Squirrel diet for 6 week old

[Pennyorf]

Hello. I'm looking for a list of foods that I can feed my babies. They want to eat and chew on their rat blocks. Is it ok to introduce yogurt daily? How about avocados and bananas?

Also, is tums ok to give daily for calcium?

[UDoWhat]

Hello. I'm looking for a list of foods that I can feed my babies. They want to eat and chew on their rat blocks. Is it ok to introduce yogurt daily? How about avocados and bananas?

Also, is tums ok to give daily for calcium?

If your babies are eating rodent block, they do not need any extra calcium. Too much Ca can be a problem. Rodent block should be 80% of their diet. The other 20% of the diet can be healthy veggies, fruit and occasional nuts. Yogurt is fine and good for them too. BUT a word of caution on rodent diets. Be sure that your babies are firmly established on rodent block before offering too much else. If they taste other fruits and veggies first they will not want the blocks. I usually don't offer anything besides formula , block, and other very limited foods for about 3 weeks during weaning and after weaning to be sure they do not reject the block. They can be little stinkers about not eating their block. TSB sees many cases of MBD or other illness and even death due to improper diet. If you make block 80% of the diet you will not need to worry. I will look for the link to the healthy diet for squirrels. Check out TSB nutrition section. There is tons of info on healthy diet.

Marty

[UDoWhat]

Here is a copy of the list of healthy foods. I could not find the link to the thread so I just copied a post from a few days ago.

Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels and Flyers

Your pet needs a balanced diet containing the right amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet should include the following:
• Henry's Healthy Blocks
• A variety of healthy vegetables
• Wild foods from outside
• Limited nuts and treats


Henry's Healthy Blocks
These provide the essential nutrients: protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

A diet of nuts, seeds, and veggies alone is deficient in calcium, protein, and other nutrients like B vitamins. This can cause dull or patchy fur and lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD). Pets are much less active than wild animals, so they need a concentrated food like Henry's Healthy Blocks. It's the only way for your pet to get the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.

Healthy Vegetables
These add fiber, fresh vitamin C, and micronutrients. Variety is key! Don't let your pet get hooked on just one veggie.

artichokes
arugula
asparagus
avocado*
Belgian endive
bell peppers
bok choy
broccoli
brussels sprouts

cabbage
carrots**
cauliflower
celery
chayote
cherry tomato
chicory
Chinese cabbage
cilantro, fresh

collard greens
cucumber
dandelion greens
escarole
fennel
green beans
kale
lettuce, all kinds
mushrooms

mustard spinach
okra
parsley, fresh
pumpkin**
purslane
radicchio
radishes
romaine
squash, winter**

squash, yellow**
sugar snap peas
sweet potato**
Swiss chard
watercress
zucchini


Wild Foods
These provide extra nutrients, amusement, exercise, and help keep teeth worn down.

acorns
antlers
bottlebrush flowers
branches*
carnations**
chrysanthemums**

dandelion greens
hibiscus, all parts
lambsquarters
magnolia cones
maple seeds
palm nuts & fronds***

pine cones
purslane
plaintain
roses**
rose hips

Other:

Tree branches, clean rocks, sea shells, and a box of clean dirt provide exercise, trace minerals, and help keep teeth worn down.

Before you feed an unfamiliar wild food, always make sure it's not toxic!

Treats
Treats are fun and can help with bonding, but should always be fed in small amounts.

Fruit:
apple
apricot
banana*
blackberries
blueberries
cantaloupe
cherries, sweet*

cherries, sour
crabapples
cranberries
grapefruit
grapes*
honeydew
kiwi
kumquat

lemon
lime
mango*
nectarine
oranges
papaya
peach
pear

pineapple
pomegranate*
raspberries
strawberries
watermelon

Insects:
Mealworms, moths, grubs

Nuts/Seeds:
acorns
almonds
hazelnuts
pecans
pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds

**Other rodent blocks may also be offered. Some examples of these are;
*Mazuri Rat and Mouse Blocks
*KayTee FortiDiet- rat, mouse and hamster blocks(blue bag)
*Harland Tekland 2014 (not sure of the product #)