The popularity of squirrels often inspires people to offer them food, aiming to help these small, energetic creatures. This impulse must be guided by knowledge of their specific dietary needs to ensure their well-being. Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, but not all human-provided foods are safe or beneficial for their long-term health. Understanding the right balance of nutrients and the potential dangers of certain foods is necessary for responsible feeding. This guide provides an overview of safe food choices and best practices.
Recommended Foods and Nutritional Needs
A squirrel’s diet in the wild consists primarily of nuts, seeds, fungi, fruits, and insects; supplemental foods should mimic this natural variety. Unshelled, raw nuts like pecans, walnuts, and hickory nuts are excellent. They provide high levels of fat and protein, which are dense energy sources necessary for their active lifestyle and winter preparation. Offering nuts in the shell is beneficial because the gnawing required helps naturally wear down their continuously growing incisor teeth, promoting dental health.
Seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds are also good options, delivering additional fats and nutrients. Fresh produce can supplement their diet, including small portions of vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and dark leafy greens like kale or spinach. These greens are valuable because they contain calcium, which is important for preventing metabolic bone disease. All foods offered should be plain, meaning unsalted, unseasoned, and raw, to avoid introducing harmful additives.
Foods to Strictly Avoid
Many common human foods are toxic or nutritionally inappropriate for squirrels and must be avoided. Chocolate is dangerous because it contains theobromine, a compound squirrels cannot metabolize effectively, leading to symptoms like tremors and seizures. Salty foods, including chips, pretzels, and salted nuts, are harmful because a squirrel’s small kidneys struggle to process high sodium levels, which can quickly lead to dehydration and kidney problems.
Processed foods, such as candy, cookies, bread, and sugary cereals, offer little nutritional value and can cause digestive upset. Certain seemingly natural items carry hidden risks, such as fruit pits and apple seeds, which contain trace amounts of cyanide. Peanuts are discouraged because they are prone to contamination by a fungus that produces aflatoxin, and large amounts of corn can quickly develop toxic mold.
Responsible Feeding Practices
Feeding squirrels should be done in moderation to prevent them from becoming overly dependent on human handouts and neglecting natural foraging behaviors. Always ensure a source of fresh, clean water is available, especially when offering dry food. They need water for digestion and to counter the effects of any unintentional salt intake.
Sanitation is a primary concern when feeding any wild animal, as shared food sources can become hotspots for disease transmission. Feeders should be cleaned regularly using a mild detergent and water to remove residue, followed by a veterinary-approved disinfectant. This helps prevent the spread of pathogens like squirrel pox and adenovirus. Moving the feeding location every few weeks can also disrupt the buildup of contaminants and reduce the risk of localized disease spread.