Can too much kale be toxic to squirrels?

[rozdow]

I know that kale is high in calcium and my guys like it very much, but it also contains something that can be fatally toxic to rabbits if given too often. Is this a danger for squirrels too? Sorry, I cannot remember the name of it.

[4skwerlz]

I know that kale is high in calcium and my guys like it very much, but it also contains something that can be fatally toxic to rabbits if given too often. Is this a danger for squirrels too? Sorry, I cannot remember the name of it.

Kale is extremely high in vitamin A and should not be given every day. In fact, all yellow, orange, and most dark green veggies are all very high in vitamin A. Also, we recommend that spinach be avoided since it is high in oxylates also, which can block calcium absorption.

Contrary to popular belief, many of the light green lettuces are quite nutritious, like endive and escarole and even butter lettuce and iceberg. So try to mix it up a little and feed different types/colors of veggies.

The Healthy Diet has more info on which vegetables you should limit.

[rozdow]

Thank you. I'll limit the kale & add some more of the "lighter" greens.

[kartinkent]

Most squirrels eat nuts, seeds, grain, and fruit. By far their favourite food would be nuts, followed by sunflower seeds. Urban squirrel have adapted to eat just about anything, including pizza, luncheon meats and all forms of snack foods. Squirrels have been known to eat bird eggs, but this is a last resort. When natural food is scarce, they will eat anything they can find.

[island rehabber]

Most squirrels eat nuts, seeds, grain, and fruit. By far their favourite food would be nuts, followed by sunflower seeds. Urban squirrel have adapted to eat just about anything, including pizza, luncheon meats and all forms of snack foods. Squirrels have been known to eat bird eggs, but this is a last resort. When natural food is scarce, they will eat anything they can find.

umm...yeah, but that wasn't what he asked. :thinking
Here at TSB we strongly discourage feeding sunflower seeds to squirrels, and encourage limiting nuts to one or two per day.
Thanks 4skwerlz, for answering the kale question.

[PBluejay2]

We went round and round the Kale/vitamin A/ beta carotene issue in the thread below--all you'd ever want to read about it. There's nothing wrong with Kale.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21270

[muffinsquirrel]

I have one basic rule that I follow when buying food for my squirrels, and it pretty well eliminates the need for a shopping list.

"The appropriateness of the food is in direct relation to the cost!! If it is relatively inexpensive, it is not good for them!"

:dono :dono :dono Works for me! :dono :dono :dono

:D :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :D

muffinsquirrel