If you notice chipmunks hanging around your garden or yard, you might wonder what foods could actually harm them.
Knowing which foods are poisonous to chipmunks helps you protect these little guys and keep your space safe. Chocolate, salty foods, onions, garlic, some nuts, and alcohol can seriously hurt chipmunks, so don’t give them any of those.
Don’t use toxic foods to control chipmunks—it’s not just dangerous, but often illegal and pretty ineffective anyway.
When you know what to keep away from them, you can make smarter choices about feeding or managing chipmunks near your home.
If you know which common foods can hurt chipmunks, you’ll make it easier to care for wildlife responsibly.
Let’s dig into what you should never let chipmunks eat.
Common Foods and Substances Toxic to Chipmunks
Some foods and substances that seem harmless or tasty to us can be really dangerous—or even poisonous—to chipmunks.
Human snacks, certain fruits and veggies, some nuts, and processed foods with artificial stuff can all be bad news for them.
Knowing what to avoid makes life a lot safer for chipmunks.
Human Foods That Are Poisonous to Chipmunks
Never feed chipmunks chocolate, alcohol, or salty foods.
Chocolate has compounds that can poison small animals like chipmunks, and even a little bit can make them really sick.
Salty snacks—like potato chips or salted nuts—can mess up their digestion and damage their kidneys.
Onions and garlic? Also bad. Those can cause poisoning, so steer clear.
Skip anything fried or loaded with seasoning.
Sugary treats like candy can make chipmunks overweight and mess with their natural diet.
If you want more info, check out An Expert’s Guide to Getting Rid of Chipmunks in Your Garden.
Toxic Fruits, Vegetables, and Plants
Not all fruits and veggies are safe for chipmunks.
Seeds and pits in things like cherries contain harmful stuff. Cherry seeds and acorns have toxins that can hurt chipmunks if they eat too many.
Some berries, like raspberries and serviceberries, are fine in small amounts.
But dried fruits with added sugar, like dried cranberries, aren’t great.
Some plants have bulbs or parts that are poisonous, so don’t leave those where chipmunks can get them.
Be careful with mushrooms and wild plants. Some are toxic, and honestly, it’s safest to stick with foods that experts say are okay.
The Missouri Extension has more on this: Controlling Nuisance Chipmunks.
Dangers of Nut and Seed Varieties
Lots of nuts and seeds are good for chipmunks, but not all.
Don’t give them salted almonds, cashews, or walnuts.
Acorns and hickory nuts are chipmunk favorites, but only in moderation—tannins in them can cause stomach problems if they eat too many.
Stay away from processed seed mixes made for other pets; those don’t have the right nutrients for chipmunks.
If you’re curious, How To Care For Pet Chipmunks – RSPCA has more info.
Artificial Additives and Processed Foods
Processed foods with extra sugar, salt, or artificial flavors are a no-go for chipmunks.
Candy, cookies, and bread barely have any nutrition and can lead to health issues.
Don’t give them fried foods or snacks with preservatives and chemicals.
These additives can poison chipmunks or make their stomachs upset.
It’s better to stick with natural, whole foods and avoid anything made for humans that could be dangerous for chipmunks.
You can read more about this at Healthy and Unhealthy Foods for Squirrels – Exotic Nutrition.
Rodent Poisons and Chemical Hazards
Be careful with the types of poisons you use around chipmunks.
Rodenticides for rats and mice are also really dangerous for chipmunks.
If you know how these chemicals work and how chipmunks might get exposed, you can help keep them safe.
Rodenticide Risks: Warfarin, Bromethalin, and Cholecalciferol
Warfarin is an anticoagulant poison. It stops blood from clotting, so rodents bleed internally.
Bromethalin attacks the nervous system and can cause brain swelling and paralysis.
Cholecalciferol, which is a form of vitamin D, causes calcium to build up and damages the heart and kidneys.
All of these chemicals can kill chipmunks if they eat poisoned bait or prey.
They act slowly, so chipmunks might look okay at first but then get really sick out of nowhere.
Key facts about these poisons:
- Warfarin: causes slow internal bleeding
- Bromethalin: damages brain and nerves
- Cholecalciferol: causes organ failure through too much calcium
Chipmunks often share food sources with rats and mice, so these poisons put them at high risk.
Differences Between Poisons for Rats, Mice, and Chipmunks
Rodent poisons aren’t just for rats and mice—chipmunks can eat the same bait and get sick.
Because chipmunks are smaller and have different metabolisms, they might react even faster to these poisons.
Some baits use meat, grains, or veggies, which can tempt chipmunks, even if you meant the poison for other rodents.
So, the bait type matters a lot.
If you need to control rats or mice, pick your products with care.
Most poisons aren’t selective, so chipmunks and other wildlife can get hurt by eating bait or even by eating poisoned animals.
Unintended Exposure from Squirrel Trap or Squirrel Removal Efforts
People often use bait or poisons in squirrel traps and removal efforts. Chipmunks, curious as they are, might grab that bait or get hurt when someone sets out poison for squirrels.
Honestly, it’s pretty common for chipmunks to run into trouble since they live in the same places as squirrels.
If someone uses poison to get rid of squirrels, chipmunks might end up eating leftover bait—or even the poisoned squirrels. That kind of secondary poisoning? It can be deadly.
It’s smart to keep an eye on spots around squirrel traps. Chipmunks might wander in, get caught, or eat something toxic by accident.
Always check what bait or poison you’re dealing with, and if you can, go for methods that won’t harm other wildlife.
For more info on how rodenticides can affect wildlife, check out Wildlife-Safe Alternatives to Harmful Rodent Poisons.
