Non threatening nutrition advice

[sqrl luv]

I have posted before but need more information. I have a 4 month old Black Squirrel that I am wintering over. I have read all the nutrition stuff and the calcium to phosphorus information. My girl, Sadie, is VERY picky. She still takes formula and I'd like to keep her on it as long as she will take it. She has anywhere from 6-10 cc's in the morning, noon and evening. Besides formula she gets a wide variety of greens... dandelion, aragula, parsley, cilantro, etc. brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, green beans, sugar snap peas, apple, banana, grapes, blueberries, asparagus, cranberries, and so on. She will eat the fruit better than the greens although she does like the cilantro and dandelion greens. She also gets yogurt morning and night... just a small dolop. I need to get her to eat more healthy stuff but not sure how. I do give her a sunflower seed or two or walnut piece to get her back in her cage. Not much at all. And she does eat "monkey chow" mixed with applesauce (this is what the wildlife rehab gave me to feed her, says it has all the nutrients she needs in it). I have tried the Henry's rodent block and she wouldn't touch it... should I try again? I don't want her getting sick. Please, please give me any advice on getting her to eat healthier.:thankyou
Sadie's mom, Tammy

[SammysMom]

Hi Tammy! I too have a fusspot on my hands! The only way he will eat the blocks is if I give them to him in the morning and don't give anything else until he eats them. Definitely give her formula until she won't take it any more. Formula is the best nutrition as long as it is a good quality formula. Which do you use? Just try giving her the blocks after feeding formula in the morning with nothing else and see if she is more inclined to eat them.

[sqrl luv]

Well I give her a mixture of GME and Multimilk which is what the Rehab people that I work with use. She loves it and takes it very well. I will order more rodent block... is there anything I can put on top of it or mix with it to get her to eat it? Also can I try the rodent block from the pet stores? And if so, what kind do you suggest?
Thank you so very much!

[astra]

what SM said.

Also, I would skip the "monkey chow."
Personally, don't trust much all these "chows" but only tried and true blocks.
A lot of rehabbers feed the wrong stuff, sadly.

Why don't you give her block instead of the monkey chow?
Crush the block and give it instead of the chow - see if she will eat it.

Another thing: crush/grind block and mix with FV formula = gruel type of thing. A lot of squirrels like it.

Also, instead of sunflower seeds use in-shell nuts instead: almonds, hazelnuts etc etc. These nuts are much better treats AND they will keep her busy AND they will be good for her teeth

[sqrl luv]

Never thought of crushing the block up so I will try that! I do have some fox valley formula and I had tried giving her that but she seemed to prefer the GME/Multimilk mixture better. So I will try mixing the block with the FV and see if she will eat it. Since I've only been doing this a year I kind of follow the advice of my team leader who has done it for 20 years, but I have been doing a lot of research on my own and have incorporated a lot of my findings into my care. My team leader is old school and does not research anything. She's in her 70's and not computer savvy. Can I get rodent block from the pet store?
Thank you for your help

[astra]

Can I get rodent block from the pet store?
Thank you for your help
at the store people get Kaytee forti diet for rats and mice the bag with BLUE color, not green (you won't confuse it because if it is green, it is really green).

However, there have been recalls in the past and since I do not use this block, I don't know what the situation with recalls is (if it is over, one-time, etc).

You could also order Harlan Teklad from www.thecraftyrat.com

You can make your own HHBs by ordering ingrediens from Henryspets. - it can be rather affordable

[sqrl luv]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE... IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! And I will take all you have to offer as I want her to have the best chance of surviving for release in late April!