Skippy, my wild child is driving me crazy!!

[Squeak]

I recently posted about by little wild squirrel that visits me daily, runs beside me when I am out for my walk and waits patiently by the garage door for two square meals. The only problem is that I cannot find a vegetable that he will eat...I have tried, 3 types of lettuce, corn, peas, cucumbers, avocado, carrots, tomato, zucchini and he pushes them all off his little dish. He LOVES two wild bites daily, bing cherries, green grapes, watermelon, apple, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and bread. He drinks water with his little meals but I simply cannot find a vegetable that he will eat...is he getting enough nutrition?? He certainly doesn't take after his Mom, me because there isn't a vegetable I won't eat. Any ideas?? Thanks so much. I LOVE my Skippy dearly and want to know he is getting enough nutrition.

[Milo's Mom]

I think I remember your other post. This is a complete wild squirrel, correct? Chances are Skippy is getting enough of the good green stuff out in the wild and just using you for the yummy treats. When you say Wild Bites are you referring to Henry's Wild Bites? They are a healthy treat. I personally do not feed them so I cannot comment to any great extent. My wilds get Henry's Picky Blocks (HHB's) and they all come every morning for them. Possibly try a bag of the Picky HHB's with Skippy. The Picky blocks might be a little more healthy, I think.

Right now my wilds are not going after the veggies either, all they want are fruits and nuts. When the season changes they will go for more of the veggies.

[Unikorngrrl]

I agree. Their instincts regulate their diet fairly well in the wild. It's in captivity where they can't forage that we have to worry so much. I would make sure not to overload with candy and McDonalds (fruit and nuts) but I don't see any harm in treating him. My flyers eat the picky HHBs, my NR teen eats growth formula HHBs and my injured adult eats the wild bites HHBs but I supplement with formula and Nutri-Cal. Maybe try Nutri-Cal as a treat. My injured wild LOVES it, and it full of healthy stuff. Just a pea size amount a day is all they need and I buy the puppy kind. It's about $15 a tube but should last you a couple of months. Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, and Pet Supermarket carry it, but PetSmart does not. :thumbsup It's so sweet that you guys have bonded like you have :Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

Aw, he's the best fed wild in town! What a lucky guy he is to have found you and bent you to his will and made you his slave... :grin

[farrelli]

I totally remember your posts. I'm so glad that the Wild Bites are a hit. I wouldn't worry too much about the veggies. If you really want to, just keep trying a little here and there, and remember, squirrels are fickle so what he hates today he may love tomorrow. Who knows what he'll like - broccoli, cauliflower, dandelion greens (yes, many love them - pesticide free), but I'm really surprised that he didn't like avocado. (Remember that the skins and pit are toxic.)

How about some pics?

[Squeak]

I think I remember your other post. This is a complete wild squirrel, correct? Chances are Skippy is getting enough of the good green stuff out in the wild and just using you for the yummy treats. When you say Wild Bites are you referring to Henry's Wild Bites? They are a healthy treat. I personally do not feed them so I cannot comment to any great extent. My wilds get Henry's Picky Blocks (HHB's) and they all come every morning for them. Possibly try a bag of the Picky HHB's with Skippy. The Picky blocks might be a little more healthy, I think.

Right now my wilds are not going after the veggies either, all they want are fruits and nuts. When the season changes they will go for more of the veggies.

Thanks so much for the good ideas, I will get the Picky Blocks, all of you are so kind..I am "winging it" here so I am learning a lot from all of you!!

[Squeak]

I agree. Their instincts regulate their diet fairly well in the wild. It's in captivity where they can't forage that we have to worry so much. I would make sure not to overload with candy and McDonalds (fruit and nuts) but I don't see any harm in treating him. My flyers eat the picky HHBs, my NR teen eats growth formula HHBs and my injured adult eats the wild bites HHBs but I supplement with formula and Nutri-Cal. Maybe try Nutri-Cal as a treat. My injured wild LOVES it, and it full of healthy stuff. Just a pea size amount a day is all they need and I buy the puppy kind. It's about $15 a tube but should last you a couple of months. Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, and Pet Supermarket carry it, but PetSmart does not. :thumbsup It's so sweet that you guys have bonded like you have :Love_Icon

Thanks so much....I would be lost without your Squirrel tips!! Off to Petco!!!

[Squeak]

I totally remember your posts. I'm so glad that the Wild Bites are a hit. I wouldn't worry too much about the veggies. If you really want to, just keep trying a little here and there, and remember, squirrels are fickle so what he hates today he may love tomorrow. Who knows what he'll like - broccoli, cauliflower, dandelion greens (yes, many love them - pesticide free), but I'm really surprised that he didn't like avocado. (Remember that the skins and pit are toxic.)

How about some pics?

Thanks a bunch, I will keep trying...as soon as I get someone to help me, my little friend will have his picture posted...he's a doll!!

[Milo's Mom]

Hi Squeak -

In my post yesterday I was a little incorrect about the Wild Bites. Wild Bites are just as healthy as the HHB's (Growth, Adult & Picky Blocks) but they are made with peanuts whereas the HHB's are not. The Wild Bites DO contain the extra vitamins and minerals, including calcium. The Calcium to Phosphorus ratio in the Wild Bites is appropriate/optimal for squirrels and the Wild Bites can be fed daily just like the HHB's.

Sooooo, this means that if Skippy is eating the Wild Bites as well as the fruits and other foods that you are offering, in addition to the foods he finds on his own out in the wild, he is eating a good diet. Of course veggies are always better than fruits (we all know that) but like I said yesterday my wilds are much more interested in the fruits during the summer months and during the winter they tend to gravitate to the veggies.

I hope this clears up any confusion I may have caused inadvertently.

And yes, WE LOVE PICS!!!! There is no such thing as too many!!!!!