Not cooperating Squirrels

[Skippy12]

This past month all of my captive squirrels (a 4 yr. Old, 3 yr. Old and a 1 1/2 yr. Old) are rebelling!!! No one wants to eat healthy! They want fresh corn and that is it!! I have always followed your pyramid faithfully and feed them twice a day. They won't even eat their Teklad protein blocks...what do I do? Everyone suggests putting out my usual squash, cauliflower, broccoli, etc and in a few days they will get hungry and eat it. Mama isn't good at doing "tough love" but I won't feed them stuff that isn't good for them. Is this the only way? Also, what is the easiest and safest way to trim nails?

[SammysMom]

This may sound silly, but why not stop giving corn?

[SophieSquirrel]

A) Everyone suggests putting out my usual squash, cauliflower, broccoli, etc and in a few days they will get hungry and eat it. B) Also, what is the easiest and safest way to trim nails?

A) I would suggest doing that with the Teklad. Permanently take corn out of the equation. They won't starve to death trust me.

B) Can you hold them still long enough to nip the tips of the nails with a small cuticle nipper? If not try this "through the bars" clip, I posted it in an earlier thread. Works best with 2 people, one to feed and the steadier one to clip. Be careful - if you cut the quick you will have a bleeder. (5th post in thread)

LINK: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?59450-Help!Calming-suggestions-I-m-all-scratched-up&highlight=nail+trimming

[Skippy12]

This may sound silly, but why not stop giving corn?

Tried for 3 days and they quit eating so I got scared they would starve.

[Floppysquirrel04]

Don't trim their nails. Squirrel nails are very small and the smallest squirm or accident can have their hand covered in blood. Do you have branches in or outside their cage that they get to play on? They need sharp nails to climb. If they are unbearable, you can get things like lava blocks and sandpapery false sticks on amazon and at the pet store that are made for rodents and birds. Take the corn out of the diet and only feed block for a few days. Then you can start adding veggies back into their diet. You can also make boo-balls out of the blocks. I believe there is a recipe on the "squirrel nutrition" forum.

[SophieSquirrel]

Don't trim their nails. Squirrel nails are very small and the smallest squirm or accident can have their hand covered in blood

I agree not to trim. I don't trim mine (I have 8) except for one that rakes my face and her sister. Some PPL are determined anyway so I prefer to show them the best way to do it.

[SammysMom]

If your child only ate Snickers bars, would you worry that they would starve if told to feed healthier and they didn't want to eat healthy food? Put fresh block in every day ad make 'em wait!

[Skippy12]

Don't trim their nails. Squirrel nails are very small and the smallest squirm or accident can have their hand covered in blood. Do you have branches in or outside their cage that they get to play on? They need sharp nails to climb. If they are unbearable, you can get things like lava blocks and sandpapery false sticks on amazon and at the pet store that are made for rodents and birds. Take the corn out of the diet and only feed block for a few days. Then you can start adding veggies back into their diet. You can also make boo-balls out of the blocks. I believe there is a recipe on the "squirrel nutrition" forum.
Thank you so much!! It is so hard for me to not give in to these angels even though I know it is best for them. I will do Teklad only (they won't eat boo balls or Henry's blocks) for 3 days and stick to my guns...then back to snow peas and squash...thanks everyone!

[SophieSquirrel]

Thank you so much!! It is so hard for me to not give in to these angels even though I know it is best for them. I will do Teklad only (they won't eat boo balls or Henry's blocks) for 3 days and stick to my guns...then back to snow peas and squash...thanks everyone!

There are varying opinions regarding diet on TSB. My experience is when lacking a wild diet squirrels need a calorie, carb, protein and vitamin rich blocks as their base diet in the proper balance. Many people try strict veganism and get sick. I am actually a long term vegetarian and lacking a meat based diet learned I need carbs, calories and protein to maintain good health. I get them from whole grain breads/pastas, eggs, dairy, seitan, tofu and various fake meats - my equivalent of a squirrel block. Feeding a squirrel just the veggies from the Henry's "triangle" is not a healthy diet in the long term. I think most of us are in agreement that blocks do not have ideal ingredients but are necessary for a squirrels health. If they absolutely refuse to eat one block try another. Give it a few days with the Teklad and consider switching to see how they respond. Just my 2c....

Other options include:

Henry's HHB Picky https://www.henryspets.com/picky-blocks-adult-formula/
Mazuri Rodent
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat
Zupreem Nutblend (Last Ditch)

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[TubeDriver]

No wild animal will starve if there is food around. Blocks are not as tasty as lots of junk foods, tough love can be hard to do when looking at cute looking, expectant, hopeful fuzzbutt faces! :)

[Spanky]

While I have not used it, I am concerned about the suggestion to use the Zupreem nut flavored parrot food. It seems to be largely corn and have large amounts of sugar. Maybe an okay "treat" block, but that would scare me to use as a foundational block for nutrition. Just MHO.

[Skippy12]

No wild animal will starve if there is food around. Blocks are not as tasty as lots of junk foods, tough love can be hard to do when looking at cute looking, expectant, hopeful fuzzbutt faces! :)

Bless you all!! I am so worried about these babies I will do anything for them. I am going to try the Mazuri as they won't touch Henry's. ...do I dare put some Virgin solid coconut oil on them to make them tastier?? I will try anything you suggest.

[SophieSquirrel]

While I have not used it, I am concerned about the suggestion to use the Zupreem nut flavored parrot food. It seems to be largely corn and have large amounts of sugar. Maybe an okay "treat" block, but that would scare me to use as a foundational block for nutrition. Just MHO.

Yes corn in any block is an issue. It's also a primary ingredient in Teklad 2016. The only one that doesn't have corn is Oxbow Essentials but that has Wheat, Soybean and Fish Meal. Karen Clark used Zupreem as her primary for her NR's and some lived 10 years plus. Zupreem would be my last resort. For my Prairie Dog dried corn will destroy his gall bladder. The Henry's blocks are excellent but the large chunks of Pecans cause them to strip away the rest of the block looking for the nut. My NR's love their HT 2016 but it was also the first solid they were offered. Also I only offer Hazel or Pecan nuts in shells several times a week for incisor wear, not as daily treats.

What do you senior members think of this recipe that has been floating around on the Internet?


Option 1: Uncooked

If your squirrel will not eat rodent block no matter the brand or coating, try making Boo Balls.

The Boo Ball recipe was originally posted on the Squirrel Board’s Nutrition Forum and was found

to work well during weaning and for squirrels with teeth issues because of its soft texture.


Ingredients

50 grams rodent block

50 grams powdered Fox Valley Day One Formula for Squirrels (either 32/40 or 20/50)

50 grams nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.

20 grams "organic" coconut oil (melted until liquid)

1 jar (approximately 100 grams) of fruit baby food (such as apples or plums), organic preferred

The squirrel board recommends adding a probiotic (beneficial bacteria) such as 3 capsules of multidophilus

If you are unable to find this, substitute 1 capsule of acidophilus.

In a food processor, grind rodent block until its the consistency of a fine powder. Grind nuts as finely as possible without it becoming nut butter. Heat coconut oil until its a liquid consistency. Warming the baby food also helps it to mix.

Combine the powdered rodent block, Fox Valley formula, nuts and acidophilus. Mix the organic baby food fruit and coconut oil in to your dry ingredients until well blended.

Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours or overnight until mixture is set (the consistency of cookie dough).

Once you are ready to serve, take out about a 1/2 tsp (5 grams) of the mixture and roll is in your hands into a small ball.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Recommendation: Vary the type of nut you use to keep the squirrel interested.

Amount: 3-4 balls or as much as will be consumed in a day.

Option 2: Cooked

Some squirrels prefer a more crunchy texture in their boo balls. Follow the steps above (with the

Exception of the pro-biotic, which you may sprinkle on after baking since heat kills the active cultures).


After letting the mixture set overnight, use a lightly greased rolling pin to roll the dough into a flat sheet 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Bake 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour. Let cool for 10 minutes and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut into small squares. After completely cooled, sprinkle the multidophilus, acidophilus or other probiotic over the cookies if desired

[Floppysquirrel04]

if they won't eat the boo balls, i would be very surprised. they would probably eat those more readily than plain block. yes a small amount of coconut oil would be fine, but not too much or else they will just eat it off the block. spread a small bit around the whole block with your finger so it soaks through the block. don't put it on all of them.