There are many varieties of squirrels found across America, including red squirrels, ground squirrels, grey squirrels, fox squirrels, flying squirrels, black squirrels, striped squirrels, and many more. Squirrels are part of the Sciuridae family of mammals, closely related to chipmunks, prairie dogs, and woodchucks. What do squirrels eat? Well, squirrels just happen to eat a lot of things. Squirrels are not picky eaters. If you have spent any time observing the eating habits of common squirrels, this is clear. Squirrels have a natural appetite for many native fruits, flowers, veggies, fungi, nuts, tree, plants and insects to their habitat. But there are not many boundaries in relation to the squirrels dining habits. They will curiously try just about anything, and have in fact become fond of many foods that they probably should not be eating, such as kids’ favorite sugary snacks and cereals. Squirrels are open-minded when it comes to food. If you are looking to provide food for squirrels check our squirrel feeder article.
Having expanded their palates, they’ve picked up some strange new eating habits as humans and squirrels have come to share more and more space together. In addition to the usual suspects: acorns, pecans, berries, and veggies, squirrels are accepting of food remnants discarded in parks, or anywhere for that matter. Things such as sandwiches, old lunch meat, burger scraps, are just a few things squirrels may nibble on. With the tenacity to purloin treats meant for other animals, such as Fido’s dog food, Kitty-Cat’s kibble, and that bird seed you put out for, well, the birds, squirrels seem to get more than their fair share. Below, you will find a smorgasbord of snacks that squirrels enjoy eating:
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Hey there fellow backyard watchers! Ever tossed a piece of bacon out after breakfast and wondered if them cute lil’ squirrels would gobble it up? I mean, who doesn’t love bacon right? But hold up—do squirrels eat bacon, and more importantly, should they? Spoiler alert nope, they don’t naturally munch on it, and it ain’t good for ‘em either. Let’s dive into this nutty (pun intended) topic and figure out what’s up with squirrels and their diets, why bacon’s a big no-no, and what you can toss their way instead to keep ‘em happy and healthy.
I’ve spent plenty of mornings sippin’ coffee on my porch watchin’ these furry bandits raid my bird feeder like they own the joint. So, I got curious about what they’re supposed to eat versus what they might sneak off my plate. Stick with me and we’ll break it all down real simple-like.
The Quick Answer: Do Squirrels Eat Bacon?
Straight up—no, squirrels don’t eat bacon in the wild, and we shouldn’t be feedin’ it to ‘em either. Sure, they’re omnivores, meanin’ they can chow down on both plants and some animal stuff, but their tummies ain’t built for greasy, salty stuff like bacon. If they stumble on a scrap, they might nibble outta curiosity (these critters ain’t picky!), but it can mess ‘em up big time We’re talkin’ upset stomachs, weight gain, and even worse health probs down the line So, let’s not turn our backyard buddies into junk food junkies, alright?
What Do Squirrels Normally Eat? A Peek at Their Menu
Before we rag on bacon some more, let’s chat about what squirrels are munchin’ on when they ain’t stealin’ from your picnic. These lil’ guys got a pretty varied diet, mostly stuff they forage in nature. I’ve seen ‘em scamper up trees and dig around my yard, and here’s what they’re usually after:
- Nuts Galore: Acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and pine nuts are like candy to ‘em. They even stash ‘em away for winter like tiny hoarders.
- Fruits and Berries: Apples, peaches, berries, you name it—if it’s on a tree or bush, they’re climbin’ up for a bite.
- Seeds and Grains: They’ll raid birdseed like there’s no tomorrow. Sunflower seeds? A total fave.
- Veggies: If you got a garden, watch out! They’ll nibble on squash, peas, and even your precious carrots.
- Insects and Bugs: For a protein kick, they snack on grubs, caterpillars, and other creepy-crawlies.
- Twigs and Bark: When food’s scarce, especially in winter, they gnaw on tree bits to get by.
So, mostly plant stuff with a side of bugs. Meat? It’s barely on their radar, and when it is, it’s tiny amounts like insects or maybe a baby bird if they’re desperate. That’s a far cry from a strip of fatty bacon, ya feel me?
Why Bacon Ain’t a Squirrel Snack: The Ugly Truth
Now, let’s get into why bacon and squirrels don’t mix. I get it—it’s temptin’ to share your leftovers with those twitchy noses peekin’ at ya. But trust me, I’ve looked into this, and bacon’s a disaster waitin’ to happen for these critters. Here’s the deal, broken down real easy:
- Too Much Fat: Bacon’s loaded with fat, way more than a squirrel’s lil’ body can handle. It can lead to obesity, liver issues, and straight-up tummy troubles like diarrhea. Ain’t nobody want a sick squirrel waddlin’ around.
- Salt Overload: That salty goodness we crave? It’s poison to squirrels. Too much sodium messes with their blood pressure, kidneys, and heart. They can’t process it like we do.
- Nasty Preservatives: Bacon often got nitrates and other junk in it to keep it fresh. For squirrels, that stuff’s toxic—can damage their organs and make ‘em real sick.
- Nutritional Nothin’: Bacon don’t got the vitamins or minerals squirrels need. It fills ‘em up with empty calories, throwin’ off their balanced diet.
- Dependency Risk: Feed ‘em bacon, and they might start relyin’ on you for food instead of foragin’ like nature intended. That weakens their survival skills big time.
I’ve seen squirrels in my yard lookin’ all chubby and sluggish after folks tossed ‘em human food. It breaks my heart, ‘cause they ain’t meant for that life. Plus, too much grease can even mess up their fur, makin’ it hard for ‘em to stay warm. So, let’s not do that to our furry pals, okay?
Signs Your Squirrel’s Eatin’ the Wrong Stuff
If you’ve been tossin’ bacon or other junk food to squirrels and they start actin’ off, you mighta caused some harm. I’ve noticed a few things over time watchin’ my backyard crew, and here’s what to look for if their diet’s gone wrong:
- Chubby Vibes: If they lookin’ overly round or waddlin’ instead of dartin’ around, they might be packin’ on too much weight.
- Dull Fur: A mangy, patchy coat that ain’t shiny no more can mean poor nutrition.
- Sleepy Behavior: Actin’ lethargic, movin’ slow, or nappin’ too much ain’t normal for these hyper critters.
- Tummy Issues: Loose stool or a dirty backside could point to digestive upset from fatty foods.
- Beggin’ Mode: If they’re hangin’ around your porch, gettin’ too comfy with humans, they might be hooked on your handouts.
If you spot this stuff, stop the junk food ASAP. Switch to healthier options (more on that soon), and give ‘em time to bounce back. They’re tough lil’ things, but they need the right fuel.
Better Snacks for Your Squirrel Buddies
Alright, so bacon’s off the table (literally). But if you’re like me and love seein’ squirrels thrive in your yard, there’s plenty of goodies you can offer that match their natural grub. Here’s a quick rundown of squirrel-approved snacks, stuff I’ve tried tossin’ out with great results:
| Snack Type | Examples | Why They Love It |
|---|---|---|
| Nuts (Unsalted) | Walnuts, pecans, almonds, acorns | Packed with protein and healthy fats. |
| Fresh Fruits | Apple chunks, berries, banana slices | Sweet energy boost, full of vitamins. |
| Veggies | Squash bits, peas, sweet potato | Nutritious and close to wild forage. |
| Seeds | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds | High energy, a total fave for most. |
| Grains | Dried corn, unbuttered popcorn | Good carbs for lasting fuel. |
A lil’ tip from me: chop stuff into small bits so they can handle it easy, and don’t overdo it. I usually scatter a handful near trees or bushes so they still gotta “hunt” a bit. Oh, and always toss in some clean, fresh water nearby—they need hydration just like us!
Should We Even Feed Squirrels At All?
Here’s where it gets tricky. I used to think tossin’ some nuts to my squirrel pals was doin’ ‘em a solid, but I’ve learned it ain’t always the best idea. Wildlife folks say hand-feedin’ squirrels, even with healthy stuff, can cause probs. Let me lay it out for ya:
- Too Friendly: They lose their fear of humans, which ups the risk of gettin’ hit by cars or nabbed by pets.
- Lazy Foragers: Relyin’ on handouts means they don’t practice findin’ food naturally, which hurts their survival game.
- Garden Chaos: Fed squirrels might dig up your flowers or veggie patch lookin’ for buried treats. I’ve had my tulip bulbs yanked out more than once!
- Disease Spread: Feedin’ spots can turn into germ hubs if lots of squirrels crowd in.
- Moldy Mess: Leftover food like corn can grow nasty mold if it sits too long, makin’ ‘em sick.
So, even though it feels nice to help, the kindest thing might be lettin’ ‘em do their own thing. I’ve stopped puttin’ out food regular-like and just enjoy watchin’ ‘em scamper for acorns instead. Nature’s got their back if we don’t mess with it too much.
Squirrel-Proofin’ Your Bacon Stash
If you’re worried your squirrels are turnin’ into bacon bandits, stealin’ scraps from your trash or picnic leftovers, I got some tricks up my sleeve. These lil’ rascals are crafty, but we can outsmart ‘em. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Seal It Tight: Keep uncooked bacon in freezer bags or airtight containers so they can’t sniff it out.
- Trash Lockdown: Secure outdoor bins with tight lids and empty ‘em often. I’ve had squirrels tip mine over one too many times.
- Clean Up Quick: Don’t leave food scraps lyin’ around your yard—sweep up after BBQs or picnics pronto.
- Bird Feeder Guards: If they’re raidin’ your feeders, get a squirrel-proof guard. Works like a charm for me.
- Spicy Defense: I’ve heard of folks usin’ capsaicin sprays around their property—squirrels hate the heat, but it don’t hurt ‘em.
Takes some persistence, but you can train ‘em to stop seein’ your place as a free buffet. Keeps ‘em healthier in the long run, too.
City Squirrels vs. Country Squirrels: A Quick Note
One thing I’ve noticed is that squirrels in urban spots got it different than their country cousins. If you’re in a city, your local squirrels might already be hooked on human grub ‘cause there ain’t as many nut trees or wild forage spots. They’re diggin’ through trash and competin’ hard for resources. That makes it even more important not to toss ‘em bacon or junk—transition ‘em slow to healthier nibbles if you gotta feed ‘em. Out in rural areas, they got more natural options, so they’re less likely to beg. Just somethin’ to keep in mind dependin’ on where ya live.
What If It’s a Pet Squirrel?
Now, if you’ve got a pet squirrel or are helpin’ rehab one, the rules might bend a tiny bit. I ain’t got personal experience with this, but from what I understand, some folks under vet guidance might use super small bacon bits as a rare treat. Even then, it’s gotta be tiny amounts, mixed with better stuff, and not a regular thing. Wild squirrels? No way. Pet ones? Talk to a pro before you even think about it.
Fun Squirrel Stories to Lighten the Mood
Lemme tell ya, squirrels got personality for days. One time, I caught this cheeky fella draggin’ half a sandwich—crust and all—up a tree in my yard. I couldn’t help but laugh, even though I knew that sammich wasn’t doin’ him no favors. Another time, I put out some walnuts just to see, and this lil’ dude buried ‘em right in my flower pot! Came back a week later and dug ‘em up like he had a treasure map. These antics are why I love watchin’ ‘em, but also why I wanna keep ‘em safe with the right eats.
Broader Thoughts on Livin’ with Wildlife
Steppin’ back a sec, messin’ with squirrels’ diets—bacon or not—got me thinkin’ about how we share space with wildlife. I reckon it’s on us to be good neighbors, ya know? Whether it’s squirrels, birds, or them pesky raccoons, tossin’ human food into the mix often causes more harm than good. I’ve learned to appreciate ‘em from a distance, lettin’ ‘em do their wild thing while I keep my yard from turnin’ into a fast-food joint. Maybe plant a nut tree or some berry bushes if you wanna help without direct feedin’. That’s my two cents, anyhow.
Wrappin’ It Up: Let Squirrels Be Squirrels
So, do squirrels eat bacon? Nah, not in the wild, and we shouldn’t be givin’ it to ‘em neither. It’s a cute thought, picturin’ a squirrel nibblin’ a strip of bacon, but it’s a recipe for trouble—think obesity, sick tummies, and a whole lotta health woes. Their real menu is nuts, fruits, seeds, and bugs, and that’s what keeps ‘em bouncin’ around like the energetic furballs they are.
If you’re itchin’ to help your backyard crew, stick to natural snacks like unsalted nuts or apple bits, but even then, think twice about feedin’ ‘em at all. Best bet? Let ‘em forage as nature planned. I’ve found joy just watchin’ ‘em scamper and stash without my meddlin’. Keep your bacon for yourself (or share it with me, ha!), and let’s keep our squirrel pals livin’ their best wild lives. Got squirrel stories or tips of your own? Drop ‘em below—I’m all ears!
Dog and Cat Food
Being the omnivorous scavengers that they are, squirrels have picked up a few strange eating habits along the way and will not hesitate to pack away a few dozen pieces of dog or cat kibble, and will most likely come back for more, if they find an established spot where it’s readily available. The hungry, opportunistic squirrel may even be so bold as to snack on wet cat food, or canned dog food although it is not good for them.
Next time you take out the garbage, or leave the remnants of your weekend picnic in the garbage can at the park, you might keep in mind that in addition to other scavengers, a hungry squirrel might be rooting around in there later, sampling you frosted birthday cake scraps, or tossed sandwich crusts. It’s undeniable that squirrels are great at recycling and composting our sometimes excessive food waste. On the other hand, certain processed, sugary, and unnatural foods can be detrimental to the squirrels digestion and health.
What Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels eat fruit with enthusiasm. If you happen to live near a fruit tree, or fruit bushes and vines, you’ve most likely noticed squirrels happily munching and hoarding these delicious goodies for themselves. Squirrels can climb fruit trees with ease to snatch their fruits. Squirrels consume the harvest from a variety of fruiting trees, including but not limited to pears, grapes, apples, kiwi, avocados, peaches, nectarines, figs, plums, mangoes, and citrus. Squirrels will also eat any berries they can get their hands on such as strawberries, blackberries, blue berries, raspberries, mulberries, and more. Squirrels also love bananas, watermelons, cantaloupe (any melon, in general), and cherries! The benefit of eating fruit for squirrels is that it gives them a major sugar-boost and provides lots of energy to keep scrambling around and foraging for more goodies.
Squirrels eat a variety of vegetables, and gardeners know this all too well. If a squirrels happens upon any leafy green such as lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, or arugula, they will chow down. Squirrels will also eat other delicious veggies such as tomatoes, radishes, corn, squash, beans, corn, peas, root vegetables, greens (such as beet greens and the greens of any root vegetables), okra, eggplant, brusssell sprouts, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, celery, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks–basically anything they can get their hungry little paws on!
Many backyard squirrel-watchers feed cereal to squirrels. Squirrels naturally love the grains and nuts incorporated into most cereals. Chex, Cheerios, Cap’n Crunch, shredded wheat, corn flakes, grape nuts–squirrels devour these tasty treats. An added perk to many cereals for squirrels is that they’re typically loaded with sugar, which gives the squirrel a boost of energy to keep busy finding more food to eat and stash away for later. Unnaturally sugary cereals aren’t exactly Mother Nature’s idea of a perfect squirrel snack, but the squirrel has a rather devil-may-care attitude towards what it puts in its bottomless belly.
Of course, a squirrel wouldn’t normally come across cheese in a natural setting, but with humans leaving all sorts of savory treats behind when eating outdoors, and when tossing kitchen scraps, squirrels have developed a keen taste for cheese. Squirrels aren’t picky about cheese. They’ll busily munch away on chunks of cheddar, swiss, provolone, mozzarella, and anything else that they come across. Sure, they’ll even eat you cheesy pizza scraps if it’s available! Squirrels aren’t picky about how they consume their cheese either, whether it’s in a discarded grilled cheese sandwich, left-over cheese and cracker sandwiches, or whether it’s simply a hunk of slightly moldy cheese discarded in a residential compost pile. A good piece of cheese can give a squirrel an extra bit of fat to store for leaner times, such as during the winter months.
Squirrels are absolutely fanatical about nuts. Nuts about nuts, if you will! If you live near a nut tree, chances are good that you can quickly spot a busy squirrel, bustling around in the branches, with a nut or two–or more–that it will store for later. If you’re hoping to eat those nuts yourself, you may resent the squirrel’s busy, greedy habits. In this case, you may need to install something to deter the squirrel from hoarding your nut harvest, such as a metal sheet wrapped around the tree trunk that will keep the squirrel from being able to climb it. On the flip side, the squirrel’s activity can be good for the tree species, as squirrels help spread seeds far and wide, helping to ensure the chances of certain tree species’ growth and survival. Nuts may be one of squirrels most naturally desired foods. Squirrels will eat nuts and will also stash them away in caches for eating later on. As far as one of their favorite foods go, what do squirrels eat? Squirrels enthusiastically collect and eat pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, acorns, cashews, chestnuts, hickory nuts, pine nuts out of pine cones, and macadamia nuts. Nuts are an optimal source of fat and protein for all types of squirrels.
Most backyard bird-watchers have a plentiful supply of birdseed available in their yards for birds, of course. But another critter satisfied by a hearty meal of birdseed is the common squirrel. Even when birds are present, a squirrel will not hesitate to get in on the birdseed action and will stuff their bellies with this readily available snack that humans are all to happy to provide. Of course, birdseed contains a mixture of some of squirrels favorite edibles, such as seeds, grains, and nuts.
If fruits and nuts aren’t readily available, a squirrel will resort to eating small insects to satisfy their need for protein. Some insects devoured by squirrels include caterpillars, larvae, winged bugs, grasshoppers, injured butterflies, and crickets, to name a few.
Squirrels are foragers, and love foraging for mushrooms. In more natural environments, such as forests, squirrels can find a variety of great fungi depending on climate. Some favorite fungi include acorn truffles, truffles, oyster mushrooms, and more. In fact, squirrels may sometimes leave mushrooms and fungi out to dry in order to eat it at a later period. Squirrels will also elect to eat lichen, which is the smaller fungi that tends to grow in moist areas on the bark of many, especially mature, trees.
When other food sources are hard to find, a squirrel may have to take what it can get. This sometimes includes stealing eggs from other animals, or even eggs from your chicken coop. When necessary, squirrels may prey on robin eggs, blackbird eggs, and more. Also when necessary, squirrels will not short stop of eating hatchlings, young chicks, baby birds, and the carcasses of unfortunate chicks that have fallen from their nests.
Squirrels will forage for and eat roots, leaves, grass, plants stalks, and anything else with sufficient nutritional value to them. Squirrels tend to go for the most tender and/or young stalks and branches of plants, soft twigs, and supple bark. Soft tips of new growth, newly unfurled leaves, sprouts, and succulent flower buds are also sure to catch the attention of a passing squirrel who is scouring the land for a food opportunity. Mentioned above was the squirrel species’ love of nuts and bird seed, so naturally, they also love to eat seeds from plants, such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, poppy seeds, and any other available seeds. Also, if it’s any surprise at this point, squirrels will eat your prized poppy blossoms, they’ll chomp you hibiscus blooms, the petals of your passionflower, and the plant bulbs that you were hoping would break ground in the spring.
What Do Squirrels Eat: 7 things to feed them And 3 You Shouldn’t | Backyardscape
FAQ
Can you feed squirrel bacon?
While they may need some protein in their diets, the fat and sodium in bacon are too much for their systems and will cause organ problems if they get too much.Nov 7, 2018
What foods are toxic to squirrels?
What is squirrel’s favorite food?
Squirrels have a varied diet, but they particularly enjoy nuts and seeds. Favorites include acorns, walnuts, pecans, and sunflower seeds.
What’s the best thing to feed wild squirrels?
| SQUIRREL FEEDING GUIDE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Food | Quality | Information |
| Vegetables (Broccoli, carrots, peas, yellow squash, zucchini) | Excellent | Generally an excellent source of nutrition. |
| Walnut, Black or American | Excellent | Leave in shell to promote gnawing. |
| Water | Excellent | Squirrels need water daily. Keep it fresh and unfrozen. |
What do squirrels eat?
Squirrel diets are a lot like human diets. Being omnivores, they eat meat and plants, just like we do. Their meat is mostly in the form of insects and snakes, but they might dip into Fido or Fluffy’s dish if you raw-feed your pets. Here are some foods that are gourmet for squirrels. Shelled nuts – they love gnawing through those hard shells.
Do squirrels eat birds?
Wild squirrels have been known to raid bird nests and eat baby birds. If they find an empty nest, they will eat bird eggs, spiders, insects, bugs, and even mice. If they get hungry enough, they will eat the meat found on carcasses. What About Flying Squirrels?
Why would a squirrel eat meat?
There are several reasons that a squirrel would eat meat and below are just a few of the reasons. Both wild and captive squirrels require a well-balanced diet that contains vitamins, fat, calcium, and protein. Female Grey Squirrels require extra minerals during their pregnancy and while nursing their young.
Can squirrels eat vegetables?
While vegetables are generally safe for squirrels to eat, some can cause digestive problems if consumed in large amounts. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can cause gas and bloating in squirrels if eaten in excess. Squirrels are not carnivorous animals and do not typically eat meat.
Do squirrels eat cereal?
Squirrels tend to love the grains and the nuts within the cereals. Corn flakes, wheat-based cereal, Chex, grape nuts, and many more are all an acceptable part of their cereal diet – but with some caution – read on… The benefit of these cereals is that they’re loaded with sugar that gives them extra energy.
Do squirrels eat nuts?
Most people think that squirrels are herbivores and will only eat things like nuts and seeds. They do eat a lot of seeds and nuts, but the Eastern Grey Squirrel is actually classified as omnivores. Wild squirrels have been known to raid bird nests and eat baby birds.