly on how big you make them. Theoretically, if you make 56 blocks, they should last 4 weeks (28 days) if they are eating 2 per day. HOWEVER, this is just a rough guide. A squirrel will eat more or less in order to meet their energy requirements. Your squirrels could be heavier, or perhaps more active. Also growing squirrels will eat more. If they're in a cold environment they will also need to eat more. Unless they gain too much weight, I would let them eat as many as they want, although 6 does sound like a lot..... Make sure they have access to wild foods from outside so they can also nibble on their natural foods.

Yes, I agree the Healthy Diet should be clearer about the percentages. The long lists of veggies and fruits makes it look like you should feed a lot of them. I'm going to make some changes in the next revision.... It sounds like you are doing fine the way you are feeding them.