Dusted Almonds

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Wondering any opinions on this. As a supplement i started soaking shelled Almonds in rich calcium juice overnight,then keeping them in baby food jars or little plastic bags covered in vitamins in the freezer.I feed my squirrels one of them a day.Ived watched them eat them, and most of the dust gets into them. Along with a varied diet of course. The almond has a thin sheath that is porous and soaks up the moister and fine dust and pretty much the matter sticks to the seed.

[CritterMom]

I know you have trouble getting them to eat well...this isn't something I would do. You will note that the Vitamins already have the proper amount of calcium in them, so you are double dipping calcium here. Also, the PER DAY amount of the vitamins - what would be in 2 of the blocks you order from Henry's - is only 1/4 teaspoon. That is a really small amount. You really don't want to over-supplement, either, especially with calcium. More is NOT better.

Will they flat out not eat the blocks at all even if you stay strong and don't give in?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I know you have trouble getting them to eat well...this isn't something I would do. You will note that the Vitamins already have the proper amount of calcium in them, so you are double dipping calcium here. Also, the PER DAY amount of the vitamins - what would be in 2 of the blocks you order from Henry's - is only 1/4 teaspoon. That is a really small amount. You really don't want to over-supplement, either, especially with calcium. More is NOT better.

Will they flat out not eat the blocks at all even if you stay strong and don't give in? Lola will eat her blocks but Piti aint having it. I've been going round and round with him. The almonds is the only thing with vitamins i can get him to eat. Refuses boo balls ect,,

[CritterMom]

Lola will eat her blocks but Piti aint having it. I've been going round and round with him. The almonds is the only thing with vitamins i can get him to eat. Refuses boo balls ect,,

Will he eat almond butter? Pretty much any place that sells some health/organic food will have it - Trader Joe's - we even have it in our grocery stores. If he would eat almond butter with the vitamins in it - like rolled into little balls; just the vitamins and a little blob of the almond butter - you could at least give him a more specific amount of what he needs...

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Will he eat almond butter? Pretty much any place that sells some health/organic food will have it - Trader Joe's - we even have it in our grocery stores. If he would eat almond butter with the vitamins in it - like rolled into little balls; just the vitamins and a little blob of the almond butter - you could at least give him a more specific amount of what he needs... I'll try it,but he only seems to like actual nuts, . I figured trying to get the vitamins in him anyway i could. He readily accepts the almonds,but refuses most anything else. :tap

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

How about soaking them in straight water,and then before serving scraping most of the vitamins off to where it is lightly coated?. A lesser dosage if you will.I would think it might be better. dunno

[SammysMom]

It stinks, but I don't think he will starve himself to death if you are insistent. He needs to eat something besides nuts. Try to think of it as if he were a small child. It wouldn't work to crush up a vitamin and spread it on a Snickers bar to get the proper nutrition into the child. It is very similar. Nuts are treats, not part of what they need to be healthy.
Tough love is the only way to really get the job done. Good luck, I know I have a TERRIBLE eater and it took quite a bit of time to get him to eat those damned blocks...:rofl4

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

It stinks, but I don't think he will starve himself to death if you are insistent. He needs to eat something besides nuts. Try to think of it as if he were a small child. It wouldn't work to crush up a vitamin and spread it on a Snickers bar to get the proper nutrition into the child. It is very similar. Nuts are treats, not part of what they need to be healthy.
Tough love is the only way to really get the job done. Good luck, I know I have a TERRIBLE eater and it took quite a bit of time to get him to eat those damned blocks...:rofl4 Makes sense. There's no short cut in life . Dernit!!

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

However,,,, I must say when growing up, my father would tell stories about People getting Boils and sores on there body from bad hygiene and nutrition. He said as soon as they started to add vitamins to bread and other processed foods like cereals and such. The boils and other ailments dropped considerably. Not saying that junk food is good, but some supplements are added.

[SammysMom]

Yes, but they were added to good foods, not candy...:grin3

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Yes, but they were added to good foods, not candy...:grin3 Yes.But almonds wouldn't be considered like a snickers bar to would it?. I mean, i figure Almond butter couldn't be much better.,.He eats brocolli and snap peas, snow peas,mango and such. I was assuming it was all about the dosage in concert with a healthy diet as well. Not just a nut diet as a substitute. .

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I also thought about soaking the shelled almonds in a solution of Fox Valley or puppy formula or almond flavor ensure for a day or so in the fridge,then freezing them for later use.