10/9/08

Adult Squirrel Diet

I'm not going to confuse you with endless explanations and recommendations. Instead I made a simple list for you to look over fast.


Rodent Block:
Daily Recommendation: 2 - 4 small blocks
Recommended brands:

  • Harlan Teklad Rodent Diets
  • KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice

Vegetables that are High in Calcium
Daily Recommendation: 5-7 small pieces

  • beet greens
  • endive
  • carrots
  • celery
  • chicory
  • chinese cabbage
  • cilantro
  • chrysanthemum flowers
  • collard greens
  • dandelion greens
  • escarole
  • fennel
  • kale
  • lettuce
  • mustard
  • spinach
  • parsley
  • radicchio
  • radishes
  • romaine lettuce
  • squash
  • turnip greens
  • watercress

Healthy Vegetables
Daily Recommendation: 2-3 small pieces

  • asparagus
  • artichokes
  • bell peppers
  • broccoli
  • brussels sprouts
  • cabbage
  • carnations
  • cauliflower
  • cucumber
  • green beans
  • okra
  • peas
  • pumpkin
  • squash
  • sweet potato
  • zucchini.

Wild and Natural Foods:
Daily Recommendation: unlimited while in season.

  • magnolia cones
  • pine cones
  • pine branches
  • pine bark
  • branch tips
  • roses
  • purslane
  • plaintain
  • dandelion greens
  • whatever the wild squirrels outside in your neighborhood are eating is what's natural to their diet. Be careful while gathering them and rule out that the area hasn't been treated with pesticides.

Animal Protein:

  • live or dried mealworms
  • crickets
  • live moths
  • hard-boiled eggs
  • cheese
  • plain yogurt

Fruits:
Daily Recommendation: 2 slices

  • apple
  • apricot
  • bananas
  • blackberries
  • blueberries
  • cantaloupe
  • cherries
  • crabapples
  • cranberries
  • grapefruit
  • grapes
  • honeydew
  • kiwi
  • kumquats
  • lemon
  • lime
  • mangos
  • oranges
  • nectarines
  • papaya
  • passion fruit
  • peaches
  • pears
  • pineapple
  • pomegranates
  • raspberries
  • strawberries
  • watermelon

Nuts and Seeds:
Daily Recommendation: 2 nuts, still in shell.

  • acorns
  • almonds
  • hazelnuts
  • macadamia nuts
  • pecans
  • pistachios
  • peanuts
  • roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds
  • sesame seeds (high in calcium)
  • walnuts

Something to Chew On:

  • antlers
  • tree branches
  • sea shells
  • cuttlebone

CAUTION: SOME SEEDS AND PITS CAN BE TOXIC

FOODS TO AVOID:
  • all dried vegetables or fruits
  • avocados (high in fat, toxic skin and pits)
  • pototato sprouts
  • garlic
  • onions
  • palm hearts
  • fresh or dried corn
  • yams
  • figs
  • fruit juice
  • plums
  • prunes
  • raisins
  • cashew nuts
  • sunflower seeds
  • pine nuts (will cause calcium loss)
  • commercial squirrel food at stores, pet treats, seed mixes
  • pasta
  • bread
  • sugary foods such as candy, cookies, sodas, sweetened yogurt, candy nuts, sweetened breakfast cereals, chocolate etc
  • junk foods, chips, crackers, anything salted
  • artificial sweeteners or any food items that contain them.