Pumice stones?

[LeilaNami]

I apologize if there is already a thread addressing this but I couldn't find it. Can squirrels have pumice stones? I am personally not aware of any problems that can arise from these so I just wanted to be sure.

[Charley Chuckles]

it is volcanic rock/I wouldn't, it is like volcanic glass....deer antler/sterilized cow femur bones are good:thumbsup

[LeilaNami]

it is volcanic rock/I wouldn't, it is like volcanic glass....deer antler/sterilized cow femur bones are good:thumbsup

Okay thank you. I know other rodents can have them. I just wasn't sure on the squirrels.

[Charley Chuckles]

Okay thank you. I know other rodents can have them. I just wasn't sure on the squirrels.

Well I don't know, I just stated what they are made of, I didn't know other rodents can have them...but I just would go with the safe side for sure :thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

Have you ever tried cuttlebones?
It's a calcium-rich supplement used for caged birds....and it's good for the squirrels teeth too.

[LeilaNami]

Have you ever tried cuttlebones?
It's a calcium-rich supplement used for caged birds....and it's good for the squirrels teeth too.

She doesn't like cuttlebones. Wood chews are devoured in an hour. I'm just trying to find alternatives that may last a bit longer. I have found some other squirrel people using pumice stones but I wanted to check on here, too, to see the general opinion on them.

[LeilaNami]

No other opinions on pumice stones?

[Anne]

Pumice stones may help keep the teeth worn down but they don't contain any calicum. In the wild squirrels gnaw on sun bleached bones and shred deer, etc. antlers. Helps the teeth and supplies calicum, a win-win situation.

[SugarBugFerret]

I know when I use a pumice stone on my feet as intended, I end up with some grit that comes off. I don't know that that would be very good for a squirrel to actually swallow...no nutritional value and kind of sharp, ow! At least with a cuttlebone (darn that yours doesn't like them!) or an antler, the little bits they chew off and swallow have calcium which is essential for them to be healthy. Are you sure yours will not chew on a cuttlebone? My squirrel will go for quite a while without touching hers, then all of a sudden one day she decides it is "calcium day" and she will chew off a chunk! Then she goes back to ignoring it again... Maybe some nice clean shells?

[LeilaNami]

Nope she hates the cuttlebone. She is incredibly picky. Do you guys purchase your antlers and bones? I have skeletons of stuff but they aren't cleaned yet.

[Duckman]

I have heard others say Red Clay pots (in pieces, without glaze) are a good alternative. I haven't tried them with Rex yet, but will be soon.

[SugarBugFerret]

I purchased an antler piece (I think elk) at a local pet store. I just got a piece that is only a few inches long, but it still takes quite a bit of work for my squirrel to make a good mark on it, so it should last a long time. I'm glad too since some can be a bit pricey! I had been looking for mine for a couple of days...I finally found it tucked neatly in Skiddil's bed! Silly little girl. :rolf

[Fireweed]

Nope she hates the cuttlebone. She is incredibly picky. Do you guys purchase your antlers and bones? I have skeletons of stuff but they aren't cleaned yet.

You can use larger pieces of skeletons you find. Just be sure to clean them well. Try purchasing antler if you can't find any in the field. But I find the squirrels much prefer the antlers I've found over the ones I've bought.

[LeilaNami]

You can use larger pieces of skeletons you find. Just be sure to clean them well. Try purchasing antler if you can't find any in the field. But I find the squirrels much prefer the antlers I've found over the ones I've bought.

I went ahead and purchased a small antler for the time being. She's not sure what to make of it yet. :grin3

[Fireweed]

I went ahead and purchased a small antler for the time being. She's not sure what to make of it yet. :grin3

I would scratch it up a bit in one spot to get it started - maybe gnaw on it yourself to show her how yummy it is. Ok, maybe just the scratches. :poke:grin2 I find with store-bought antlers the antler isn't as old as with found ones, and for some reason they don't tend to be *as* inviting for squirrels to gnaw on as the found ones. This is why I suggest scratching into that first layer a bit. It might pique her interest more... :dono

[Duckman]

I would scratch it up a bit in one spot to get it started - maybe gnaw on it yourself to show her how yummy it is. Ok, maybe just the scratches. :poke:grin2 I find with store-bought antlers the antler isn't as old as with found ones, and for some reason they don't tend to be *as* inviting for squirrels to gnaw on as the found ones. This is why I suggest scratching into that first layer a bit. It might pique her interest more... :dono

:goodpost:goodpost:goodpost

[LeilaNami]

I would scratch it up a bit in one spot to get it started - maybe gnaw on it yourself to show her how yummy it is. Ok, maybe just the scratches. :poke:grin2 I find with store-bought antlers the antler isn't as old as with found ones, and for some reason they don't tend to be *as* inviting for squirrels to gnaw on as the found ones. This is why I suggest scratching into that first layer a bit. It might pique her interest more... :dono

I'm not opposed to gnawing on it myself. I've done it before. :thumbsup

I'll try to show her how it's done later today.

[LeilaNami]

Well I gnawed on the antler to show her how awesomely tasty it is and it seems she believed me. :thumbsup

[Fireweed]

Well I gnawed on the antler to show her how awesomely tasty it is and it seems she believed me. :thumbsup
:rotfl Good one! :highfive