Obese babies

[Jennefer]

Since im here tonight getting help for a friends squirrel, figured i post pics of my guys....who are 4.5 mons old...2 boys & a girl...Sage, Sammy & Sunni. They are in the release cage now & have atleast 3 more weeks before the door opens up. They are REALLY obese....it seems like they just blew up (or im used to them & now seeing that they could litterally swallow a wild squirrel whole). They eat very well....still on FV 20/50 2x a day, full fat yogurt, lots of veggies & a few fruits, coconut oil on henrys blocks. And avacados. They are avacado junkies. No nuts. Ive cut out the coconut oil. Yougurt once a day instead of 2x. Trimmed back on the avocado. Still get it but not as much. Anything else i can do to trim them up? I dont want to take formula away since its their calcium source. They ate active most of the day...always moving around. Ugh...im afraid to release them so chunky. Thoughts or ideas? Or is it good for them to have some extra lbs for winter? Im in florida...so winter is 80s in day & maybe 60s at night. And florida grays are smaller than other parts of the country.

[Mel1959]

I wouldn’t worry about them being overweight. In fact, I prefer the guys that I’m raising to be chubby. I have limited experience with releasing squirrels, but what I have noticed is that as soon as they spend any time in the release cage they tend to lose weight. I think there are multiple factors, they have lots more area to jump and exercise, everything is new and a little scary so they don’t initially venture out to the food dish as readily, and they just seem to go off their feed and not eat as much as when they’re inside.

I have always given my little ones a 50/50 mix of Fox Valley 20/50 and Ultraboost in an attempt to get them to put on weight.

I wouldn’t worry. I bet when they are in the RC for a few weeks you’ll see a marked change in their weight.

[Jennefer]

Hi Mel!! I sure hope they slim down in there!! Sometimes they loose their grip & have hard time pulling themselves up. I didnt realize how chunky they were til i saw some wilds on the cage next to them!! im gonna switch to low fat yougurt & keep the avacado to a minimum & see if that helps.

[cava]

Low fat foods contain more sugar. Fat is natural and healthy. It's the time of year when most animals put on weight. I asked this same question with my first two babies, I thought they were huge. They can eat less and lose weight in a matter of days. Continue to feed healthy natural foods and limit quantity but don't cut out the quality.

[island rehabber]

Low fat foods contain more sugar. Fat is natural and healthy. It's the time of year when most animals put on weight. I asked this same question with my first two babies, I thought they were huge. They can eat less and lose weight in a matter of days. Continue to feed healthy natural foods and limit quantity but don't cut out the quality.

I agree with cava -- don't use low-fat yogurt and don't worry about the chubbies. They will slim down easily and, in fact, after a week in the release cage you'll be alarmed that they "look skinny" all of a sudden.

[Jennefer]

Ok will do! Thanks for the advice! Maybe its b/c im seeing them right next to wild squirrels....these guys are 2+ a wild squee. They do like to eat!! Its all heathy stuff so i will keep doing what im doing!!