Calcium Propionate ?

[BigNibbler]

Is calcium propionate bad for squirrels ?

Can they metabolize some calcium from it? What problems does it cause - because it seems like one of the less dangerous preservatives used in foods.

MySquirrel LOVES my custom made blocks so much - that she is now - jumping all about most eager to hide them, before I snatch up yesterday's older blocks to feed my outdoor friends, while giving her new fresh ones from the fridge.

When I first started experimenting with my own blocks... I had planned on using Calcium Propionate - as I found that they were getting moldy with a few days of being hidden. But then to encourage and monitor her consumption, I made sure to hand feed her multiple times a day... as well as recycling them to the outdoor buddies.

But the fact is she will eat more, if she has them spread about the room. In fact one of the best ways for he to eat more I find, is my simply proffering them to her repeatedly through the day... and having 6-8 larger blocks, scattered here and there, means her being enticed to nibble a bit with each of her status checks and investigations into what and where they be.

SO - now that her recipe is not ever changing and that I know she likes them as is, I am thinking it is time to resume using a preservative and Calcium Propionate seems both nutritious and safe. Is it not ?

I am asking this now, because just today she grabbed a large triple sized block and rushed all about - finally hiding it under a pile of clothes.
No good it if goes bad.

Any ideas on this ?

[Charley Chuckles]

I know nothing about calcium propionate , I use healthy Henny blocks and they have no preservatives. I only feed 2 a day and my kids eat them imidiatly 🤷
Also I keep mine in freezer, sometimes I let defrost for a little while sometimes I feed them frozen. Either way they are a hit 👍