What should we feed squirrels

Providing food for squirrels could put them in danger, for example: encouraging them to cross roads resulting in them being run over or eating from feeders that make them vulnerable to cats.

Potential population issues They could also become reliant on artificial food sources, and providing extra food in the area could increase the local population beyond its natural capacity. Squirrels are good at finding their own food In many cases, it's better to let them find their own food.

What you can feed squirrels If you want to feed squirrels go for unsweetened and unsalted nuts such as: hazelnuts walnuts almonds peanuts that are aflatoxin-free You can also give them some fruit and veg: chopped apple carrots spinach green beans bean sprouts celery Shredding food can also prevent issues with squirrels burying food in your garden for later.

Hand-feeding squirrels Attempting to tame grey squirrels by hand feeding them or handling their young will make it difficult for them to survive in the wild, so it's always best to avoid doing this. Create a habitat for squirrels instead Planting trees in your garden which provide habitat and food for squirrels, such as oak, beech, sweet chestnut and hazel Not chopping down tree branches which might affect active squirrel nests and result in injury to squirrels and their infants Ensuring bird feeders are 'squirrel-safe' and squirrels cannot get inside and become trapped Taking extra care to tidy up any litter or netting which could entrap wildlife Nest boxes increase squirrel numbers Nest boxes can increase the number of grey squirrels in an area, which will lead to an increase in the demand for suitable sources of food and shelter.

If you want to use a nest box If you do decide to provide a wooden nest box as a potential winter nesting site, it needs to be a larger version of a birds nest box with a hinged sloping roof. Dimensions approximately : back height 60cm front height 50cm Width 28cm depth 25cm Provide an entrance hole, approximately 7cm square, in the top back corner of a side panel rather than in the front of the box.

In general, your pet should look like the healthy wild squirrels in your area. Call for an appointment. Follow Us On Facebook. See Our Yelp Reviews. Payment Options. Send A Friend A Discount. Feeding Your Pet Squirrel. Diet for Pet Squirrels Revised March 21, Starchy foods: pasta, bread, grains, seeds, rice, potatoes.

Sugary foods: candy, cookies, dried fruit, banana chips, soda, fruit juices, sweetened yogurt, granola, sweetened breakfast cereals. Junk food: french fries, potato chips, pretzels, crackers, anything salted. Legumes: beans kidney beans, lentils, etc.

But still, befriending squirrels can be problematic because they can lose their innate fear of humans and become aggressive. As lovable as they may look, squirrels have sharp teeth and nails that are not cuddle-friendly. If the safety of people and pets isn't enough to sway you, then maybe property damage will. Southern Living magazine's Grumpy Gardener columnist aka Steve Bender makes no attempt to hide his disdain for squirrels.

Hate them, hate, hate them, hate them! He even goes as far as suggesting they're good for nothing except eating. But Bender is right when he says the critters can be destructive. Ask most electricians and they'll tell you squirrels and other small rodents like them are responsible for a lot of the damage to wires and insulation in attics. And they can also do some serious destruction to siding, as well. Bender suggests that is all directly related to feeding squirrels.

But, not everyone agrees with him, and there are a lot of people who enjoy watching squirrels go about their daily squirrel business. According to FeedingNature. The Humane Society of the United States takes a moderate position on the debate. Some people will let squirrels take what they want from bird feeders and that's fine. The best compromise, the Humane Society says, is to give a little for the squirrels and more for the birds.

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