You’ve probably watched squirrels dart across your yard, wondering what on earth they’ll nibble next. Sure, they love nuts and seeds, but these little guys don’t stop there—they’ll grab fruits, veggies, fungi, and, sometimes, even a bit of animal protein if it’s around.
Squirrels mostly go for high-fat, high-energy foods like nuts and sunflower seeds. These help them pack on fat for winter.
If you’re hoping to attract squirrels—or, maybe, keep them away from your garden—it helps to know what foods really tempt them. Let’s dig into what squirrels love most, some of their stranger eating habits, and a few easy tips for feeding (or deterring) them.
What Squirrel Like to Eat Most
Squirrels chow down on all sorts of foods for energy, fats, and protein. You’ll spot them gathering nuts, fruits, and seeds—often stashing away extras for later.
Nuts and Seeds Squirrels Love
Nuts are the real MVP in a squirrel’s diet. You’ll catch them stuffing acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds into their cheeks.
These nuts pack in calories and good fats, perfect for surviving winter and all that climbing. If you’re feeding them, stick with raw, unsalted nuts.
Peanuts in the shell, pecans, and hickory nuts are big hits too. Squirrels use their teeth to strip off tough shells, which helps keep their teeth from growing too long.
Pine nuts and pistachios? They’re on the menu, though pine nuts can be a bit rare unless you live near pine forests.
Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are smaller but always popular at feeders. They’re easy for young squirrels to crack open and give a quick energy boost.
If you’re putting out seeds, try a tray feeder—makes it easier for both birds and squirrels to snack without too much mess.
Favorite Fruits and Berries
Squirrels seem to adore sweet fruits, especially if they’re easy to grab or climb for. You’ll see them munching apples, cherries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Grapes and berries are favorites—probably because they’re juicy and packed with sugar. Fresh fruit keeps squirrels hydrated when it’s hot outside.
Try apple slices or halved strawberries at your feeder if you want to treat them. Skip canned or sugary processed fruit; raw and plain is best.
In spring, squirrels might chew on buds and blossoms from fruit trees. If you have fruit trees, watch out—they’ll take cherries and apples before they ripen.
You can distract them with safer treats if you’d rather keep your fruit.
Seeds and Grains in Their Diet
Seeds and grains show up a lot in a squirrel’s menu, especially near homes. You’ll catch them digging up sunflower seeds, raiding bird feeders, or munching corn and oats from gardens.
Black oil sunflower seeds are a top pick—easy to open and packed with energy. Pumpkin seeds give them healthy fats and minerals, especially when you offer them roasted and unsalted.
Whole corn kernels and spilled birdseed mixes give squirrels extra calories, which they need in fall before winter arrives.
If you feed birds, try a squirrel-proof feeder and set out a separate tray with squirrel-friendly seeds. That way, you keep both birds and squirrels happy and avoid constant feeder battles.
Vegetables and Other Plant Foods
Squirrels eat plenty of veggies and green plants when they find them. You might spot them nibbling carrots, corn, leafy greens, or even tomatoes in your garden.
They love young shoots and tender plants—easier to chew and full of nutrients. Sometimes, you’ll see them eating bark, buds, or even fungi for minerals and a change of pace.
If you garden, cages or netting help protect seedlings—squirrels will dig and snack if given the chance. They’ll accept cooked veggies now and then, but raw and fresh is what they know best.
Every so often, squirrels will eat eggs, insects, or small bits of meat if they need extra protein. Still, nuts and plants are their main foods.
Keep veggie scraps in a bin if you don’t want to draw them to one spot.
Unique Squirrel Eating Habits and Feeding Tips
Squirrels pick from a huge menu and change things up with the seasons. Let’s look at what animal foods they go after, ways to feed them safely, and how to set up feeders that keep everyone happy.
Animal-Based Foods and Insects
Squirrels will eat insects, bird eggs, and even small bits of carrion if they can’t find enough plants. You might see them hunting caterpillars or beetles, or pulling bark off trees to find hidden bugs.
Tree squirrels sometimes raid nests for eggs or even nestlings, especially in spring when mothers need extra protein. If you want to help them out, you could leave a few mealworms or a bit of unsalted cooked egg.
Don’t offer processed meats or salty foods—they’re not good for squirrels. Watch how adult squirrels bring protein to their young, especially when nursing.
Feeding Squirrels Safely at Home
If you decide to feed squirrels, offer foods close to what they’d find in the wild. Whole nuts in the shell (acorns, walnuts), unsalted sunflower seeds, apple pieces, or a little cooked egg work well.
Keep portions small so squirrels still forage naturally. Never give them bread, chips, chocolate, or salty snacks—these can hurt them.
Keep feeding spots clean and move food if you spot mold or pests. Try placing food on a raised platform or flat stone to keep things tidy and to avoid attracting unwanted rodents.
That way, you get to watch the squirrels without making them too bold around people.
Squirrel Feeders and Protecting Bird Feeders
Try using dedicated squirrel feeders if you want to give squirrels their own food without wrecking your bird feeding setup. I usually go for tube feeders with separate trays for squirrels, or cage-style feeders that let you control how much they get.
Honestly, steel or heavy-duty plastic designs work best—they can handle the chewing. If you want to protect your bird feeders, just add baffles above and below, or put the feeders on long poles far from trees or fences.
Weight-sensitive feeders are pretty clever; they close up if a heavy squirrel hops on. Pine cones and big nuts rarely fall through most bird feeders, so I just put those in the squirrel stations.
I like to move feeder spots every month. It keeps squirrels from getting too comfortable or turning into little backyard bullies.
