NUTS!

[Coralreefer]

Are there any nuts that are not recommended for squirrels?
My wife and I went to a Whole foods and just started going crazy with the nut bins getting varieties for Pee Wee.
I saw some threads on here stating to stay away from Peanuts but wanted to know if there are any others to stay away from.

thanks

[farrelli]

Firstly, be aware that squirrels aren't really supposed to get many nuts period. They're treats only and not a diet staple. That said, pine nuts are very bad, I think macadamia are No list too, and Brazil nuts are OK, but are SUPER high in selenium, so should be given in small moderation. Humans aren't even supposed to exceed five a day, and squirrels are just a bit smaller. And yes, peanuts are very bad.

I'll put a link to both the healthy diet thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

And to the calcium to phosphorus thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?15397-Food-Data-Chart-Update-Calcium-to-Phosphorus-Ratios

You want two parts calcium to one part phosphorous (2:1) as an ideal. Most foods aren't very close, and most nuts tend to be a fair distance from that ideal, sometimes terribly far away, as in the case of pine nuts.

[Coralreefer]

Firstly, be aware that squirrels aren't really supposed to get many nuts period. They're treats only and not a diet staple. That said, pine nuts are very bad, I think macadamia are No list too, and Brazil nuts are OK, but are SUPER high in selenium, so should be given in small moderation. Humans aren't even supposed to exceed five a day, and squirrels are just a bit smaller. And yes, peanuts are very bad.

I'll put a link to both the healthy diet thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

And to the calcium to phosphorus thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?15397-Food-Data-Chart-Update-Calcium-to-Phosphorus-Ratios

You want two parts calcium to one part phosphorous (2:1) as an ideal. Most foods aren't very close, and most nuts tend to be a fair distance from that ideal, sometimes terribly far away, as in the case of pine nuts.

This is an entire different mindset to get into.
The average person, me included, at some point got the belief that peanuts are the food to give squirrels.
Our neighbor right next to us puts out a planter full of them daily for the wild squirrels in the neighborhood.

Thanks for the info. We'll keep the nuts as treats only.
Love the nutrition pyramid in that thread.

[farrelli]

Remember that a QUALITY rodent block absolutely MUST be the cornerstone of the diet. Henry's are the best. If you have any questions, or have problems getting your squirrel to eat them, let us know. We have the tricks.

Peanuts aren't SO bad for outdoor squirrels so long as they don't get most of their diet from humans.