love at first sight

[sissyandbubba]

Hi, I'm a new squirrel mommy...and new to this site..found these lil guys in the ceiling at my job..when I laid eyes on them I fell in love..poor guys was crying out for there momma for about 3 hours ..had my husband go investigate and there was a brother and sister up there they was very dehydrated ...I felt horrible ...took them home gave them love and now there 2 spoiled babies..Can't get enough of the lil squirts...I'll upload photos as soon as I figure it out lol...:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 sissyandbubba
:Welcome to TSB
Thanks for saving the babies. Yes, we all understand how easy it is to fall in love. :Love_Icon We'll be waiting for pictures. :thumbsup

[California Squirrel Lover]

hello sissyandbubba, and welcome!!! :Welcome :grin3 Poor, sweet babies, I'm so glad you were able to find them in time, it sounds like they were not doing well. I have outside, backyard squirrels, and have never had the experience of taking any inside to help. Is this your first experience with taking in babies? I can't wait to see pics!! :thumbsup

[Fireweed]

Good save! :alright.gif

Did someone say there'd be pics? :imp (if you need help, just ask! :))

[farrelli]

Please let us know their diet too. We always ask.

[sissyandbubba]

Yes ..I'm posting from my phone I'm guessing it won't let me upload pics from it ..they were about 7 weeks when we found them..gave them water at first and fox valley ..now there eating nuts,grapes ( there fav):squirrel1:squirrel1 oranges,apples and fox valley 3 times a day ...there adorable..any pointers for food play time ? Yes it is my first and with my husbands help and lots of homework on the internet its been a pretty good ride with taking care of them...

[farrelli]

Here's the link for a healthy diet:

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

It's critical. Most of the problems we see here trace back to diet. A quality rodent block like Henrys are to be the cornerstone and fruits and nuts as treats.

Playtime is also critical for happy sqs. I hope they get a lot of out of cage time in a squirrelproofed room, have lots of toys and interaction, and a nice big cage.

[sissyandbubba]

Wow didn't know they were just for treats..I have rodent block but they turn there noses up to it..:spam2 any pointers on getting them to eat it ? I have a 3 foot tall cage for them ...also I have them out most of the time unless it night time ..

[HRT4SQRLS]

S&B :tilt Yep, they love those nuts don't they. Unfortunately a diet of nuts, seeds and corn is deadly. A diet with too many nuts will lead to a deadly condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. I'm glad you can learn about it now so that you can avoid it. It is caused by foods that have high phosphorus and low calcium ... like nuts. Low dietary calcium/high phosphorus causes calcium to be leeched from the bones. The bones get fragile but even worse is that it leads to paralysis, seizures and death.

The best way to get them to eat the block is to give them block first ... nothing else until they eat the block. When they eat the block, then they get their healthy veggies and a little fruit. Nuts are only given as a treat, one maybe two per day AFTER the healthy foods.

The ideal ratio of Calcium: Phosphorus is 2:1. I'll post the Calcium:Phosphorus ratio chart of different foods so that you will know which foods are the best.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Calcium: Phosphorus Chart

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67967&d=1232419601

Example: Kale 2.4:1 (Ca:P) very good
Pecan 1:4 (Ca:P) bad ... that's why they are treats only

[farrelli]

What kind of blocks do you feed? Some not only taste bad, they are bad.

We have a lot of tips on how to get them to eat them. Tons of people have been where you are.

[sissyandbubba]

ok I will change the nut problem now...im sure they wont be happy :boohoo...just scarred they wont eat it and be weak?? Im still giving them there milk as well this morning with there block...:thumbsupi will see what they eat when I get home today and c if they get a treat...the block is called kaytee

[ALittleNutty]

Oh you can bet they won't like it for a while but you have to do what's best, so no treats until after formula, blocks and healthy vegetables.

[CritterMom]

Honestly, Kaytee is just a step above junk.

Go here: www.henryspets.com and look at the squirrels foods. Hand made from human quality ingredients, with a lot of research into SQUIRREL nutrition, and - they taste good!

Pricey, yes, but an adult only needs 2 blocks a day.

[farrelli]

I agree. As I just posted in another thread:

Kaytee are OK, but they are a somewhat lower quality block, often used in a pinch, or in the case of young ones who don;t really "eat" the blocks yet. Better ones are Oxbow and Harlan Teklad, but the best ones are found at the following. They are the ones most recommended here, the only ones made specially for squirrels, and the owner is a member. A bag will last about a month:

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

[sissyandbubba]

:bowdown:bowdown:bowdown so excited ordering right now..

[sissyandbubba]

may I ask when babies r off the heating pad...what age ??:fireworks

[farrelli]

When they no longer return to it and prefer staying off.

[sissyandbubba]

Tytyty...:serene

[grampyngramy]

Thanks for taking these babies in. Please please please read the food chart. Corn and nuts are bad. Sweets are treats.
The way we feed our Kazee( a foxer) he gets a baby bella shroom, then brussel sprots, then his block. Then treats. Gramy will give him sugar snap peas, and 2 or 3 blueberries, thats breakfast. He gets 2 blocks for breakfast and one for lunch. Sprouts and mushrooms for dinner

[sissyandbubba]

OK got the babies there block from Henry's and they love it ...question, is it normal for them to sleep so much lol its eat and sleep I try and take them out alot..but they just curl up in my hand or blanky and go back to sleep..I want to make sure the get there out of cage time..and the block says refrigerate or freeze asap..?!? Do I keep it cold or can I keep in on shelf...

[farrelli]

Young sqs sleep a lot. How old? Pics would make this easier.

Freeze the block for long term storage, refrigerate or freeze for daily use.

[sissyandbubba]

8 weeks we believe.. Lol there tails r just now getting bushy..I have pics on my profile in a album ..It won't let me upload pics on my phone ..just on PC..there starting to not drink as much milk like they used to..only 2 times a day not 3 to 4 times...getting there milk in morning along with 1 block each ..noon they have there milk along with a banana or grape and dinner is milk with carrets nuts or grapes ..so far...I hope that's good I've been really trying to give them everything they need ..quit feeding them nuts all the time now its block and milk then treats after ..:Squirrel

[HRT4SQRLS]

SNB, I'm glad the babies are eating their block. That's great.:thumbsup
It is normal for them to start slowing down on the formula. Some will wean themselves and stop taking formula. Others will continue to take it. Give them formula as long as they will take it. Some will drink it out of a bowl when they are a little older. You could try offering them some yogurt also. Some baby squirrel love yogurt. Talk about a mess! :grin2

Now that they are eating solid foods I would start offering healthy veggies also. You might try one at a time. A few suggestions would be kale, sugar snap peas, butternut or acorn squash. There are many on the healthy diet chart you can try. They should have more veggies than fruit. They love fruit because they have a sweet tooth but don't let them fill up on fruit. Fruits are more like treats ... limited because of the sugar. The grapes should be peeled and the seeds or fibrous core removed. It is a choking hazard.

You're doing a great job with the babies.

Yes, as Farelli said, refrigerate or freeze the blocks. They don't have preservatives and will mold at room temperature.

[sissyandbubba]

:serene:serene242677 here is my sweet babie...tooo cute there getting so big now..

[sissyandbubba]

My baby..sorry smart phone not 2 smart..

[sissyandbubba]

Any pointers on the sun light the babies need ..:sunshine been hearing that the need a couple of hours a day???!! If so do I get this in a heat lamp?? Any suggestions ..:poke

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oh what a cute baby. I love when they curl that little tail over their back. :grin2

Oh no, babies don't need sunlight. We don't recommend that they be taken outside at all. They should be getting enough Vit D from the formula and blocks. We don't start acclimating the babies to the outside until they are ready to enter the release cage prior to release.

For non release squirrels (those with disabilities), 15-20 minutes of sunlight/ day is enough (not hours). In FL you have to be very careful because of the risk of heat stroke. UV reptile lights can be used but some are much better than others. I believe CritterMom has done a lot of research on UV lights and would be able to recommend the best type.

Are you going to be releasing your babies?

[California Squirrel Lover]

my gosh, too cute is right!!! so sweet :grin3 :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[sissyandbubba]

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[sissyandbubba]

:bounce2 love these lil squirts ....tytyty for all ur pointers heres more pics...so sweet..

[sissyandbubba]

242895242896

[farrelli]

Very cute.

[sissyandbubba]

K my babies r about 10 to 11 weeks old not wanting milk no more ...I've had them on fox valley and Henry's block ...also, been giving them squash,mushrooms,lettuce,cucumber ( they don't like none of this) it sits there and goes bad the next day.. I also give them nuts,mango,blueberry's,grapes ...they turn there nose up to everything but the nuts and grapes ...I'm so worried about this, needs some pointers...I've also tryed to put peanut butter on the blocks...they do nibble on the blocks but I know its not enough for them ...worried...:poke idk what to do this is like the second bunch of veggies I've tryed to get them to eat...worried fur mom...

[farrelli]

The MUST eat the blocks. Most people give them nothing else until they eat them. Certainly not nuts. Blocks can be trial and error. Some like thing hot, cold, sliced, with a bit of oil, moistened, with apple juice, cherry juice, blueberry juice, ground up with applesauce, a bit of almond butter, etc. Just keep trying.

Have you tried formula in a dish? Some also like HHBs with that.