Squirrels, those busy and often mischievous creatures we see darting around our gardens and parks, have a reputation for being opportunistic eaters. From nuts and seeds to fruits and vegetables, their diet seems quite varied. But what about dog food? Can Squirrels Eat Dog Food, and is it actually good for them? Let’s delve into the dietary habits of squirrels and explore whether your dog’s kibble is a suitable snack for these furry foragers.
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:
What Squirrels Commonly Eat
Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their natural diet consists primarily of:
- Nuts: A staple food, providing essential fats and proteins. They enthusiastically collect and eat pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, acorns, cashews, chestnuts, hickory nuts, pine nuts out of pine cones, and macadamia nuts.
- Seeds: Another excellent source of nutrients, often found in birdseed mixes. Squirrels will eat seeds from plants, such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, poppy seeds, and any other available seeds.
- Fruits: Providing a sugar boost for energy, squirrels enjoy a variety of 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.
- Vegetables: Offering essential vitamins and minerals. 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!
- Insects: A source of protein, especially when other food sources are scarce. Some insects devoured by squirrels include caterpillars, larvae, winged bugs, grasshoppers, injured butterflies, and crickets, to name a few.
- Fungi: Foraged in natural environments, providing nutrients and variety to their diet. Some favorite fungi include acorn truffles, truffles, oyster mushrooms, and more.
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.
The Allure of Dog Food: Why Squirrels Are Attracted to It
Dog food, particularly dry kibble, can be appealing to squirrels for several reasons:
- Accessibility: Dog food left outside is an easy and convenient food source for squirrels.
- Taste: Many dog foods contain ingredients like grains, meat, and fats that can be palatable to squirrels.
- Nutrient Content: Dog food is formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet for dogs, which might seem beneficial to squirrels as well.
Can Squirrels Eat Dog Food? The Potential Problems
While squirrels can eat dog food, it doesn’t necessarily mean they should. Here’s why:
- Nutritional Imbalance: Dog food is designed for canines, not squirrels. It may contain excessive amounts of certain nutrients that are harmful to squirrels in large quantities. This includes high levels of protein and certain vitamins and minerals.
- Digestive Issues: Squirrels’ digestive systems are adapted to process nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Dog food may contain ingredients that are difficult for them to digest, leading to stomach upset or other digestive problems.
- Additives and Preservatives: Some dog foods contain artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers that offer no nutritional value to squirrels and could potentially be harmful.
- Dependency: Relying on dog food as a primary food source can prevent squirrels from foraging for their natural foods, which provide a more balanced and species-appropriate diet.
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.
Better Alternatives for Feeding Squirrels
If you enjoy feeding squirrels in your yard, there are much better alternatives to dog food:
- Nuts: Offer a variety of nuts like walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and acorns (ensure they are unsalted).
- Seeds: Provide sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a wild birdseed mix (without harmful additives).
- Fruits and Vegetables: Offer small pieces of squirrel-friendly fruits and vegetables like apples, grapes, carrots, and broccoli.
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.
Keeping Squirrels Away from Dog Food
If you’re trying to prevent squirrels from eating your dog’s food, consider these tips:
- Feed your dog indoors: This eliminates the opportunity for squirrels to access the food.
- Pick up leftover food: If you feed your dog outdoors, remove any uneaten food promptly after mealtime.
- Use squirrel-resistant feeders: If you have bird feeders, choose models that are designed to deter squirrels.
- Store dog food securely: Keep dog food in airtight containers that squirrels cannot access.
The Bottom Line
While squirrels may occasionally nibble on dog food, it’s not a suitable or healthy food source for them. Dog food can lead to nutritional imbalances and digestive issues. If you want to feed squirrels, opt for natural foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. By providing a species-appropriate diet, you can help ensure the health and well-being of these fascinating creatures. And always remember that a healthy squirrel is one that forages for its own food and maintains a natural balance in its diet.
