Squirrels grab food and roll it around as they devour its goodness in a moment of pleasure. They keep their eyes open and look for threats or a better meal in my bowl on my lap.
Should I give this squirrel some of my grapes? Can Squirrels Eat Grapes? What foods are good for squirrels?
In this article, we will find out the do’s and don’ts of offering food to squirrels, but I really want to know, “Can Squirrels Eat Grapes?”
Can Squirrels Eat Grapes?
Yes. Squirrels love grapes. Some will be seen peeling the outer layer before they get into the juicy fruit underneath, while others go for it all. The seeds are usually avoided because they can lead to kidney disorders. Grapes are high in vitamins C, E, and K.
What fruits should you feed squirrels? Squirrels love a wide list of fruits such as:
- mangoes
- apples
- melons
- bananas
- grapes
- strawberries
- blackberries
- figs
- blueberries
- red berries
- raspberries
- plums
- cherries
- mulberries
- elderberries
- lingonberries
- pears
- peaches
- kiwi
- pineapple
Why Grapes Are Good For Squirrels
Grapes a solid choice for a nutritious snack to offer squirrels because they are high in:
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- vitamin K
- calcium
- phosphorous
- potassium
- catechins
- quercetin
- lutein
- beta-carotene
- zeaxanthin
Grapes and other berries contain polyphenols which are a group of antioxidants. They can help prevent heart disease and promote cardiovascular health.
How many grapes should I give a squirrel? Too many grapes would cause an adverse effect for these little rodents. They are sugary and need to be limited to less than 6 per servings and given 1-2 times a week.
How To Feed Squirrels Grapes
Squirrels cannot handle eating too many grapes. They have sensitive digestive systems that work rapidly, but we have to keep things as natural as possible.
While they love nuts, commercially processed peanut butter with additives and preservatives could be hard to digest. When it comes to grapes, the pesticides on them must be washed off first. Sink the grapes in water for several minutes.
Removing the seed is also beneficial, but not essential. They can contribute to kidney disorders if ingested, but sometimes we have to let the wild animals decide that for themselves. If the squirrel is your pet, you’ll feel more inclined to remove the seeds.
Can Squirrels Eat Raisins?
Yes. Dried fruits can be offered to squirrels. They would prefer the fresher option, but the winter is a good time to give them dried fruit that they can easily store away back in their nest.
Create a mix of raisins and dried cranberries. The raisins should be natural, unsweetened and unsulphured. A squirrel only needs 15% of its diet to be fruits. The rest will be supplemented with seeds, nuts and veggies.
Are Grapes Healthy For Rodents?
Yes. Grapes are enjoyed by squirrels and other rodents alike. This is because:
- Grapes are full of nutrients.
- Grapes are rich in antioxidants.
- Grapes strengthen their bones.
- Grapes boost their energy levels.
The calories and nutrition in grapes gives squirrels and other rodents the energy to continue on with their day and the alertness to avoid predators on their journey.
They will surely come back for more, but be careful to not overfeed them grapes that could lead to the overconsumption of sugar.
How Much Fruit Is Good For Squirrels?
Squirrels only need fruits to cover 15% of their total diet. They need to practice moderation and not overconsumption which can lead to obesity, hypertension, diabetes and kidney disorders.
A few slices or a small handful of grapes is enough for the next couple of days. Feed fruits 1-3 times a week and stick to nuts or seeds the rest of the time. Avoid pits and seeds in the fruits if you can.
Squirrels may try to squeeze the pits into their mouths and choke. Some are even toxic such as nectarine pits.
What Foods do Squirrels Hate the Most?
Squirrels hate foods that are seasoned with:
- Peppers
- Garlic
- Mint
- Onions
White pepper, black pepper, spicy bell pepper, and cayenne pepper that contain capsaicin are excellent repellents for squirrels.
You can spray them with water in spray bottles or scatter and sprinkle them in powder form all around the area you wish for rodents to avoid.
What Are Squirrels Favorite Food?
Squirrels are not picky. You don’t have to search for their favorite foods unless you are trying to set up a bait trap to catch and release them.
If you own a pet squirrel that is recovering and not eating enough, you can try peanut butter in small amounts. Squirrels can’t leave this rich and creamy, fatty and protein rich substance alone. It’s the best bait for many rodents. Squirrels love to eat:
- plant materials
- leaves
- weeds
- fungi
- flowers
- seeds
- eggs
- small insects
What Vegetables Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels like to eat many vegetables. The problem lies when they steal what you are growing in your garden.
They will not be able to digest the cellulose in plant matter, but will go after leaves and the fruit off the plant. Squirrels are mostly herbivores and will be attracted to eating these vegetables:
- radish
- okra
- beets
- broccoli
- eggplant
- Brussels sprouts
- carrots
- celery
- chard
- cabbage
- asparagus
- cauliflower
- beans
- radish
- tomatoes
- squash
- kale
- leeks
- lettuce
- spinach
- arugula
What Are The Best Nuts For Squirrels?
Squirrels and nuts go together like bees on flowers. Squirrels would give their nuts for a nut. They will rank the order of nuts from almonds being their top choice to pistachio being their last.
This is entirely up to the squirrel to decide if you leave a mix of nuts and watch them decide which ones to eat first. Start with the following nuts which make our top list of favorites for squirrels:
- acorns
- walnuts
- beechnuts
- hickory nuts
- butternuts
- cashews
- pecans,
- pine nuts,
- macadamia nuts
- pistachios
Peanuts are not the best option and didn’t make the list. Remember that squirrels not only like nuts, the shells help them to exercise their ever-growing teeth and keep them from growing too long.
Best Seeds For Squirrels
The following seeds are given to squirrels as pets or pests to avoid them from disturbing our properties or simply as treats:
- poppy seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- safflower seeds
- sesame seeds
- sunflower seeds
- bird seed
Do Birds Eat Grapes?
Yes. When you leave grapes out for a squirrel, be prepared that a bird might swoop down and take one too! Plenty of birds enjoy grapes such as:
- bluebirds
- parrots
- grosbeaks
- mockingbirds
- robins
- tanagers
- waxwings
- woodpeckers
Birds get an energy boost from grapes that offer a high dose of fructose. If they get their claws on too many grapes at once, they could develop digestive issues or obesity.
What Animals Can’t Eat Grapes?
This is why I don’t feed grapes to squirrels. I have a dog who roams the backyard and keeps squirrels away. If a dog or cat ate grapes, they could suffer sudden and acute kidney failure.
The toxic substance that makes grapes a big no-no in the vicinity of cats and dogs is unclear, but the animals we love could shows the following signs of intense discomfort:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of coordination
- lethargy (tiredness)
If a dog or cat happens to eat a grape, you may need to visit the vet if the signs above are noticed.
What Animals Like to Eat Grapes?
Lots of animals will try to steal a grape if you leave it out for squirrels. Grapes are enjoyed by wildlife in nature and berries too. You may see the following animals eating grapes:
- black bear
- gray fox
- opossum
- raccoon
- striped skunk
- spotted prairie skunk
- fox squirrel
Can Squirrels Eat Cheerios?
Do you wonder, can you give squirrels cereal? As long as it is unsweetened and given sparingly, you might be able to offer it, but keep this at minimum.
The grains are not as healthy for squirrels who look to store nuts and seeds instead. Cheerios or other cereals can expire and turn moldy over time. If you are offering nuts and seeds mixed with grains like cereal, the trial mix will be happily enjoyed by squirrels.
What Fruit Do Squirrels Not Eat?
Squirrels don’t like citrus fruits. They will avoid acidic fruits like orange, lemon, lime. Squirrels enjoy plenty of other fruits and we believe that varieties of berries are their favorite.
Conclusion
I’ve seen and heard people asking questions such as, “Can squirrels eat rice? Can squirrels eat popcorn? Can squirrels eat bread?” The answer to them all is yes, but in small quantities.
Stick to the staple foods such as fruits and vegetables with seeds and nuts. The rest of the foods you might think to offer should be free of onions, garlic or peppers and squirrels will attempt to eat it.
They have small stomachs and need to eat a little at a time. Peanut butter lures them in and grapes can too. He hope the varieties of foods in the multiple lists above can help guide you to decide which foods to offer squirrels.
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