If you want to help squirrels, you’ve got to know what not to feed them. A lot of our favorite snacks—like chocolate, dairy, or salty chips—can actually make squirrels sick. Skip the chocolate, dairy, salty processed foods, and any nuts that look moldy or smell off if you want to keep squirrels healthy.
Let’s talk about which foods are risky, why they’re a problem, and what you can safely give instead. It’s not complicated, but a little knowledge goes a long way when you want to feed wildlife without causing trouble.
Harmful Foods Squirrels Should Avoid
Plenty of human snacks, certain nuts, and even some seeds or fruit pits can actually harm squirrels. If you’re not sure, it’s better to skip it.
Toxic Human Foods
Don’t feed squirrels chocolate, candy, or anything with caffeine. These things contain stimulants and sugars that can mess with a squirrel’s heart and nerves. Even a tiny bit of chocolate can be dangerous.
Processed snacks like chips, cookies, or salty peanuts? Nope. Too much salt and sugar can throw off a squirrel’s diet and lead to dehydration or health issues. Preservatives and artificial flavors aren’t great for their gut, either.
Definitely never give them alcohol, raw dough, or foods with xylitol. Alcohol and yeast can poison them. Xylitol, which hides in some sugar-free gum and treats, can make their blood sugar crash dangerously fast. If you want to share, stick to plain, natural foods.
Unsafe Nuts and Seeds
Raw, unsalted nuts work better than roasted or salted ones, but not all nuts are safe. Macadamia nuts can make squirrels sick, so just avoid those. Salted and flavored nuts pile on too much salt and can be rough on their kidneys.
Peanuts are a favorite, but too many can mess up their nutrition. Moldy peanuts are especially risky because they can carry toxins. Store nuts in a cool, dry spot to keep them fresh. Mix it up—offer walnuts, hazelnuts, and unsalted almonds, but don’t go overboard.
Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are okay in small amounts. Don’t make them the main thing, though. Too many seeds mean squirrels miss out on other foods they need. Always pick unsalted, raw seeds if you’re going to share.
Dangerous Fruits and Vegetables
Skip avocado flesh and pits. Avocado has persin, which isn’t safe for some animals, and the pit can choke them. Also, avoid apple seeds, cherry stones, and apricot pits—these have compounds that can turn into cyanide if chewed.
Dairy, cooked meat scraps, and lots of bread aren’t good choices. Squirrels can’t really digest lactose, so dairy leads to diarrhea. Bread fills them up but doesn’t give them much nutrition.
Give them small pieces of apple (without seeds), berries, grapes, carrots, or leafy greens. Always take out pits and seeds before sharing. If you offer fruits or veggies, switch it up and keep portions small so squirrels keep foraging and get what they need.
Best Practices for Feeding Squirrels Safely
Stick with fresh, natural foods. Clean up feeding spots and set food out where squirrels won’t have to compete with pets or people.
Healthy Foods for Squirrels
Offer plain, unsalted nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds—if you can, leave them in the shell. Shelled nuts work too, but whole nuts help squirrels practice foraging and reduce choking risks.
You can add a little unsweetened dried fruit, fresh apple slices, or carrot pieces as a treat. Just don’t overdo it.
Keep junk food, bread, and salty or sugary snacks off the menu. Chocolate, avocado, and moldy nuts are always a bad idea.
Put out clean water in a shallow dish. Change it every day, and move it if it freezes. If you use commercial rodent blocks, grab ones made for wild rodents and use them sparingly.
How to Use Squirrel Feeders Properly
Set feeders about 10–15 feet from your house to keep things tidy and discourage squirrels from getting too close to your roof.
Mount feeders on a pole or hang them from a tree branch at least 6 feet up. That way, cats and dogs can’t easily get to them.
Pick feeders designed for squirrels, or grab sturdy ones if you want squirrels to have access. If you only want birds to eat the seeds, use squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Wash feeders every couple of weeks with mild soap and hot water to prevent mold and disease.
Only put out a little food at a time so it doesn’t spoil. Remove anything uneaten after a day or two, especially when it’s warm out.
Squirrel-Proofing to Protect Wildlife
Try using squirrel-proof feeders for birdseed, and keep them far from birdhouses. I usually look for feeders with weight-sensitive perches or those cages that block bigger animals—much less hassle that way.
Trim back tree branches, or pop baffles onto poles to stop squirrels from getting onto roofs and gutters. You can also seal up little gaps in your attic or eaves, so they don’t sneak in and start nesting.
If you’re dealing with squirrels in your garden, wire mesh or raised planters work better than harmful repellents. Honestly, it’s safer for everyone.
Notice a squirrel acting sick or badly hurt? Just call a local wildlife rehabilitator—don’t try to fix it yourself.
