Vitamin D question

[Jenna]

Hey, all!

I'm new to squirrels and still obsessively researching...

Our house doesn't really get direct sunlight anywhere, and I'm worried about Rocky getting enough vitamin D, especially since I know they need it for calcium absorption. Can I supplement it? I take Vit. D in little capsules that I can pierce and give him a drop of, but
1. I don't know the dosage for a wee one
2. The carrier base is soybean oil, and I know that's not good for them

The rest of his diet is about 80% Teklad block 2018 (which he loves) and 20% other stuff (mostly veggies) off the nutrition lists here.

Any advice?

Current photo for tax. He's a little over 3 months, now, and starting to self-wean.

Jenna

[Charley Chuckles]

Do you use healthy Henry's block? It's what I use.

[Spanky]

I take Vit. D in little capsules that I can pierce and give him a drop of, but

Direct sunlight induces our bodies... and squirrels.. to produce vitamin D. The Teklad and veggies you are feeding should have adequate amounts of vitamin D to meet the requirements of your squirrel. And if Rocky is still taking formula, I am confident he has all the vitamin D he needs!!!

I would strongly discourage attempting to give vitamin D as described from a capsule intended for a human; Vitamin D is actually used as an rodentcide since an overdose of vitamin D can be lethal.

Sunlight is great for a lot of reasons beyond causing the production of Vitamin D, so be sure to continue to let Rocky enjoy sunlit rooms!

[Jenna]

No, he's on Teklad block and I supplement with fresh food. I'm worried that if he's on Teklad and HHB it'll be a vitamin overload.

J

[Jenna]

Direct sunlight induces our bodies... and squirrels.. to produce vitamin D. The Teklad and veggies you are feeding should have adequate amounts of vitamin D to meet the requirements of your squirrel. And if Rocky is still taking formula, I am confident he has all the vitamin D he needs!!!

I would strongly discourage attempting to give vitamin D as described from a capsule intended for a human; Vitamin D is actually used as an rodentcide since an overdose of vitamin D can be lethal.

Sunlight is great for a lot of reasons beyond causing the production of Vitamin D, so be sure to continue to let Rocky enjoy sunlit rooms!

Yipe! I will definitly avoid giving him human vitamin D; thank you!

We don't get direct sunlight in our place (the windows are at the wrong angles and we're surrounded by trees). Do you think the Teklad and veggies are still enough for his vit. D?

Thank you!

Jenna

[Spanky]

We don't get direct sunlight in our place (the windows are at the wrong angles and we're surrounded by trees). Do you think the Teklad and veggies are still enough for his vit. D?

Yes. And you mention he is still taking formula, so there is also an excellent source of D.

Are you planning to release Rocky?

[Jenna]

Yes. And you mention he is still taking formula, so there is also an excellent source of D.

Are you planning to release Rocky?

That was the original plan, but then he became fearless of the cats and the dog, and he's an invasive species, and now he leaps at people for attention. >.> There is a squirrel refuge we consider on and off, if we can't give him the life he needs, but I'm not sure they'll take an invasive species, either.

Jenna

[Diggie's Friend]

Just looking at their webpage, it features an E. Gray Squirrel, along with an American Red Squirrel, and Western chipmunk. Although releasing non native species to this region is prohibited; not on "Squirrel Refuge".

https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/