Squirrel Feeding help needed

[dalejrlvr4life]

So, I have 2 squirrels, I am trying to ween them from formula. I try to give them a variety of food to eat. Right now they have rodent block, carrots, and green beans. They will not touch any food that I give them now except banana chips, so I have not given them any today. But I gave in and gave them each one chip, and they are going to town on it. I still give them formula 3 times a day. But how do I get them eating other things than banana chips?

[dalejrlvr4life]

Crap, I posted this in the wrong spot, sorry :(

[RobinTN]

Two words: tough love:thumbsup I know it stinks, and they'll pout, and they may even refuse to eat their healthy foods for a few days, but they won't let themselves starve. Make sure to shake their cage down for stashes, too. No stashes allowed :grin3 Follow the food guide pyramid below:

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

How old are your squirrels?

As far as weaning, you don't wean a squirrel, you have to let the sqrl decide when it no longer wants its formula. Most will start refusing some feedings around 10 weeks. Some squirrels continue to take one feeding a day into adulthood. Some of the older "kids", 10-14 weeks, like to drink their formula out of a shallow bowl. Put a few large pebbles in the bowl so that they stick up above the level of the formula, so the squirrel can get the hang of it without dunking his nose. Good luck, and :Welcome to TSB

[SammysMom]

Two words: tough love:thumbsup I know it stinks, and they'll pout, and they may even refuse to eat their healthy foods for a few days, but they won't let themselves starve. Make sure to shake their cage down for stashes, too. No stashes allowed :grin3 Follow the food guide pyramid below:

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

How old are your squirrels?

As far as weaning, you don't wean a squirrel, you have to let the sqrl decide when it no longer wants its formula. Most will start refusing some feedings around 10 weeks. Some squirrels continue to take one feeding a day into adulthood. Some of the older "kids", 10-14 weeks, like to drink their formula out of a shallow bowl. Put a few large pebbles in the bowl so that they stick up above the level of the formula, so the squirrel can get the hang of it without dunking his nose. Good luck, and :Welcome to TSB

:goodpost
If you think of it like giving a kid candy and then offering him a bowl of green beans, would you expect him to eat the beans? I think not...:rofl4 Tough love is the only way to go once it is time. For the time being, please don't "wean" them. When it is time, they will choose to eat solids instead of formula. For now, formula is the very best insurance you can have for healthy squirrels. Keep up the good work!

[dalejrlvr4life]

Two words: tough love:thumbsup I know it stinks, and they'll pout, and they may even refuse to eat their healthy foods for a few days, but they won't let themselves starve. Make sure to shake their cage down for stashes, too. No stashes allowed :grin3 Follow the food guide pyramid below:

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

How old are your squirrels?

As far as weaning, you don't wean a squirrel, you have to let the sqrl decide when it no longer wants its formula. Most will start refusing some feedings around 10 weeks. Some squirrels continue to take one feeding a day into adulthood. Some of the older "kids", 10-14 weeks, like to drink their formula out of a shallow bowl. Put a few large pebbles in the bowl so that they stick up above the level of the formula, so the squirrel can get the hang of it without dunking his nose. Good luck, and :Welcome to TSB

They are between 8 to 10 weeks old I believe. They look like mini adult squirrels and get in to EVERYTHING!
They were eating the rodent block well before I started giving them other things, and I have gave them dried apples, dried banana chips, green beans, carrots, green pepper, pumpkin seeds and cheerios. But since I started on the dried banana, that is the only thing they will eat besides their formula.
Should I just go back to giving them only rodent block until they eat it well? How often should I offer them formula? Should I give them the banana chips after formula, as a treat or something?
Sorry for all the questions.

[dalejrlvr4life]

:goodpost
If you think of it like giving a kid candy and then offering him a bowl of green beans, would you expect him to eat the beans? I think not...:rofl4 Tough love is the only way to go once it is time. For the time being, please don't "wean" them. When it is time, they will choose to eat solids instead of formula. For now, formula is the very best insurance you can have for healthy squirrels. Keep up the good work!



I guess "weaning" was the wrong word to use. But how often do I offer them formula? I have no problem at all with giving them formula for as long as their hearts desire, I just don't know how often or how much. Right now they are eating formula 3 times a day, and I let them have as much of it as they want until they don't want anymore. Then they usually go for a nap.

[SammysMom]

No more banana chips! Way too high in sugar! Start their day with formula and then put blocks in with them. After they eat their blocks make them a salad made up of veggies from the very good veggie list. If you study this food chart, you will figure out what is best. Please take note that you want to keep the sugary fruits and veggies to a real minimum.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-%28Revised-2-13%29

[dalejrlvr4life]

No more banana chips! Way too high in sugar! Start their day with formula and then put blocks in with them. After they eat their blocks make them a salad made up of veggies from the very good veggie list. If you study this food chart, you will figure out what is best. Please take note that you want to keep the sugary fruits and veggies to a real minimum.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-%28Revised-2-13%29

Thanks SammysMom, I never realized how much sugar was actually in those until I just looked at the package. There's 6 grams per serving, and a serving is 40 grams. I guess I have a snack for myself now :). They are going to hate me now, but they will get over it. Thanks for the help :)

[farrelli]

I think SM meant to post the link to the healthy diet:

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

[SammysMom]

Yep...thank-you Farrelli! I would offer the formula all three times and give them what they want. At some point, most of them start to take less at the midday feeding. You will know when they don't want it anymore and can stop it then. Keep up the good work and keep asking questions!:thumbsup