What is the Best Food to Feed a Pet Squirrel?
If you want to know what to feed your pet squirrel, you can find the answer in this article. It is not recommended that you give your squirrel food that contains toxic ingredients. Besides, the natural instincts of a squirrel will help it to avoid dangerous substances. It will never eat poisonous plants. So, you can feed it healthy food and not worry about putting it to harm. However, it is advisable not to feed it too much of one kind of food.
Nuts
The best food to feed a pet squirrel is nuts. Squirrels are opportunists and they will go after the nut you throw, whether it is on the ground or on your hand. This is a rewarding experience, and you can also try to train your squirrel to eat the nut from your hand by throwing it in front of it. Nuts will attract squirrels and they will continue to come back for more.
While squirrels love nuts, they are not particularly fond of corn and sunflower seeds. Peanuts are a much better option for a squirrel’s diet. The problem is that squirrels can develop MBD, a disease that weakens their bones. This disease is common amongst rehabilitated wild animals, so you’ll have to choose wisely. Nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables will provide a balanced diet for your pet squirrel.
Fruits
Squirrels like fruits, especially during summer and fall. The natural sugars in fruits help squirrels gain weight in preparation for the winter and provide energy for foraging. In the wild, squirrels can climb trees because of their balance and claws. They also love berries and other fruity treats. Besides fruits, squirrels also love eating insects, such as caterpillars and larvae.
If you’ve ever fed your own pet squirrel, you know that fruit is its favorite food. Fruits provide natural energy to the squirrel and also prevent them from getting too much calcium. However, make sure not to feed your pet squirrel too much fruit as it can prevent it from absorbing calcium from the food. Squirrels also love bananas, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, figs, and strawberries.
Bananas contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting vitamins. Bananas also contain vitamin A, B-carotene, and magnesium. Bananas are a great source of potassium and other essential nutrients. Banana peels can be part of a squirrel’s diet, but should not be a main source of food. A medium banana contains around 1.5 grams of fiber and three grams of sugar.
Cheese
If you’ve ever wondered which food is best to feed your pet squirrel, you’re not alone. In fact, many pet squirrels actually prefer cheese to other foods. Most types of cheese are good sources of fat, and squirrels don’t seem to mind at all about what you’re eating. Moreover, you can offer your pet any leftover cheese from your kitchen or refrigerator. Cheese savories, leftover pizza, and discarded cheese sandwiches will be readily accepted by your pet.
Besides cheese, other healthy foods include antlers, tree branches, and sea shells. A walnut-sized rock also provides trace minerals. A cuttlebone, hung on a cage side, is also good for your pet squirrel. Avoid giving your squirrel packaged foods, pet treats, or processed foods containing artificial sweeteners. Rather, try to make your pet squirrel’s diet as healthy as possible with natural and organic ingredients.
Rodent blocks
Typically, a healthy adult squirrel will require a diet that consists of about half rodent blocks, forty percent monkey chow, and twenty percent fruits and seeds. If you’re unsure which type of food to feed your pet squirrel, consider purchasing rodent blocks. This product is complete and contains all of the essential nutrients your pet needs to thrive. You can feed your squirrel as many as two or three rodent blocks a day, but it’s best to introduce them at a younger age to avoid rejection.
Henry’s Healthy Squirrel Blocks are the perfect food for a pet squirrel. They are fresh-baked and packed with nuts and whole grains. The blocks provide all of the nutrients your squirrel needs to grow and stay healthy. You should supplement these rodent blocks with a variety of fresh vegetables, wild foods, and limited treats to ensure a balanced diet. It’s important to note that these blocks can be hard to digest so make sure you check your squirrel’s nutrition information before introducing them to new foods.
What is the best food to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 1: The best food to feed a pet squirrel is a diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar.
What are some of the best foods to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 2: Some of the best foods to feed a pet squirrel include: vegetables fruits nuts seeds and bugs.
What is the best way to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 3: The best way to feed a pet squirrel is to provide a variety of foods from each food group.
This will help ensure that your squirrel gets the nutrients it needs.
What are some of the best vegetables to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 4: Some of the best vegetables to feed a pet squirrel include: carrots celery green beans and peas.
What are some of the best fruits to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 5: Some of the best fruits to feed a pet squirrel include: apples bananas berries and melon.
What are some of the best nuts to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 6: Some of the best nuts to feed a pet squirrel include: almonds hazelnuts peanuts and walnuts.
What are some of the best seeds to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 7: Some of the best seeds to feed a pet squirrel include: sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.
What are some of the best bugs to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 8: Some of the best bugs to feed a pet squirrel include: ants beetles and caterpillars.
How often should you feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 9: You should feed a pet squirrel once or twice a day.
How much food should you feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 10: You should feed a pet squirrel a handful of food per day.
What happens if you don’t feed a pet squirrel enough?
Answer 11: If you don’t feed a pet squirrel enough it may become malnourished.
What happens if you feed a pet squirrel too much?
Answer 12: If you feed a pet squirrel too much it may become obese.
What are some of the health risks of feeding a pet squirrel the wrong food?
Answer 13: Some of the health risks of feeding a pet squirrel the wrong food include: malnutrition obesity and digestive problems.
How can you tell if a pet squirrel is getting the right nutrition?
Answer 14: You can tell if a pet squirrel is getting the right nutrition if it is active and has a healthy coat.
What should you do if you are unsure about what to feed a pet squirrel?
Answer 15: If you are unsure about what to feed a pet squirrel you should consult with a veterinarian.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
