Flying Squirrel Diet

[Nan]

I have been rehabbing squirrels for years, including flyers, but want to add some new options for their diet, once they are weaned. I saw Anne had posted a diet, but can't find her original post -- lots of responses, though. How do I get to Anne's Diet?

[FlyingEmily]

If you go to the breed specific section and choose flying squirrels the healthy diet thread is there. It's under the general flying squirrel section.

[farrelli]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ying-Squirrels

[Kattm]

When I click the link it says I don’t have access and I don’t see it when looking from the home page. Do I need to apply for the flying squirrel page access?

[TomahawkFlyers]

Here you go:

Thanks to Anne, MiriamS and Mrs Skul (Christal) we have the latest, most highly recommended Diet for pet flyers. Thank you ladies for your hard work on this very important subject ,

Healthy Diet for Pet Flying Squirrels

Your pet needs a balanced diet containing the right amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet should include the following, provided fresh on a daily basis:

• A variety of healthy vegetables and fruits
• Wild foods from outside
• A source of protein
• A source of calcium
• Treats (not necessary to provide daily)

Vegetables: These add fiber, fresh vitamins, and micronutrients. Variety is key! Don't let your pet get hooked on just one veggie.

• arugula (Rocket)
• asparagus
• avocado (important for fur health)
• bok choy
• broccoli rabe (rapini)
• brussel sprouts
• cabbage
• carrots*
• canola/rapeseed
• cauliflower
• celery
• chayote
• cherry tomato
• chicory
• Chinese cabbage (gai-lan)
• cilantro, fresh
• collard greens
• cucumber
• dandelion greens
• daikon
• endive
• escarole
• fennel
• field pepperwood
• flowering cabbage
• garden cress
• green beans
• kale (important source of calcium)
• kohlrabi
• lettuce (all kinds)
• maca
• mushrooms (all kinds) (important source of Vitamin D)
• mustard greens
• okra
• parsley (fresh)
• pumpkin*
• purslane
• radicchio
• radishes
• rhubarb
• romaine
• radicchio
• radishes
• romaine
• tatsoi
• snow peas
• soybeans
• squash, winter*
• squash, yellow*
• sugar snap peas
• sweet potato*
• Swiss chard
• watercress
• zucchini

*items marked with asterisks * are either high in sugar or have high concentrations of minerals or vitamins and should be fed sparingly


Fruits:

• apple
• apricot
• banana*
• blackberries
• blueberries
• cantaloupe
• cherries (sour and sweet*)
• cranberries
• grapefruit
• grapes*
• honeydew
• kiwi
• kumquat
• lemon
• lime
• mango*
• nectarine
• oranges
• papaya
• peach
• pear
• pineapple
• pomegranate*
• raspberries
• strawberries
• tomato*
• watermelon

*items marked with asterisks * are either high in sugar or have high concentrations of minerals or vitamins and should be fed sparingly


Wild Foods: These provide extra nutrients, amusement and exercise. Before you feed an unfamiliar wild food, always make sure it's not toxic! Do not use flowers from a florist because they are often treated with unhealthy chemicals

Safe plants and flowers:

• bottlebrush flowers
• camelia
• carnations
• chrysanthemums
• clover (red and white)
• crabapples
• daisies
• dandelion greens
• hibiscus (all parts)
• lambs quarters
• magnolia cones
• marigold
• maple seeds
• moss rose
• natal plum
• petunia
• plantain
• primrose
• purslane
• roses
• rose hips
• wood sorrel

Safe Trees (branches):

• apple
• aspen
• birch
• black walnut
• bottlebrush
• cherry
• dogwood
• hickory
• locust
• magnolia
• maple
• mulberry (all parts)
• oak
• orange
• palm nuts & fronds (NOT the cycads: sago palm, cardboard palm, etc. are deadly)
• pine cones
• pear
• pine (3-needle and 5-needle pines)
• poplar
• portulaca
• raintree
• spruce
• torenia
• walnut

Protein: An important source of protein, grubs or insects must be included in a flyer’s daily diet. Sprinkle calcium powder on insects to reach a proper calcium/phosphorus balance.

• cicadas
• crickets
• egg (hardboiled)
• grasshoppers
• grubs
• mealworms
• moths
• waxworms

Calcium: A must for preventing metabolic bone disease

• calcium powder (sprinkled on fruit)
• cheeses (shredded, small pieces, cream)
• cuttlebone (sold at pet stores for birds)
• deer antler
• Fox Valley formula (can be fed to adults) (as powder or liquid)
• sour cream
• yogurt (plain)

Tooth health food: Thesehelp keep teeth worn down.

• chicken bones (cooked)
• deer antlers (often available on ebay)
• rocks (cleaned)
• sea shells
• tree branches (see wild foods)

Rodent blocks: Offered as a supplemental food and NOT a main food.

• Harland Tekland 2018
• Henry’s Healthy Blocks Flyer Formula

• Mazuri - rat and mouse blocks (blue bag)
  KayTee FortiDiet - rat, mouse and hamster blocks

Treats: These fun foods can help with bonding, but should always be fed in small amounts.

• nuts and seeds
• dried fruits (raisins, cherries, banana chips etc.)
• A box of clean dirt provides exercise, enrichment, surprises to chew on and minute amounts of trace minerals.

Treats: Nuts/Seeds/Grains: To be given in small amounts as treats, no more than two a day.

• almonds
• black walnuts
• Brazil nuts
• chestnuts
• flax seed
• hazelnuts (filberts)
• oats (raw/dry/unflavored/unsweetened)
• pecans
• pine nuts
• pumpkin seeds
• safflower seeds
• sesame seeds
• soy nuts
• squash seeds
• walnuts

Last edited by stepnstone; 10-17-2015 at 06:24 PM.