Weaning Advice Needed

[EarlsMom]

My now 10 week old squirrel 'Gearl' is not eating block yet. I have offered rodent block (Zupreem, Mazuri, and recently HHP blocks) since she was 5-6 weeks old (She would occasionally shred it in the beginning but other than an occasional nibble now and then she ignores it opting for 'wooden acorns' and maple twigs which she shreds and gnaws on with delight! When I saw she preferred the wood to gnaw on instead of eating blocks I removed it for a week or two until I noticed her teeth looking alarmingly long. I gave it back to her to keep them from getting too long. In just the last day or so, I have been offering the HHP blocks cut in half (because she waste them so) and now she takes a nibble and runs it up into her cube or digs an imaginary hole and tucks it in with her nose. But she is not eating them (but does gnaw on her wooden acorn which she stashes there too)! Should I try making those boo balls I've seen mentioned? Put tiny bit of coconut oil on the block?
She loves her formula (50/50 Esbilac and FV) and is eating 18-20cc a feeding (would eat more) every 5 hrs (no nighttime). Should I space her formula further apart? She weighs 250g. She has DOUBLED her weight in three and a half weeks since she had a mucousy diarrhea issue (resolved).

[Spanky]

Block should be the first and only solid food introduced; no other solids should be offered until they are eating there block well. Then give block first, before serving up any other veggies. I give them half a block while I prep the buffet, then another half to occupy them while I swap out the food dish.

You are feeding 3 times a day? I would cut back to twice a day with a 10 week old, 250gram squirrel. That should help them to show more interest in solids. I feed formula right up until release whenever they are willing to take it.. by about week 12 they are usually getting formula only once a day.

[EarlsMom]

Spanky, thank you for your reply. I am still feeding her 4 times a day ~5hrs (7am- 10 pm) which she eats with gusto like it was her last meal! Since I will be essentially cutting her feedings in half, should I increase the amount of formula I give her per feeding? How much more would be okay given she has had diarrhea issues so recently? Is it okay for her to lose some weight (or not gain) initially until she decides to eat the block? Thank you again for responding.

[Spanky]

Spanky, thank you for your reply. I am still feeding her 4 times a day ~5hrs (7am- 10 pm) which she eats with gusto like it was her last meal! Since I will be essentially cutting her feedings in half, should I increase the amount of formula I give her per feeding? How much more would be okay given she has had diarrhea issues so recently? Is it okay for her to lose some weight (or not gain) initially until she decides to eat the block? Thank you again for responding.

I would not increase the amount at each feeding. Start by cutting out one feeding a day instead of two at one time. In 5 days or a week cut back to twice a day feeding.

I provide an HHB first thing in the morning before anything else (especially before formula). I find they are so excited to eat in the morning or their first meal if you treat that HHB like a special very best treat in the world so will she! That also gives the crews something to satiate their appetite while their chef prepares their buffets...

[EarlsMom]

Thank you Spanky for the great advice! She ATE most of a half this morning, but only if I held it. Otherwise she took it to hide. Should she be eating TWO of these a day before I introduce other food? (It said two a day for an ADULT. Not sure when she's considered an adult)