Ever spotted a chipmunk darting around your yard and wondered if they enjoy cheese as much as squirrels do? Cheese seems like a tasty snack for lots of animals—so do chipmunks like it too?
Yep, chipmunks do like cheese, and you can use it to attract them if you’re hoping to watch or trap one.
Chipmunks usually stick to nuts, seeds, and berries, but they’ll happily nibble on cheese or peanut butter now and then. If you know this, you might have an easier time figuring out what brings chipmunks to your yard or how to bait a humane trap.
When you understand what chipmunks eat, it gets easier to manage your yard or just enjoy watching these little critters safely. Let’s get into what foods they love—and where cheese fits in.
Do Chipmunks Like Cheese?
Chipmunks have curious appetites, and their diets are pretty varied. Sometimes you might wonder if cheese is one of their favorites.
Cheese isn’t really part of a wild chipmunk’s menu, but if you offer it, they’ll probably give it a try. Still, you should think twice before feeding cheese to chipmunks.
Evidence of Chipmunks Eating Cheese
Chipmunks act as opportunistic eaters. They’ll try all sorts of food, including cheese, especially if it’s easy to grab.
You might spot them munching on cheese scraps in your yard or near a trash bin. But cheese doesn’t come naturally to chipmunks.
They mostly go for seeds, nuts, fruits, and the occasional insect. These foods give them the nutrients and energy they actually need.
People have seen chipmunks eat cheese, but it usually happens when their usual foods aren’t around. Cheese is more of an occasional treat than a staple for them.
Why Cheese Appeals to Chipmunks
Cheese can tempt chipmunks because of its strong smell and high fat. That scent really stands out compared to more subtle foods.
The fat and protein in cheese give chipmunks a quick energy boost. Its smell might even lure them closer to your porch or a trap.
But cheese doesn’t have the vitamins and minerals they get from seeds and nuts. So, even if it’s tempting, cheese isn’t a smart long-term food for them.
Is Cheese Safe for Chipmunks?
Cheese isn’t great for chipmunks. It has lactose and a lot of salt—two things that can upset their stomachs.
Chipmunks can’t digest lactose well, so eating cheese might give them diarrhea or discomfort. Too much salt can also dehydrate them and cause health problems.
Cheese doesn’t offer the nutrients they need, either. If you really want to share cheese, keep it to a tiny, pea-sized bit of hard cheese like cheddar or Swiss.
Skip processed cheeses like slices or spray cheese; those are full of additives. For something healthier, stick to seeds, nuts, or small pieces of fruit.
You can find more details in the article on do chipmunks like cheese? from Chef’s Resource.
Typical Chipmunk Diet and Favorite Foods
Chipmunks mostly eat foods that pack energy and nutrients—especially as they gear up for cold weather. Their menu includes seeds, nuts, plants, and sometimes insects.
They like foods that are easy to store and high in fat or protein.
Natural Foods: Nuts, Plants, and Grains
Nuts are a chipmunk’s top pick. They’ll stash acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and beechnuts, getting lots of energy from the fat.
Seeds like sunflower and pumpkin are also favorites. Chipmunks find and store these easily.
Plants and grains show up in their diet too. You’ll see them eat berries like strawberries and blueberries, and grains such as corn.
Fruits give them vitamins, while grains add some carbs. Sometimes, you might catch chipmunks snacking on mushrooms or roots.
Insects like beetles and grubs offer extra protein, helping them stay healthy.
Comparison With Squirrels’ Food Preferences
Ever wondered how chipmunk diets compare to squirrels? Both love nuts and seeds, but squirrels eat more tree bark and buds, especially in winter.
Chipmunks focus more on seeds and smaller nuts. Squirrels can climb trees to get to food, so they grab acorns and pine cones up high.
Chipmunks stick closer to the ground, picking up fallen nuts or berries. Squirrels might store big food items in tree holes.
Chipmunks use burrows to hide their food underground. That difference changes what each animal prefers to eat.
Human Foods Chipmunks Might Encounter
When chipmunks live near people, they sometimes find leftovers you leave outside. They’ll nibble on bread crumbs, cereal, or even fruits like apples and grapes you toss into bird feeders or gardens.
But should you offer them cheese or processed snacks? Well, chipmunks might eat cheese if they’re desperate, but honestly, it can mess with their stomachs since they don’t really digest lactose.
If you’re hoping to bring chipmunks around, try giving them unsalted nuts or sunflower seeds instead. These snacks fit their natural diet and actually help keep them healthy.
Curious about more foods chipmunks love? Check out chipmunks’ favorite foods for tips on feeding them safely.
