Baby won't eat rodent blocks

[JoanP]

I could only eat the Kaytee blocks, and this 6-7 week old just won't eat them. My order from Henry's should be here tomorrow. If he won't eat those, what should I try?
He seems to love his formula feedings and seems healthy. Still scratches a lot but has no fleas. Cannot see any mites, and there is no hair loss.
All advice says that he must eat the rodent blocks in order to stay healthy. Any ideas? He is a single, but seems to be active and interested in his environment. This is my first squirrel rescue and I am hoping that this behavior is normal.

[SammysMom]

Welcome to tsb! He is still young so he may not be interested in solids yet. Just keep offering. I would stick to the cheap blocks until he shows interest in actually eating solids. Once that happens, the Henry's can't be beat!
Tell us about his begining! Include which formula he is taking. We look forward to having you here and gearing your story! :grouphug

[island rehabber]

Welcome, JoanP (this is Kim's friend, Maura :grin2) :Welcome

SammysMom is right, he may not be ready for solid foods. Don't offer any other type of solids until he eats the blocks, though -- starting veggies, fruits or (God forbid!) NUTS will make sure he never eats a block in his life. :grin2

[JoanP]

Since this is my first baby squirrel rescue, I have read SO much online, and found some glaring misinformation (more later).
Baby boy is loving his formula and eats between 9 and 14 ml per feeding, 5 times a day. He did nibble at the rodent blocks, especially the blue skinny pieces in the bag, but only when I held the piece for him. Now, however, he is disinterested in them. The Henry's brand should arrive today.
Squirrel boy will not get any other food until he is eating the rodent blocks consistently. He may be not quite ready, but then too, he has no siblings to learn from/ compete with.
He is in his new large cage ordered from Henry's and it is modified for a baby squirrel, with a new fleece filled bed, and the wire bottom covered in fleece as well. He has a toileting area in the cage, but always waits until he is on a wooden board which covers my washer and dryer. This area is totally encased so as to prevent the tiny motherless kittens that I usually foster and bottle feed, from getting behind the machines. Baby boy seems to know just where to pee and poop, and waits for me to clean it up before he starts on his little investigating adventures.
I have read so many horror stories of vicious attacks on caregivers by orphaned squirrels, and am happy that this little one seems peaceful and happy. He even knows that his warmed formula is sitting ina Pyrex measuring cup under a hand towel, and tried to get in there!
He gets powdered Esbilac which does have Pre and Probiotics, in the correct proportions, with the appropriate amount of heavy whipping cream.
One site I visited said that the formula should consist of whole cows milk and cream!! I understood that squirrels should NOT get cows milk as their diet. I was concerned about this site, for had I read this first when searching for info, I would have given my newly found orphaned baby, that formula.
The scratching continues, mostly right after he nurses, but I have never seen any leas or mites since his Dawn bath on his first day here.
Thank you all so much for the encouragement I have received from this group, and Yes, I do understand that rehabers I contacted and who did not return my call, must be inundated with requests for help. Since I have fostered and delivered and trained, many dogs and kittens as a volunteer, I appreciate your confidence in my abilities and dedication to caring for animals. Kim, thanks for your advice re: Henry's. The cage is perfect, and we await all the other items that Squirrel boy will be getting from them today. His cage will lots of interest for him. It is also set up so that he is next to a window onto he garden where he sees other wildlife and trees and bushes.

[UDoWhat]

I promise if you put the rodent block in with your baby and offer only formula, Kaytee blocks and at this age a water bottle, your baby WILL learn to eat the rodent block. But if you offer anything else he will not touch the block. It is like giving a child a cookie first and then offering broccoli.
I have many new rehabilitators tell me that their babies won't eat block. When they come to work with me they see that my babies will eat block readily and like it ! Last month I had a member of TBS bring his babies to me to check them out. He asked when he should offer block. The babies were six weeks old so I said, "Now". He was amazed to see his babies pick up the block as soon as I put it in the cage. They even began to squabble over it. I told him to offer only the block as solid food for 3 weeks. When they are eating the block readily, then start offering other healthy foods, a few choices at a time. You can even offer nuts as treats and the babies will still eat the blocks. When the nuts are gone , of course. :grin3

I find this this works best for me. Good luck. :w00t