What to feed a pet squirrel is an important question if you really care about your little jumping buddy. I am happy that you asked because feeding squirrels is not like you throw some peanuts and that’s. It’s all about how you keep motivated to keep their body and bones healthy, good digestion, and to let them enjoy a long, healthy life.
Many domestic squirrels in the US suffer from different nutrition issues that can be easily avoided if the owner knows the basics about those problems. Let’s learn it in simple and easy English for better understanding.
Why Understanding What to Feed a Pet Squirrel Really Matters
It is something that most new squirrel owners don’t know. Squirrels eat a lot of different things in the wild, like bark, fungi, seeds, greens, insects, berries, and foods that are only available at certain times of the year. But when they’re in a cage, they eat what you give them.
Your squirrel can get Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if the food you give to them does not contain enough calcium. It can also happen if the diet has an excessive amount of phosphorus, for example, nuts. Sadly, this happens a lot to squirrels that are kept in cages in the US. Squirrels need the right amount of calcium to stay healthy, according to wildlife rehabilitation guidelines used by groups like the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). When deciding what to feed a domestic squirrel, think about its long-term health instead of its short-term happiness.
What Is the Best Thing to Feed a Pet Squirrel?
Here’s a simple answer to what to feed a squirrel:
The base should be high-quality rodent blocks.
Yes. Not peanuts. Not seeds from sunflowers.
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in rodent blocks made for squirrels or lab rodents is just right. That balance keeps teeth and bones safe.
Then you add:
- New leafy green
- New vegetables
- Not much fruit
- A few nuts as treats
The 15 Best Foods for a Squirrel to Eat
Here’s a clear breakdown for squirrel owners in the US.
| Food Categories | Examples | Why it is good |
|---|---|---|
| Rodents blocks | Oxbow (plain formula), Mazuri | Balanced Nutrition |
| Green Leafy | Collard and dandelion greens, Kale | Calcium rich |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Zucchini, Green beans | A lot of fibre and vitamins |
| Root Vegetables | Carrots (small amount) | Beta carotene |
| Fruits | Apple (without seeds), Blueberries | Natural antioxidants |
| Healthy treat nuts | Unsalted walnuts and almonds | Healthy fats (limited) |
| Protein power | Small portion of cooked egg | Extra protein |
Did you notice something important?
Nuts are at the bottom of the list, not the top.
Are Carrots Healthy for Squirrels?
Carrots are good for you, but only in small amounts.
They have fibre and vitamin A in them. But they don’t have a lot of calcium. That means you should never use carrots instead of leafy greens.
If you’re still not sure what to feed a pet squirrel, keep this formula in mind :
Carrots are a side dish. Greens with leaves are the main dish.
It’s like giving someone fries with a healthy meal. Good, but not the base of main meal.
What Is the Favorite Food of a Squirrel?
Let’s be real.
Nuts are what squirrels like to eat the most. In particular:
- Pecans
- Nuts
- Almonds
They love them. But there’s a problem. Even if it’s their favourite, that doesn’t mean it’s good for them every day.
Think about candy and kids. Kids love candies, but an excessive amount is not good for them, nor is it good to eat candy every day.
If squirrels had money to spend on groceries, they would only buy nuts. And that would slowly hurt their bones.
So, when you choose what to feed a pet squirrel, you should do it for health, not for fun.
The 5-7-9 Rule for Squirrels Explained
You might hear about the 5-7-9 rule if you are taking care of a baby squirrel.
This rule helps figure out how much formula to feed based on body weight.
- Give them 5 to 7 percent of their body weight at each meal.
- Depending on age, feed every few hours
- Change as the squirrel gets bigger
If you are raising a baby squirrel in the US, make sure to follow the laws about wildlife in your state. You must work with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in a lot of states.
Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife website for your state for official advice.
What NOT to Feed a Pet Squirrel
This part is just as important.
We need to be clear about what not to feed a pet squirrel when we talk about what to give it.
Don’t ever give:
- ❌No junk food
- ❌ Bread
- ❌ Cereal with sugar
- ❌ Chocolate
- ❌Salted nuts
- ❌ Processed human snacks
- ❌Seed mixes with a lot of corn
Eating too many seeds and corn can throw off the balance of calcium.
And once Metabolic Bone Disease starts, it’s painful and hard to stop.
A Simple Daily Feeding Plan for Squirrels
Let’s keep it simple.
In the morning:
- Block for rodents
- Greens with leaves
In the afternoon:
- A mix of vegetables
At night:
- A small piece of fruit
- 1 to 2 nuts without salt
Fresh water:
- Always available
Keep in mind that structure is more important than variety when you think about what to give as food to a domestic squirrel.
Feeding Baby vs Adult Squirrels
Here’s a main summary
| Age | Main meal | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 0 -1.5 months | Puppy milk replacer with help of an expert | Every three to four hours |
| 1.5 - 3 months | Soft solids+formula | Gradual and slow transition |
| 3+ months | Blocks+greens+vegetables | 2-3 meals a day |
You need to be very careful with baby squirrels. Feeding the wrong way can lead to pneumonia or digestive failure.
If you’re not sure, talk to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your state.
Common Mistakes New USA Squirrel Owners Make
I have seen this many times: a person saves a squirrel and gives them peanuts every day. The squirrel seems happy, full of energy and adorable. After some months, some issues start appearing like broken bones, weak back legs and poor coat. It is a result of a nutrition imbalance. Love was not the main problem, but the issue was the lack of information about its diet.
That’s why it’s so important to know how to feed a pet squirrel the right way.
How much should you Feed?
Squirrels eat small amounts of food several times a day as adults. Giving nuts too much food makes them fat.
Keep the portions small.
A good rule is
- Most of the bowl should be filled with greens
- Vegetables are moderate
- Very few nuts
If your squirrel only wants nuts and not healthy food, cut back on treats. In the end, they will eat what’s good for them.
They are smart. But you need to be smarter.
Is It Legal to Keep a Pet Squirrel in the USA?
It is a very important question because many people become confused on this.
The laws differ from state to state. Without a permit, it is against the law in many states to keep a wild squirrel as a domestic animal.
Check your state’s wildlife laws before you decide what to feed a squirrel for a long time.
You can go to:
- The website for your state’s Fish and Wildlife
- The National Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators (https://www.nwrawildlife.org/)
Always stay within the law and boundaries.
Final Thoughts on What to Feed a Pet Squirrel
Now you know exactly what to give a pet squirrel to eat. Do not make it complicated because it is just a good balance of nutrients.
Give them more greens than nuts and use good rodent blocks. Keep their bones safe and do not give them junk food. Be consistent because you are the only one who can help your squirrel.
You’ll see the clear difference when you give them the right type of food in the recommended way. You will see a shiny coat, a strong grip, and lots of playful energy in your little buddy.
Please tell another owner about this guide if it helped you figure out which foods are good to give to your squirrel. You can also ask if you have questions about what your squirrel eats.
Healthy squirrels don’t just happen. They happen because people make smart choices.