Squirrel not eating hard food.

[ckore]

I have about 5 squirrel's I feed regularly in my back yard. I help all squirrel's through winter too.

A new one just showed up and he looks battle scarred, with a body too small for his head. He didn't climb just walked slowly. The other squirrels were completely avoiding him.

I noticed him laying in front of my shed and he didn't get up or even try to run. I threw him peanuts and he didn't want any nor did he eat the sunflower seeds that are all over the place. I offered him basically everything in my kitchen. He wanted nothing, in desperation I offered a chocolate peanut butter cup. He eat it. Over the next 4 hours he eat 5 peanut butter cups.

The next 5 days are the same but now he will eat avocado also. He now climbs the tree's and is running with the other squirrels.

Not sure what to do. He still won't eat sunflower seeds or anything that is hard.

My question is could he have problems with his teeth? Should I catch him and look him over or just continue to watch him?

Thanks

[Spanky]

I'd try to get pictures of him eating... the more the better chance of getting one of this teeth. If you can post a picture of him until you get a good one of his teeth that could be helpful.

Consider offering him avocado, banana and other soft foods that might be better for him than peanut butter cups? Maybe even some boiled sweet tater / squash cubes?

[ckore]

I'd try to get pictures of him eating... the more the better chance of getting one of this teeth. If you can post a picture of him until you get a good one of his teeth that could be helpful.

Consider offering him avocado, banana and other soft foods that might be better for him than peanut butter cups? Maybe even some boiled sweet tater / squash cubes?

I will get some sweet tater / squash cubes. I think I should buy a cage to catch him and give him a forever home. Considering his special needs he would do better in my home.

Thank you.

[ckore]

He is eating avocado and I seen him carrying a peanut. I think he is going to be fine.

308808

[Spanky]

He is eating avocado and I seen him carrying a peanut. I think he is going to be fine.
:w00t:bliss:bliss:bliss:w00t

[ckore]

I finally got a good look at his tooth as he now takes food from my hand.

Its a Tiny nub of a tooth. Maybe a 1/10th of inch sticking out of gums.

He is eating like a 1/3 of an avocado a day and peanut butter for desert.

How long would it take for it to grow back?

[Mel1959]

It can take some time to grow back. The concern is that the bottom tooth might over grow because it isn’t able to be worn down by the short top tooth. Please watch for that.

[stepnstone]

Is this a youngster? How would you compare his size to your regular squirrels?

[ckore]

He is so much smaller then the other squirrels but has grey hair on his tail. There is a few grey ones that are huge and he looks very small next to them. They used to pick on him but I got them to stop.

He hides when he eats and where he hides I could catch him. Not sure if I should as I know nothing but would be willing to learn. I can buy a huge cage first and then catch him if you think I should.

He can carry a heavy avocado piece but his mouth seems to hang open. Its so cute, he comes out all covered in green on his hands and face and his look says please more.

Thank you for helping.

[ckore]

Here is a picture of him covered in avocado, I rarely give him chocolate now but wanted a close up. It looks like tape or something stuck on his tail too.

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[Javarat]

Even if his front teeth are broke, he should be able to eat foods with his molars if you chop it up into small enough pieces.
Try a small dish with some cabbage, broccoli, etc... chopped up like KFC coleslaw.

[ckore]

Even if his front teeth are broke, he should be able to eat foods with his molars if you chop it up into small enough pieces.
Try a small dish with some cabbage, broccoli, etc... chopped up like KFC coleslaw.

None of the squirrel's seem to know what cabbage or broccoli is. They just ignore it. I am sure the deer or raccoons got what I put out.

Do I need to steam or boil the cabbage and broccoli first?

Thanks

[Javarat]

Healthier food would be better... but as you noted, most wild squirrels turn their nose up at veggies.

I had one like this once. I finally had to give up on the healthy stuff, and gave it peanut butter and crushed walnuts/pecans until it got better.
Nuts are not the best choice for their diet, but it would at least be better than avocado and peanut butter cups. Maybe some low sugar peanut butter?
You might also try to mushed up fruit.