i need help on the right diet

[rocky 4 life]

I need more ideas on what to feed my squirrel hes not big on monkey biscuits he will eat shelled nuts and greens,apples,and hes finishing of a 50 pond bag of the macaw fiesta its hard to find what he likes. i need websites...

[Mars]

Here is a list to start from for a healthy squirrel. :)

Dried sweetened ( w/apple juice) cranberries
Cherios
sweet potatoes
dried corn on the cob
Banana chips and fresh banana
dried cherries, blueberries and raspberries
carrot sticks
fresh sprouts (I sprout the pigeon seed mix)
hard boiled eggs (shell and all)
Fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries
fresh closed pinecones
pine nuts
Strips of bark from dead trees (no poison Ivy!)
fresh branches with buds from oak, maple, beech, apple, and poplar ( they love lilac, too)
bones and antlers and cuttle bone
and in the spring fresh maple flowers, sap and seeds
meal worms
Pecans
Acorns
Brazil nuts
Walnuts
Raisins
Apples
Grapes
Corn/Carrot slims (rodent treats)
Corn squirrel block
Assorted rodent treats
Romain lettuce
Broccoli
Unsalted pumpkin seeds
Fresh corn
Hazlenuts
Rodent mineral lick
Watermelon

Endive, Escarole, Red Cabbage, Celery, Carrots, papaya, artichoke, figs, brussel sprouts, summer and winter squash, blackberries, Pomegranates

Mango
Mazuri Rodent block
kale
filberts
scrambled eggs

:D

[TexanSquirrel]

:Welcome

[rocky 4 life]

yes mam he is 120 w also his cage is 7Hx5Lx3W..

[4skwerlz]

Whoops! Gammas, We have a new revision of the diet!! Rocky4Life, if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.



Basic Diet for Pet Squirrels (Revised 01/12/08)

Your squirrels needs all of the nutritional elements listed below. Feed a variety of foods from each group.

1. Rodent Chow. Some type of nutritionally complete kibbled rodent chow should be at least 50% (by weight) of your squirrel’s diet. These are not the “seed mixes” you can buy at the store! Below are some examples:

-KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice
-Harlan Teklab 2018 Vegetarian Rodent Diet
-Harlan Teklad 8640 Rodent Diet
-Zupreme monkey biscuit
-Mazuri rodent block
The KayTee Forti-Diet is available at Walmart; the rest can be bought at pet stores, some feed stores, or ordered online.

2. Protein. Sources of protein include live or dried crickets and mealworms. Available from pet stores and online at http://www.exoticnutrition.com/Treat-Department.htm. Some squirrels also enjoy killing and eating live moths. Eggs (hard-boiled or scrambled, WITH the shell) provide protein and calcium, plus one of the very few dietary sources of Vit. D. Nuts also provide protein (feed no more than 2 per day).

3.Calcium and Vitamins. High-calcium, low-phosphorus choices include: Collard greens, mustard spinach, papaya, turnip greens, tofu (w/calcium sulfate or Nigiri), purslane, fresh parsley, beet greens, dandelion greens, Chinese cabbage (bok choy), looseleaf lettuce, figs, kale, chicory, green cabbage, watercress, endive, grapes (cut in half), celery, green beans, red cabbage, crabapple, radish, swiss chard, pear, persimmons (native), apple with skin, pineapple, winter squash, watermelon, honeydew melon, broccoli, cauliflower

4. Vitamin C. A slice of citrus or bell pepper (green, red, or yellow) will aid calcium absorption. Most fruits and veggies contain Vit C. One slice daily.

5. Fats. Eggs, cheese, dairy products, insects, avocado, and nuts (2 per day max) provide fat.

6. Vitamin D. Eggs, yogurt* and other dairy products, insects, and mushrooms are dietary sources of Vitamin D. Sunlight or full-spectrum light also provide Vit D.

7. Healthy Treats. Cereals like All-Bran, Cheerios, and Total are great treats--they are fortified with lots of vitamins and minerals. Other healthy treats include: avocado, cucumber, cherries, romaine lettuce, strawberry, broccoli, apricot, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, cantaloupe, summer squash, seedless raisins, pumpkin, zucchini, alfalfa sprouts, peach, asparagus, banana, sweet potatoes, fresh corn

8. Natural Foods. Acorns, magnolia cones, pine cones, branch tips, mushrooms, purslane, and dandelion greens can be gathered and given as part of the diet.

9. Nuts—Two per day, preferably in the shell.
Ripe brown acorns**, whole roasted pumpkin seeds, and almonds are the healthiest nuts. Hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, English walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and peanuts are next.

10. Something to Chew On. Antlers, tree branches, and cuttlebones provide vitamins, minerals, and keep teeth from overgrowing. All squirrels need to gnaw!


Most important!
Natural sunlight (1 hour per day in an outdoor cage) or a full-spectrum light (FSL) indoors (8 hrs per day) is essential for calcium absorption to prevent MBD, which can be fatal.

Foods to Avoid
Cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seed kernals, and pine nuts (very high in phosphorus and will cause calcium loss). Also corn, seed mixes, and granola. Artificial sweeteners like Nutra-Sweet or aspartame.

*All yogurt should be low-fat, plain or fruit flavored; no artificial sweeteners (Nutra-Sweet or aspartame)
**Can be gathered green; they will ripen inside.