What Do Squirrels Eat? A-Z Food List (Baby to Adult Size)

As omnivores, squirrels have minor and significant food preferences. More often, a squirrel can despoil our gardens to hunt for food. So, what do squirrels eat?

Squirrels’ appetite is always high, and they eat just about everything. If these critters wreak havoc in our gardens, they can cause a slew of problems. Moreover, like a squirrel pet lover, you need to be informed of squirrels’ suitable food.

So, in the article, we’ll explore squirrels feeding behavior and their ideal food when in the wild and captivity. There is more to learn, so do not go anywhere.

What Do Squirrels Eat?

Do you have a pet squirrel, or there are squirrels in your backyard, and you wonder what you can feed them? Squirrels’ population is increasingly growing in our homes, and many people can’t miss such a question in their minds.

Squirrels are not picky eaters, and sometimes, they might eat poisonous foods unknowingly. That is where we come in, to make sure our squirrels eat safe food. And that’s why you find yourself wondering what foods are good for squirrels?

When it comes to feeding squirrels, rarely do you have to worry about what to feed them. These rodents are smart hunters and can find abundantly available foods from the yard. They can eat even what you might not expect.

Typical foods for squirrels include nuts, acorns, pine cones, strawberries, fungi, fruits, vegetables, eggs, small insects, and snakes, and the list can be so big. But their most favorite dish is nuts with shells and fruits.

Squirrels’ diet is closely similar to that of humans because they are all omnivores. However, that doesn’t mean you should offer junk foods to them. Junk stuff like chips, pizza, etc., can make squirrels sick and are relatively difficult to chew.

What do Baby Squirrels eat?

If you have taken care of baby squirrels before, you will not have any problems raising them again. But for the beginners, there are many questions likely to arise, e.g., what do baby squirrels eat?

The food to feed a baby squirrel varies depending on its age and size. Below two weeks old, the babies don’t have fur and are toothless. They feed exclusively on milk from their mothers or milk replacers.

Before a baby squirrel gets to drink milk, make sure it is warm to touch and hydrated. In the case of dehydration, it is recommended to use Pedialyte for rehydration. This product is a safe and most effective treatment for dehydration.

You don’t necessarily have to spend money buying a Pedialyte. We have homemade Pedialyte consisting of the following ingredients; one pinch of salt and a water cup. Administer the solution by dropping it on the squirrel’s tongue.

The solution should be at a warm temperature when administering. After that, you can feed the milk replacer. Esbilac puppy milk replacer is ideal for squirrels; it’s safe to be used by most mammals and doesn’t pose any difficulties.

What Do Squirrels Eat in The Wild?

Squirrels are fun-loving, adorable, and most people love having them around. Attracting wild squirrels in our yards is becoming a classic game. We can have wildlife attention by offering their favorite foods, and squirrels are no exception.

If your goal is to get wild squirrels into your backyard, then you should focus on knowing the food they love most. Consider feeding them their food choice, and you will eventually succeed in bringing these tiny critters around you.

Now the question is, what do squirrels eat in the wild? Squirrels will just eat anything you offer to them, but they have their preference. The best diet for these charming creatures contains nuts, veggies, seeds, and fruits.

Note that we got so many different types of veggies, fruits, and nuts available to us. Which among them are healthy and best for squirrels to consume? See them below.

Nuts

Telling you that nuts are the dearest foods to squirrels is not enough. That would be a shallow answer and will still raise many other questions as we have various nuts in the ecology. So, what nuts are ideal for squirrels?

Below is a table showing nuts that are suitable for squirrels and those that you need to avoid.

Best Nuts For Squirrels	Nuts to avoid for squirrels
Hazelnuts	Sunflower seeds
Pecans	Dried corns
Walnuts	Oak seeds
Almonds	Salted peanuts
Butternuts	Cashews
Roasted pumpkin nuts	Raw peanuts

Good read: https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/23/is-there-anything-wrong-in-letting-squirrels-dine-at-the-bird-feeder/

Fruits

Fruits are the second most treasured foods by squirrels after nuts. You will often see squirrels climbing on fruit trees, searching for fresh and juicy fruits. The ecology offers a wide variety of fruits, but which ones are appropriate for squirrels?

Here is the list of fruits recommended for squirrels and that you can feed with nothing to worry about. I have also mentioned fruits that you should avoid.

Recommended fruits for squirrels	Fruits to avoid for squirrels
Strawberries	Dates
Apricot	Dried fruits
Papaya	Prunes
Pineapple	Raisins
Pears	Fruit juice
Cantaloupe	Figs
Blueberries	Persimmon
Bananas	Plums
Cranberries
Cherries
Grapefruit
Crabapples
Lemon
Pomegranates
Peaches
Nectarines

Vegetables

Vegetables are a good source of essential minerals and vitamins for squirrels and should not miss in their diet. Squirrels also have an excellent appetite for veggies and can eat a variety of them

Best veggies for squirrels	Veggies to avoid
Chicory	Yams
Green beans	Eggplant
Radishes	Onion
Turnip greens	Garlic
Zucchini	Palm hearts
Parsley	Sprouts.
Dandelion greens.

What Do Squirrels Eat in Captivity?

Squirrels’ diet in captivity should mimic what these small creatures eat in the wild. If a squirrel is accustomed to eating something or living a particular life in the wild, this should also reflect in captivity.

Trying out a different life can stress your pet squirrel as it cannot express its natural behaviors. So, before everything else, make sure that your friend has access to foods that it would eat in the wild.

Try feeding them fruits, bulbs, vegetables, roots, seeds, nuts, fungi, grains, insects, etc. Moreover, you can purchase special foods that are designed for squirrels from the pet stores. These foods are called rodent blocks.

Squirrels’ front teeth grow throughout their life. Providing bones for the squirrel to chew is paramount. The bone will help in wearing down the teeth and also provides calcium. Make sure to provide fresh and clean water at free choice.

Do Squirrels Eat Bird Eggs?

Yes, squirrels eat bird eggs and go as far as to the birds’ nests to steal the eggs. For bird enthusiasts, squirrels are a pest to them and perhaps won’t find them charming as other people.

I think that squirrels reach such an extent of eating eggs due to convenience or lack of choice. Although they are fond of veggies and nuts, squirrels can eat almost anything they find when in need. They aren’t picky eaters.

The benefit of squirrels eating bird eggs is that they get protein and calcium. Most animals love eating eggs, and squirrels can be a good example. They find them crunchy and good tasting but should eat about one egg per week.

Do Squirrels Eat Birds?

Squirrels will not only eat bird eggs, but they will also enjoy munching the birds themselves. So long as they can climb on trees and enter the nest to steal eggs, birds are also their potential food.

Male squirrels are baby-killing cannibals. That shows that they can kill birds or eat dead carcasses that fall on the ground. Flying squirrels find small birds to be delicious and enjoy eating them.

Any independent squirrel can easily climb trees and build a nest. In the process, they can come across a bird’s nest with eggs or small birds. Whenever the mother bird isn’t around, squirrels will gladly snack on the nests’ contents.

So, birds aren’t an unusual thing in a squirrel’s diet. It is an inexpensive meal packed with protein and which squirrels can find during their habitual food search.

It’s not that squirrels will always eat birds, but they don’t get picky when hungry. They tend to try anything that seems edible, including small birds and bird eggs. A squirrel with enough food supply doesn’t need to eat birds.

Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes?

Yes, tomatoes are a convenient item in a squirrel’s diet, and they comfortably devour them. Nearly every garden has trees, and trees are natural habitats for squirrels; thus, you rarely miss these critters in most farms under trees.

A squirrel can eat only part of the tomato and leave the rest, or nibble on the entire tomato. They eat tomatoes from vines and are wise enough to choose only those that are ripe. These animals can cause overwhelming destruction on our farms.

Tomatoes have many minerals and vitamins; thus, squirrels get an array of nutrients from eating them. Feeding tomatoes to your pet squirrel is a good idea, but limit the amount to feed. Two tomatoes per week would do good.

Do Squirrels Eat Apples?

Squirrels will naturally hunt for nuts and veggies to fill their bellies, but fruits are among the favorite items these rodents tend to eat. Offering an apple to your squirrel is a kind gesture; they do love them.

Apples are exceedingly beneficial when it comes to nutrition, and that’s a benefit for squirrels. The fruit is not toxic, and squirrels have a good appetite for it. However, if you feed your pet an apple, make sure to provide it in moderation.

Apples are sugary and have a lot of starches, which can be harmful when fed in excess. You will also need to remove the apple core and seeds before feeding.

The core has chemicals that can be toxic to squirrels, and so do seeds. Hence, for safety reasons, feed your squirrels 2-3 slices of apple per day. Note that squirrels will eat any apple you provide them.

Do Squirrels Eat Carrots?

The Short answer is, yes, squirrels do eat carrots and will gladly appreciate it if you feed them this vegetable. Carrots are thoroughly palatable and are treasured food by many domesticated and wild animals.

Carrots are crunchy, tasty, and contain a lot of nutrients. It can make an excellent energy source food for pets or backyard squirrels. A carrot is a perfect item for squirrels to gnaw on and exercise their front incisor teeth.

Carrots are a choice food for these bushy-tailed rodents as they are juicy and sweet. However, that’s not the main reason why you should feed them. The fascinating thing about carrots is that they’re full of vitamins and minerals.

Thus, these veggies play a significant role in the squirrel’s diet. They have a decent amount of fiber that is essential in lowering cholesterol. Squirrels will also go crazy for carrots, and we can see it’s worth feeding them.

Do Squirrels Eat Mice?

When listing foods that squirrels can eat, I’m sure not many people will think of mice. We are used to seeing them eat nuts, fruits, or veggies, but not mice. However, squirrels do eat mice.

In typical situations, it is unheard of about squirrels killing mice, birds, or even rats. Instead, they eat foods fed to these animals. However, if a squirrel gets hungry, believe me, it will go beyond killing a mouse.

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders and thus can thrive on almost any type of food the ecology offers. In winter, there is food scarcity, which gives squirrels desperation to eat whatever they find.

Mice will offer abundant nutrients to squirrels, including calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sodium. So, these cute rodents don’t often eat mice or meat; it’s if push comes to shove.

Do Squirrels Eat Acorns?

Squirrels do eat acorns. When acorns are in season, they form a staple diet for the squirrels. If you are a squirrel lover and you need them around, you can easily attract them using acorns.

An acorn is easy to open compared to many nuts, and that’s why squirrels love them. These nuts are also loaded with nutrients and are a great choice of food for an energy source. White acorns are more preferred for squirrels due to their low tannin content.

Feeding excess acorns can be poisonous to squirrels. Thus, make sure to feed them in moderation. About two nuts in a day will not harm. Limiting the consumption of acorns is a sure way to reduce tannin toxicity.

Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkins?

So long as vegetables are on top of favorite foods for squirrels, there is no doubt they eat pumpkins. Our cute little critters here enjoy eating pumpkin just like they would munch on other veggies.

If you cut open the pumpkin, that soft and delicious fruit revealed is what pleases squirrels more. Pumpkins are healthy for squirrels, which benefit from a couple of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Squirrels need certain foods and proteins; they require an extensive diet for good health and their well-being. And this shows that you shouldn’t feed them pumpkin every day. If you feed pumpkins, provide other foods as well.

Any squirrel will love you for feeding them pumpkin; it can be a ‘snack heaven,’ especially for squirrels in the backyard. However, make sure to feed pumpkin only as a treat. The squirrels’ small body needs energy and protein for development.

Do Squirrels Eat Mealworms?

Many people dish up plant matters to squirrels, not knowing that our friends here are lovers of meat. Squirrels are omnivores and thus eat extensive foods, including mealworms.

Mealworms provide a perfect balance of fiber, protein, and fat that are important for squirrel’s overall health. You can choose to feed either live or dried mealworms as they are all nutritious and tasteful to squirrels.

You will need to use a feeder with sides to prevent these worms from crawling out. Also, don’t offer too many mealworms, instead feed them occasionally in a limited amount. One to two mealworms thrice a week is perfect.

Do Squirrels Eat Peanuts?

Yes, squirrels love eating peanuts. Many of us provide peanuts to a neighborhood or newly acquired squirrels when trying to bond with them. You can agree with me that it doesn’t disappoint.

Although peanuts make an attractive dish for squirrels, it is unfortunate that they aren’t great for them. You don’t necessarily have to keep off from offering peanuts, but you need to give them in small amounts.

A few peanuts once in a while is not dangerous. Peanuts have the nutritional value that doesn’t apply to squirrels, and that’s why many people are against them.

It is not that they are poisonous, be careful about the amount to feed. You can take advantage of shelled peanuts to provide something for your squirrel to gnaw on. Gnawing is necessary to keep the squirrel’s front incisor teeth sharp.

Do Squirrels Eat Grass?

When it comes to squirrels eating habits, you will find asking yourself so many questions. Perhaps you know that squirrels eat foodstuffs like nuts, vegetables, and fruits, but eating grass is a new thing. However, squirrels also eat grass.

Squirrels will eat any food that has sufficient nutritional value to them. They love eating grass and grass seeds, but this happens if the grass is the only available food that squirrels can easily find.

A squirrel can as well eat grass because it loves the taste of the plant. Grass also has some nutritional benefits; e.g., it provides fiber, fats, minerals, sugar, and protein. The grass is also rich in other compounds beneficial to squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Baby Birds?

The answer to this critical question here is, yes, squirrels do eat baby birds. But birds are not foods that squirrels can eat more often. They will only reach out for such foods during hunger or due to convenience.

Squirrels’ climbing ability is nature-given, and this way, they can come to bird nests and get away with the nest’s contents.  A squirrel can only invade a bird’s nest and steal babies in the absence of a mother.

Mother birds are incredibly protective of their babies, just as the female squirrels. Birds are a good source of protein, calcium, and other compounds that will benefit squirrels. But keep in mind that birds are only occasional food.

Do Squirrels Eat Corn?

Most of us think that squirrels are only fond of eating nuts, fruits, and seeds, but that’s not the case. Squirrels are not picky when it comes to eating. They eat a variety of food, including corn.

While corn is not a horrible food to give to squirrels, it doesn’t offer many nutritional benefits. Corn is primarily junk food for our cute little rodents here. But it is acceptable to feed corns in small amounts.

You can have your squirrel eat corn once in a while just as a way to provide nutritious options. Feed the corn as part of the diet, and that would be fine for the squirrel to get a variety of nutrients.

Do Squirrels Eat Eggs?

The first choice of foods for squirrels are nuts, but if nature allows, they feed on things you wouldn’t think of, such as eggs. So, squirrels tend to eat eggs when they don’t have other food sources.

Getting the eggs is not a simple task for these creatures as we would imagine. For instance, for a squirrel to rob eggs from the bird nests, the mother bird must not be around. Otherwise, the squirrel can’t access the eggs.

Squirrels will also try to steal chicken eggs from the coop if they are lucky enough to find one. Thieving is common during winter when there’s a shortage of food, not only to squirrels but many animals.

Do Squirrels Eat Strawberries?

Fruits are special snacks for squirrels, and strawberries are no exception. A squirrel can climb a strawberry tree with ease and snatch its fruits. They tend to select those fruits that are ripe.

Imagine scouting your strawberry garden only to find out that the fruits you have cultivated with so much commitment are ruined. It is genuinely frustrating. The primary suspect would be a squirrel; of course, they have done it before.

Strawberries are naturally sweet, healthy, have low calories, and are an excellent treat for your squirrel. They are high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, among other nutrients. Giving strawberries to squirrels helps them to stay healthy.

Moreover, strawberries are tremendously high in sugar, and a lot of sugar isn’t good for squirrels. Thus, Feed only a few berries at a time; an excess of them can make the squirrel sick.

Do Squirrels Eat Grubs?

Opportunists like squirrels will polish off any edible food item that is in season, including grubs. Grubs are extraordinarily nutritious and calorie-containing foods and are the best choice for sustaining squirrels when starving.

Typically, if grubs are present in your lawn, it’s more vulnerable to squirrels’ invasion. These rodents will smash the property, trying to look for the grubs. It’s quite disappointing to the lawn owners, but rather, squirrels are celebrating.

Grubs are ideal survival insects, being incredibly high in fat, protein, and energy. They also offer valuable minerals and vitamins vital for squirrels. Hence, these insects are tasty treats good for squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Pine Cones?

If you aren’t sure if squirrels eat pine cones, then know that they do. Squirrels love eating pine cones; it is one of their favorite foods.

Green pine cones are what squirrels love most, and this is a bonus since they’re highly nutritious. Green cones aren’t just tasty but are soft and comfortable for squirrels to extract the nuts. 

Squirrels will also eat brown pine cones but only in a limited amount and if it’s the only available option. Pine cones are super high in fiber and vitamins, which are of benefit to squirrels.

More often, when a squirrel holds a pine cone, it is trying to extract the nut. They enjoy the crunchiness of these nuts.

Do Squirrels Eat Fruit?

Fruits are part of treasured foods for squirrels, and they love to eat them. One of the most functional ways to bond with squirrels is feeding them fruits. They will truly love you for it.

Fruits don’t fill a squirrel’s stomach for nothing. Of course, they are valuable and highly nutritious. In general, fruits are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. They play a part in boosting the health of squirrels.

There are more than one thousand different types of fruits worldwide, and some may not even be familiar to us. The list of edible fruits to squirrels is pretty big. They can eat any fruit that is available and palatable.

A squirrel will eat fruits such as apricot, strawberries, peaches, pears, bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon, cranberries, pineapple, papaya, among others. Most fruits are sugary and can be harmful if squirrels eat them in excess. Fruits should only serve as occasional snacks.

Do Squirrels Eat Bread?

We love bread, and it is an everyday and unique snack for many people. If you didn’t know, bread is also consumable to squirrels; they can eat it just like you and me.

It’s true that squirrels consume bread, but is it safe for them? If you own a squirrel, bread is something that you need to keep off from its diet. That is because bread contains more sugar and has cellulose.

Cellulose is dangerous for squirrels as they will have a hard time digesting it. Another reason why bread isn’t good for squirrels is that it has low nutritional value and contains salt. Squirrel’s kidney has a problem filtering vast amounts of salt.

However, it is okay to let your squirrel eat a few pieces of bread once in a while. But if you spot anything unusual with your pet, make sure to avoid it altogether.

Do Squirrels Eat Bugs?

Yes, squirrels eat bugs. These rodents don’t only survive on plant matter, but they need some meat, and bugs can be an excellent option for them.

Bugs are a great source of protein, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Squirrels need amino acids and plenty of protein to survive, but they hardly get them from plants. So, it is paramount to have your squirrel eat bugs.

Squirrels don’t allow themselves to starve at any time; they will try out anything they think is edible just to keep full. Bugs become their typical food when fruits are scarce. Bugs also contain fats and have a superb contribution to squirrels’ diet.

It isn’t possible to tell how many insects a wild squirrel can eat per day, but this is something you should be cautious about in captivity. Limit the number of bugs you feed and provide other food items.

Do Squirrels Eat Mushrooms?

Nuts are not the only staple foods for squirrels, but also mushrooms. All species of squirrels show an excellent appetite for mushrooms, and they eat them more often. If you have some mushrooms around, you might not miss squirrels foraging them.

There are more than 10,000 mushrooms, and they grow best in a shade that can be under shrubs or trees. Squirrels have no problem eating any mushroom species out there. They can eat a wild mushroom or store-bought ones.

Mushrooms are low-calorie foods, and they serve as an excellent source of antioxidants, protein, fiber, selenium, and vitamins. They offer a comprehensive benefit to squirrel’s health. Squirrels can eat poisonous mushrooms and don’t show any problem.

Do Squirrels Eat Berries?

Squirrels will eat anything accessible to them, so long it’s palatable. We know there are countless fruit options that squirrels can eat, including berries. They can eat any berry they find around.

Berries are tasty, and that’s why squirrels tend to eat them with enthusiasm. They can climb up trees as quickly as they can just to snatch that berry. Here are berries that squirrels can eat, mulberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and more.

The benefits of consuming berries for squirrels are that they act as a major sugar- boost and sources of energy needed by squirrels to scramble and forage food. Squirrels should eat any berry as a treat.

Do Squirrels Eat Tomato Plants?

Squirrels eat anything consumable to them and will do anything to survive. Hence, they don’t only target our gardens to eat ripe tomatoes, but also tomato plants, although this happens occasionally.

Squirrels prefer the sweet tomato fruit, and, in most cases, they leave the plant behind. However, squirrels are also fond of eating vegetables, but if there are no fruits, they target the plant itself.

Tomato plants contain chemicals that can be harmful to squirrels in excess. One such substance is solanine found in the leaves and stem. Thus, if I were you, I would be cautious about feeding the tomato plant or avoid it.

Do Squirrels Eat Oranges?

You may happen to see a squirrel rolling around an orange and wonder about whether squirrels eat oranges? They do. Our lovely creatures here never mind adding sugary citrus to their diet.

Yes, squirrels indeed love eating oranges, but these are fruits you need to avoid as a squirrel enthusiast. Squirrels don’t necessarily need to eat oranges because this fruit doesn’t have any benefits to them.

Oranges are pretty high in sugar, making them an unideal option food to give to squirrels. If you are concerned about your buddy’s health, you need to keep the oranges out of its feeder.

Do Squirrels Eat Bananas?

Speaking of bananas, squirrels eat this fruit with great fondness. They love the fruit due to its sugary taste and can eat as much as they can.

However, like oranges, bananas are also a poor option fruit to include in a squirrel’s diet. Bananas aren’t good for squirrels due to their high sugar content, which small mammals’ bodies like squirrels can’t handle.

Foods with more sugar can cause health problems in squirrels. However, if a banana is the only fruit around you, feeding a little of it won’t kill the squirrel. But it should be less frequent.

Bananas contain a fair amount of essential minerals and vitamins, which are of benefit to squirrels. It also gives squirrels energy and the much-needed sugar boost to clamber around.  But only feed it as a treat and less occasionally.

Do Squirrels Eat Worms?

Squirrels have a preference for food, and they prefer to eat berries, nuts, and seeds, but they also eat some worms. After all, they are omnivores and have many foods that they can eat.

They can eat live or dead mealworms. It is usual for any squirrel to eat worms, and their goal is to get protein. However, squirrels get protein from other foods they eat and not just from worms.

Therefore, you have to limit the number of worms to feed. For instance, two worms per day would do your squirrel right. For example, Mealworms are available from pet stores; you can buy some for your friend.

Do Squirrels Eat Flowers?

If you think that squirrels will only eat nuts and seeds alone, then you are wrong. These animals will also feast on flowers, surprisingly, right? They do love flowers and don’t mind whether they’re interfering with your garden.

They can dig up any kind of flower they find delicious and will go ahead and eat the plant as well. Although squirrels are celebrating having flowers, it brings disappointment to the owners. That’s a considerable loss and quite frustrating.

Not many people will harvest flowers to come and feed their squirrels, but they offer some health benefits to these animals. Most edible flowers are excellent sources of antioxidants, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, riboflavin, and more.

You can feed a few flowers as snacks if it is possible to access them. Only feed flowers that you know are consumable and are safe for consumption.

Do Squirrels Eat Leaves?

We often see squirrels climbing trees and picking leaves, but what do they do with them? Do Squirrels eat leaves? Yes, they do.

If a squirrel is scouting the garden and happens to see a newly unfurled leaf, this will surely catch its attention, and it won’t hesitate to come closer. It mostly happens with young squirrels who would try anything before settling on nuts as their food source.

A squirrel may eat fallen fresh leaves but prefer mostly to pick them from the tree. Leaves are higher in minerals, which are helpful to squirrels.

Although squirrels eat leaves, in most cases, they use them as nesting materials and for insulating their burrows, particularly during winter. Again, only feed the leaves that you know are safe to consume.

Do Squirrels Eat Lizards?

It might sound crazy to say that squirrels eat lizards, but the truth is that they do. Many reports of squirrels munch on lizards, although it comes as a dismay to many people.

If you think that squirrels will only feast on the fruits, mealworms, or berries you provide, you are mistaken. Squirrels aren’t fussy at all when it comes to food; whatever you provide, they will eat.

Even in the wild, their goal is to be full; it doesn’t matter what they eat. A squirrel can dispatch a live lizard or devour the dead ones from the roads. Squirrels get protein and other nutrients by eating lizards.

Good read: earthtouchnews.com

Do Squirrels Eat Rats?

Squirrels and rats are both rodents and come from the same family. However, rats are food to squirrels. They do eat rats, but it infrequently happens when a need arises.

The staple food for squirrels is plant matter, but these animals eat animal matter, including rats, when food is scarce. Any rat small enough to be preyed on becomes a potential food to squirrels.

Rats offer squirrels an abundance of various nutrients, including protein, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. However, you shouldn’t give rats to your squirrel more often. One small rat every other week will be okay.

A squirrel can attack a live rat or eat the dead rats they find. A rat or mice is an incredible source of fat and protein to squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Grapes?

Grapes are yummy, and many people love them, so do squirrels. They go crazy for these flavorsome treats and will love you if you feed them.

Unfortunately, it would be best if you didn’t feed grapes to your squirrel too often; they aren’t suitable for it. They contain a lot of sugar that can damage the squirrel’s health. Grapes are among fruits that are rich in essential nutrients.

They have fiber, fat, protein, vitamins, calories, and carbs. They also have abundant antioxidants important for squirrel’s survival and compounds for boosting the immune system.

It is clear that grapes have high nutritional value, but make sure to feed them in small quantities as too much of them can harm your pet.

Do Squirrels Eat Sunflower Seeds

Yes, squirrels do eat sunflower seeds. These seeds are cheap, and you can purchase them in bulk. But are sunflowers seeds nutritious enough for the squirrels to eat? Do they need the seeds more often?

Sunflower seeds are palatable to squirrels, but unfortunately, they have low nutritional value and can offer all the nutrients that squirrels need. These seeds are also pretty high in phosphorus and calcium.

Foods with disproportional Ca to P can be harmful to squirrels when fed in large quantities. They can result in metabolic bone disease as the squirrel’s body is not getting sufficient calcium.

Therefore, you need to reduce the number of sunflower seeds that you feed to your friend. Ideally, these seeds should account for only about 5% of the squirrel’s diet.

Do Squirrels Eat Lettuce

Squirrels require to eat a lot of vegetables as part of their diet, including lettuce. They do eat lettuce but only once in a while. This can be about one time per week.

Lettuce is exceedingly high in water and has low nutritional benefits. And this means that your squirrel doesn’t benefit much from eating this veggie. Squirrels need plenty of water, but they also need to get enough nutrients.

That’s why lettuce should only be an occasional vegetable to feed any squirrel. Also, a lot of lettuce can cause diarrhea due to its high moisture level.

Do Squirrels Eat Chicken Eggs?

Squirrels are not herbivores as we may think; they also need protein, which they can get from various foods, including chicken eggs. There are many cases where squirrels are caught around chicken coops, but their primary target is eggs.

When squirrels become hungry, you understand they will eat anything they bump into. That’s why you will find them eating chicken eggs, but they do it irregularly.

Chicken eggs have a lot of protein and calcium that play a significant role in the squirrel’s health. Protein helps in cell regeneration, the building of the body’s tissues, among others.

Do Squirrels Eat Plants?

Plants are among the typical foods that squirrels love most and can easily find them in the wild. They can eat various plants, most of which we also adore, including tulip bulbs, berries, nuts, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Squirrels need to eat healthy to survive and continue foraging for other goodies. Plants provide the nutrients that these creatures require and are abundant. The highest proportion of a squirrel’s diet consists of plants.

However, not all plants are safe for squirrels. Some plants like pepper, onions, garlic, etc., are distasteful to squirrels, and they won’t even approach them. Many people use these plants to repel squirrels from their gardens.

Do Squirrels Eat Grass Seed?

Yes, squirrels do eat grass seeds but sparingly. These rodents can eat any type of seeds that is available to them. However, they consume grass seeds when their staple seeds are scarce.

Grass seeds are not harmful to squirrels in either way. They taste good and are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some species of grass seeds are excellent sources of protein. It doesn’t take much effort for squirrels to get grass seeds.

If you look forward to getting some grass seeds for a squirrel, make sure they are free from pesticides as they can be toxic.

Do Squirrels Eat Safflower Seeds?

Squirrels aren’t fond of eating safflower seeds, but if these seeds are the only available, then squirrels don’t have a choice but to eat them. 

Safflower seeds are good enough for squirrels to eat due to their small size. They contain a hard shell that squirrels find interesting to crack and get the content inside.

Also, the hard shell from safflower seeds helps the squirrels to sharpen their front teeth that never stop growing. These seeds have a satisfying supply of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, that provide the required energy and nutrition by squirrels.

Safflower seeds are not good seeds for squirrels; thus, they should be the last thing you buy for your squirrel. Perhaps these creatures find the seeds bitter, or the shell is too hard for the little flesh inside.

Do Squirrels Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes, squirrels eat peanut butter. But even if peanut butter is a favorite to squirrels, they shouldn’t be eating it. Peanut butter is not okay for squirrels as we might take it.

Natural peanut butter is recommended for squirrels, but it also lacks the nutrients squirrels’ bodies require especially calcium. And this means that all peanut butter isn’t good for these rodents.

They can be harmful to your rodent if fed in large quantities. For instance, if a squirrel is full of peanut butter, it cannot eat other nutritious foods they need to thrive. The squirrel’s health is put at risk.

So, if you want to share some peanut butter with your friend, make sure to feed it in moderation. Then consider feeding foods like seeds, veggies, and fruits that have high nutritional value.

Do Squirrels Eat Cat Food?

Squirrels have sharp incisors, which enables them to chew hard foods, e.g., nuts. They do appreciate any kibble, including dry cat food.

However, the fact that squirrels have an increased appetite for cat food doesn’t mean they’re good for them. Remember that they eat such foods if they only have access to them.

Cat food has an excellent supply of protein for cats but not for squirrels. That means that these rodents don’t benefit much from cat food in terms of nutrition. Also, cat food contains cellulose, which is pretty hard for squirrels to digest.

Now you see that cat food can be harmful to squirrels. Don’t feed squirrels a lot of these foods to allow them to get nutrients from other foods.

Do Squirrels Eat Avocados?

Squirrels will regularly eat avocados. Squirrels need to eat many foods to be healthy, which warns you from feeding avocados frequently.

Avocados supply saturated fat that is healthy and beneficial to squirrels. These fruits are also an excellent supply of other nutrients such as calcium, folate, phosphorus, omega fatty acids, vitamins, water, fiber, zinc, etc.

Another advantage about avocados is that they are soft and comfortable to eat; hence, they can be a perfect choice for squirrels with pain or soreness in their teeth and jaw.

But squirrels need to eat this fruit in moderation since it has more amount of phosphorus than calcium. Too much phosphorus in the diet blocks calcium from being absorbed and eventually might cause metabolic bone disease.

Do Squirrels Eat Pecans?

Pecans are among the nuts that make squirrels happy if they get their hand on them. It’s not a secret that these creatures love pecans so much. If you were wondering whether squirrels do eat pecans, now you know that they do.

Pecans are like a magnet to squirrels; if you have a pecan tree, you can agree with me on this. Pecans are packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fat that keep a squirrel energized and satisfied.

They also supply other nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Squirrels should consume about 2-3 pecans per day. Gnawing the pecans shell helps to keep the squirrels’ teeth strong and healthy.

Do Squirrels Eat Thistle Seed?

Squirrels don’t love thistle seeds, but they can eat them when they’re hungry just for nourishment.

Thistle seeds are among the seeds that squirrels hate, and if your squirrel has access to other foods, don’t be shocked to see that it doesn’t even stare at these seeds. Squirrels may dislike thistle seeds, but they’re nutritious. 

They are a great source of carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and crude fiber. These seeds also have potent antioxidant compounds. If your squirrels show interest in munching thistle seeds, you can feed a few of them occasionally.

Do Squirrels Eat Blueberries?

If a squirrel puts its hand on a berry, you will notice how excited it becomes. That’s a sure bet that they eat blueberries and they love them.

Feeding your squirrel blueberries alongside other foods is entirely safe, and this way, the berries don’t pose any health concerns. Squirrels can eat any blueberries, including raw, frozen, and cooked berries.

Blueberries are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When feeding, put a few blueberries on a feeder and give it to the squirrel. Note that blueberries with pesticides are harmful to squirrels; thus, you should avoid them.

Organic blueberries are available from supermarkets, and you can buy them from there. It is crucial to keep off any food you know can be toxic to squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Chipmunks?

Chipmunks are a food source to a couple of animals, including foxes, snakes, hawks, owls, etc., but do squirrels eat them? Some squirrels are cannibals and can eat baby chipmunks as well as their babies.

When a squirrel is hungry, it can grow weird and consume even more difficult things to imagine they can eat. For instance, squirrels and chipmunks are distant cousins, and who would think these rodents can even eat their own?

It’s crazy, and I would never advise you to kill a chipmunk because you want your squirrel to have meat. But it happens in the wild and is mostly seen in male squirrels, which are natural cannibals.

They steal the baby chipmunks from the nests and kill them when the mother isn’t around. Also, these rodents can eat the carcass of small dead chipmunks they find. However, note that this happens when squirrels are ravenous; otherwise, it’s uncommon.

Do Squirrels Eat Snakes?

Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they have many food options they can eat, including nuts, fruit, berries, veggies, meat, and even snakes.

I consider it a marvel that squirrels, particularly ground squirrels, have a protein resistant to snake venom in their blood. Thus, a snake bite isn’t an alarm to these squirrels.

Squirrels attacking snakes is a real thing, and they consider the small snakes to be food, but when the need arises. However, these two creatures tend to eat each other.

Thus, in most cases, when you see a squirrel fighting with a snake, it is trying to defend itself. Snakes are good sources of essential amino acids and protein, which can benefit squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Other Squirrels?

Cannibalism is not a new thing among squirrels, and this makes them eat each other. A squirrel can eat another squirrel but on rare occasions.

When you spot a squirrel eating its fellow, that’s a sign there is hunger. For instance, if a mother squirrel can’t get food, she eats her babies. Male squirrels, on the other hand, raid nests without a mother and steal the babies.

Even in captivity, when you don’t provide enough food to your pet squirrel, don’t be shocked to miss some newborn babies. Squirrel’s meat is pretty high in protein and natural fat.

Do Squirrels Eat Basil?

If you feel curious about whether squirrels eat basil, the short answer is, yes, they do. They have done it before and caused many destructions to basil gardens leaving the owners with no option but to complain.

Basil is soft to eat, it’s delicious, and squirrels find it flavorsome. Don’t worry that your squirrel is eating basil; this plant is nutritious. It provides macronutrients like calcium and vitamin K and various antioxidants.

Basil is safe when fed together with other foods favorable to squirrels. You should only feed it in small quantities.

Do Squirrels Eat Rat Poison?

No, squirrels don’t eat rat poison. Although these cute rodents are opportunistic eaters, just eating whatever they find, squirrels are sensitive to smells.

Rat poison is specifically designed for rats. Rats are creatures that eat about anything available and majorly focus on high protein items. That way, rat poison on things like fish oil or ground meat is an attractant to rats.

But for squirrels, it’s rare to trap them using rat poison because they will not eat it. Squirrel’s diet consists mainly of plants and is rarely attracted to smells from meat substances.

So, if you put rat poison on peanut butter and expect the squirrel to eat, you may wait forever and still fail.

Do Squirrels Eat Cheese?

Yes, squirrels do eat cheese. These animals are not fussy at all about any food as long as they find it delicious. So, next time you eat a block of cheese, don’t fear giving a bite to your squirrel.

You have to be careful about the amount of cheese that squirrels munch on since too much of it is harmful and can cause digestive issues. Cheese has cellulose, and squirrels are unable to digest excess of this substance.

There is nothing wrong with giving cream cheese to squirrels; they enjoy it too. Squirrels will eat any cheese, including Colby, swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, marbled jack, and provolone.

Do Squirrels Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, cucumbers are safe for squirrels, and they eat them. These critters like to snack on soft and juicy foodstuffs, and that’s why they love cucumbers.

Try giving a cucumber to a squirrel, and be sure to watch what happens. You will see it licking its lips time and again as it relishes the veggie.

Squirrels benefit a lot from eating cucumbers. These vegetables are loaded with vitamin B, C, and K, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and potassium. Despite being nutritious, 96% of cucumber is mainly water.

The high-water content calls for the need to limit the amount of cucumber you give to a squirrel. Too much cucumber can cause problems like diarrhea.

Do Squirrels Eat Buckeyes?

Yes, buckeyes are edible to squirrels, and they eat them. Don’t be surprised to know that squirrels are among a few animals that aren’t affected by buckeyes.

Every part of the buckeye plant, including leaves, nuts, and bark, tends to be poisonous as they contain high tannic acid content. The raw nuts from this plant are squirrels’ favorites, especially when they are hungry.

On ordinary occasions, a squirrel will eat half of the buckeye nut and leave the rest. But when starving, the same animal eats the entire nut. It is still uncertain how squirrels succeed in eating these toxic nuts without any ill effects.

Do Squirrels Eat Peaches?

Peaches are fruits that squirrels will never leave behind if they find them. These animals will eat ripe peaches and feast on those that are yet to ripen.

Squirrels are significant pests to peaches and have caused immense frustrations to people growing peaches. In most cases, they are patient until the peaches are ripe, then they come and harvest everything in your absence.

Peaches are not just sweet to eat; they are rich in many minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. They have little sugar and are an excellent nutrient-rich snack for squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Vegetables?

Squirrels are accustomed to eating plant matter, and vegetables form the highest percentage of their diet. More often, we do see these rodents eating the veggies available in our gardens.

The list for vegetables is exhaustive, meaning we have a broad category of them. With their habit of eating almost anything, squirrels eat many types of vegetables. These include chicory, zucchini, turnip greens, radishes, parsley, tomatoes, beans, corn, peas, etc.

Only provide fresh vegetables and those that are free from pesticides. Also, make sure to feed various veggies and other food ingredients, such as nuts and fruits.

Do Squirrels Eat Suet?

Any squirrel old enough to eat solid foods will not forgive any suet it comes across. People keeping squirrels know this pretty well.

Suet comprises rendered animal fat mixed with ingredients like peanut, fruits, grains, and dried insects. These are all foodstuffs that squirrels love, and that’s why these animals get attracted to suet.

So, you see, suet is not what squirrels love but the ingredients in it. But all in all, suet offers an excellent source of energy and other nutrients necessary and beneficial to squirrels.

You can surprise your squirrel with suet from time to time; let’s say once or twice per week would be okay. Provide it in the feeder and watch the squirrel as it enjoys.

Do Squirrels Eat Walnuts?

Walnuts are the number one favorite nuts for the squirrels. Walnuts have a good taste, which gets squirrels crazy, plus they are nutritious.

Walnuts have an excellent supply of copper, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin B6 and E, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, protein, and manganese, which are all essential for a squirrel’s life.

If you want your friend to have some walnuts, consider feeding shelled walnuts and not unshelled ones. The shelled walnuts are better because the hard shell allows the squirrels to sharpen their front teeth that never stop growing.

Squirrels also engage in some exercise when chewing the shell. Put the nuts in a feeder and avoid feeding them from your hand.

Do Squirrels Eat Celery?

Squirrels find celery to be tasty and they adore eating them. Vegetables are foods that squirrels cannot avoid unless they are toxic.

You may be wondering why squirrels should eat celery, but they have high nutritional benefits to them. By eating this veggie, squirrels enjoy minerals like potassium, folate, vitamin A, C, and K.

They also provide abundant fiber and are low in sugar. However, be careful not to overdo feeding celery as it can be harmful to squirrels. While these animals need fiber, too much of it can cause diarrhea and bloat.

Additionally, celery has a lot of water and, therefore, not convenient for squirrels to eat more often. One or two stalks of celery every other day will not be harmful.

Do Squirrels Eat Almonds?

Yes, squirrels do eat almonds, and they are delicious to them. In fact, amongst all nuts favorable to squirrels, almonds are closest to their heart.

But are almonds good for squirrels? The answer is yes. These nuts are a perfect source of a couple of nutrients. They provide amino acids, fats, zinc, antioxidants, e.g., vitamin E, calcium, etc.

However, squirrels shouldn’t eat large quantities of almonds as they are pretty high in cyanide. Feeding a lot of almonds can cause cyanide poisoning to squirrels. Both sweet and bitter almonds have cyanide.

The best almonds to feed to squirrels are those with shells and provide them in a feeder.

Do Squirrels Eat Marigolds?

No, squirrels do not eat marigolds. This plant produces a smell that is unpleasant to squirrels. So, if you thought squirrels are the ones eating your marigold, that’s not the case.

Marigold is useful in keeping squirrels away from any garden, and many people are using them. However, some animals eat marigolds, such as rabbits and snails.

Even though squirrels are hungry, it’s unheard of that they eat any part of a marigold plant. This plant has a strong fragrant that they hate, and they are also bitter.

Do Squirrels Eat Watermelon?

Yes, squirrels do eat watermelon. We love watermelon so much and can have it more often. But it’s also a healthy snack for squirrels plus many other animals.

Watermelon is not just a snack to enjoy, but it comes with a lot of nutrients. This fruit is a powerful source of water that helps to keep squirrels hydrated the entire day.

Moreover, watermelon is full of vitamins, including Vit A, B, C, D, E, B6, and B12. It also has low calories and is loaded with copper, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, etc. 

Squirrels can eat all parts of watermelon right from the flesh, rind, and seeds. This is a good fruit for squirrels, but they should eat it occasionally as a treat. If you feed it daily, it can be harmful.

Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Yes, squirrels love to eat pumpkin seeds. The seeds are entirely edible; in fact, squirrels find it interesting to gnaw on them, strengthening their teeth.

Are pumpkin seeds high in nutrition? Yes, the seeds contain a lot of nutrients that are valuable to squirrels. They supply B vitamins, protein, magnesium, iron, and high levels of fatty acids.

Fatty acids support healthy blood vessels and lower unhealthy cholesterol. When feeding, slice the pumpkin with seeds into half or small wedges and provide it in a feeder. Likewise, squirrels shouldn’t eat pumpkin seeds every day but sparingly.

Do Squirrels Eat Nuts?

Of course, we do know that nuts are the first-choice foods for squirrels, and they happily devour every piece offered to them. Squirrels don’t eat one type of nut but many.

Nuts form a regular diet for squirrels, both in the wild and captivity. Nuts come in different types, and the nut that a squirrel succeeds in getting is what it eats. This may include oak nuts, macadamia, walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, etc.

These animals prefer to have nuts with shells, as they enjoy cracking them to extract the flesh inside. It is such a friendly activity for squirrels as they get to exercise and sharpen their ever-growing teeth.

Do Squirrels Eat Dog Food?

Squirrels are omnivore scavengers and therefore tend to eat some things that may seem strange to them. A squirrel will not be reluctant to devour dog foods and pack away some of them.

So, when filling your dog’s feeder with kibble and leave it outside, know that it’s also a potential dish for squirrels. Squirrels can also eat canned dog food when they’re starving.

However, dog food is designed for dogs, simply carnivores, meaning that it has meat products. It wouldn’t be a wise idea to let your squirrel enjoy a plate of dog food. These meals don’t help them much.

Do Squirrels Eat Insects?

Yes, squirrels do eat insects, and this happens most when nuts and fruits are not available. But are insects safe for squirrels?

Yes, insects don’t pose any problems to squirrels and are safe to eat. Our lovely rodents here resort to eating insects to satisfy their need for protein since nuts are nowhere to be found.

So, what insects are good for squirrels. The truth is, there are many options for insects that squirrels can eat, and we can’t exhaust them. But a few of these insects include grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillar larvae, and winged bugs.

All these insects are incredibly high in protein but should only be fed in small quantities and less often.

Do Squirrels Eat Raisins?

Squirrels are seen eating raisins from time to time, and they indeed love them. But should I be concerned that my squirrel is eating raisins, or should I just leave it?

You need to be informed of foods that you need to avoid feeding your friend, and among these we have raisins. Squirrels love this foodstuff, but it doesn’t add any nutritional value to them.

I’m against squirrels having raisins because these snacks have a high amount of sugar. And as you know, squirrels don’t need a lot of sugar in their diet; it can cause health problems.

Do Squirrels Eat Wood?

We commonly spot squirrels eating woods from our homes or in the wild. However, wood is not a potential food to squirrels, but they chew it to keep their teeth worn down.

Squirrels possess’ healthy teeth that grow continuously as long as they are alive. And because of this, these critters need to gnaw, which is why they chew every time.

Typically, squirrels gnaw on hard shells and seeds, but they can chew any hard material they come across if they aren’t available. And this can be your house or any other property. They chew everything that is not metal.

Do Squirrels Eat Chestnuts?

Squirrels primarily eat veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds, but also chestnuts. But chestnuts are not that healthy for squirrels, and they should eat them infrequently.

Chestnuts have a saponin toxin called aesculin, which is poisonous to squirrels and also many other animals. Squirrels tend to eat chestnuts during a fall when food is scarce, but they eat other nuts in ordinary cases.

You don’t need to purchase chestnuts for squirrels unless they are the only available foods your pet can eat. These nuts contain a lot of sugar and have unpleasant effects on squirrels if fed in excess.

Do Squirrels Eat Baby Rabbits?

If you didn’t know, squirrels are baby-killing cannibals and tend to eat small birds and baby rabbits.

By now, you know that squirrels will not just sit down and die out of hunger. No, these critters get crazy when hungry and eat anything edible to them.

Squirrels are omnivore scavengers; thus, they will always have something they can eat, whether plant or animal matter. They eat baby rabbits to satisfy their need for protein when nuts are lacking.

Do Squirrels Eat Fish?

Squirrels tend to eat fish when they are pretty hungry; otherwise, fish isn’t their favorite food. Yes, a squirrel can eat freshly dead fish outside water but rarely swim to catch a fish.

Fish is super high in protein, contains omega-3-fatty acids plus vitamin B2 and D. All these nutrients will benefit a squirrel. But if your squirrel won’t eat fish, you shouldn’t force it. Fish is only a secondary food to squirrels.

But if you want, you can have your squirrel eat fish on rare occasions, probably a few pieces every other week.

Do Squirrels Eat Popcorn?

Yes, squirrels are fond of eating popcorn. So, when you enjoy taking popcorn, you can share a few with your squirrel.

Popcorns are safe for squirrels as long as you don’t spice or drench them in butter or add salt. This snack is packed with various minerals and vitamins such as vitamin B1, B3, and B6, zinc, manganese, iron, phosphorus, and fiber.

Don’t feed popcorn every day. Squirrels are omnivores, and their body has a demand for different nutrients. They will not survive on just popcorn, but they need a variety of foods. Popcorns should be fed in moderation.

Do Squirrels Eat Ants?

We know that squirrels are excellent foragers but can they hunt and kill? Do they eat ants? Yes, squirrels do eat ants.

If you thought squirrels could only eat nuts and plant matter, then this nothing but a misconception. Squirrels eat many foods; they are incredibly curious and will try out anything that they can see.

Ants aren’t bad for squirrels; they provide protein that helps squirrels to stay alive and healthy. Ants also contain amino acids necessary for growth, fats, and high caloric contribution to the squirrel’s diet.

It is difficult to know how many insects a wild squirrel can take, but we need to limit their intake for the case of our pet squirrel. They shouldn’t eat them daily.

Do Squirrels Eat Cranberries?

Squirrels like cranberries so much but tend to eat not more than two. So, if you overdo it, don’t be shocked if your squirrel is rejecting the cranberries.

Squirrels benefit from eating cranberries by getting vitamin C, and they also love their taste. Fresh cranberries are the best option, but these animals can eat even the frozen ones. The good thing about the two varieties is that they have no added sugar.

Feed the cranberries once in a while and mix them with other foods. Some people add cranberries to the suet, which is still an excellent way to attract squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Other Animals?

By now, you know that squirrels are omnivores and not herbivores, as many people think. And that means that meat is part of their diet. Hence, squirrels tend to eat other animals.

These critters can hunt and kill pretty well; hunting is not a new thing to them. A hungry squirrel will eat whatever they find, including baby rabbits, small birds, snakes, lizards, insects, etc.

These animals are excellent sources of protein and amino acids, supporting good health and squirrels’ well-being. However, meat shouldn’t form a regular diet for these critters. It is best when served sporadically.

Do Squirrels Eat Bark?

Squirrels tend to chew hard objects, including bark. They don’t necessarily eat the bark, but the cambium layer is exposed after removing the bark.

The primary purpose why squirrels chew the bark off is to use this material for nesting. Immediately beneath the bark is the cambium layer that contains nutrients and sugar that attracts squirrels.

They love eating this substance, most likely during fall when other foods are short on supply. The squirrel species that chew the bark are red, fox, grey, and flying squirrels. And they strip or chew branches from specific types of trees.

Do Squirrels Eat Daffodil Bulbs?

While squirrels can eat anything when food is in short supply, they typically don’t eat daffodil bulbs. Of course, squirrels are among the animals that we blame for damaging our daffodil bulbs, but it’s a food they like.

Digging is a hobby to squirrels, and they can dig any daffodil bulb they have access to. However, these creatures hate any bulb with milky sap and with an unpleasant taste

They will go about digging the garden to get a bulb with good taste amongst the available ones. If you are lucky to find a squirrel eating daffodil bulbs, then it must be starving.

Do Squirrels Eat Caterpillars?

Caterpillar is a food source to many wild animal species, including squirrels. But caterpillars are not basic foods to these rodents; instead, they eat them on occasions.

Caterpillars have a pretty high nutritional value and contain more protein and fat than beef. They also have a tremendous supply of minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and calcium.

Squirrels get all these nutrients from eating caterpillars. You can see it is not futile to have your friend enjoy some caterpillars. If you can access them, they can be the best alternative protein source for squirrels.

But keep in mind to keep the feeding level of these larvae low since the squirrel is getting nutrients from other food sources.

Do Squirrels Eat Bird Seed?

Yes, squirrels are not picky in food matters, and they will go ahead and eat bird seeds when available. Seeds are among the topmost foods that squirrels love. But should they be eating bird seeds?

It is not a big deal for squirrels to eat bird seeds. While these creatures can go crazy about bird seeds, there are those seeds they tend to avoid, including canola, millet, Nyjer, and canary seeds.

Also, not all bird seeds are beneficial to squirrels. For instance, peanuts are good for birds, but they don’t offer real nutritional benefits for squirrels. Black oil sunflower seeds have a massive appeal to most birds, and squirrels love them immensely.

Do Squirrels Eat Potatoes?

Whatever you provide to squirrels, be sure that they get curious to eat it, including potatoes. Squirrels do eat potatoes and will nibble them again and again. But are potatoes good for these little friends?

Sweet potatoes aren’t bogus, and they rank high among the highly nutritious foods suitable for squirrels. They contain many more minerals and vitamins than seeds, making them a great choice addition to any squirrel’s diet.

Even if you are overwhelmed by how nutritious sweet potatoes can be, you shouldn’t overfeed them. Of course, too much of something is always poisonous. Sweet potatoes are high in oxalates, fats, and starches and can cause significant health issues.

Do Squirrels Eat Frogs?

Squirrels don’t eat nuts and seeds alone, but they devour various meats, and one of them is a frog. Plant matter makes up most of the squirrel’s diet, while the meat is an occasional food.

It is not until a squirrel becomes desperate for food that it starts to consume frogs. And they do this, intending to get protein for them to survive.

Our little friends here are smart at catching a live frog through their zigzag motion, but they will not leave a roadkill frog too. However, frogs are the last meal squirrels would want to eat; they eat them because of lack of choice.

Do Squirrels Eat Rabbits?

Some squirrel species, including red squirrels in the temperate, are known to kill and eat rabbits. But this is a rare behavior with tropical tree squirrels.

However, these are starving squirrels, and that’s why they are eating rabbits. The favorite food for all squirrels is nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Meat is an alternative source of protein when there is a short supply of food.

Rabbit meat is rich in vitamin B3 and B12, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and omega-3-fatty acids. It has the right balance between minerals and vitamins necessary for the squirrel’s daily dietary needs.

Do Squirrels Eat Cabbage?

Squirrels appreciate eating delicious vegetables, and cabbage is one of them. These little allies are open-minded when it comes to matters of food.

Squirrel benefits from vitamin C, A, B6, and K, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, protein, and fiber by consuming cabbage. However, cabbage has goitrogen, and too much of it is dangerous for squirrels.

There is no harm in feeding a few pieces of this veggie and mixing it with other foodstuffs to offer a varied diet to your little friend. 

Do Squirrels Eat Petunias?

Petunia is like a buffet for many different animals, including squirrels. Petunias are not on the list of squirrels’ favorite food, but they find them attractive.

But is petunia an ideal food ingredient to include in your friend’s diet?  Petunias are not poisonous to squirrels, and this makes them safe to feed. These flowers have a long flowering period and are available for quite a while.

It is not a wise idea to let your squirrel be free to eat petunias. That is because your friend will be accustomed to eating flowers and may find themselves eating poisonous flowers outside. Note that most flowers can be poisonous.

Do Squirrels Eat Sunflowers?

Squirrels are known to eat sunflowers, but unfortunately, they cause a lot of damage to our plant. Is sunflower a favorite food to squirrels, or why do they attack this plant?

Plants form the top list position of the foods that squirrels love most. However, sunflower plants don’t fit in the list and squirrels eat them when necessary.

More often, when you see a squirrel attacking your sunflower plant, it is mainly interested in the seeds. These charming rodents will not have a second thought when they see sunflower seeds.

Do Squirrels Eat Meat?

Squirrels find meat to be delicious, and they love eating it. So, if you thought these charming friends are sole vegetarians, then you are wrong. They do eat meat.

Meat is an incredible source of concentrated protein and essential minerals that greatly benefit lactating and pregnant squirrels. Moreover, these rodents need meat to sustain them when food quality declines in winter.

A squirrel can eat various meats, and among them, we have chicken meat, rabbit meat, lizards, mice, baby squirrels, snake meat, small snails, insects, and birds.

It is best to reduce the frequency of feeding meat to squirrels. Meat becomes their food source when circumstances demand it. 

Do Squirrels Eat Spiders?

Squirrels do eat spiders, but they are not on the top list of potential predators to these feeders. Gray squirrels are commonly known species to eat spiders, but other species can also eat them.

Most squirrels tend to eat spiders if they have nothing else to eat. Before they come to spiders, the first option foods would be mice, snakes, small birds, lizards, etc. And this shows that spiders are occasional foods to them.

Spiders serve as good protein sources for squirrels, but they also provide other essential nutrients. These creatures are resistant to snake venom and perhaps also to poison from spiders.

Do Squirrels Eat Tulips?

Bulbs are edible to squirrels, and they are fond of eating them, and among these are tulip bulbs.  They have good taste and tend to attract many animals apart from squirrels.

Tulips are protein-rich foodstuffs, and the fact that they lack cellulose makes them a preferred food to squirrels. They can easily digest this food material and also benefit from its nutrients.

So, it is worth feeding tulips to squirrels and making sure to limit their intake. The best thing to do is incorporate tulip bulbs into other food ingredients suitable for squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Popcorn Kernels?

Popped popcorn is an excellent snack for squirrels, but they also express a healthy appetite for unpopped popcorn kernels. But are these kernels ideal for feeding squirrels?

It is not a sin to let your squirrel have some popcorn kernels. However, there are things you should know about this food material. First, popcorn kernels are not easily digestible, and this can create problems, such as choking to squirrels.

Secondly, popcorn kernels can stick between the squirrel’s teeth and eventually cause bleeding or tooth decay if they lodge along the gum line. So, even if squirrels love this item, it would be better if you can avoid it.

Do Squirrels Eat Nyjer Seed?

Nyjer seed is a staple food to most birds, but squirrels tend to ignore it in most cases. However, a starving squirrel may eat these seeds, but it’s rare.

It’s uncommon for squirrels to ignore foods, especially the seeds. What makes them dislike nyjer seeds? There is uncertainty about why these animals ignore nyjer seeds despite them being nutritious.

Perhaps squirrels find these seeds too tiny and awkward to eat, or maybe they dislike their taste. Whatever the case is, you need to avoid these seeds and look for other alternative seeds. Of course, many seeds are edible to squirrels.

Do Squirrels Eat Pears?

Pears are not the number one fruit for squirrels, but these creatures find them interesting. Your squirrel will still love you for giving it a piece of pears.

Pears are healthy and have a lot of health benefits to squirrels. These fruits have an excellent supply of folate, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It is not pointless that you are feeding pears to your beloved friend.

However, pears are bad if fed in large quantities. They are high in sugar, and squirrels don’t require a lot of sugar in their diet. Just feed a few pieces of pears, and your pet is safe.

Do Squirrels Eat Chocolate?

It’s a habit for squirrels to consume anything they can put their hands on, including chocolate. These animals love chocolate so much.

But that doesn’t mean that chocolate is an ideal food for squirrels. Chocolate has a theobromine compound that can be toxic to squirrels if they eat this candy in excess.

Both the milky and dark chocolate have theobromine, but it’s higher in the latter one. So, chocolate isn’t recommended for squirrels. It is good to feed foods that will not cause any harm to your beloved buddy.

However, it’s common for squirrels to steal chocolate at any chance they get it. Only make sure they don’t overeat this candy.

Wrapping Up

Thank you for being patient and choosing to read this long article. Now, we have seen that squirrels have a varied variety of foods that they can eat. Their favorite dish consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Nonetheless, these little buddies are not solely vegetarians, meaning that they also eat meat, including mice, chicken meat, rabbits, lizards, snakes, among others. 

Squirrels are master hoarders who bury foods in different caches to prepare for the winter when food is scarce.

Unfortunately, it’s not all the time they remember where they buried the nuts, and at times, the snow gets too thick for these buddies to locate their buried foods. And this forces them to eat anything they get their hands on.

A starving squirrel can be a little devil, eating even things that you would never expect. And during this time, wild squirrels become disastrous to our garden and even in the backyards.