You can feed walnuts to squirrels, and most will snatch them right up. Walnuts pack a punch of energy and fat, which helps squirrels stash food for chilly months, but it’s best to stick with fresh, unsalted walnuts and skip any that look moldy or smell off.
If you’re hoping to help wild squirrels stay healthy, this post will walk you through which walnut types to offer, when to leave the shells on, and what other nuts might work better sometimes. You’ll pick up simple, safe tips to make feeding time more fun for you and the squirrels.
Can Squirrels Eat Walnuts?
Squirrels munch on walnuts in the wild and in backyards all the time. Walnuts give them a boost of calories and fats, plus something tough to chew that keeps their teeth in check.
How Squirrels Consume Walnuts
Squirrels use their strong front teeth to crack open walnut shells. You’ll often see them drag a whole walnut to a quiet spot or stash it in a pile of leaves, a hollow tree, or even underground.
They usually start by biting a little hole, then pry the shell apart with persistent nibbling. If you give them shelled walnuts, they’ll gobble up the meat in no time.
With tough shells like black walnuts, it might take a few minutes for them to reach the good stuff. Sometimes, they’ll hide extra nuts for winter.
This hiding, or caching, helps them get through times when food is hard to find.
Nutritional Value of Walnuts for Squirrels
Walnuts are loaded with fat and calories, which fit a squirrel’s active life. Even one walnut half gives energy from healthy fats and a bit of protein.
Those fats help squirrels build up reserves for cold weather. Walnuts also have a little fiber and some helpful micronutrients.
Compared to seeds or fruit, walnuts deliver more calories per bite. That’s pretty important, especially before winter or when adults are nesting and need extra fuel.
Are Walnuts Good for Squirrels?
Giving squirrels walnuts can help them get extra calories and lets them gnaw, which is great for their teeth. You can toss out whole unsalted walnuts or just let them hunt for fallen nuts under a tree.
A lot of backyard watchers say squirrels love both black and English walnuts. Just don’t overdo it.
Walnuts should be a treat, not the main course. Squirrels need a mix of seeds, fruits, buds, insects, and fungi.
If you feed them often, mix in other safe foods like unsalted peanuts, sunflower seeds, or fruit to keep things balanced.
Potential Risks of Walnuts in a Squirrel Diet
Feeding too many walnuts can make squirrels put on extra weight because they’re so fatty. If squirrels eat only walnuts, they’ll miss out on other important nutrients.
Stay away from salted, spiced, or moldy walnuts—salt and toxins are bad news for squirrels. Hard shells usually aren’t a problem, but a big chunk could hurt their mouth if they chew it the wrong way.
If you’re putting out nuts, keep them away from busy roads and spots where neighbors might complain. For more tips on safe feeding and walnut types, check out this guide on feeding squirrels walnuts safely.
Types of Walnuts and Other Nut Options
You can pick from hard-shelled nuts that give squirrels a challenge or softer ones that are easy to eat and full of quick energy. Always go for raw, unsalted nuts and put them in a clean spot or feeder to keep things tidy.
Differences Between Black Walnuts and English Walnuts
Black walnuts have super hard, thick shells and a bold, earthy flavor. Squirrels love the challenge—cracking them helps wear down their teeth and keeps them busy.
If you’ve got black walnut trees, expect squirrels to stash the nuts all over your yard. English walnuts have thinner shells and a milder taste.
Younger or smaller squirrels can open English walnuts more easily. If you feed English walnuts, make sure they’re plain and not coated or salted.
Raw, in-shell or shelled English walnuts both work, but in-shell nuts stick around longer and don’t scatter as much. Both types give plenty of fats, protein, and calories, so don’t go overboard.
Black walnuts might last longer where you leave them, while English walnuts tend to disappear fast. Try to stick to a few nuts per squirrel each day.
Nuts for Squirrels: What Else Can They Eat?
Squirrels eat lots of different tree nuts in the wild—think hickory nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and acorns. Hickory nuts and pecans are close to walnuts in nutrition and work well if you find them nearby.
Hazelnuts and acorns show up in some squirrel diets, though acorns can be a bit bitter unless they’re soaked or eaten in small amounts. You can also give unsalted peanuts (raw or dry-roasted, no oil).
Skip salted, spiced, or chocolate-covered nuts. Seeds and pine nuts are fine too, but since they’re so calorie-dense, just give a little at a time.
Use a feeder or a flat tray to keep nuts off the ground. This cuts down on spoilage and lets you see how much the squirrels are actually eating.
Switch up nut types so squirrels get some variety and don’t load up on fat all at once.
Best Practices for Feeding Squirrels Walnuts
Always stick to raw, unsalted walnuts. Salt and flavorings can dehydrate squirrels and cause health issues.
If you’re using shelled walnuts, scatter just a small amount so one squirrel doesn’t take them all. Put nuts in a feeder or on a raised tray to keep away mold and bacteria.
Clean up the feeding area every week and toss any uneaten nuts after a day or two, especially if it’s warm out. This helps avoid pests and keeps squirrels from depending too much on your snacks.
Feed just a bit each day—two to four walnuts per squirrel is a good rule of thumb. If you notice squirrels getting too bold or fighting over food, it’s probably time to take a break.
Try to keep feeding away from property lines if your neighbors aren’t fans of squirrels.
Safe Alternatives to Walnuts
If you’re looking for cheaper or more convenient options, try unsalted peanuts, pecans, or hickory nuts. Most squirrels like peanuts, and you can find them just about anywhere, but make sure you get raw or dry-roasted ones with no salt.
Pecans and hickory nuts are pretty close to walnuts when it comes to nutrition, so they work well as substitutes.
Stay away from candied, salted, or chocolate-covered nuts. Skip avocado, processed nut mixes, and anything with added sugar.
If you’re using a squirrel feeder, pick one that holds whole nuts. Feeders make it easier to control portions and help you cut down on waste.
Offer different alternatives in small amounts, and change things up now and then. Mixing it up keeps the squirrels’ diet balanced without making them overweight or too reliant on snacks from people.
Want to dig deeper? Check out what the experts say about walnuts for squirrels.
