Squirrels & Sunflower Seeds

Squirrels are typically associated with nuts. Commonly seen burying acorns, walnuts and other fatty seeds for the winter, these animals love foods of this type. They also raid bird feeders to get to corn, sunflower seeds and other nuts and seeds. A high-seed diet isn't necessarily good for them, though. Rehabbers and people keeping squirrel pets should take care to avoid excessive sunflower seeds and similar food in their squirrels' diets.

  1. Significance

    • Seeds provide high quantities of fat and are calorie-rich. This makes them appealing to most squirrels, which will eat them exclusively if allowed. Sunflower seeds are also inexpensive, making them a common component of bird food and small animal feeds. Diets with a high percentage of sunflower seeds may cause calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease in squirrels. These conditions may eventually cripple the animal or even kill it.

    Time Frame

    • Squirrels eating mostly sunflower seeds may appear to be healthy for some time. According to the Columbus Squirrel Rescue, infant squirrels with metabolic bone disease may take up to 10 weeks to show signs of problems. Adult squirrels used to a normal diet may also take some time to begin displaying symptoms.

    Effects

    • A diet high in fatty seeds may cause squirrels to lower their activity levels, become lethargic and eat less. They may seem to have general soreness of the body, and in serious cases, may develop hind leg paralysis or have seizures. A high calcium diet supplemented with sunflower seeds does not produce these problems, and should keep rescued squirrels healthy in the long term.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Rehabbers should provide sunflower seeds only in moderation, and choose a high calcium diet that also contains vitamin D3 to aid absorption. Homeowners who feed squirrels should supply seeds only in moderation and consider a varied mix of nuts and dried fruit and vegetables. Wild squirrels usually have other sources of food, and are unlikely to eat exclusively from the feeder.

    Warning

    • Squirrels are prohibited as pets in most of the United States. Rehabbers and people with special licenses may be permitted to keep pet squirrels which cannot be released to the wild. Keeping a native wild animal at home is illegal, no matter what quality of care or diet the owner provides. Pet owners with illegal squirrels are risking their animals' lives if the squirrel is discovered.