The squirrel’s diet is an attempt to restore natural squirrel food. As we know, life is getting harder and the food they eat is often not a good food for them. Maybe you’ve seen squirrels eat donuts. Maybe you’ve also seen squirrels eat candy. Is food safe for them? Of course not.
Squirrels sometimes live near humans. They live in tall trees that may also be in urban forests near your home. This fact often makes squirrels eat human food too. Indeed, there are some human foods that can be eaten by squirrels but not all human food can be eaten by squirrels.
Squirrels are grain-eating animals. Their main food is of course seeds and nuts. Whatever type of bean can be eaten by squirrels. To balance the vitamin intake, it doesn’t mean they don’t consume anything other than nuts. Bean do contain vitamin and some substances that are needed by squirrels, but not all of them are fulfilled only with beans. Here are some of the right amount of nutrients for squirrels while on a diet.
Protein is one of all substances that can increase energy. For squirrel that live and move from one tree to another, protein will increase their energy to move between trees. Sources of protein include soybeans. Pulses are known as the main protein source.
Apart from protein, nuts also contain fat. The fat in the squirrel’s body will be burned into energy, but if overgrown it will become a squirrel overweight.
Carbohydrates also support energy in squirrels other than protein and fat. In addition to energy sources, carbohydrates are also beneficial for their growth. Their hair growth also depends on good carbohydrate intake.
Fiber is also needed by squirrels to facilitate their digestion. The main source of fiber is of course from vegetables.
Vitamins function as builders of the immune system in squirrels so that they are not susceptible to disease. Low Immune due to unhealthy foods or unfriendly weather also provides an opportunity for diseases to enter their bodies. Protecting themselves with a multivitamin will be better.
Minerals are needed by squirrels to supplement their vitamin needs. The main source of minerals is salt, but can also be found in other sources such as water.
Some Tips
Rodent block is a type of ready food for rodents. This food is often eaten not only by squirrel but also other rodents such as mice and hamsters. Unfortunately, most squirrels will not eat rodent block if they are not familiar with this food since they were young. If you start with orphaned squirrel, start feeding them with rodent blocks during the weaning process. Don’t give bean or nuts until the squirrel wants to eat the rodent block. Nuts can be given if only in small quantities.
Remember when the main source of fiber is vegetables, and then vegetables must also be eaten by squirrels. For dosing problems, give them just a little.
As a source of vitamins, squirrel must also eat fruit. Fruit also contains water that can be used as a reserve for squirrels. When winter comes and the water becomes frozen, the water content in the fruit will not freeze so they still get a supply of water even though it is not tasteless water. Just like vegetables, squirrels also only need to consume a little fruit.
As a main food, of course squirrels may consume nuts and seed. Mixing several types of beans to get a multivitamin will be better. Different nuts will provide different multivitamins so it will make the more diverse vitamins. That would be good for the nutritional needs of squirrels.
Wild animals will eat whatever food they want. This food will become their habit as if they cannot eat other things that are still similar to the food they eat. In fact, balance is the key to adequate nutritional needs in the body. Changing their habits with the aim of healthy them is a good thing. In modern times where a lot of waste and chemicals out there will make wild animals exposed to substances that can damage their health, so does their food.