Want to attract squirrels in Dreamlight Valley? Just offer them their favorite snack—peanuts. Handing over peanuts gives you the best shot at rewards and makes it way easier to turn a squirrel into your companion.
Different colored squirrels show up at different times. Some pop up in the morning or afternoon in the Plaza, so it’s smart to check their schedules.
Always carry a few fruits from bushes and trees as a backup. You never know when you’ll spot a squirrel and run out of peanuts.
If you want to feed them without scaring them off, approach slowly and follow a few simple steps. Before you know it, you’ll have a wild critter tagging along as a companion.
You’ll find plenty of details on feeding tips, favorite foods, and schedules in the Dreamlight Valley critter pages and feeding guides.
Squirrels’ Favorite Foods in Dreamlight Valley
Squirrels in Dreamlight Valley go nuts for—well, nuts—and plenty of fruit. If you feed them peanuts or fruit you’ve gathered, you can get Dream Shards, Memory Shards, or sometimes a motif bag.
Peanuts and Other Nuts
Peanuts are the clear favorite. If you give a squirrel a peanut, you’ll probably get a Dream Shard, Memory Shard, or even a motif bag.
Bring peanuts if you want a high-value drop or you’re hoping to unlock a squirrel as a companion.
Other nuts, like acorns and hazelnuts, work too, but they don’t give quite as good rewards. It’s handy to keep a few peanuts and some acorns or hazelnuts in your inventory, just in case you bump into a squirrel in the Plaza.
Fruits Squirrels Enjoy
Squirrels also love fruit from bushes and trees. Apples, bananas, and blueberries all count as “liked” foods.
Feeding fruit can get you Dream Shards or Memory Shards, but the odds aren’t as good as with peanuts.
Pick fruit from trees and berry bushes all around Dreamlight Valley and other biomes. Carry a mix—apples for everyday use, bananas for quick snacks, and blueberries if you’re farming fruit for several critters.
Fruits are everywhere and don’t cost you anything to gather.
Foraged Foods and Where to Find Them
Some foraged items, like Brussels sprouts, nutmeg, and cape gooseberry, count as fruit for squirrels—even if the game labels them differently.
You’ll usually spot these near bushes, herbs, and ground forage spots scattered across Dreamlight Valley.
Hunt around the Plaza and along the nearby paths for forage nodes. Check bushes and tree trunks for apples, bananas, and blueberries.
The in-game map helps you track down where and when certain squirrel colors appear, so you can bring the right food when you’re hunting for them.
How to Feed and Befriend Squirrels
Squirrels in Dreamlight Valley eat specific foods, hand out rewards if you feed them their favorite, and can become your companion after a couple of feedings.
You’ll need to approach them calmly, offer their preferred snacks, and build up friendship through repeat feedings and hanging out with them once they’re your companion.
Approaching and Feeding Squirrels
Walk up to a squirrel slowly. Wait for the interaction prompt to pop up.
Stand just close enough so you don’t spook it. Hit the interact button and pick a food from your inventory.
Peanut is the top pick for most squirrel variants—it’ll usually get you a Dream Shard.
If you’re out of peanuts, offer a “liked” food like fruit or a foraged item. They’ll take it, but you might not get a shard.
Each squirrel only accepts the first feeding per day for progress and drops. If one refuses your food, switch it up or come back tomorrow.
Unlocking Squirrels as Critter Companions
To unlock a squirrel as a companion, feed that specific squirrel successfully two times on separate days.
Some variants only appear at certain times or in certain biomes, so check where and when they spawn before you go looking.
After two successful feedings, the game adds the squirrel to your Companions collection. Open Inventory > Wardrobe > Companions to equip it.
Once equipped, your squirrel follows you around and helps gather nearby foraging resources.
If a squirrel is rare or only shows up sometimes, make sure you feed it during its available window so you don’t miss out.
Friendship Levels and Rewards
When you equip a squirrel companion, you’ll start earning friendship XP just by doing everyday things—gathering, finishing quests, or simply hanging out together.
As you rank up, you’ll notice practical bonuses and some fun little rewards at certain milestones.
You might get extra foraging yields, a bit more inventory space, or even some themed décor for your companion. If you stick with it and reach those higher friendship levels, you could unlock better foraging returns or snag a few handy item bundles.
You can check your progress in the companion menu; it’ll show you exactly what rewards are coming up and how much XP you still need. Oh, and if you complete Dreamlight Duties that involve feeding critters, those count toward your collection tasks and help you unlock rewards a bit faster.
