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Should I Feed My Squirrel Avocado?

5/28/2013

51 Comments

 
Picture
The short answer is a resounding "YES!"

There is a lot of controversy out there in Squirrel Care Land about whether you should feed squirrels Avocado. If you believe what you read on "The Squirrel Board" about feeding Avocado, you'll get all nervous about certain people's uninformed warning about not giving your squirrels too much Avocado because, after all, it's loaded with saturated fat!

Let's clear the air right now about this saturated fat controversy. You can eat all the saturated fats you want, in their natural form, and not cause a blip on your lipid profile, ( except to bring your lipids into the right balance.) Also, eating saturated fats in their natural form will not cause you to gain weight! Take a close look at Ariel above. She is ready to move to our release cage. She has been fed two large chunks of Avocado every day since she was weaned last Fall. Does she look overweight? On the contrary, she is sleek and trim and an ideal weight for a squirrel her size.

The secret to Saturated Fat consumption is to make sure you consume them in their natural form! The fat contained in Avocados is loaded with all the good Omega Fatty Acids that are needed for growth, development and maintenance of body tissues. The problem comes when Saturated Fats are hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a process whereby oils in their natural state are subjected to an electrical process where two nickel electrodes are placed in a vat containing the oil, and then electrified. A byproduct of this procedure is hydrogen gas which bubbles up through the oil. The effect of this gas upon the oil is that it destroys all the Essential Fatty Acids, (aka the Omega Fatty Acids.) Essential Fatty Acids, ( as the name implies,) are essential. They are essential for good health. So, why would anyone want to destroy something that is good and essential?

I'm glad you asked! The reason companies hydrogenate their oils is because the essential fatty acids are very fragile and break down very rapidly. When EFA's break down, they cause the oil to go rancid. So, companies destroy what is good just so their product can sit on a store shelf for years without going rancid!

The real health kicker in all this is that the same Hydrogenation process that destroys Essential Fatty Acids, also creates a new and different fat called a "Transformed Fat" or Trans fat. This new, manmade fat is the real culprit in Coronary Artery Disease, but you can't get anybody to admit it. They all dance around the subject, and many products are showing up on Store shelves claiming to be "Trans Fat Free," but you won't see anybody doing anything about eliminating trans fats from processed oils because there is no other method of giving oil a long shelf life without hydrogenation. Eliminating all trans fats would destroy the vegetable oil industry.

The bottom line is, don't be afraid to feed your squirrels Saturated Fat in its natural form! They're not going to become obese, you are providing them an excellent form of energy, and the essential fatty acids they gain will ensure their good health!

51 Comments
Licia Macaluso
8/26/2013 05:46:58 am

Thanks Bill You just confirmed what I have suspected on Avocado. My Galileo has been eating Avocado since she was weaned and when I didn't have a job and was on food stamps Avocado was something I could buy for her to eat. I am working good again now and I still give her avocado. She loves it better than any other food. I think most squirrels know what their little bodies need. We should give them a little credit when there is something they like, especially if it is in it's natural form. I don't like giving her or the new baby any additives. Buy the way I just ordered the coconut oil and the vitamin E you suggested on DrugStore.com to put in little Sable Blacks milk

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Sandy
11/15/2013 10:52:34 pm

I have a year and a half old male who has had 1/3 of an avacado every day since he was weaned. All other fruits and vegetables he picks at but he finishes every bit of the avacado. He has always had thick ,soft shiny fur and no indication of any health issues. We have tried twice to release him and both times he came back injured in less than an hour. He now has an indoor residence for winter and runs free in the house with myself and my daughter...he doesn't like the guys for some reason. I also periodically give him a whole coconut. I gives him something to keep his teeth worn on and he loves the meat.

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William Sells link
11/16/2013 02:38:10 am

Hi Sandy!

Here's the reason your boy is getting beat-up when you try to release him: He has reached the age of sexual maturity and other males are trying to drive him out of their territory. The only way that will stop, is to have him neutered.

That's the reason he does not like guys also. He smells the testosterone that guys give off and it makes him defensive. I'm surprised he hasn't attacked and bitten some of the men around him. You better watch him close. Neutering would help that problem also, but since he has already established a pattern of association with that scent, there may be a carry-over. You really should try to find a Vet who will neuter him if you plan to keep him around!

Bill

can I feed my pigs with avocado peels from a cold pressing plant?
10/2/2013 03:14:45 pm

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William link
10/2/2013 06:10:05 pm

Peels and pits are supposed to be poisonous to squirrels. Don't know about pigs!.....Sorry!

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June link
5/22/2014 04:12:09 am

Are you saying that I should always peel the avocado? Did not know that. Thanks. June

Jamie Rowe
1/19/2014 06:25:58 am

This explains a lot. My trash can lid was broken off by the trash truck, and while waiting for a replacement we had a hard time keeping squirrels out of the can. When we finally got the lid those little buggers chewed a small hole on the side to get in. My family eats a ton of avocados and I always find the peels scattered around my can. I worried they would get sick but I guess the squirrels know better than me ha ha. I always throw veggie shavings and clippings in the yard for the squirrels, might as well just throw throw the avocado remnants too. Now, I need to figure out to patch my trash can lid.

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Carol Stierna
2/10/2014 08:03:04 am

Snowy/cold here; I keep my wild birds and squirrels "greased up" with natural peanut butter and avocadoes.

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William Sells link
2/10/2014 10:53:40 am

Good for you, Carol!

I'm sure your squirrels love you for it! And, you're giving them the right kinds of fat to help them stay warm and full of energy! Especially important at this time of year because birthing season is upon us!

My little girl, Lucky, will be six years old on March 7th, 2014. It doesn't seem possible that I found her naked little body laying in a snow drift with no signs of life that many years ago! That naked baby squirrel changed to course of my life, and I found my passion!

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Tina
11/29/2015 08:59:33 pm

Hi I have a flying squirrel I feed him a huge variety of things including henrys but it's so wonderful to see you have had one for six year I would like to know what your diet consist of. My little boy will be a year old Jan 6. I love him and want the very best for him.

Lillian
4/19/2014 05:50:56 am

Hey there I have been reading your blog about foods that are good for squirrels, there is a local squirrel that has become fond of me & eats out of my palm. I would like to know what is okay to feed the little guy. So far I have given him avocados but I'm not too sure which nuts, fruits & veggies are okay & wich are not. There is sooo much controversy on what is what. Ps the pet store sell bulks of peanuts mixed with dried corn for squirrels. I read your statement that said that is a huge no no so I lost on what is okay. Could you please clarify? This little guy seams to be a young adult.

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William Sells link
4/29/2014 03:27:17 am

Hi Lillian,

Sorry it took so long to get to this. My wife and I just got back from Massachusetts and trying to get her mother's estate settled. If you send me your e-mail address to SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com, I'll send you our food lists for squirrels plus recipes for our Nut Squares and Squirrel Biscuits which are food supplements that will provide the vitamins and daily calcium they need to prevent metabolic bone disease........Bill

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Kimbra
9/8/2014 05:25:35 am

Can I use Malacetic wipes on my girl squirrel, Peanut? I think she has ringworm. She is 2 years old and has been with me since she was about 3 days old. I had to tube feed her when she was little. She has a spot on her side with hair loss, very itchy but no crustiness to it. I am going to try the coconut and avocado today. Just wanted to clean it with these to help it along.

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William link
9/9/2014 12:32:36 pm

Hi Kimbra!
I'm not sure what Malacetic is, but if you think it is ringworm, why not put a little athletes foot cream like tolnaftate on it? If it is ringworm, that will get rid of it.

Bill

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Kimbra
12/2/2014 05:54:17 am

How much avocado can they have a day? Can they get to much?

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William link
12/2/2014 06:19:14 am

Hi Kimbra!

In the article, I mentioned that we fed Ariel,( the squirrel pictured,) two large chunks of avocado per day. We are referring to the avocado meat,( not the peeling, not the pit.) We cut across the avocado, and when necessary, around the pit and cut off a 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. We lay the piece flat, and cut it into quarters. One quarter of that slice, is a serving for our squirrels.

They are not always the same diameter, so if it is a smaller end piece, we may only cut it in half, and a half becomes a serving. If a squirrel wants it, they will eat it all. If they don't, they'll leave it.

Hope this helped!

Bill

Mary Jo
10/16/2014 08:55:05 am

Bill - this may be the dumbest question you ever received, but here goes: How to I prepare the avocado for them? Do I dice it up? I usually buy them ripe for myself, cut 'em in half & eat 'em w/a spoon. Obviously I can't do that for my little friends. Do I buy avocados not ripened yet & cut them up in squares? Thanks, Bill!

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Kimbra
12/9/2014 05:25:42 am

Thanks so much for your info. You have been very helpful. Her skin is also looking much better. Do you every use any flea prevention on them and if so what and how much. We go out on the porch in the spring, just want to make sure she doesn't get any form all the others that come to the porch that we feed. We raised them also, so they still think I am the momma. Thanks so much for your help.

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Chris
9/28/2015 06:47:10 am

How much avocado do you feed babies around 2-3 months old and when do you start to fatten them up before winter?

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William Sells link
9/28/2015 08:26:31 am

Hi Chris!

I just feed a couple pieces approx 1in x 1/2in x 1/2 in.Even though avocado is high in omega fats, it is metabolized to energy and not stored as fat tissue.

Bill

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Bonnie Williams
10/4/2015 01:49:41 pm

So funny! I rescued a little squirrel 2 weeks ago, he was furry, but his eyes were stilled closed, so I'm not sure how old he is, his eyes opened 2 to 3 days after I found him. Been feeding him coconut milk with baby oatmeal, then got the espilac. He absolutely loves bananas & avocado, throws his whole body at it & won't stop til it's gone. I'm glad to know they can eat that!

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Sara
11/10/2015 09:27:23 pm

Hey! I just found a baby squirrel. Furred. But eyes opened a few days ago. I think he's around 6 weeks old. I really have no clue how to wean him or do anything for him besides feed him his kitten supplement formula and love him endlessly and give him all my cuddles. He seems to be really fond of people and cries when you put him in his cage. Any and every squirrel tip will help me here!

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William Sells link
11/11/2015 02:36:49 pm

Hi Sara!

If you go to the home page of my website the clickable tabs at the top of the page contain one for squirrel formula and one that say "More." Click on that and the drop down menu has "Basic care of a Baby Squirrel," that will give you all the basics.

If the baby cries when you put it in the cage, it may be because it is cold or needing stimulated to go to the bathroom. Also, that can indicate loneliness, because it misses its siblings to cuddle with.

A snuggle buddy helps. A heating pad on low under half of it's bedding area make a warm environment for sleep. And a snuggle buddy is a small rice bag that you warm in the microwave to to slightly warmer than skin temperature, and placed in its bedding area, makes it feel like there is another warm body to snuggle with.

I can't tell you the number of women who have written and told me that they carry their baby squirrel everywhere the go when they are 6 to 7 weeks or younger, and the baby nestles right in the cleavage of their breasts.

I've carried them in the upper pocket of shirt under my coat.

If you have other questions, you can reach me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com. It sometimes takes me a while to answer all inquiries, but I try.

Thanks for writing!

Bill

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Amanda
4/28/2016 12:43:09 pm

Just found this site and I'm loving the informative questions and answers.

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Maura Mandrano link
5/23/2016 03:47:34 am

Mr Sells, your info on trans fats and natural fats is very interesting and informative. Thank you for spelling it out so clearly. However, your reference to our website (Thesquirrelboard.com) panicking people over feeding avocado to squirrels "because of the fat" is a bit off the mark. To clarify: TSB cautions -- no, WARNS -- people when they feed avocado to eliminate the skin and the pits, as they are toxic to many animals including squirrels. We have unfortunately had several incidents over the years of squirrels becoming ill and dying because they ate the skin or pit of the avocado. Just setting things straight. Thank you.

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Sherry k link
7/3/2016 09:32:09 pm

Dear sir thank you for the info about tums , my boy is doing a lot better , i would like info on healthy foods to feed & those to avoid . And request receipt squirrel nut squares . I'm pushing fruits & vegetables as well as avocados . And liquid vitamins , ant tum water .thank you


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William link
7/4/2016 06:07:52 pm

Hi Sherry!

Glad to hear your squirrel is doing better. For recipes and food lists, write to SquirrelNutrition@yahoo.com and request. I have no way of sending through this Blog.

Bill

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Joyce
7/10/2016 11:26:44 am

A couple of years ago we recused a baby squirrel, eventually we did a wonderful job, after we released her she jumps on us or acts like our dogs and runs in the house when she wants. I guess she'll never stay outside when it's time for her to have babies as last year she had 4 babies in her cage and this year she has had 2, Is there anything special that she needs to eat.

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Anneliese
12/18/2016 10:05:05 am

I used to give some pieces of avocado to squirrels but I stopped after reading Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM write that the persin in avocado could be toxic to squirrels, as it is to rabbits, birds, horses, cattle, goats, etc.

Speaking of controversial foods, I have a question regarding the pecans shells. Are we seriously not supposed to put out whole pecans in the shell for wild squirrels? I live in the Chicago area. There is a native Pecan tree that would grow around this area (Carya illinoinensis), but I do not know the genus of the pecans sold on nut sites. I put out whole hazelnuts and walnuts (Black and English), but I always put out shelled pecans because I've heard that the shells can make them sick? Is this true, or may I put out whole pecans in the shell for wild squirrels? I would really like to know!

Also, the cashews should be dry roasted for squirrels, correct?

Thank you for any replies!

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William link
12/18/2016 11:43:00 am

Hi Anneliese !

If avocados are toxic to squirrels, then, someone forgot to tell my 9 year old squirrel, ( who's normal life span is 3 to 6 years!) She's been eating avocado everyday, all her life!

As to the toxicity of pecan shells to squirrels, someone forgot to tell the squirrels down south, where they grow them, because people write to me all the time telling me how the squirrels raid their pecan trees and eat all their pecans. Last time I checked, there is nobody cracking them for them.

Bill

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Penny
11/17/2018 06:22:05 am

I was given a baby girl, a newborn. She is now three months old. She still wants her formula when she wakes up in the mornings 😂
I can attest to pecan shells NOT being harmful to squirrels. I'm in Louisiana. We have three ancient deer, pecan trees on our property, and two paper shell, pecan trees. The squirrels eat the pecans. The younger, paper shell pecans literally get cleaned out.
My baby eats the deer pecansp and she eats a large portion of the shell as well as the meat. These are small, dark pecans, not what you buy in a store.
As a suggestion for their teeth and calcium, you can buy antler sticks on Amazon for them to chew/eeat; they love them.
In the wild they eat the antlers the deer shed sharpen their teeth and provide calcium. I don't know what city squirrels dd LOL

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Johnna burns
7/7/2017 10:26:19 am

Thanks for the tips on avocados... I'm always looking for healthy things to give my backyard babies....to my surprise, they love them(flesh only) they eat what they want and try to hide the rest for later...too funny but very smart... Thank again

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Kelly Christine Heddleson
8/18/2017 10:46:45 am

I love this site! I have a male squirrel approximately 13-14 months whom I call boogie boogie. Lol I love this little guy. I've been feeding him avocado, sweet potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, squash, and several types of nuts pecans, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, and his favorites are chestnuts and sunflower seeds, since he quit taking milk. Funny the comment about testosterone and the male squirrel smelling it on men. Is this true? He likes my husband, but he bit a male cousin and extremely dislikes another, but never any issues with females. I will be emailing you for the diet information and thank you so much for this information. Christy

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William link
8/21/2017 06:58:52 pm

Hi Kelly!

Yes, the comment about male squirrels being aggressive toward men is true. The fact that your squirrel has bitten a cousin and dislikes another male proves that. The fact that he likes your husband simply means that he accepts him as the alpha male of the house and he doesn't challenge that position. The acid teat will be as he matures more. At thirteen months he's in the window of reaching sexual maturity. We'll have another breeding season starting late in December. As his testosterone builds and the smell of females in heat triggers even more production of testosterone you'll find out whether he is going to challenge the alpha male position.

I have some friends who live in the next county who have a male Fox squirrel that was similar to what you described. The man in the house got along just fine with him until the second or third mating season turned him against the man of the house. They followed my advice and had him neutered, which blunted greatly his aggression.

So, all you can do is just wait and see. There are people who have unneutered male squirrels who have no problem with them, so it does happen. But, what I said about males and their aggression still stands, but I've learned that there are exceptions to every rule.

Bill

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Maria Henne
2/18/2018 09:47:38 am

I'm a licensed wildlife Rehabilitator- and rehabbed squirrels for many years- I have witnessed squirrels getting very sick on chestnut,& one died sadly- do not feed squirrels unnatural to their biology- they are vegetarians, eat bark in the wild- as babies the best food is their formula, which is fox valley; there are two stages of this formula to select from- weaning them & preparing them for release they need a high calcium enriched food to prevent metabolic bone disease; No PEANUTS- it gives them RENAL FAILURE!
A mix of walnuts, monkey biscuits (on line wildlife supply stores), organic KALE, tiny bits of sweet potato (not much, vitamin A, toxic warning) rodent block, & bits of apple- grapes have too much sugar, blueberries are great(organic of course)- if they are unreleased the diet must be careful to prevent weight gain- I'm not confident that avocado is good for them- since they are in the same category of rabbits, horses, cows & other such vegetarians- the proper research has not been applied- if in doubt- DONT DO IT!, is my dictum
maria.henne@yahoo.com

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William link
2/18/2018 11:36:49 am

Hi, Maria!
You're right in that not a lot of research has been done on long term care and feeding of squirrels in that most States do not allow them to be kept beyond 12 to 14 weeks.

But, I have been researching and experimenting with long term care for the past 10 years and have learned a lot that is not in books and have dispelled tons of myths regarding squirrels.

One thing I learned early-on is that Commercial Formula claims are 99% myth and all about profit. I learned 45 years ago in college in Early Childhood Development 101 that "All mammals from birth to weaning "STNTHESIZE" everything they need for growth and development from the fat, protein, carbohydrates, calcium and simple sugars contained within their mother's milk or formula." Synthesis only takes place during this sage in their lives because their liver, ( the master chemist of the body,) has not fully developed either. So, when you pour vitamins, chemicals, and fillers, etc. into their bodies the liver does not know what to do with them so they get dispatched to the kidneys and out of the body.

If you want proof of this, ( other than the fact that I've never seen a mother squirrel go into Walgreens to buy a bottle of Polyvysol Drops for her babies,) I would refer you to a study by the Ohio State University back in the 1960's where they actually studied squirrel breast milk. What their study revealed was that squirrel breast milk is up to 24% milk fat. They also determined that "Cow's Milk" with added cream was the closest thing you could find to squirrel breast milk! SEE: https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/5665/V72N01_003.pdf?sequence=1

As to feeding a squirrel Avocado or even sweet potato, there is a world of difference between the fat contained in avocado and the Vitamin A contained in sweet potato. ( two of my 10 year old squirrels favorite foods.) She has had Avocado and sweet potato twice a day ever since she was weaned. If you write to SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com I'll send you a picture of her I took this past Christmas Day and you will see that she has zero weight problem and definitely does not look her age. I do feed her other things to keep her Calcium/ Phosphorus ratio in the 1to 1 up to the 1 to 2 range. Nut's and seeds comprise 20% or less of her diet.

Getting back to fats. Avocado and coconut oil are both saturated fats which have been given a bad rap. The truth that they are not telling about saturated fats is that they are the most needed fats in the body both for energy production but more importantly for support and maintenance of the brain. The brain is the biggest consumer of cholesterol in the body. Unfortunately, most peoples only source for saturated fat is from vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated,( to give them shelf-life, another "all about profit" thing)

The hydrogenation process, basically zapping vegetable oil with high voltage electricity to destroy the essential fatty acids that make oil go rancid, produces a new transformed fat, (trans fat.) Trans fats are a Frankenstein oil, totally man made. Recent research that the FDA is fighting to keep under wraps has proven that trans fats produce inflammation within our bodies wherever they go. Since the brain uses more cholesterol than any other part of the body it's no accident that all the dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and other brain dysfunction has been on the rise and coincides with the time that we started hydrogenating our oils. They talk about Alzheimer's Disease producing plaques in the brain that block the transmission of the brains electrical circuits. What they don't emphasize is that these plaques are inflammatory in their make-up. Like they don't want us to put two and two together that trans fats cause inflammation and plaques start as brain inflammation!

My 10 year old squirrel started out great once I learned that Commercial Formula was a myth. Then, for the next 3 years she went through hell having every disease a squirrel can have short of Squirrel Pox and Mange. It wasn't until I started to question some of the dogma out there about squirrels that I was able to turn her health around so that the past six years she has been in perfect health. So, I'm going to keep doing what I am doing!

Thanks for writing and thanks for caring about squirrels!

Bill

Maria Henbe
2/18/2018 10:00:15 am

I read some of your advice on squirrel feeding- it's great to have a fellow Rehabilitator informing the general public on diet for squirrels
As far as avocado, for squirrels? I'm not at all convinced it's good for them, & is an unnatural food, for them-sufficient research has not been done. It is toxic to diverse mammals & vegetarian ruminants , similar to squirrels; I say caution
Thanks maria

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William link
8/1/2018 12:40:52 pm

Hi, Maria!

The negatives you hear about feeding avocado is a bunch of bunk that is pushed by the powers that don't want us to be healthy. I eat avocado every day including the pit, (gasp! Bill is going to die of Cyanide poisoning!) Strange, I've been doing it for years, I'm 70 years old, and many people thing I'm in my 40's! Hummmm, I must be doing something right!

My blind squirrel, Lucky, is going on 11 years old and has had avocado every day of her life since she was weaned. Her skin and hair are absolutely beautiful. When I put her food bowl in her cage, no matter what is in it, she picks up the avocado and eats it first. Hummmm, I think she is telling me something!

All kidding aside, we are lied to so much about what it takes to stay healthy it's no wonder that people are confused. The biggest mistake ever made was to put the Food and Drug people together in one Administration. Talk about Washington being a "Swamp," there is legitimate research that has been done that has proven that there is stuff in our food that will make us sick with chronic illnesses and that the FDA knows what these things do, just so that the big pharmaceutical companies can make drugs that only treat the symptoms,(notice I say "treat" and not "cure! ) There is billions of dollars to be made treating symptoms but very little to be made curing anything! It's no coincidence that most of the executives that are the decision makers in the Food and Drug Administration get cushy six and seven figure jobs with the big pharmaceutical companies after they retire with huge lifetime pensions funded by our taxes!

I forgot to tell you that because of the way my wife and I eat, we don't have to take a single prescription medication.

So, you can believe what you want, but I will keep eating, feeding, and recommending avocado! (Including the pit.)

Thanks for writing!

Bill

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Linda
2/27/2023 03:12:37 pm

Bill thank you so much for the information. My mom is 101 and has eaten avocados as I have all her life.She is still living at home and healthy. I just started feeding my wild squirrels avocado and they love it. Let me know what else would be healthy.

Joanne Surprenant
8/1/2018 08:06:58 am

is it ok to feed my outdoor squirrels roasted sunflower seeds. In the winter I give them your vitaimins

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William link
8/1/2018 12:45:41 pm

Sunflower seeds are OK as a part of a healthy diet. In the Winter time squirrels need a lot of good fats to stay warm. Sunflower seeds do have oil in them. I like to feed a lot of avocado in winter. It's considered a "warming food" because of all the healthy fats it contains!

Bill

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Joanne
8/15/2018 09:01:21 am

I lost the address of where I can order Sqirrel Vitamin squares for the winter. I know I ordered them from your daughter but lost her address please send it to me

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William
8/15/2018 10:08:13 am

Hi, Joanne!

Here's her website: http://squirrelybynature.weebly.com/

Thanks for writing!

Bill

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Jana
9/29/2018 11:15:54 am

So glad to find this site I was looking because I have just learned about squirrels liking avocados. Wanted to be sure they're okay for them I only feed my backyard squirrels have an old tree that's like a condominium to many squirrels and they come up to my porch all the time looking for treats. I use Ezekiel bread and smother it with extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil I get from Costco( I use it too), smears some unsalted almond butter mixed with sesame seeds on it then cut it into little squares and throw it out to them.. also periodically some pecans and walnuts.. please let me know if this is bad for them.. also I do want to request that list of good and bad foods for them I did try sweet potato and they won't touch it I threw out avocado for the first time and they devoured it.. so with winter coming up I'm in Nashville I would like to probably check into those squares.. the other heartbreak I have is that old tree is becoming a danger to falling on the house it's so bad and it needs to be cut down there's not adequate trees around here otherwise so I'm considering buying some squirrel houses to have put up in the trees.. thanks for any info on the food I'm feeding them..

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William
9/30/2018 10:39:35 am

Hi, Jana!

I've been feeding my blind squirrel, Lucky, avocado every day for over 10 years! I'm pretty sure it's safe to feed to squirrels!

If you write to me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com and request our food lists I'll send you the attachments.

Not every squirrel will eat everything that is on the list. They are very much like humans in that they have their own personal tastes in foods. What one squirrel will eat, another one won't. I've found that avocado seems to be a food that a majority of them will eat, but still there are squirrels that will not touch it.

Bill

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Connie
3/14/2020 08:35:28 am

I feed my squirrels avocado every day, can I feed them the seeds.

My other concern is there some where I can get them neutered other than the state I live in.. I have had the two boys for 5 years, one time you could get papers for them but no more, so I need to find a vet I can go to that will not cause me to loose them. They are spoiled. and don't want to go outside and they are very tame . We just love them to death.

Your chemistry friend
4/17/2019 03:35:51 pm

Just a few clarifications on your trans fat info. The description of how it is made and that you shouldn't eat it are right on! Just a few corrections, so that you can accurately argue the issue.

The "trans" in trans fats does not come from the word "transformed" (although they are transformed). It comes from a specific type of double bond that is formed during this process. When a fatty acid molecule has multiple double bonds in it, it is "unsaturated." Many double bonds and it's "poly-unsaturated;" an "omega 3 fatty acid" and it has its first double bond starting on the third carbon; "omega 6" and it has its first double bond starting on the sixth carbon.

"Hydrogenation" is when two hydrogens are to carbons between which there is a double bond. The fewer double bonds, the more "saturated" a fatty acid is. If is fully saturated every carbon in the chain (except the ends) has 2 hydrogens on it (it is saturated with hydrogens).

Saturated fats definitionally cannot be hydrogenated; saturated fatty acids are formed by hydrogenation. The trans fats are an unwanted byproduct of partial hydrogenation: in a fully saturated fatty acid there would be no double bonds. In nature, when unsaturated fats are formed, the type of double bond formed is called "cis." "Cis" double bonds makes a kinks in the long chain of carbons that makes up the fat. Trans fats are virtually never made in nature. "Trans" double bonds do not kink the carbon chains and they remain straight.

And while shelf life is a reason, it is not the primary reason for using saturated fats. The primary reason for hydrogenating unsaturated liquid oils into saturated solid oils is to change their properties. Unsaturated fats like olive and canola oil are liquids, while highly saturated fats like coconut or butter are solids. This is why so many products made with saturated fats now commonly are made with "palm oil." It is a saturated fat that does not have a strong flavor and is naturally produced (so basically no trans fats).

One more trick you didn't mention was what "trans fat free" actually means. As long as there is less than 0.5 g of trans fat per serving, a company can label it as having 0 g of trans fat. Given that published serving sizes are frequently less that people consume, you could be inadvertently eating many grams of trans fat, even if you only eat "trans fat free" foods.

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Joanne
8/27/2019 03:25:44 pm

I think Ive opened up a can of worms. This is the third year I have been feeding my 5 backyard squirrels. 3 of them eat and then leave, but this year I have 2 that are starting to chew up my patio furniture and they are very friendly. I'm afraid if I stop feeding them, they can't forage on their own because they are dependent on me. I love them but can't have them ruining my furniture. Any suggestions, is it ok to stop feeding them. Please help. I will still feed them in the winter Thank you

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Joanne Surprenant
9/6/2019 08:53:48 am

I need some advise

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Maria Goode
9/3/2020 01:50:56 pm

I have a backyard squirrel who eats the avocados off our tree. We've had some years past as well. If you are worried about them bothering your backyard furniture, you can get a beeper. It's a battery operated gadget with a motion detector. People usually use it to keep dogs off couches. When the critters get on the furniture, it will beep and scare them away.It won't take long before they leave the furniture alone.

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Joanne Surprenant
9/14/2020 01:37:30 pm

I started 4 yrs ago feeding 3 squirrels, Now in Sept.2020 I have at least 10 and I am getting overwhelmed. If i stop feeding them will they survive, I'm worried because they are so dependent on me Please reply

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    William Sells is a Registered Nurse turned Squirrel Rehabber and Nutritionist. His passion is raising healthy, disease free squirrels through feeding them the right way and the treatment of common squirrel diseases. He's always open to questions and comments regarding Squirrels and their care and feeding.

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