Things You'll Need
- Omnivore food formulated for zoo animals
- Boneless poultry, fish, crickets and mealworms
- Cereal, whole grain breads and cooked grains
- Cabbage, carrot, spinach, melons, apples, cashews or berries
- Eggs
- Low-fat yogurt and cheese
- Virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil
- Clean drinking water
Instructions
Feed your opossum commercial omnivore food formulated for zoo animals, such as Mazuri Omnivore-Zoo Feed A as part of its main diet. Do not feed your pet commercial cat or dog food or beef products, as these foods are detrimental to its health in the long term.
Supplement its diet with additional low-fat protein foods such as boneless poultry, fish, crickets and mealworms. Combine high-fiber foods such as cereal, whole grain breads and cooked grains with the protein food.
Provide a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as treats twice a week. Cut small wedges of high-moisture fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, carrot, spinach, melons, apples or berries and offer them to your opossum.
Offer natural sources of calcium and fat once a week. Feed cashews, eggs and low-fat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.
Mix half a teaspoon of virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil with your Virginia opossum's food before serving, once a week. These oils are a good source of fat that help to maintain a healthy skin and coat.
Maintain a steady supply of clean drinking water at all times. The Virginia opossum is susceptible to dehydration and must have access to water to keep it hydrated.