Crabapple question

[lamb57]

We were at someone's home the other day who had several crabapple trees and he told me to get all the branches and/or apples I wanted for my chinchillas and squirrels. I gave the sq's some branches but not the apples yet. Are they ok for inside sq's? In limited amounts of course. I feel sort of dumb asking but just want to be sure. I can't bear to think I might give them something that is bad for them. Crapapples stay greenish so that was one concern about ripeness. Anyone know all about crabapples? LOL

[IrishHarps]

Good question - there is what I believe is a "purple prince" crabapple in my yard. Wondering if it would be ok to give to a SFS?

[IrishHarps]

Looking it up, perhaps not:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/apple

Seems toxic to horses, dogs, and cats

[lamb57]

I finally found the thread with the ok and not ok food, trees, etc. and it says apples are fine, including the wood. I have given them apple pieces before & I guess an apple is an apple but I just didn't know if there was anything odd about a crabapple. Maybe someone else will chime in too.
I did find a few links to sites with sq's eating crabapples in the trees. I don't know how many different kinds there are though. The ones this guy had are old trees that have been on the property for years.
Oh and I do feed the sticks to my chinchillas and they love them. I have even bought them in the pet stores in tiny packs at big prices. :eek

[LilLulu]

I have a crab apple tree in my yard, they love them! and has not made them ill what so ever