hi...new with lots of questions

[gizmu]

We just started to take care of gizmu a few weeks ago. He is now just 11 weeks old. Giving him block and other foods reccomended here on these sites.

Going to keep over winter and then release.

Wanted to know if its OK that we let him climb around in the yard. He climbs up very high if a dog nearby starts to bark. Also he has recently been taking off and returning after a few hours. Cold could hit any day now thinking about not doing this anymore as I wouldn't want to have him exposed to elements if he stayed away for good or longer than few hours.

I saw a post that said okra was good then another that said it was bad. Wondering about that.
What is the best things for him to eat? Variety is key. From what I gather its These:
Arugala, broccoli, pineapple, cabbage, watercress, Book choy, dandilion greens, Kale,kumquot, celery, mustard greens, parsley

Oh and I see conflicting reports about spinach.

Please advise. Thanks in advance!

[lilidukes]

I have a few squirrels and my everyday feeding method is

lettuce (never iceburg)
3 green veggies
2 yellow or orange veggies
1 fruit

Block everyday and nuts for bedtime snack

Wild foods are added as available

I switch things up every week but keep a few favs as a constant.
I do give spinach but not constantly just every so often.

I have very healthy happy NR's and babies.

[farrelli]

It is absolutely not OK to let a squirrel have any access to the outside until the time of release is at hand and he has been made ready through the soft release process which can be described later. Far too many times they get spooked and run off never to be found and probably finding a bad end.

As to diet, a quality rodent block is the basis of their diet with lots of fresh veggies, and a touch of fruit and a nut or two as treats. Here is the nutrition thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-(Revised-2-13)

What kind of blocks do you feed currently? We strongly advise getting the following, and if it's too expensive, Kaytee Forti-Deit and Mazuri are good substitutes.

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-blocks-growth-formula/

Is he still taking formula? What kind did/does he take?

[kastillo]

The only way he should be let outdoors is in a secure cage for day trips only until time for release.
Then you can begin a soft release process.
Only when he's old enough 12-16 weeks and the weather is right, spring is good.

[gizmu]

It is absolutely not OK to let a squirrel have any access to the outside until the time of release is at hand and he has been made ready through the soft release process which can be described later. Far too many times they get spooked and run off never to be found and probably finding a bad end.

As to diet, a quality rodent block is the basis of their diet with lots of fresh veggies, and a touch of fruit and a nut or two as treats. Here is the nutrition thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-(Revised-2-13)

What kind of blocks do you feed currently? We strongly advise getting the following, and if it's too expensive, Kaytee Forti-Deit and Mazuri are good substitutes.

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-blocks-growth-formula/

Is he still taking formula? What kind did/does he take?


hi,
thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. i ordered the henry blocks. Today he took off again and we got him back eventually. and we actually decided to not let him out anymore. seeing this post confirms it.
we currently have kaytee forti-deit.
he is slowing down on how much formula he takes. the kind we give is Esbilac petag brand puppy milk replacer.

[farrelli]

Is it Esbilac with probiotics? Check the label. If so, that's great, but if it's the more common form without, that's bad. See the following link:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29903-Do-NOT-USE-ESBILAC!-**TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***

[gizmu]

Is it Esbilac with probiotics? Check the label. If so, that's great, but if it's the more common form without, that's bad. See the following link:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29903-Do-NOT-USE-ESBILAC!-**TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***

OH no! its not probiotics. We will get fox valley.

Got a problem now as we noticed his urine is brown. This just started yesterday. Whats this all about? He is not drinking water on his own. doesn't want to drink out of the waterbottle that we got or bowl.
So we have been giving him water in am and them pm and when we can in afternoon.

[Anne]

He is still getting most of his food and liquids with his formula. He's not ready to use another water source. Just continue to give him his formula every 4 hours. He wii use the water bottle and eat more solids as he matures. Let him decide when to wean himself from the formula.