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Squirrels are human’s cute little furry friend. They are one of those fauna that needs to feast whole day in order to maintain their body weights and energy levels. Squirrels show keen interest when offered variety of food but that doesn’t mean you can feed your pet with anything.
As far as we are talking about squirrels, given below are some food items that squirrels love to eat and affects positively on their health.
So, What to feed Squireels? Let’s Begin.
What to Prefer to Feed Squirrels?
Because of continuous human intervention, squirrels have learned to survive with them and trust them with food. Now it is our responsibility that we feed them with what is good for their health. Here are some foods that you feed squirrels –
Legumes
As we mentioned earlier, squirrels prefer to have variety in their food and legumes is one of their favorite variety from plants. Peanuts are considered to be one of the most popular legumes and are loved by squirrels.
However, there are following other legumes that you can feed squirrels with –
- Peas
- Lentils
- Beans
Legumes are great source of protein and you should aim at including some in the squirrel’s diet on regular basis.
Fruits
A little bit of fruits everyday is good for squirrels. These will provide them with natural sugars and enough carbohydrates to balance rest of the diet.
You can feed squirrels with following fruits –
- Apples
- Melons
- Kiwi
- Grapes
- Such other Fruits
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Mulberries
- Such other Berries
However, make sure you do not feed too many fruits to squirrels as it might cause diarrhea.
Vegetables
Just like humans, vegetable is a very important part of squirrel’s daily diet. A good portion of vegetable chunk not only provides your pet with natural source of water but also adds a variety in their regular diet.
The most preferable choices in vegetables are –
- Sweet Potatoes
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Cabbage
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Other root vegetables
Vegetables provide them with key Vitamins and Minerals which cannot be offered by seeds, nuts or any such other food.
Nuts
Squirrels are always crazy behind the nuts. While walking down the road you will notice squirrels holding nuts in their tine paws. Shell or no shell they always enjoy their nuts.
Some of the favorites are –
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Pine nuts
- Almonds
Nuts are a great source of protein that also happens to include Omega-3 and Fiber.
Seeds
Seeds acquire the optimum portion of squirrel’s diet. Seeds provide them with Calories and Nutrition in bulk.
Given below are some of the seeds that you can feed squirrels –
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Safflower Seeds
However, make sure that seeds are not the only food you are feeding them. Otherwise, they might lack Calcium in their diet and end up being overweight.
Insects
Many of us might not like the idea of squirrels feasting and munching on insects but they do love consuming them. An occasional mealworm will provide them with Vitamin D, Calcium and Minerals. This doesn’t mean that you have to go and catch worms to feed your little friend.
You can simply buy mealworms and feed it your squirrels on occasional basis.
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Formulated Pellets
To offer a balanced diet to squirrels, there are some companies out there that provide formulated pellets. Usually, pet owners seem to feed their squirrels with these pellets and add some nuts, seeds, and fruits on the sides.
You can also feed squirrels with monkey biscuits. However, they are not ideally formulated to feed pet squirrels.
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Supplements
Squirrels especially the flying ones require a proper amount of Calcium and Vitamin D. If the same is not provided via food, then you can also use supplements to keep your pet squirrel healthy.
To provide enough Calcium and Vitamin D, you can dust the fruits and vegetables with the powder formulated for reptiles. You can do this activity a few times a week to ensure that they are getting all the required nutrients.
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Food That Is Not Preferred by The Squirrels
Now that you are well informed about what you can feed your squirrels, it is equally important to be informed about what squirrels do not prefer to eat. Frankly, there are not many food items that squirrels avoid. This makes it easier for you to remember them.
Given below are some food items that squirrels don’t appreciate –
Flowers
There are several flowers that squirrels would like to avoid. These include Daffodils, Hyacinth, and Snowdrop.
Chilies
Squirrels hate chili; the spiciness and heat created by chilies are something that squirrels cannot absorb, which is why they liked to stay away from it.
Onion and Garlic
Squirrels are not fans of raw onions and raw garlic. They are happy to avoid them as much as possible.
Conclusion
Squirrels are very cooperative critters and will almost eat everything. If you don’t have a squirrel as a pet, then you can go to a garden with a pocket full of snacks and give them a good treat. As they remember human friends very well, next time when you pay a visit, you will notice an excitement in them.
We hope we could help you with all the information you were looking for. In case if we missed out on anything, you could remind us in the comment section below.
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