Mother of 3: diet issues

[Thewaters7]

HELLO! I AM A PROUD MOTHER OF 3 SQUIRRELS. OUR FIRST SQUIRREL WE HAVE AD FOR 2 YEARS, AND OUR OTHER TWO CAME INTO OUR WORLD 2 WEEKS AGO. IM NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW OLD THEY ARE- THE LADY WE GOT THEM FROM SAID THEY WERE 7 WEEKS.... SO, IM DOING THE FORMULA THING. THEY ARE JUST THE SWEETEST BABIES EVER!!!!:wiggle
I AM CURIOUS HOW THIS SITE WORKS, SO ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT!!!!:thumbsup

[farrelli]

Tell us all about them - how much they weigh, what they eat, how much, etc. And give pics, they can really assist us. We can help a lot. There's a lot to know and lots of people,despite the best of intentions, get it wrong.

[island rehabber]

Hi there and :Welcome!
The Squirrel Board is a relatively 'mature' site for the internet -- we are going into our 10th year :dance.
It's a bit confusing at first, but the best thing to do is start with the home Forums page and click on each Forum title. That will give you a list of the Threads in that Forum, which are all the various conversations started by members on that particular subject.

You can also click on "New Posts:" which is always at the upper left of your page (within the dark teal border). New posts gives you all the threads you haven't read yet, today. :)

You will notice quickly that we are all about Squirrel Nutrition and DIET DIET DIET. Squirrels require an exceptional amount of Calcium in their diets, and should only have half or less of that amount in Phosphorous. This critical balance is why what we feed them is so important: low calcium and high phosphorous leads to Metabolic Bone Disease -- a horrible crippling disease that will kill your squirrel after much suffering, and is very very common in "pet" or captive squirrels, unfortunately. PLEASE read our Nutrition Forum, print out the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels, and take it with you to the market. :grin3

Anyway, welcome -- glad you've found us!

[Thewaters7]

Tell us all about them - how much they weigh, what they eat, how much, etc. And give pics, they can really assist us. We can help a lot. There's a lot to know and lots of people,despite the best of intentions, get it wrong.

I KNOW! DONT KNOW WHAT THEY WEIGH. THEY ARE ARE ON THE FORMULA ABOUT 15 ML OR A LITTLE MORE. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD ALREADY, SO I KNOW QUITE A BIT
I WILL POST PICTURES.

[Thewaters7]

YES! OUR 2 YEAR OLD HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM THAT BUT I GOT HER SOME OF THE HENRYS HEALTHY PET CALCIUM AND SHES MADE A HUGE TURN AROUND!!!!! SHE NOT A FAN OF THE BLOCK THOUGH...:tap

[farrelli]

What kind of formula are you feeding? And what kind of rodent blocks?

For the adult, how close are you to the healthy diet guide:

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

Knowing what the baby weighs is important. Weight tells you how much formula to give (5-7% of body weight), how he's progressing, and how to dose drugs if necessary.

Like IR says, we're all about diet, so we really want to know what and how much you're feeding. We get TONS of people who have had sqs for years and think they're feeding a good diet but are actually feeding a terrible diet of nuts, seeds, and other junk food. Please just put our minds to rest and tell us all about their diet. After that, we can talk about housing.

[Thewaters7]

I BAOUGHT SOME CALCIUM FROMHENRYS AND ITS WORKING WONDERS, BUT IT SAYS TO GIVE 1/3 TEASP- ITS HARD TO MEASURE 1/3 SO WE JUST DO 1/8. SHE ALOT BETTER.

[Thewaters7]

HI, MY 2 YEAR OLD HAS THE MBD ISSUE AND AFTER HENRYS SAVED HER LIFE WITH CALCIUM, SHE DOESNT WANT HER BLOCK... ONLY HER USUAL 2 YEAR DIET OF NUTS , FRUITS AND VEGGIES!!!!! I WONDER IF I GIVE HER THE CALCIUM CAN SHE CONTINUE ON WITH HER USUAL DIET?????? WHY WASTE MONEY ON THE BLOCKS?

[Thewaters7]

THEY MUST WEIGH 3-5 POUNDS. I FEED THEM THE ESOBOLIC OR WHATEVER ITS CALLED. THEY GET 15 ML EVERY 3-4 HOURS OR WHEN THEY WAKE. BY THE WAY, THANKS FOR CARING!:tap

[Thewaters7]

What kind of formula are you feeding? And what kind of rodent blocks?

For the adult, how close are you to the healthy diet guide:

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

Knowing what the baby weighs is important. Weight tells you how much formula to give (5-7% of body weight), how he's progressing, and how to dose drugs if necessary.

Like IR says, we're all about diet, so we really want to know what and how much you're feeding. We get TONS of people who have had sqs for years and think they're feeding a good diet but are actually feeding a terrible diet of nuts, seeds, and other junk food. Please just put our minds to rest and tell us all about their diet. After that, we can talk about housing.
ALSO, THEY ARE HENRYS HEALTHY BLOCKS... I ACUALLY HAVE THIS SAME PAPER ON MY FRIDGE

[CritterMom]

It isn't just calcium. They need a very specific blend of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, etc., and the Henry's provides ALL of that.

The Henry's go in the cage in the morning before anything else. Once they have been eaten, the healthy veggies and occasional fruit goes in. The treats - those nuts she loves - are for after the healthy stuff has been eaten, and need to be given in small amonts. Buy nuts out of the shell like almonds and cut them in two or three pieces so it feels like several treats.

If the Henry's don't get eaten, no treats, period. Yes, you will feel like a monster. Yes, your squirrel will work this. You just have to be stronger than this tiny little animal...and it isn't easy, but the alternative is a shortened lifespan of relatively poor health.

By the way, I saw your other post. If Leigh at Henry's has told you to use 1/3 teaspoon of the calcium powder daily and you are using 1/8, you are giving LESS THAN HALF what she has told you to use. A slightly heaping (just a little rounded on the top) 1/4 teaspoon measure of that calcium will be close enough to 1/3 teaspoon she has told you to use. :thumbsup

[Thewaters7]

thanks! it is hard.i wonder if theres anything besides the blocks that I can give her????? any clues would be nice!!!!

[farrelli]

Is the Esbilac the powdered kind with probiotics on the label?

248252

As to the blocks? Are you making sure that they're being eaten? You said that they weren't popular, but they MUST be eaten. Many, many people have fraught that battle and we have lots of tips to make the fight successful.

Btw, two pounds is average for an adult sq. If you have a five pound sq, we have to see this!

[farrelli]

I see in another thread that you're also giving calcium supplements. Can you give us a history on these sqs? I htink you mentioned MBD, so detailing that would be good too. We need to make sure that they're getting what they need, not too much or too little. Too much calcium, for example, can cause serious harm over time.

So please just sit down, and in one place, give us a detailing of their situation. Help us help you.

[farrelli]

You have many threads going with details about your sqs scattered all over. Please just pick one place and give us a detailing of their diet, conditions, health issues, etc. We can definitely help, but you've got to help us help you.

We have all kinds of tips to get them to eat their blocks. Pick a spot for the discussion and it will happen.

[Thewaters7]

Okay, so she is getting a little over 1/4 tsp each day. Some days we skip a day. She was just starting to sleep a lot and wasn't herself. We changed her diet and now she's back to normal. I give her a block in the morning, veggies in between and 2 nuts at night.

[Thewaters7]

Not trying to be rude, but I'm not looking for anyone's help on this... She wasn't happy about her blocks but seems to be eating them anyway. Thanks though. We have it under control

[Thewaters7]

Is the Esbilac the powdered kind with probiotics on the label?

248252

As to the blocks? Are you making sure that they're being eaten? You said that they weren't popular, but they MUST be eaten. Many, many people have fraught that battle and we have lots of tips to make the fight successful.

Btw, two pounds is average for an adult sq. If you have a five pound sq, we have to see this!

Maybe it's me, but I feel like your trying to be funny... Thanks for your help, but it's not needed!

[Thewaters7]

Soo... Why does it matter where I post stuff- I'm not too thrilled about your smart comments- nice taking to you, but no help Is needed from you

[SammysMom]

Okay, before anyone gets upset, it might be a better plan to merge your threads so that we are helping you in one place. There are a lot of people looking for help and we want to make sure we don't miss anyone who needs us or overlook a question that you ask because we are not watching all of your threads. I can merge your threads into just one so that all of the info is there and people who would like to help can follow your thread to see any changes or questions.
Any of the admins can merge them, but just let us know and we will be happy to do that. I know that Farrelli is very good with many issues, especially diet and he wants to be able to help when people need help. I know he didn't mean to be "smart" about his remarks, just trying to get you the best help possible.:thumbsup

[Thewaters7]

I understand... yes, I would like to have my threads merged. this site is a bit complicated,lol, but for what its worth, im sorry farelli!:grin3

[SammysMom]

Done! This is now your one thread...:grin3

[Thewaters7]

Hi! my babies are 9 weeks old, and im needing as much info on this as possible!!! these 2 are precious to me and I want to make this transition as comfortable as possible for them...x_smilex

[Thewaters7]

thank you sooo much!!!!!

[SammysMom]

I just merged the weaning thread as well. We do NOT suggest "weaning". It is best for their health to be on formula for as long as they will take it. It is an insurance policy against the very issue you are experiencing with your 2 year old.