Food.

[Dwmarie]

I'm getting really conflicted information from rehabbers and the internet.
My 11/12 week old squirrel still loves her formula and I don't feel comfortable stopping it because I feel like she may be missing something in her diet. What do you guys feed all day? I was instructed to feet rat block and bird food or gerbal food from a rehabber/breeder? She's not interested in many veggies. What should she be offered daily as her main form of nutrition? What's a good source of calcium?

[Spanky]

I'm getting really conflicted information from rehabbers and the internet.
My 11/12 week old squirrel still loves her formula and I don't feel comfortable stopping it because I feel like she may be missing something in her diet. What do you guys feed all day? I was instructed to feet rat block and bird food or gerbal food from a rehabber/breeder? She's not interested in many veggies. What should she be offered daily as her main form of nutrition? What's a good source of calcium?

Continue the formula for as long as she'll take it. You are right in that this is the single most nutritious thing she can eat.

Rodent block is good.

Gerbil and bid food is extremely bad for squirrels.

More important than a good source of calcium is avoiding too many calcium robbing foods like seeds, nuts, dried corn, meal worms, etc. These things are treats, like gummy bears to a human toddler.

Henry's make a supplement block you need only feed 2 - 3 a day along with healthy fruits and veggies. I'd recommend the Picky, Hazelnut or Walnut varieties:
https://henryspets.com/squirrel-blocks/

Here is the healthy diet pyramid:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

If there are other questions, we are here... ask away..

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Dwmarie!

We're glad you found us. Here is some information you can count on, and that will make your squirrel an extremely healthy kid.

First, there are three feeding stages in a squirrel's early weeks and months. I am a flyer guy, and this is the regimen our little guys get. There might be some small differences in timing for gray and other squirrels - one of the specialists with those squirrels will chime in if this needs an adjustment.

Newborn through 5-6 weeks, Esbilac Powdered Puppy Milk Replacer

Mid week 6, Transition from Esbilac to Fox Valley 20/50. Day 1 of transition, 75% Esbilac 25% Fox Valley, mixed together and quite warm. Day 2, 50/50. Day 3, 25/75, and day 4 going forward, 100% Fox Valley 20/50


Weeks 7-8, Fox Valley 20/50

Mid Week 7, introduce solids to go with the Fox Valley 20/50, being sure to have daily fresh water available as formula consumption decreases.


Week 9, Solids, water, and whatever formula your squirrel asks for until it declines the offers.


I've included links to highly trusted information about the foods needed through each of these stages and out into the rest of your squirrel's long and healthy life. Please take the time to read through this information and allow it to put you at ease knowing that you are following absolute best practices. Please note the last two links - they are about Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD.) MBD is a gruesome killer of squirrels in captivity. It is caused primarily by poor diet. It comes on fast and kills fast. There is immediate and longer term treatment available, but if you suspect MBD at any time in your squirrel's life, you must act immediately or the squirrel will pass.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/
https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/
https://henryspets.com/picky-eaters/
https://henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/
https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/

Squirrel diet is a precise thing. Squirrels instinctively eat the right amounts of the right things in the wild. With us, they eat what they are provided. They must count on us to know how and what to feed them. Going back to your post, please - no bird food and no gerbil food. These are express tickets to MBD. Blocks are the foundation of a good diet. Commercially I can think of two high quality brands; Teklad and Mazur. The correct type of block is for rodents/mice/rats/squirrels ... I think there are more. There are also premium blocks from Henry's, as well as one or two recipes for making homemade block. Our flyers get homemade along with supplementals from the "good foods" list. They are beyond healthy. A short list of things to never, ever feed your indoor squirrel: Acorns (!), a bad one (which indoor squirrels can't tell from the good ones) will kill; Brazil nuts (Selenium plays havoc with their nervous system; seeds of any kind; prepared wildlife and pet mixtures of nuts/seeds/berries etc.; and foods prepared for other species. Again, squirrels need a specific diet. These prepared foods don't come close to meeting those needs.

Let us know how it goes? We're here to help!

Jamie