Temporary indoor diet

[lwood114]

We trapped a squirrel living in the attic and didn't want to release it until spring when it has plenty of time to build a nest to keep warm. It is a gray squirrel and appears to be a juvenile. It is eating sunflower seeds and I just put a small twig in the cage which he is enjoying. I am sure if I read all the threads here I will learn what I need to know but I am wondering how to keep him healthy with a balanced diet? Thanks for the help.

[SammysMom]

:Welcome
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32218
Here's the healthy diet for squirrels thread. If you want to get the best blocks go to http://henryspets.com/ and get the picky blocks.

[lwood114]

Thanks for the response.
Does the ingredients of this look good? Also I pulled this branch with berries off one of my shrubs. I am not sure what type it is. Is it safe for him to eat? He really loves apples and he loves me to scratch his lower back. When I play with him I get scratched a lot on my hands. Do ya'll wear gloves with your squirrels? Thanks for all the help. This board is great.

[lwood114]

Before I learned Peanuts were bad yesterday, he had this treat and absolutely LOVED it! Peanut butter cheese crackers.

[farrelli]

If you don't know what something is DO NOT FEED IT. Those berries look like a variety of holly, which is poisonous. Please make sure it's not deadly before you introduce it. Someone's squirrel just died today because it ate some avocado skin, or at least that's what it's looking like now. Btw, avocado skin and pits are toxic.

[lwood114]

Oh no! When would he show symptoms if he is poisoned? I have removed the berries and leaves from his cage. He sure doesn't like me messing with his stash.

[farrelli]

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/h/holly_poisoning/intro.htm

http://www.botanical-online.com/alcaloidesaceboangles.htm

There's a start. Look around. There are over 400 varieties of holly, and if this is one, hopefully it's a less poisonous one.

If symptoms present, or you want to play it safe, you can contact the ASPCA's poison line 888-426-4435. It's $65 but is staffed by vets apparently.

[Rhapsody]

Just feed the squirrel food items off this list and you will not go wrong.
(wild plants, vegetables, fruit, nuts)

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32218

[lwood114]

Thanks for the help! He seems quite fine, doing great this morning. I'll follow the guide with feeding him. :)

[farrelli]

Thank god. I was worried.

[lwood114]

This afternoon he is still doing fine. I got him the rat block and a bag of rat kibble food from pet smart. Also gave him pine and oak small branches and a walnut to chew on. He is happy and in his bed sack now. He goes to sleep early and rises early. Earlier than the wild birds!