8 Week Overfeeding and Arm Chewing

[Aeker]

SO SORRY THIS IS IN LIFE THREATENING, WORKING ON A WAY TO MOVE/DELETE IT

2 Questions:
1) I know how to measure the amount my squirrel (8 weeks) could eat but he always seems ravenous for more? Is it a problem to overfeed squirrel a little so he doesn't go crazy or should I limit him to the exact amount he should eat?

2) He appears to have been chewing on his arms a little, I believe it is because he is board when I am gone during the day, Is this accurate and if so is there anything I can give an 8 week to keep him entertained?

Thanks Guys

[CritterMom]

As long as he isn't having poop isssues - overfeeding can cause diarrhea, he can have more. What does he weigh and how much and how often are you feeding?

Have you seen him chewing on his arms, or do you assume he is because they are red and inflamed? At his age I bet he is getting formula everywhere when he eats. If you leave ANY on his skin, it will cause hair loss and blistering - formula burn. They always get their forearms covered with formula from holding the syringe with their little hands. They need to be wiped clean every time you feed.

[Rhapsody]

At 8 weeks old you can also go ahead and add hhb squirrels blocks to his diet
while you are away. This will help fill him up and keep him healthy. (:

Squirrel Block / HHB:
http://www.henryspets.com/hi-protein-blocks/

[stepnstone]

He appears to have been chewing on his arms a little,


Please explain why you think this, what are you seeing?
It would be most helpful if you could post a picture.

[Aeker]

I clean him pretty good with cotton swabs after eating but maybe I need to rinse him off more. I'll post pics when I get off work today. He weighs ~100g right now and up until yesterday I did 7cc every 4-5 hours, I am now doing 10-12cc 3 times a day. Though he appears very healthy and I am feeding the right amount I am worried he is underweight which is why I wanted info on overfeeding to see if I can give him more.

[Rhapsody]

I clean him pretty good with cotton swabs after eating but maybe I need to rinse him off more. I'll post pics when I get off work today. He weighs ~100g right now and up until yesterday I did 7cc every 4-5 hours, I am now doing 10-12cc 3 times a day. Though he appears very healthy and I am feeding the right amount I am worried he is underweight which is why I wanted info on overfeeding to see if I can give him more.

Squirrels are fed at 5-7% of their body usually every 4 hours depending on age, so with him being 100 grams his max amount of formula to get at one feeding would be 7cc, therefore, I would say he is being over fed atm. Is his poops mushy or runny? --is yes, this is a sign of over feeding and his formula amount should be decreased. If his poops are solid then he is alright with the amount you are feeding him and I would not change any thing.

When you say you think your little one is chewing on his arms, are you sure he is not just cleaning his self? Squirrels do this a lot after they have eaten (and at other times) as a means to groom themselves and to keep their fur in good shape.

[Aeker]

His stool appears normal for the moment and I've only increased dosage recently. If it changes I'll scale back but for now I am ok with his feeding being a little on the heavy side. As far as the chewing he broke skin on left arm so I don't think its just irritation, no sign of infection but I'll keep it and him clean till it heals.

[Monipenny]

Am I the only one who thinks 100 grams is awful small for an 8 week old or is this a flyer? My greys weighed 200 grams by this age. If your baby is indeed 8 weeks old, offer him Henry's healthy blocks and start him on vegetables/fruit and wild foods. Offer a large branch from a safe tree to chew on to keep his teeth filed.

[Rodentia]

Maybe finding a friend for him would help. I never leave them alone at that age. There are lots of rehabbers in my area so we call around until we find ones of a similar age. They are so much happier together.

[kotagirl72]

Am I the only one who thinks 100 grams is awful small for an 8 week old or is this a flyer? My greys weighed 200 grams by this age. If your baby is indeed 8 weeks old, offer him Henry's healthy blocks and start him on vegetables/fruit and wild foods. Offer a large branch from a safe tree to chew on to keep his teeth filed.

I'm with you Monipenny. Mine are almost 8 weeks and weigh 237 grams. Smallest is 217 grams. These are red foxes.

Unless this might be a flyer.