Binky4075
10-06-2013, 11:33 AM
Hi Everyone! What a wonderful board! I am so excited to have found you. I am happy to know that there are other people out there that are just as nuts (no pun intended) about animals as me. I found my little guy on 8/22/13 (I believe he was about 5 wks). He was laying on the sidewalk and I thought he was dead. He was very cold and I warmed him with a cat heating pad and rehydrated him with Pedialyte. After searching on the internet I bought Esbilac powdered formula and mixed it 1 part formula to 2 parts warm water and added a few teaspoons heavy whipping cream. Well...he is doing great and growing by leaps and bounds and could sure use some of your expertise.
Currently, he is eating the Esbilac 3 times a day about 10-20 ccs at a time. I have introduced Henry's Squirrel Blocks Growth Formula. I offer him one block in the morning and one in the evening. He doesn't like it much. He seems to do better if I cut it in 3 smaller pieces. I tried the Kaytee Forti-Diet which he hated. I also offer veggies and fruits. He doesn't like veggies much. I have gotten him to eat grape tomatoes cut in half and dandelion greens. Trust me I have offered him so much! He's very picky. He will also eat grapes (cut in half), apple, peach and blueberries. My neighbor has a black walnut tree. I gave him one and he didn't seem to know what to do with it. The squirrels in my area are crazy collecting them right now.
I bought a 3 level rat cage for him. He has a igloo to sleep in. I cut strips of a t-shirt and shredded some newspaper in the shredder. He has a cuddle bone and branches to chew on and a small cardboard to "hide" in. I've tried putting the cage on the deck when it's nice out. He is terrified. He is a huge baby and is afraid of any loud noises including the TV and radio.
I think he gets plenty of exercise. Not much in the morning since I have to go to work but my mom comes early afternoon to feed him and lets him play about 45 minutes. My daughter plays with him afternoon and I race home after work and play with him for about an hour. I'll tell you that he is my comic relief and can make any bad day go away. He also plays after dinnertime and before his bedtime. He can also be a good snuggler. :grin2
I understand I need to keep him through winter which makes me really happy as I enjoy caring for him. I am concerned that I am not feeding him properly and I have read about the MBD which scares me. I want to make sure I am doing everything to make him healthy and happy. I have invested a lot of money in him and do not mind spending more if it's in his best interest. Definitely would like suggestions on feeding and housing (how big are your cages).
Thank you and I look forward to everyone's comments and suggestions! 216284
Currently, he is eating the Esbilac 3 times a day about 10-20 ccs at a time. I have introduced Henry's Squirrel Blocks Growth Formula. I offer him one block in the morning and one in the evening. He doesn't like it much. He seems to do better if I cut it in 3 smaller pieces. I tried the Kaytee Forti-Diet which he hated. I also offer veggies and fruits. He doesn't like veggies much. I have gotten him to eat grape tomatoes cut in half and dandelion greens. Trust me I have offered him so much! He's very picky. He will also eat grapes (cut in half), apple, peach and blueberries. My neighbor has a black walnut tree. I gave him one and he didn't seem to know what to do with it. The squirrels in my area are crazy collecting them right now.
I bought a 3 level rat cage for him. He has a igloo to sleep in. I cut strips of a t-shirt and shredded some newspaper in the shredder. He has a cuddle bone and branches to chew on and a small cardboard to "hide" in. I've tried putting the cage on the deck when it's nice out. He is terrified. He is a huge baby and is afraid of any loud noises including the TV and radio.
I think he gets plenty of exercise. Not much in the morning since I have to go to work but my mom comes early afternoon to feed him and lets him play about 45 minutes. My daughter plays with him afternoon and I race home after work and play with him for about an hour. I'll tell you that he is my comic relief and can make any bad day go away. He also plays after dinnertime and before his bedtime. He can also be a good snuggler. :grin2
I understand I need to keep him through winter which makes me really happy as I enjoy caring for him. I am concerned that I am not feeding him properly and I have read about the MBD which scares me. I want to make sure I am doing everything to make him healthy and happy. I have invested a lot of money in him and do not mind spending more if it's in his best interest. Definitely would like suggestions on feeding and housing (how big are your cages).
Thank you and I look forward to everyone's comments and suggestions! 216284