What Do Squirrels Like to Eat? A Complete Guide to Their Favorite Foods

Whether you feed them or want them to visit your backyard, knowing what they like to eat is enjoyable and also very important. If you give them the right foods, they stay healthy, active, and happy. Knowing what not to feed squirrels is important, avoiding the wrong foods can prevent their health issues.

Knowing what do red squirrels like to eat helps you appreciate how red squirrels help the ecosystem by spreading seeds and contributing to plant growth. We must know safe food like, fruits, vegetables, some seeds, and nuts for squirrels.

In this guide, we will discuss what squirrels like, from what they eat in the wild to what to feed them at home.

What do squirrels like to eat?

Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant-based and animal-based foods. In the wild, their diet mainly consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They are opportunistic eaters and won’t hesitate to eat whatever’s available.

Dietary variety helps them stay nourished enough to maintain the energy they require for their active lives. Urban and suburban environments have adapted to feeding squirrels. People often observe them raiding bird feeders, munching on garden vegetables. But not everything squirrels like is good for them, so it is necessary to know what do ground squirrels like to eat.

Fruits & Flowers

Fresh fruits and flowers are the favorites of squirrels. Apples, berries, grapes, and bananas are their top picks. Squirrels can use the natural sugars in fruits as quick energy, while the fiber and vitamins help them stay healthy. If you have fruit trees in your yard, chances are squirrels will come to visit for a snack.

They also like flowers, especially the tender petals. Sometimes they eat blossoms from plants such as hibiscus or tulips. It ensures their nourishment and adds to their varied diet. But if you want to attract them to your yard, it’s best to feed them fruits instead of flowers.

Vegetables

Squirrels are not picky about vegetables. Carrots, leafy greens, and broccoli are some crunchy items they love. The vitamins and minerals in these veggies help the squirrel build strong bones and maintain an impressive immune system.

In gardens, squirrels are known for raiding vegetable patches, especially tomatoes, corn, or squash. Fresh and unsalted vegetables are a great way to keep them healthy and active without risking your plants.

Nuts

Nuts are a favorite snack for squirrels. They like walnuts, almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts. These nuts provide essential fats and proteins that keep squirrels energized, especially as they prepare for winter and store fat for hibernation.

Squirrels are known for planting nuts to store food for later use. This behavior is important to forest ecosystems since some of the buried nuts shoot into trees, thereby promoting plant growth. If you’re going to feed squirrels nuts, always choose unsalted and unflavored varieties.

Cheese

Cheese is rich and salty, so squirrels like it, but it’s not part of a squirrel’s natural diet. Squirrels should sparingly consume cheese, as it is high in fats and sodium, and excessive consumption can be harmful to their health^[1].

Squirrels may nibble a bit of cheese, but it’s not a healthy snack for them. Ensure they eat natural, unprocessed food and avoid digestive problems when eating human food.

Cereals

You can feed squirrels cereals made from whole grains. They love oatmeal, shredded wheat, and unsweetened cereals. They are a beneficial source of fiber and energy and are a beneficial supplement to squirrels’ normal diet.

However, you should avoid cereals with added sugar, salt, or artificial flavors. Most popular breakfast cereals are overly processed and can lead to health issues if consumed excessively. Cereal offerings should always be minimal and go with plain, natural choices.

Birdseed

Squirrels are notorious for raiding bird feeders, and birdseed is a big part of what attracts them. They love sunflower seeds, millet, and corn in birdseed mixes. These seeds are good sources of fat and protein, which they need to keep up with their active lives.

Supplementing a squirrel’s diet with birdseed is not bad, but squirrels can overeat as feeders are always available. If you wish to provide them with birdseed, you should either do so sparingly or set up squirrel feeders.

Insects

Squirrels eat insects less often, but when the need arises, they do. They get an immediate shot of protein from grubs, caterpillars, and little bugs when other foods are scarce. Wild squirrels can get their protein in the form of insects.

Normally, squirrels do not hunt insects, but they will do so if they come across them during foraging. This part of their diet keeps them able to adapt to their environment, especially when their usual plant-based foods are not available.

Fungi

Squirrels have a fondness for fungi, particularly mushrooms and truffles. Wild mushrooms are a beneficial source of nutrients and part of their diet. In the fall, when fungi are more plentiful, they often forage in forested areas. Some species of squirrels help in spreading fungal spores and are critical to keeping ecosystems healthy.

In the wild, squirrels naturally seek out fungi, but not all mushrooms are safe for them. They have an instinct for not eating the bad types, but it’s still a good idea not to feed them wild mushrooms unless you’re sure they’re safe.

Eggs

Surprisingly, squirrels can eat bird eggs if given the opportunity. Squirrels can greatly benefit from the rich protein and fat content of eggs as they transition into winter or face limited food sources. They may raid bird nests to eat eggs and occasionally young birds.

Eggs are not a major part of their diet, but their consumption is an example of flexibility. But if you’re feeding them, it’s best to encourage a plant-based diet, as eggs in large quantities aren’t good for their long-term health.

Human Trash

Squirrels, being highly opportunistic feeders, find great opportunities in human trash. They are not picky and forage through garbage, from leftover food scraps to discarded packaging with food remnants. They particularly gravitate towards sugary or salty snacks found in trash bins, which can lead to health issues if overindulged.

To keep squirrels away from your trash, it’s important to cover it properly. They occasionally consume human junk food, which is detrimental to their diet and overall health, leading to malnutrition or obesity.

Plant Material

Plant material is the basis of the diet for squirrels. This includes a variety of leaves, bark, twigs, and even stems of different plants. During times of scarcity, especially in winter, they eat tree bark and leaves for food. This roughage helps keep them active and gives them energy when nutrient-dense food is not available.

By feeding on plant material, they survive the lean months in the wild. However, if you’re feeding them, it’s better to give them more nutrient-rich options like fruits, veggies, and nuts, which will be healthier for them, instead of giving them just simple plant matter.

Dog and cat food

Squirrels may nibble on pets’ food if they find them. This food is high in protein and fat, appealing to squirrels, especially in pet bowls. They can tolerate a bite now and then, but it’s not a long-term food source, and it also lacks nutritional diversity.

If you feed your pets outside, you must monitor your bowls to ensure they don’t come into contact with their food. Although eating dog or cat food doesn’t sound so bad, eating this food too often could create problems for them through imbalances in their diets.

Scraps and Waste

Compost piles and food scraps are ideal locations for squirrels to hang out. If they spot something edible, they will eat anything from vegetable peels to stale bread. They’re happy to scavenge for these scraps, but not all human food waste is good for them. Foods with high sugar, salt, or artificial ingredients may do more harm than good.

When you feed squirrels, it’s best to feed them fresh fruits and vegetables rather than processed scraps. But it also helps to make sure they’re not eating human food waste, which can have negative effects.

Is There Anything They Don’t Eat?

Squirrels eat a lot of things, but there are a few things they don’t. They try to avoid spicy foods or chili powder. They are a natural deterrent, but they have strong flavors. Garlic, peppermint, and other strong-smelling substances also keep squirrels away.

Squirrels are genetically pretty adaptable, but they have limits. They steer clear of foods that are toxic, such as chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and moldy produce. Knowing their likes and dislikes allows you to feed them safely and responsibly.