9 Week fox squirrel, already sort of weening?
Hello,
My question is relating to pacing of weening.
She was an 'aggressive' formula eater until a couple of days ago, and she has steadily declined in formula intake at 9 weeks.
She seems to take formula in the morning, then a few hours later destroys a Henry's Healthy Block. Then I offer her some veggies through the day which she seems to be incredibly interested in consuming. (Bok Choy, Lettuce, Broccoli) I limit her carrot intake to just a tiny chunk every few days, and she loves those as well. She is doing well chewing on Maple tree branches and other things, and seems to like her cuttle.
Today was a bit alarming to me, but I am pretty paranoid about her health. She seemed to largely reject formula after the big morning formula feeding, and focus almost entirely on that Henry's block and the veggies/sticks through the rest of the day. I offer formula and she looks away from it. (LOL) Is this a bit early for her to start the self weening process or are we OK with this? Should I make any alterations? I am trying to ensure she loves the Healthy Blocks - and she really seems to have caught on to them, with a few added veggies here and there later in the day.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting her to start the process of what appears to be self weening at approximately 9 weeks?
Thoughts? Thanks!
Re: 9 Week fox squirrel, already sort of weening?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sadachara
Hello,
My question is relating to pacing of weening.
She was an 'aggressive' formula eater until a couple of days ago, and she has steadily declined in formula intake at 9 weeks.
She seems to take formula in the morning, then a few hours later destroys a Henry's Healthy Block. Then I offer her some veggies through the day which she seems to be incredibly interested in consuming. (Bok Choy, Lettuce, Broccoli) I limit her carrot intake to just a tiny chunk every few days, and she loves those as well. She is doing well chewing on Maple tree branches and other things, and seems to like her cuttle.
Today was a bit alarming to me, but I am pretty paranoid about her health. She seemed to largely reject formula after the big morning formula feeding, and focus almost entirely on that Henry's block and the veggies/sticks through the rest of the day. I offer formula and she looks away from it. (LOL) Is this a bit early for her to start the self weening process or are we OK with this? Should I make any alterations? I am trying to ensure she loves the Healthy Blocks - and she really seems to have caught on to them, with a few added veggies here and there later in the day.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting her to start the process of what appears to be self weening at approximately 9 weeks?
Thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Sadachara:
It would be extremely unlikely that weaning would be completed at 9 weeks but the process of weaning may very well begin or be going on at 9 weeks. Afterall, weaning is a process that often takes until 16 or beyond to reach the point where your Squirrel has definitively stopped the formula. Also, weaning should be controlled by the Squirrel and if formula is continued to be offered (as it should be especially if the baby is under the age of 14-16 weeks), your Squirrel may gulp it down enthusiastically one day and look askance at it the next! At only 9 weeks of age, I would suggest that you continue to offer the formula per schedule!
It is very good that your Squirrel accepts and likes the Henry's Blocks (I hope I am making the correct assumption and that is that when you say he "destroys" a Henry's Block; what you mean is that he eagerly consumes it and not that he chews it up and throws the shredded block around his cage without eating much or any of it) as quality Blocks such as Henry's, Envigo, Mazuri, and Oxbow should be the primary food beyond formula. It sounds as if you are making the transition into weaning well and properly! I would like to suggest that you continue as you are doing in the morning with formula and a Henry's Block. I would also suggest giving another Henry's block in the early afternoon and then the healthy vegetables and natural foods later. IF your Squirrel will eat 2 Henry's blocks (lets say in the morning after formula and again in the early afternoon) daily and actually consuming them and not just shredding a significant portion of them; she will be getting FULL nutritional support which also includes enough Calcium and a proper Calcium to Phosphorus ratio to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease! All of the rest of the food beyond just these 2 (or at the most 3) Henry's Blocks is for satiety (feeling full), variation of diet as most Squirrels (and people) prefer this and becoming familiar with some of the natural foods he will have available when he is released. Note also that if you decide to use one of the other quality Blocks instead of Henry's, these are free-fed (give as much as your Squirrel will eat). This is unlike Henry's which is a highly concentrated Block and the limits for an "average" size Squirrel should be limited to 2 and at the most 3 per day!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel
Re: 9 Week fox squirrel, already sort of weening?
Thanks for the reply Sam.
It does appear to be a fluke she turned away from the formula that one day. But what I notice is she seems to like the formula in the morning and evening, but loves eating the blocks during the morning hours and usually before dinner, in combination later with some the veggies. So I think she is doing well, and just filling her belly up with the other good stuff and 'tapering' formula.
She really does seem to enjoy the Henry's blocks, which is good news!
I was a little worried when she looked at the formula, and made an almost 'Meh, that's gross' and turned away. Ahahah
