What Feed Do Squirrels Like?

Rambunctious, chatty, and sometimes bold, squirrels can be a great source of entertainment. Whether you keep a pet squirrel around, use a feeder to attract them outside, or just like to toss out a few bits and pieces to them when out camping, you can keep the squirrels quite happy by choosing a few feeds the critters find especially appealing.

  1. Bird Seed

    • Bird seed is popular with squirrels, who are often found raiding bird feeders, much to a bird watcher's dismay. Squirrels can jump many times their own body length, so keeping them out of bird feeders can be a challenge. Bird seed containing black-oil sunflower seeds or hulled sunflower seeds can be used to feed or attract squirrels, but generally the squirrel eats whatever is in the feeder.

    Nuts

    • Nuts are very popular with squirrels. They eat most types of nuts including peanuts, walnuts and almonds. Avoid feeding a squirrel salted nuts, as the sodium can raise its heart rate above normal. Because a squirrel hides food for future consumption, it may seem as though the squirrel is eating a great quantity as it comes back again and again for more, but in all likelihood, it is just burying or stashing the food.

    Grains

    • While different species of squirrels have different eating habits and preferences, many can be found snacking on plant material such as tree buds and leaves. Berries are also a source of nourishment when in season.

    Plant Material

    • While different species of squirrels have different eating habits and preferences, many can be found snacking on plant material such as tree buds and leaves. Berries are also a source of nourishment when in season.