Ever wondered if it’s okay to toss an apple to the squirrels hanging around your yard? The answer’s yes—squirrels will eat apples, but you really shouldn’t give them the core or seeds since those parts have a bit of cyanide. If you want to treat them, stick with small, seed-free pieces of apple.
If you care about backyard wildlife or you’re just worried about your fruit trees, you’ll want to know how to offer apples safely and keep your harvest protected at the same time.
Let’s talk about what parts of the apple to remove, how often you should feed, and a few easy ways to keep both your trees and your local squirrels in good shape.
Can Squirrels Eat Apples?
Apples make a pretty tempting treat for backyard squirrels, but it’s important to know which parts are actually safe and how often to give them.
Let’s look at why squirrels go for apples, which types of squirrels eat them, what flavors they seem to like, and which parts of the apple you should skip.
Why Squirrels Are Attracted to Apples
Squirrels search for foods that give them quick energy and hydration. Apples are packed with sugar and moisture, so they’re a good source of fast calories and water—especially in late summer and fall when squirrels are bulking up.
The sweet smell and crunchy bite help squirrels find apples that have dropped under trees.
You’ll probably spot squirrels nibbling fresh fruit at ground level, or climbing up to take a few bites. They seem to go for soft spots that are easy to chew, and they’ll often carry pieces to a safe spot before eating.
If you cut apples into small slices instead of leaving out whole ones, you’ll reduce waste and make sure you’re not attracting bigger animals.
Which Squirrel Species Eat Apples
A lot of common tree squirrels eat apples. Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels will happily munch on apple flesh if they find it.
Red squirrels might try apples too, but they usually stick to nuts and seeds.
Ground squirrels and some chipmunks will grab apple pieces from the ground if they come across them.
If you’re in North America or Europe, your local tree squirrels are probably the ones visiting your apple tree. Squirrels living in cities or suburbs often get used to human food and add apples to their menu when they can.
Sweet vs. Tart Apples: Squirrel Preferences
Squirrels almost always pick sweet and soft apples over tart ones. Varieties like Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp get more attention because they’re sweeter and easier to chew.
Tart apples, like Granny Smith, aren’t as popular unless food is running low.
If you want to share apples, try offering small, thin slices of a sweet variety. That way, you’ll lower the risk of choking and cut down on waste.
Skip the big whole apples—squirrels might just leave the core or roll the fruit away. Watch your local squirrels and see what they like best; their tastes can change depending on the season or what else is around.
Do Squirrels Eat Apple Skins, Cores, and Seeds?
Squirrels will eat apple skin and flesh without a problem. The skin actually gives them a little extra fiber and nutrients, so there’s no need to peel the slices.
They usually drop the cores or stash them, since they’re tough and full of seeds.
Apple seeds have a compound called amygdalin, which can turn into a tiny bit of cyanide when digested. Eating a few seeds now and then probably won’t hurt a healthy squirrel, but you shouldn’t offer them whole cores or a bunch of seeds.
Take out the core and seeds before feeding apples to tame squirrels or any you feed regularly.
For more tips on safe feeding, you can check out this guide: feeding apples to squirrels.
Safe Apple Feeding Practices for Squirrels
Offer apples only once in a while, always remove the cores and seeds, and balance treats with regular foods like nuts and seeds.
Cut apples into bite-sized pieces, keep an eye out for mold, and don’t give too many sugary slices to young or sick squirrels.
Are Apples Safe for Squirrels to Eat?
Apples won’t harm squirrels as long as you get rid of the seeds and core first. The seeds have a little cyanide, and that can hurt small animals if they eat a lot.
The flesh and skin are safe and give squirrels water and quick energy from natural sugars.
Wild squirrels will find plenty of other food too, so giving apples as a treat shouldn’t mess up their habits if you don’t overdo it.
If you’re caring for a pet squirrel, just keep apple treats small and watch for any stomach issues after feeding.
How to Prepare Apples for Squirrels
Always wash apples to get rid of wax, pesticides, or dirt before you offer them to squirrels.
Cut the apples into small slices or cubes—about half an inch to an inch wide—so squirrels can easily carry and eat them.
Take out the core and all the seeds and toss those in the trash.
Don’t feed sweetened or processed apple products. Skip apple pie, sugary applesauce, or canned apples in syrup.
If you spot any brown, soft, or moldy spots, just throw the whole piece away. Mold can make squirrels sick.
Leave the pieces on a flat surface or a platform feeder to cut down on mess.
How Much Apple Can Squirrels Eat?
Give wild squirrels apples only as an occasional treat, not every day.
Offer 1–3 small slices at a time to wild squirrels, and stop if there’s plenty of other food around.
For a pet squirrel, limit fruit to about 2–3 small slices (not whole apples) per day, and mix it into a balanced diet with nuts, seeds, and commercial squirrel food.
Watch for signs that they’re getting too much sugar, like loose stools, tiredness, or begging.
If you see any of that, cut back on fruit and offer more nuts and seeds instead.
Keep portions small so squirrels will keep foraging for their usual foods and stick to their normal diet.
Best Fruits and Nuts for Squirrels
You can give squirrels peeled grapes, a couple of small apple slices, some berries, or chunks of peeled pear every now and then. Just remember to take out seeds and pits from fruits like apples, cherries, or peaches—they’re not safe for squirrels.
Skip citrus fruits and those overly sweet, processed fruit snacks. Squirrels don’t really need them, and honestly, they’re better off without.
When it comes to nuts, hazelnuts, unsalted peanuts in the shell, and shelled walnuts work great. These nuts give squirrels the healthy fats and protein they crave.
Try mixing things up: offer one or two hazelnuts, or maybe a walnut at each feeding if you’re feeding wild squirrels. If you’ve got a pet squirrel, toss some nuts in with their regular commercial squirrel food.
Switch up the choices so they don’t get bored—and so they don’t end up eating too much sugar.
