Tips for weight loss?

[Snicker Bar]

I’ve joked about plus size Dandies, but truly it’s not funny anymore. I had hoped by keeping a steady flow of new, big climbing branches, a dig box , etc. she would trim up a bit. But she has gotten HUGE. I tried to get an actual weight but she’s scared of the scale( like most women). Snickers is fit and trim. Doodles is a bit pudgy, but even she with her neuro issues, is more active than my one eyed girl. She basically gets up, looks at the food, selects a few things, and goes to her perch. And sits. All day. Their diet is HHB’s, (adult and wild bites)- she rarely eats any, sugar snap peas, a portion of mixed greens that contain carrots, broccoli, cauliflower,and small amounts of fruit and sweet potato ( only offer in evening after other has been out all day). I check her night nest ( hammock) and there are no secret stashes . If there are leftovers I gather them. She and Doodles are full-time outdoor girls , on our porch /squirrel room. I have a large cage ( a double critter nation ). I wondered if I should bring her in for awhile, to feed separately? And then allow her out to play, either inside or outside? She’s NEVER played inside. She and Doodles basically grew up in this room , so I never had a need to cage them or bring them in. They’ve acclimated to the temps. But I also wondered, if she would be more active in the house, with climate control? I worry about diabetes, or simply just dying too young from obesity.

[Diggie's Friend]

Some squirrels are lazy. To support increased activity place foods like boiled peas, ranched insect source pieces, and other sources around her habitat, as this will encourage her to forage for the whole foods if you feed them this way first.

Don't feed sweet potatoes as they are high I carbs. Instead, feed her baked squash (1 Tsp.) daily; this source is lower in carbs by comparison. Cut back on the rodent block, and instead add a sufficient replacement amount of the vitamin/mineral mix from HHB, that you can add to 1 Tsp. of Stonyfield plain creamy non fat organic yogurt; split feed the mixture AM & PM.

[Snicker Bar]

Lazy is the word, just sits ! I may also try acclimating her to our bedroom that is attached to porch, and see if she would enjoy exploring inside some. They generally panic when we bring them in ( only for tornado alerts).

[Diggie's Friend]

I would consider trying Organika liquid Pycnogenol; it has been found to increase energy and activity level.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...28#post1270728

Pycnogenol has also been found to promote bone mineralization,

and counter the effects of high blood sugar and insulin resistance.

Magnesium citrate also has been key in support bone health.

Recommended sources, doses, and links to these products:

https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Magn.../dp/B000UYC3MY

[Crystal]

My girl weighs 1.14 and the vet says she could use to lose a few pounds also. She has been battling seizures and an ear infection so I figured that may be why she is not as active. She is inside in a lot so I am not sure if that will help they energy level. But I too am currently seeking out advice as well. I will keep you posted on what I find out. Good Luck!

[cava]

I would make her work for treats and favorites like putting them in a treats ball and let her use some energy getting them out. In a toilet paper roll, a box, etc.

I put a piece of walnut in a soft plastic cup with soft lid and Sylvia has been tossing that thing around for days, even though she could use her teeth to pull the lid off easily but until she figures it out it's enrichment and exercise.

May be make the food some place they have to climb or move to get to.

I make Sylvia's boo balls out of HT blocks, coconut oil and bb food. I started looking at the carbs in certain baby foods and they have a range. Consider the amount of daily carbs she is getting.

[Diggie's Friend]

That is exactly how our fox squirrels were, picky and overweight, one of which was super pudgy! We found it very hard to get our fox squirrels to reduce in weight due to their low level of activity, but then we didn't measure foods.

Good idea to create a challenge to see the nut and not get it, just make sure she can't get it at this point, so then she will keep trying.

To reduce weight begin by measuring the foods; Norpro mini Tsp. available on Ebay.

This is what supported an obese gray squirrel that was formerly porky and needed a scoob bra to lose 175 grams,

whose weight now remains steady within 10 grams, and is very active.


1 Tsp. of shelled and chopped walnuts, or pecans.

1 Tsp. baked squash

Tree fruit choice 1/2 Tsp. daily

Huckleberries 2 Tsp. daily.

Ground mushroom powder (Chanterelle from Oregon Mushroom) 1/4 Tsp. daily in yogurt

Organic Lowfat yogurt (unsweetened) 1 (1/2 Tsp.)

Add chia oil 3 drops , & coconut oil 2 drops (1 drop equals [1/64 Tsp.] (drop measure).

Feed baby lettuces, arugula, escarole, chicory leaves, mizuna, kale, blanched for up to 1 (1/2) min.

For the heavier mature greens: Asian cabbages, Turnip Greens, and Headed cabbages 5 to 10 minutes.

Recommend doing test boils of these foods as to not over boil them where the leaves turn to green glop.

Tree Fruit 1/2 Tsp. Fox squirrels tend to like tree fruits more than berries.

The mountain huckleberry is a good option for a picky eater; 2 Tsp.

The coast huckleberry may not be appealing as it is more tart; when sweetened it makes a tasty holiday pie!

2 Tsp. of boiled peas split fed AM and PM daily. See if you can teach her to get up on the scale using these as a reward.