Questions, questions, questions!

[SquirrelMamma]

Hello everyone! I am Belles mother , she is 7 weeks and 5 days old. Just recently, the past couple days, I have experienced difficulties with feeding her. I have her on Esbialic formula which she was eating like crazy, (about 13 ml each feeding ,every 4 1/2 to 5 hours.)... however now she is turning down every other feeding and when she does accept the formula she is only consuming 5-7ml. I thought perhaps this was her weaning herself, so I introduced calcium rich foods such as kale as another food source. She nibbles on it but does not consume enough to my belief be full. I wanted to buy her the "HHB" I am always reading about, but am unsure exactly which to go purchase. Is this the appropriate age for her to wean and what is the best brand of rodent block I can purchase. Her well being and health are my main concern! Thank you. ( oh she isn't seeming to be losing weight, just thought I should add that.) :serene

[Milo's Mom]

It would be best to start her on the High Protein Blocks made by Henry's.

[lennysmom]

7 weeks is a good age to start introducing her to the HHBs. You can order them from Henry's Pets online - https://www.henryspets.com
As Milo's mom said, be sure to get the high protein blocks. She may just nibble on them at first but be sure to clean out whatever she doesn't eat daily and give her a fresh one.

[island rehabber]

Also: formula every 4 1/2 hrs is too often at her age. She can be on three feedings per day -- breakfast lunch & dinner, and she will take more at each one when you space the feedings out. You can always give her a bedtime snack if she seems hungry at 11-12:oo, but she will probably be fine with 3x day.

[SquirrelMamma]

Thank you everyone. I'm going to order them right now, and I will be sure to get the high protein ones. :-) As for her feedings, I will start to cut back the times. She would come suckle my finger telling me she wanted to eat, and she licks at the condensation on my water bottle. I attempted to give her some of my fiji water out of a very shallow dish about a week ago but she did not show any interest in lapping it. Should I start to give her water at this age as well? Do you all think its best to go for a dish she can lap out of or a water bottle? Or maybe just do both? Any particular kind of water she should have? Distilled, filtered, or bottled? And if I should start her on water too should I purchase the calcium drops to go in it? What's the best brand/kind? I almost have her outdoor enclosure done and I have read of how quickly squirrels over heat... I am not sure where to place it to make sure she doesn't get too hot. I have a beautiful oak tree that provides a lot of shade, but I am worried it might provide too much, and not enough sun light. I was thinking since I am in Florida that earlier in the morning would be the best temp. Time for her, should I do evenings as well? It stays pretty hot here all year long for the most part and I know its a minimum of thirty minutes of sun light. Any input is welcome. :dance