You probably spot squirrels everywhere and wonder what keeps them so busy. These little creatures munch on a mix of nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, and sometimes even insects or eggs if they have to.
Squirrels mostly go for high-energy foods like acorns, walnuts, and other shelled nuts, plus fruits and seeds. Their diet shifts depending on the species and the season.
If you’re hoping to attract squirrels, keep them out of your garden, or just want to figure out their eating habits, this post breaks down what they love, what you should avoid giving them, and how their diets change depending on the species or season.
Let’s check out some practical tips for feeding or keeping them away, and see how different squirrels adapt to what’s around.
The Favorite Foods Squirrels Love
Squirrels need high-energy foods to store fat and stay lively. Most of their favorites are nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes a little protein from insects or small animals.
Nuts and Seeds Squirrels Prefer
Nuts and seeds make up a huge part of a squirrel’s diet. Acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, walnuts, and pecans pack in the fat and calories they need for winter.
Pine nuts and sunflower seeds are high on their list too. Sunflower seeds crack open easily, while pine nuts hide in cones and take some effort to get.
Squirrels stash nuts in scattered spots. You’ll notice them bury acorns or hide seeds in piles of leaves. This hoarding helps them later—and sometimes, a forgotten nut grows into a new tree.
If you want to feed squirrels, stick to unsalted, unseasoned nuts. Don’t give them salted or roasted mixes, and never offer nuts with chemical-treated shells.
Fruits and Vegetables in the Squirrel Diet
Squirrels like fruits and some veggies for sugar, moisture, and vitamins. Apples, pears, grapes, berries, and cherries are top picks. Fruits give them quick energy and are easy to carry off.
They’ll also nibble on carrots, corn, and squash. Carrots add some crunch and fiber, which is fine in moderation.
Try not to overdo it with fruit—too much sugar can upset their stomachs and bring unwanted pests.
If you’ve got fruit trees, you might catch squirrels swiping ripe apples or plums. Some folks plant extra sunflowers or pumpkins just to distract squirrels from their gardens.
Do Squirrels Eat Meat and Insects?
They do! Squirrels mostly stick to plants, but they’ll eat insects or a bit of meat when they find it. They snack on caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, bird eggs, and sometimes even small frogs or nestlings.
Insects give them protein, which is especially important for nursing moms or growing babies.
You probably won’t see a squirrel hunting anything big. Most of the time, they just grab whatever’s easy. If you notice a squirrel eating eggs or bugs, that’s totally normal—it’s just meeting its protein needs.
Don’t feed them meat on purpose; wild protein keeps their natural instincts sharp.
Treats and Human Foods: What to Avoid
Plenty of human foods can actually harm squirrels. Bread isn’t good for them—it fills them up but doesn’t give much nutrition. A little plain bread won’t hurt, but too much can make them unhealthy.
Chocolate is a definite no—it’s toxic to lots of animals, including squirrels.
If you want to give them a treat, stick to unsalted nuts, plain sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or small pieces of apple or carrot. Skip the processed snacks, candy, chips, or anything with salt, sugar, or fake sweeteners.
Keep portions small and natural. That way, you help keep squirrels healthy and don’t throw off the balance in your local wildlife.
For more details and tips, check out this guide on what squirrels like to eat.
How Squirrel Diets Change by Species and Season
Squirrels eat different things depending on where they live, their species, and the season. Some go for nuts and seeds, others eat more plants or insects, and winter makes a lot of them rely on what they’ve stored.
Tree Squirrels, Ground Squirrels, and Flying Squirrels
Tree squirrels—like gray and red squirrels—mostly eat nuts (acorns, walnuts), seeds, fruits, and buds. You’ll often spot them climbing trees, stripping bark, gnawing on cones, and hiding nuts in lots of little spots. That’s called scatter-hoarding.
This habit helps them find food in winter and even spreads tree seeds around.
Ground squirrels stick to grasses, seeds, roots, and sometimes insects or eggs. They spend more time foraging on the ground and eat more green plants in spring.
Some ground squirrels hibernate or slow down in cold places, so they fatten up in late summer.
Flying squirrels, which are active at night, go for seeds, nuts, fungi, and sap. They also eat insects and bird eggs if they come across them. You probably won’t see them during the day, but at night, they glide between trees to find food and safe nesting spots.
What Squirrels Eat in the Wild and in Winter
In spring and summer, squirrels munch on fresh buds, flowers, fruits, and soft shoots. You might catch tree squirrels raiding bird feeders or snatching fruit from trees.
Ground squirrels eat tender grasses and roots to get water and nutrients.
When fall rolls around, squirrels go nuts for—well, nuts and seeds. They need to build up fat and stash food for the cold months. Gray squirrels especially love burying acorns, then digging them up later.
In winter, tree squirrels depend on their hidden nuts, fungus, and leftover buds. Ground squirrels that hibernate live off the fat they stored up before winter. Flying squirrels use food they tucked away in nest holes and munch on fungi that can survive freezing temps.
Feeding Wild Squirrels at Home
If you’re feeding squirrels, stick with unsalted nuts in the shell, shelled sunflower seeds, chopped fruits, or those special squirrel foods you see at pet stores. I’d set out a sturdy squirrel feeder or just use a simple platform—makes cleanup less of a headache.
Skip bread, salty snacks, and anything processed; honestly, those things just aren’t good for squirrels.
If you want to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders, try a squirrel-proof feeder or put your feeders on poles with baffles. Only offer small amounts, so the squirrels don’t start depending on you every day.
If you find a baby squirrel, reach out to a local wildlife rehabilitator. They need special milk and care—definitely not a DIY job.
