Bamboo Chew Toy...

[Buddy]

I saw that the Bamboo can be risky in another thread and didn't want to hijack that post.

I got this for Buddy. He seems to like them a lot. Should I stop giving them?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PMW1B98

In the picture, it says suitable for squirrels.

[Buddy]

Some of the reviews..

317357

[Diggie's Friend]

Rodents will chew on most any source, even plastics are liked by rodents to chew on; yet we know that plastics aren't safe sources to give to tree squirrels, nor any rodents towards supporting their need to wear down their every growing incisors. The research on raw bamboo containing toxic compounds and splintering should not be disregarded on account for prior lack of knowledge on this source.

Try offering cut up dried 1 inch sections of one of the non-toxic smaller tree branches instead. Pansy Forest Redbud, white and silver birches, fruitless mulberry, amongst other natural non toxic sources (when not treated or contaminated by pesticides) whic are found in the natural habitats of N.A. tree squirrels are safer choices to support a squirrel with wood to gnaw on.

[Buddy]

Okay, thanks! I will stop giving them but he has been chewing on these for a while now. :( He seems fine but not sure if I can do anything to remediate?

[Buddy]

Also, any comments on these 2 things:

Some toys I thought Buddy would enjoy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VH9QY3V

And these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077ZT7RYZ

Oh, and these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L8S6T3J

[Mel1959]

Also, any comments on these 2 things:

Some toys I thought Buddy would enjoy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VH9QY3V

And these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077ZT7RYZ

Oh, and these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L8S6T3J

The bamboo sticks are a little scary for me. Bamboo splinters because it’s so brittle. I have gotten some pretty good ones in my hands when I was cutting bamboo down.

The first toy will easily be shredded with no harm, except they won’t last long. But it will be fun for him. The second item I don’t think will be touched, and the third is a hit and miss. I’ve had squirrels that enjoyed chewing on these and others that ignored them. It’s probably a worthwhile purchase if you want to see if Buddy will eat them.

[Buddy]

Thank you Mel! :w00t

You are right, he shredded the toys. :grin2 They don't last at all, but like you said, while lasted he enjoyed them.

I actually bought the second one (Lava cubes) some time ago; when he was much younger. They are individually wrapped. At that time, he didn't touch it (Again, as you guessed!)

But I gave another one to try a few days weeks ago; and in a few days, he chewed/ate all of the cube!

He did really like the third item too. He chewed/ate 2 small ones that I put in his outdoor cage already. A big one is in his indoor cage and he didn't touch that. I think it's simply he is out all day long and he is just sleeping in his indoor cage.

I will stop giving the bamboos! It's so frustrating that companies make things and sell stuff as safe and even beneficial and healthy for animals; but I shouldn't be really surprised; they do that even for humans! :tap

[Charley Chuckles]

Rodents will chew on most any source, even plastics are liked by rodents to chew on; yet we know that plastics aren't safe sources to give to tree squirrels, nor any rodents towards supporting their need to wear down their every growing incisors. The research on raw bamboo containing toxic compounds and splintering should not be disregarded on account for prior lack of knowledge on this source.

Try offering cut up dried 1 inch sections of one of the non-toxic smaller tree branches instead. Pansy Forest Redbud, white and silver birches, fruitless mulberry, amongst other natural non toxic sources (when not treated or contaminated by pesticides) whic are found in the natural habitats of N.A. tree squirrels are safer choices to support a squirrel with wood to gnaw on.
I'm curious about 'fruitless mulberry' I have huge mulberry trees that have fruit when in season, I give the fruit to my squirrels along with the branches year round. Is that ok? I've not heard of one that has no fruit 🤔

[Buddy]

Curious about it as well, as I give some dried mulberries to Buddy too. We have mulberry trees (just a few) in the neighborhood.

[Mel1959]

I’ve never heard of fruitless ones, either. There’s one across the street from my house and the squirrels are always climbing in it and eating the fruit when it’s in season. Mulberry was listed as one of the safe trees in the nutrition pyramid.

[island rehabber]

The island I live on originally had an Algonquin name that meant "isle of mulberries". It's the most common tree here. I have always given my spring babies mulberry branches to start chewing on and later when the fruits come out they are the first 'wild foods' I give them. They love them. I know I am in a different climate than you all but just thought I'd chime in. :grin3

[Charley Chuckles]

👍I give my mulberry tree branches/leaves to my kids year round, when the mulberries are in season I then give them to my kids, the berries are so messy however 😝


Another question, because y'all know I'm curious 😄
I see rain trees on the good list, however I have been told they are poisonous to rats.
True or false 🤔

[Mel1959]

What part of them is poisonous to rats? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a rat eat parts of a tree the way squirrels do.

[Diggie's Friend]

The fruitless mulberry trees here are large broad fast growing deciduous shade trees; squirrel relish the buds in the spring, and yes they like the green twigs to chew on also.

Best to limit fruiting mulberry berries to no more than once a week as they high in anti oxidants, but are also one of the berries that are higher in oxalic acid that lowers calcium availability to the bloodstream and bones.

Some berries have a super high antioxidant levels, yet most of these are also very high in oxalic acid, including Elderberries, Gogi, Gooseberries, Acai, and Black Raspberries to name a few. Blackberries (not the Black Raspberries) are moderate in oxalic acid. Dewberries can also be fed, along with Black Currents. Wild berries are better than produced in areas known to be nil in radiation. Raspberries also kept to a once a week feed. Berries richest in anti oxidants, polyphenols, and 'anthocyanins' pigments very high in anti oxidants located in Northern N.A. that are lowest in oxalic acid, include: Red Lingonberries aka: cowberries, Huckleberries, and Bilberries.

Best to avoid sources from Europe, as berries are known chelators of radiation. This is why, "Oregon Mushroom" located in Coastal Southern Oregon a region with one of the lowest levels of radiation on the planet, is a far better source of various wild harvested berries than Europe or elsewhere.

[Diggie's Friend]

Lava is made in part of glass particles; so that's a definite no!

[Buddy]

Wow! Okay, so Buddy has been chewing/eating Bamboos and Lavas. Anything I can do now; apart from stopping to give them to him?

[Diggie's Friend]

i read somewhere that if dogs ingest it it would pass through with their meal.

You can give him organic plain oatmeal which contains Beta glucan, a compound known to sooth the lining of the intestines.

[Diggie's Friend]

The toys that our squirrel played with the most were simple. One was made from a tube sock and a paper towel roll inside with the end knotted; when the sock wore out we used the other sock to make another one. The other favorite was a plush dog toy in the shape of a bone which our girl really enjoyed playing, 'fighty-bitie' and roll with! It lasted a long time, likely from being tougher than the plush toys made for human use.

[Buddy]

Thank you! :w00t

[Buddy]

Just to clarify, cooked or uncooked oatmeal?

[Charley Chuckles]

What part of them is poisonous to rats? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a rat eat parts of a tree the way squirrels do.

I'm not sure Mel, I was just told the raintree is poisonous to rats. I remember looking it up at one time and I did see something about that, so I stopped giving it to my kids. Too bad since I have acres full of raintrees.

[sundoesshine]

Along the lines of chew toys, I saw cooked chicken bones on a list here, is that really true as it was the first time seeing that. Also, those bird cuttlebone things were on it as well, just wanted to double check before getting. Thank you :)

[Andy]

I have live bamboo growing in my yard. It took a couple of years to get to the point where it spreads (which can be a problem) but my squirrel really likes the fresh bamboo, younger green shoots that are about the thickness of a regular Sharpie. I also cut down sections and freeze them, which keeps them green. I do that with green pinecones as well, since they love those but they are only normally available a few months out of the year.

I was concerned about bamboo chew toys, especially the ones coming from China and Taiwan, because of possible toxins.

The live bamboo also drops a lot of leave which both the wild ones and the indoor one love to use for nesting.

[Charley Chuckles]

I have live bamboo growing in my yard. It took a couple of years to get to the point where it spreads (which can be a problem) but my squirrel really likes the fresh bamboo, younger green shoots that are about the thickness of a regular Sharpie. I also cut down sections and freeze them, which keeps them green. I do that with green pinecones as well, since they love those but they are only normally available a few months out of the year.

I was concerned about bamboo chew toys, especially the ones coming from China and Taiwan, because of possible toxins.

The live bamboo also drops a lot of leave which both the wild ones and the indoor one love to use for nesting.
I have a yard full of bamboo I love it for privacy fencing 👍
I never have seen my wilds eat them and didn't know you could give them to squirrels.