
- acorns
- almonds
- butternuts
- cashews
- chestnuts
- hazelnuts
- hickory nuts
- macadamia nuts
- pecans
- pistachios
What food is harmful to a squirrel?
What not to feed a squirrel
- Bread
- Peanuts
- Popcorn
- Processed foods
- Junk/fast food
- Dairy products
- Chocolate
- Corn-based products
- Candy bars or sweet treats
- Sugary cereals
What is the cheapest food you can feed a squirrel?
You can also feed the squirrels loose corn either on a tray or inside a box feeder. Dried corn is incredibly inexpensive IF you can purchase it from a farm supply store.
What types of foods can you feed a squirrel?
| Ultimate List Of Squirrel Foods
- Nuts. If you have a nuts tree in your backyard then it’s very likely that you have observed squirrels near it.
- Fruits. Squirrels love fruits and passionately eat any type of fruit from trees and plants. ...
- Vegetables. ...
- Grains & Cereals. ...
- Foods Containing Cheese. ...
- Foods Found In Garbage. ...
- Pet Foods. ...
- Seeds for Birds. ...
- Insects Or Bugs. ...
- Mushrooms & Fungi. ...
What kind of fruit and vegetables should you feed a squirrel?
You can get your local squirrels used to eating veggies by feeding them small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables. Many squirrels love to eat apples, peas, watermelon, grapes, broccoli and yellow squash . However, it's important to go easy on the fruit because it can reduce a squirrel's ability to absorb calcium.

What to feed a squirrel that is hurt?
What to Feed SquirrelsSQUIRREL FEEDING GUIDEFoodQualityInformationPeanut ButterOkayA favorite, but should only be provided in moderation.Peanuts, RawDangerousRaw peanuts may contain a fungus that can hurt squirrels.Peanuts, RoastedOkayUnsalted and only in small amounts.18 more rows
What should I do with an injured squirrel?
If you find an injured squirrel, carefully place it in a lined small box without food or water and then contact the wildlife rehabilitation centre, like Shades of Hope. They will either direct you to a veterinarian or request that the animal be brought to their animal rehab program.
What do you feed a rescued squirrel?
At about 6 weeks old your squirrel will be ready to start nibbling on solid food. These foods may include kale, broccoli, apples, grapes, sweet potato, and hard-shelled nuts out of the shell and a good quality rodent diet. ( At Chris's Squirrels and More we offer Mazuri Rodent Block or Zupreme Primate Dry Diet.)
Should you help an injured squirrel?
You should not attempt to rehabilitate an injured squirrel on your own. In the event you take in an injured or abandoned squirrel, find a nearby wildlife rescue. Take the squirrel in as soon as possible. Seek regular veterinary care if you can't place your squirrel in a rescue.
How do you know if a squirrel is dying?
Signs Of A Baby Squirrel Dying Squirrels are very energetic creatures, but if you have been noticing a gradual decrease in their appetite, loss of energy, weakness, lethargic behavior, loss of body weight, or visible skin abnormalities, then you should get your ill baby squirrel help.
How do you know if a squirrel is in shock?
Signs of shock in squirrels are cold temperature (especially in the extremities), a glassy- eyed stare, unresponsiveness to touch and rapid pulse and respiration. If these signs are accompanied with bleeding or other injuries, get the squirrel to a vet immediately.
Is it OK to feed squirrels peanuts?
As most people know, squirrels love most types of nuts but they will also eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The best thing to feed these animals are either Nuts in Shells, Jumbo Peanuts or specifically made Squirrel Food.
Do squirrels eat apples?
Squirrels are known to store nuts by burying them, but they are omnivores that also eat apples, insects and much more besides.
Can squirrels drink milk?
Adult squirrels aren't too discerning about what they'll eat , but a baby squirrel's digestive system is sensitive. Feeding a baby squirrel the wrong thing could cause diarrhea and dehydration or, worse, send their body into shock. Never feed them human formula, cow's milk, or milk substitutes.
What foods do squirrels eat?
What food do squirrels eat?Nuts.Seeds.Fruit.Fungi.Grains.Vegetables.Roots.Bulbs.More items...
Can a squirrel survive a cat bite?
If you suspect the squirrel has been bitten, it must be seen by a vet immediately for wound management and antibiotic treatment. Cat bites that are left untreated are typically fatal to squirrels.
Do squirrels drink water?
As it turns out, squirrels actually drink a lot of water, and they need even more water during warm weather, lactation and pregnancy. It's crucial that they have a clean source of water, and if they cannot get this from their natural environment, then there is nothing wrong with helping them out.
What to do if you find an injured squirrel?
Remember to keep the area safe and watch out for predators! What to do if you find an injured juvenile or adult squirrel. Look for signs of injury. Common causes of injuries include being hit by a car, falling from a tree, being attacked by another animal, and poisoning.
What do grey squirrels eat?
Diet – Most, but not all, squirrels are vegetarian. Nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, & buds are the main foods in a squirrel’s diet.
How to tell if a squirrel is poisoned?
Symptoms of head trauma or poisoning may include listing to the side, walking in circles, looking/acting dizzy or bleeding from the nose or the mouth. If the squirrel is hurt, handle with care: squirrels aren’t naturally aggressive, but can claw or bite to avoid capture and have sharp teeth and strong jaws.
How often do squirrels give birth?
Breeding habits – Females give birth twice a year to litters of between 3 & 7 kittens. They nest high in trees. As squirrels are a member of the rodent family, it may not be surprising to hear that they get a bad rap; like their rat and mouse cousins, they are misunderstood.
How to help a baby that has no fur?
Place the baby in a protective container with a soft, clean cloth. Keep the baby warm: this is especially important if he has little or no fur. Don’t feed the baby; wildlife rehabilitators use a special formula.
How to keep squirrels away from other animals?
Don’t hold or pet the squirrel. Place the box/cage in a quiet area away from other animals. It bears repeating: No matter the age of the squirrel, you should always contact a professional such as Squirrelmenders once you’ve rescued the animal from any immediate danger (or determined that you cannot).
Do squirrels get killed by children?
Not only are the squirrels killed by children and adults alike , but the biggest squirrels earn their killers “cash and gun prizes.”. Friends of Animals sheds some light on the sheer insanity of it all by calling the event for what it is: “a disastrous, convoluted idea.”.
Why do squirrels die?
If humans don't help them out with this need, a squirrel's body will pull calcium from their bones and they end up dying of a painful condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. When their bones become depleted of calcium they become lame and usually fall out of the trees and shatter their brittle, calcium depleted bones.
Do squirrels eat animal protein?
But, that doesn't mean that they never eat animal protein.
Is a squirrel a girl or a boy?
If your squirrel is a couple of years old and you can't tell the gender, then it's a girl. From my observations, by that age you would definitely notice his little squirrel "package" if it was boy!
Do squirrels need calcium?
There are high calcium vegeta tion such as Kale that can help provide calcium, but eating bird's eggs and baby birds can also supplement their calcium needs . Unfortunately, vegetation and nestling birds and eggs are only available for a short time every year, so squirrels are vulnerable to low blood calcium most of the year.
How to help a wild squirrel?
2. Make a shelter for your squirrel. If you find a wild squi rrel injured outside and it is legal for you to help the squirrel, then make sure to provide him with a proper shelter. Wild squirrels do not carry rabies as a rule, but it is possible for any warm-blooded animal to be infected so be careful.
How to rehabilitate a squirrel?
Re-releasing an injured animal into the wild requires a certain level of expertise. If there is a wildlife rescue in your area, it's best to contact the rescu e before attempting to rehabilitate a squirrel by yourself.
How to keep a squirrel in your house?
If you plan to keep your squirrel for awhile, you need to make sure he spends time building his muscles. Allow your squirrel access to one room of your house for at least an hour a day. Make sure you remove anything breakable or anything you do not want damaged.
How to get a squirrel out of a rescue?
Seek regular veterinary care if you can't place your squirrel in a rescue. If there is not a rescue near you, seek regular veterinary care for your squirrel as he recovers. Look for an exotic veterinarian in your area and take your squirrel in for regular checkups. Start building your release cage ASAP.
How to keep a baby squirrel warm?
If you found an injured baby squirrel, he needs to stay warm in order to survive. Wrap a hot water bottle or a heating pad in flannel or a similar material. Place it in the box or cage where you're keeping the baby squirrel. Do not cover the squirrel in any fabrics and do not put water in without wrapping it up first.
What to do if you get bit by a squirrel?
If you are bitten, clean the wound out with some water and call your doctor for further treatment . Having the squirrel tested for diseases will result in the squirrel's death. However, if you don't have a cage there are other options. Injured squirrels found in the wild tend to be babies.
How tall is a squirrel cage?
If it's plastic, the squirrel will chew through it quickly. An old bird cage, at least 3 feet tall, might work very temporarily for an adult squirrel. You can also purchase animal cages of a variety of shapes and sizes at your local pet store. Critter/Ferret nations are recommended for the small bar spacings and size.
A squirrel dying of dehydration
A squirrel dying of dehydration in the wild is very uncommon, these animals are always on the lookout for food and water. However, dehydration can still happen.
How to save a squirrel from dying of dehydration
Dehydration can be remedied by offering the animal a lectade solution. Lectade is a powder that is usually mixed with water and offered by vets to treat dehydration in calves.
A squirrel dying from an injury
If a squirrel is injured, and is immobile, it will quickly be found and eaten by predators. Predators target weak and injured animals in the wild, it’s the easiest way to get a meal.
How to save an injured squirrel
You need to keep the squirrel in a box or container where it can’t be accessed by predators.
A squirrel dying from an illness
Squirrels can carry a disease for quite a long time without you noticing that it is sick. Doing this keeps predators at bay.
How to save a squirrel that is ill
Certain illnesses can be treated at home while others need to be treated at a vet.
A squirrel dying from poison
Not many people are happy to see squirrels running around, some people will leave poison out for these little animals to eat.
How to Help a Squirrel in Need
Yesterday, I woke up to a panicked phone call from my friend Lisette. A young squirrel had fallen from a tree in her yard and was yelping loudly and appeared unable to move. She wanted to know how she could help the little guy. Here is a video she took of the squirrel she found who we named Petrie.
First, Make Sure the Squirrel Really Needs Your Help
This may sound obvious, but we humans have a tendency to jump into action for an animal sometimes a little too quickly. Just like human children, young animals sometime stumble around while exploring the world.
What to do if the squirrel you found checks off all the boxes above
In my experience, government animal control agencies are pretty reluctant to come out to pick up an injured squirrel. If the squirrel you found is in need of medical care your may have to find a near by wildlife rehabilitation center to take it to.
Things to think about before transporting a wild squirrel on your own
Squirrels even babies can have powerful teeth, sharp claws, and may carry a variety of diseases. It is important to consider your safety before transporting the animal on your own. Use the strongest pair of gloves possible when picking up the animal.
What if the baby squirrel does not check off the criteria for immediate intervention?
Along with finding Petry, Lisette found a second baby squirrel in her yard who she named Ducky. Ducky did not appear to have any obvious bone injuries and was not bleeding or crying. As Lisette approached Ducky he began to move on his own.
LUCKY FOR DUCKY HIS MOM CAME BACK FOR HIM!!!
By the end of the day Lisette did the best thing she could do for both Petrie and Ducky. Petrie got access to the emergency medical care he needed and Ducky was reunited with his mom.
How to keep squirrels warm?
Put a heating pad under one half of the box with a towel folded twice between the box and the heating pad. If the squirrel is unable to move on his own, you will need to monitor the temperature of the squirrel very closely so he does not overheat. When he is warmed up, he should feel warm to your touch.
How to keep squirrels from getting toe nails?
Place the squirrel in a box or plastic container with a clean cloth in the bottom of the box (preferably a cloth baby diaper or baby receiving blanket, NO TOWELS) and place a light cover over the squirrel . The reason I say "no towels" is the squirrels will get their toenails hung in the loops and either rip out a toenail, break a toe, ...
How to make rehydration solution for a baby?
If you do not have access to Pedialyte, you can make a homemade rehydration solution as follows: NOTE: Pedialyte and the following recipe are NOT a formula that the baby should be on for an extended period of time, it is only for rehydration . 1 teaspoon salt. 3 teaspoons regular table sugar. 1 quart warm water.
Why do squirrels gasp for breath?
Hypoglycemia is a problem that squirrels seem to be susceptible to. It can be caused from spacing the feedings too far apart. If you notice a squirrel with its back arched and gasping for breath, start the squirrel on a mixture of one part distilled water or Pedialyte mixed with one part of Kayro syrup.
How hot should a squirrel be before eating?
Before trying to give the young squirrel anything to eat, you must first get him warm. Make sure that you warm him slowly and make sure you monitor his warming so as not to overheat him. The normal temperature for a squirrel is 99 degrees, which is close to that of our own temperature of 98.6 degrees. Place the squirrel in a box or plastic ...
Why is my squirrel's urine yellow?
If the urine is thick and honey colored, the squirrel is dehydrated and needs to be placed on a rehydrating formula. The normal bowel movement of an infant will be soft and have a deep yellow color to it once he has gotten the formula in him. When you first get him it will be almost black and well formed.
How many feedings can you mix 75% formula with?
Then you mix it 75% formula with 25% rehydration solution for 2-3 feedings. Make sure that you warm this formula up in the microwave and only warm up what you will feed in ONE feeding. Be real careful not to overheat and you can test the formula on your wrist to make sure it is not too hot.
