Many people enjoy observing wild squirrels and may wish to offer them food. Understanding what is appropriate and inappropriate to feed them is important for their well-being and for maintaining natural behaviors.
Foods They Can Eat
Squirrels are omnivores, but their diet is primarily plant-based, consisting of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Safe, unprocessed options include unsalted nuts such as acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans. Pine nuts and almonds are also suitable, though almonds should be offered in moderation due to potential cyanide compounds in large quantities. Unsalted seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds are good choices. Small amounts of fresh fruits, such as apples, berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries), and grapes, can be provided, along with certain vegetables like carrots and corn in moderation.
Foods to Avoid
Processed foods, sugary items like candy and chocolate, and salty snacks should not be given. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant squirrels cannot metabolize effectively, which can lead to tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures, or even death. Salty foods, including salted nuts, can cause dehydration and kidney stress. Bread, crackers, and other refined carbohydrates offer minimal nutrition and can expand in a squirrel’s stomach, leading to discomfort or malnourishment. Dairy products are difficult for squirrels to digest and can cause stomach upset, while onions, garlic, and avocado (especially the skin and pit) contain toxic substances.
Responsible Feeding Practices
Offer food as an occasional supplement, providing small quantities like a few nuts or seeds to prevent dependence. Feeding should not be a daily occurrence, allowing squirrels to maintain their natural foraging behaviors. Scattering food on the ground or using a dedicated feeder can be effective methods. Maintain hygiene by ensuring fresh water is available and regularly cleaning feeding areas to prevent disease spread. Observe squirrels from a distance; excessive interaction can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans.
Broader Implications of Feeding
Consistent human provisioning can alter their natural foraging instincts, leading to a reliance on human food sources and a reduced ability to find food independently. An abundant, easily accessible food supply may contribute to localized overpopulation, increasing competition for natural resources and potentially elevating the risk of disease transmission among squirrels. Diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and those carried by fleas and ticks can spread more easily in concentrated populations. Squirrels accustomed to human feeding may lose their natural wariness, potentially leading to aggressive behavior when food is expected but not provided. This loss of fear can also increase their vulnerability to accidents or harm near human activity.