spinach

[gracies mom]

I have a 4 yo squirrel, her favorite food is baby spinach, I just read on here to avoid this. I have given her about 6-7 spinach leaves A.M. and P.M for a couple of years now. I had no idea this was bad for her, please tell me why its not good for them....

[virginia_arce2280]

I used to do this do for mine, because I thought all greens were high in calcium, but I was told that spinach is higher in phosphorus than calcium and their diet needs to have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio which is why we've been told not to give too much spinach. hope this helps. :)

[CrazySquirrelLady]

yes foods high in phosphorus can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. so we want to limit them. you can make it a treat, try dandelion greens instead.

[CritterMom]

No, no, guys. Spinach actually has lots of calcium - it would be a GREAT thing for them if it wasn't so very high in oxalic acid You can google for info, but it can be linked to kidney issues, etc. Even some humans can't eat spinach for this reason, and of course because of their size, everything our squirrels eat is much more concentrated in their systems.

[virginia_arce2280]

yes foods high in phosphorus can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. so we want to limit them. you can make it a treat, try dandelion greens instead.

OOOH!! I forgot about dandelion greens!! I have some. I'll have to share with my squirrly friends! Thanks :grin2

[virginia_arce2280]

No, no, guys. Spinach actually has lots of calcium - it would be a GREAT thing for them if it wasn't so very high in oxalic acid You can google for info, but it can be linked to kidney issues, etc. Even some humans can't eat spinach for this reason, and of course because of their size, everything our squirrels eat is much more concentrated in their systems.


Oh okay:thumbsup
that's just what I was told. I thought that spinach did have a lot of calcium. It makes sense about the oxalic acid.:flush:grin3

[gracies mom]

Thanks for all the info, I'll try the dandelion greens, when will I find those??

[CritterMom]

Thanks for all the info, I'll try the dandelion greens, when will I find those??

Some stores sell them in the produce department. Kale is a good veggie for them too.

[gracies mom]

I think I have a very strange little girl, she also loves fresh lobster ( legs) fresh tuna, dolphin and of course bugs. I bought freeze dried meal worms and she would eat a whole handful if I let her, are those ok? They are supposed to be for birds! Her favorite thing to try and steel is the fish food from the top of my aquarium, she can open it and start eating in a split second!

[gracies mom]

Some stores sell them in the produce department. Kale is a good veggie for them too.

Thank you ill get some today!!

[farrelli]

Dolphin isn't legal, is it? Are you talking about actual dolphin meat?

[CritterMom]

Dolphin isn't legal, is it? Are you talking about actual dolphin meat?

Don't worry Farelli - that is how you know you are speaking to a Floridian. Technically it is called "Dolphinfish" but the rest of the world has decided to call it Mahi-mahi. It is a regular old finned fish that has never jumped through a hoop or cozied up to Bud and Sandy...!:grin2