Hair loss question

[Squirreler]

Jasper is a 9-month old NR (moderate cerebellar). He spends about 8 hours a day romping thru my house, and about 6 hours each day in a large outside enclosure cage (very shaded, not much sun at all). He eats 2 HHB each morning. His diet otherwise could use some tweeking. He is offered various veggies, but chooses to pick out the corn, peas, and sweet potatoes. He does eat a little of the greens, but not as much as I would like. He also enjoys yogurt-drops almost every nite. Jasper is loosing a good bit of hair (no redness, no crusting, no irritation)--just thinning in a few different areas. I am wondering if, although he gets his HHB, this could be a result of the remainder of his diet. Or perhaps a result of not enough direct sunlight? Any suggestions???

[pappy1264]

He may be molting and getting his winter coat in. Peanut will go bald in a few places, but it grows back in, thick and fluffy. He does it twice a year, the majority of it is his thighs/belly area. Don't give him corn at all, very bad for him. Pick up some calcium carbonate, NO D added, and a few times a week, sprinkle it on his plate of veggies/greens for extra calcium. Does he have a marrow bone, cuttle bone, or deer antler to gnaw on? If not, got one of those to keep in his cage.

[Rhapsody]

I have a nr that is 3.5 yrs old and his cage is in a bright sunny Florida Room where it allows him to soak up all the sun and vit D he can get......... I would make sure your little one is getting plenty of sunlight from day to day, along with a well balanced meal which included hhb and a variety of fruits, veggies, nuts. *Hang in there and Good Luck.

[farrelli]

If you do decide to provide access to sun, please don't take them outside uncaged. We've had a rash of people doing that lately. And make sure that they can't overheat. Some people who think that sun is necessary just get a full spectrum sun lamp, the kind for reptiles.

[Rhapsody]

If you do decide to provide access to sun, please don't take them outside uncaged. We've had a rash of people doing that lately. And make sure that they can't overheat. Some people who think that sun is necessary just get a full spectrum sun lamp, the kind for reptiles.

I agree 100% --never let your squirrel run loose while outside, one never knows when they might become scared and run away........ never to be seen again. My Marven gets all his sunlight via the Florida room widows and he is just fine. :)

[Fireweed]

Agree with all above. Also, with the veggies, why not offer just the greens until he eats some of that. THEN add the sweet potato, snap peas etc. They tend to eat the veggies from group 3 over any others and since they aren't as healthy for them as the greens, best to give the ones from group 3 after they've eaten some from group 1 and 2.

[Mikey]

He may be molting and getting his winter coat in. Peanut will go bald in a few places, but it grows back in, thick and fluffy. He does it twice a year, the majority of it is his thighs/belly area. Don't give him corn at all, very bad for him. Pick up some calcium carbonate, NO D added, and a few times a week, sprinkle it on his plate of veggies/greens for extra calcium. Does he have a marrow bone, cuttle bone, or deer antler to gnaw on? If not, got one of those to keep in his cage.

Corn is bad for them in what way? Corn actually has nutrients in them that is beneficial to a squirrel, so does it give them diarrhea er sumthin?

[Rhapsody]

Corn is bad for them in what way? Corn actually has nutrients in them that is beneficial to a squirrel, so does it give them diarrhea er sumthin?
Corn is too high in phosphorus and sugar, therefore, it should be given more as treat than as a vegetable.

[farrelli]

Sqs have a high calcium requirement or they develop a life threatening condition called MBD. Phosphorous blocks its absorption. This is much of what informs why certain foods are recommended on the food chart and others not. Here's the diet thread:

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

Here's the phosphorous breakdown:

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

You want a 2:1 ratio ideally - two parts calcium to 1 part phosphorous. Corn, peanuts, etc are way on the other end.

[lennysmom]

I am having the same issue with Angel with hair loss and thinning in certain places. It has happened before and I am inclined to think he may be molting. Do squirrels that aren't outside at all molt?

Here is what his patchy hair looks like
242825

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He eats the recommended diet of HHBs, monkey biscuits, and veggies too, so I highly doubt it is diet related.

Just wondered if your little guy's hair loss looked similar.

[Squirreler]

Thanks for the input. Lennysmom photo is very similar (except my Jasper's thinning is a little more severe). I think I misled though; The corn that he picks out of his veggie medley is about 3-4 pieces a day, and I do insist he eats the greens before he gets his yogurt drops. I would just prefere he not be so eager to eat the junk :tap. And as always nothing is offered until he finishes his hhb. But I think I will discontinue corn and peas altogether for now.

With that being said, I just wondering if my concern should be more natural light, or focus more on his diet? He does get several hours a day outside, but the cage is in a cool shaded area. And I just added a UVB light to his inside cage, but honestly he rarely is in that cage. And does anyone have any concerns with yogurt drops (drops made by a sugar glider breeder--not the pet store flavored sugar). I also offer FV every few days (since he smells it when I am feeding the babies). Guess it goes without saying: jasper is a little pudgy.

Again, thanks for your suggestions!

[farrelli]

Most people don't give sunlight and find it unnecessary if HHBs are given. A few folks think it does wonders, but it's controversial. So, diet is definitely where your focus should be right now.

[Squirreler]

Thanks Farrelli!