Squirrels eat a lot of varieties of food. There are so many different kinds of squirrels worldwide, including red squirrels, ground squirrels, grey squirrels, fox squirrels, flying squirrels, black squirrels, striped squirrels, and many more.
Squirrels are from the mammals’ Sciuridae family, which is a close relative to chipmunks, prairie dogs, and woodchucks. We will be discussing the different kinds of squirrels and what do they eat if raisins and cranberries are safe for them and other foods that squirrels like to eat!
Can squirrels eat raisins?
Yes, squirrels can eat raisins. They eat both unsulfured and natural one along with dried cranberries. Raisins are a good source of nutrients, especially during the winter due to scarcity of food. But, dried raisins should be given in moderation to the squirrels as they have a high amount of sugar.
Table of Contents
Let’s check out if the following squirrels can eat raisins or not –
Flying Squirrels:
Flying squirrels are called such a unique name because of their ability to jump really high from tree to tree. They can’t fly like birds, but with the help of patagium, a kind of parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrists to ankle, helping them fly.
They are mostly nocturnal and omnivorous animals and like to eat fruit, seeds, buds, flowers, insects, etc. As omnivores, they can have anything they get, which includes raisins also.
Grey squirrels:
The eastern gray squirrel is called Sciuruscarolinensis and comes from the genus Sciurus. They mostly like to eat tree bark, tree buds, flowers, seeds and acorns, walnuts, and hazelnuts, dried fruits, raisins, and cranberries, etc.
Wild squirrels:
Wild squirrels come in a number of varieties from the family of Sciuridae, also known as rodents. They mostly like to feed on a mixture of seeds, various nuts, corn seeds, dried fruit, leaves, fungi, tree bark.
They also eat sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried raisins, and berries.
Are raisins safe for squirrels?
Yes, raisins are safe for squirrels. Unsulfured or naturally dried raisins can be given to squirrels. Especially during the winter season, there aren’t many sources of food available at that time. You could give small pieces of dried raisins, but they should be given in moderation.
A high amount of sugar is not good for squirrels, and raisins contain a significantly high amount of sugar. Squirrels can also end up choking on the raisins as small pieces of food can go down the wrong pipe and create a hazard for them.
The risks are minimal, but you should be aware of them if you don’t hurt your pet animals or the wild ones. Squirrels eat most kinds of food available to nature like seeds, nuts, acorns, including raisins and cranberries.
They are also omnivorous so they eat worms, insects as well.
Can squirrels choke on raisins?
Squirrels can choke on raisins even the chances are very less of them choking on it as they are really good pecking eaters. But, they still can go down the wrong pipe down their feeding system and create hazards for the little squirrels.
It is best to give them smaller dried pieces of raisins in minimal amounts to avoid any kinds of hazards for the little ones. They can sometimes be destructive while eating through feeders to get seeds, nuts, and other treats.
Raisins are also very sweet, so they should be given in moderation.
What happens when squirrels eat too many raisins?
Raisins are small dried grapes with low moisture and low pH, resisting spoiling very easily. There are mainly two types of raisins. Brown and golden raisins.
Brown raisins are sun-dried for about four weeks in vineyards; on the other hand, golden raisins are oven-dried using sulfur dioxide to preserve their color.
Squirrels have been seen eating both, but it is better to give them unsulfured and naturally sun-dried raisins. Though there are some effects of eating too many raisins on squirrels, we are listing them below:
A high amount of Sugar:
Raisins are made from grapes; thus, they still have a high number of sugar molecules in them when they are dried. A high amount of sugar is really bad for squirrels. So, they should be given in moderation.
Heart Problems:
If the squirrels are given too many raisins to eat instead of any other food supplements, the high amount of sugar will create heart problems for them.
Obesity:
With the high amount of sugar comes high loads of carbohydrates and glucose dosage, which can cause obesity amongst the squirrels.
Certain Digestive Disorders:
There remains a scarcity of food during winter, but if squirrels only eat raisins, they will get various kinds of digestive problems.
Can squirrels eat cranberries?
Yes, squirrels can eat cranberries. Cranberries are an amazing source of vitamin C for humans as well as wildlife. Critters like squirrels love the sweet and tart flavor of the cranberries. The antioxidants in cranberries add more to the other nutritional values for the squirrels.
Let’s walk through this section to know, can squirrels eat the following cranberries or not –
Dried cranberries:
Dried cranberries are somewhat similar to the process of turning grapes into raisins. They are partially dehydrated and dried by keeping overnight in water and sugar. They are also air-dried or made through freeze-drying.
That’s why dried cranberries have more sugar than raw cranberries. They contain 27 grams or more sugar than the raw ones. The high amount of sugar is bad for the squirrels, so raw ones are better.
Fresh cranberries:
Cranberries are considered the healthiest member of the berry family. So, they have more nutritional value than the other berries though squirrels eat most kinds of berries. Blueberry, mulberry, and others.
A cup of fresh mulberries has about 46 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 12 grams of carbohydrates.
Raw cranberries:
Raw cranberries are the best source of nutrients for squirrels. Though they have a tarty or tangy smell and have less sugar than dried cranberries with 0 grams of fat and lesser carbohydrates.
Are cranberries safe for squirrels?
Yes, cranberries are safe for squirrels. The winter can be a hard time for the little critters to find a source of food. Squirrels mostly at everything, seeds, nuts, nectarines, mulberries, corn seeds, dried fruit, leaves, fungi, tree bark, etc.
They are also omnivorous, so they eat small insects, worms, and other sources of meat also.
But, in winter, finding any of these becomes hard for them and their survival. Dried cranberries can be a very nutritional source of energy for them.
Dried cranberries have more sugar that will provide them the carbohydrate for a long time, and they also like the sugary and less tangy taste.
But, keep in mind to not give them more than necessary as it could also be harmful to their health and use the ones without any extra preservatives and only organically dried ones.
Do squirrels like cranberries?
Yes, squirrels do like cranberries. Squirrels like dried cranberries more than raw cranberries more. Dried cranberries are dried through water and sugar, making them less tangy and giving them a more sugary flavor. The little critters love that.
The sugars attract them, and they don’t like the tarty taste much either. They are feeders of nuts and seeds, making it more fun to eat dried cranberries.
Dried cranberries also provide them with more energy as they contain higher levels of sugars that contain the glucose they need to survive during the winter.
What fruit can squirrels eat?
Squirrels can eat almost all kinds of foods. They are not a very picky eater. They are also omnivorous, so they eat more than just vegetables. But they do prefer fruits and vegetables more than other sources of food like insects and worms.
They eat loads of fruits, and we will be mentioning some of the fruits squirrels like to eat for their livelihood and what fruits you should provide them with for better nutritional value below:
Bananas:
Squirrels love to eat bananas. Bananas are a really good source of vitamins and minerals, but they can be harmful to the squirrels as they have really high levels of sugar.
So if you give them bananas, it should be in minimal amounts, like one or two slices a day. Bananas contain vitamins C, D, and E and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune system boosters.
Apples:
Apples are also suitable for squirrels especially dried ones. But you should keep out the seeds as they contain cyanide and can be harmful.
Berries:
Squirrels love berries. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, dried cranberries are all great food sources for the critters.
Final Thoughts
Squirrels love to eat raisins and dried cranberries. Raisins have 0 fat and 19 g of carbohydrates, and dried cranberries have 1.2 g of fat and 82 g of carbohydrates in each 100 g. Making them suitable for the squirrels to get energy during winter is okay. But the sugar level should be maintained.
FAQs
Can squirrels have cranberries? ›
Vegetables and seeds are common in herbivore's diet. Since squirrels are predominantly herbivores, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, apples, and rose hips are all used in Squirrel Complete to replicate natural flavors.
Can squirrels eat raisins? ›If given the choice, the critter will eat as many raisins as possible, because they, like humans, enjoy the taste. As a responsible pet owner or animal lover, you must not take this as an indicator that raisins are too good for squirrels. What is this? So, the answer is, raisins are safe for squirrels in moderation.
Do squirrels like to eat cranberries? ›Most squirrels love fresh cranberries, which of course are available this time of year. I give mine 2 each night. They are very good for their urinary systems.
Are cranberries safe for birds and squirrels? ›Are Cranberries Poisonous to Birds? Cranberries are a part of the wild diet of many different bird species. They are not poisonous to any species and can be beneficial when consumed as part of their diet.
What foods are toxic to squirrels? ›Note: Pits and seeds can be toxic, except for berries. Avoid: Dates, dried fruit of any kind, figs, fruit juice, persimmons, plums, prunes, raisins. 7. Nuts/Seeds—Two per day, preferably in the shell.
Are dried cranberries toxic to animals? ›Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.
What animals should not eat raisins? ›Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and cats. These delicious fruits can poison and even kill your furry friends in the most extreme cases.
What dried fruits can squirrels eat? ›...
Do Squirrels Eat Dried Fruit?
- dried mango.
- dried apricot.
- dried cherries.
- dried cranberries.
- raisins.
Yes, of course! Wild birds LOVE to eat raisins, especially robins, waxwings, mockingbirds and bluebirds.
What do squirrels absolutely love to eat? ›In a setting without any human interaction, squirrels enjoy nuts, seeds, tree flowers and tree buds from a variety of trees including butternut, cedar, dogwood, elm, hackberry, hemlock, hickory, maple, mulberry, pine and spruce. They also snack on mushrooms and fungi from time to time.
What food do squirrels love the most? ›
Some of their favorite foods include acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts and Osage orange fruits. They may also feed on wild tree fruits, nuts, and tree buds when food is scarce later in winter.
What animal eats dried cranberries? ›Birds residing on bogs find the cranberry to be a very good food source. Birds like jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens, and warblers all enjoy eating the berries. One of the many birds that loves cranberries is the red-winged blackbird.
Can wild birds eat raisins and cranberries? ›Which Birds Like What Fruits? Raisins, Currants; Dried Cranberries, Cherries, Blueberries, etc: Will attract mockingbirds, bluebirds, catbirds and waxwings.
Can birds or squirrels eat raisins? ›Raisins are a good source of natural sugar and nutrients, and they can be a healthy treat for your feathered friends. Just be sure to offer them in moderation, as too many raisins can cause digestive issues.
Can birds eat raisins and dried cranberries? ›Small dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, or currants, ought to be soaked or moistened before being offered to birds. Never offer any fruits with candy or chocolate coatings, seasonings, or spices, which do not appeal to birds and could even be toxic or otherwise unhealthy.
Is peanut butter poisonous to squirrels? ›Peanut Butter is not good for squirrels, and it's the 3rd worst nut product you can feed them. That's because the calcium / phosphorus ratio is very low. Too much peanut butter could lead to MBD (metabolic bone disease) especially when fed to young or captive squirrels on a regular basis.
Do squirrels eat bananas? ›Squirrels also love bananas, watermelons, cantaloupe (any melon, in general), and cherries! The benefit of eating fruit for squirrels is that it gives them a major sugar-boost and provides lots of energy to keep scrambling around and foraging for more goodies.
What are squirrels biggest enemy? ›Squirrel Predators
Well, the natural enemies of squirrels include; coyotes, raccoons and weasels. As if that weren't enough, squirrels also have to be on the lookout for predatory birds like eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls who will try to swoop down and grab them for a meal.
If you want to feed the squirrels over the winter, when fresh food is non-existent, you can toss or place a mix outside of seedless grapes, orange slices, blueberries, cut up banana, peaches and nectarines (the pits are toxic!), dried cranberries or raisins (unsulphured/natural), romaine lettuce, peeled squash & ...
Are dried cranberries worse than raisins? ›The bottom line. Raisins are the clear choice. They're slightly lower in calories and sugar, but offer more protein, potassium, and other good-for-you nutrients.
Are dried cranberries safe for birds? ›
Attract new fruit-eating birds to your feeder with cranberries. Great for attracting catbirds, orioles, robins, waxwings and others! Cranberries are a natural antioxidant and provide Vitamin C and fiber to support proper digestion.
Are grapes poisonous to squirrels? ›There are various fruits that squirrels eat. Grapes are among them which are safe but in moderation. As a pet owner, or a person who love feeding squirrels in the garden, you should know that a squirrel's ideal diet can contain only 10-15% fresh fruits, other parts are nuts, seeds, and vegetables.
Are raisins poisonous to wild birds? ›Dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas and currants are particularly enjoyed by blackbirds, song thrushes and robins. Soak them during spring and summer. NOTE: as some dogs and cats react badly to these fruits please do not put them out in areas where these animals might get to them.
Why can't raccoons eat raisins? ›Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage or even life-threatening kidney failure. Often, owners don't realize grapes and raisins are toxic and feed them to their pets.
What fruit do squirrels not eat? ›- Figs: Everyone loves figs. ...
- Apples: We have two trees, a Winter Banana and a Fuji. ...
- Persimmons: We have both the non-astringent and astringent types of persimmons. ...
- Peaches: I managed to harvest a few thanks to throwing some netting over the tree. ...
- Avocados: ...
- Pomegranates:
Squirrels love popcorn. You can feed them unpopped popcorn kernels by the handful. Should you wish to bring along some popped popcorn, they will love that as well. Don't feed the squirrels any kind of flavored popcorn or popcorn that has been cooked in oil.
Are raisins safe for raccoons? ›Although they are omnivorous, there are some things raccoons can't eat: Chocolate, onions, raisins, and macadamia nuts are toxic to raccoons. Garlic and bread aren't toxic, but they can upset a raccoon's digestion. Coffee, cocoa, and candies can cause health problems in raccoons.
Can rodents eat raisins? ›Avoid harmful foods such as onion, citrus fruits, walnuts, rhubarb, grapes, raisins and chocolate. Avoid sugars and high-fat foods such as dairy. Rats like sweet and fatty food, but it can cause health problems if they eat too much of it, so only use these as treats and rewards during training.
Can wild mice eat raisins? ›Grapes/raisins, chocolate, avocado, garlic, onion, rhubarb, coffee, tea, alcohol, and walnuts must not be fed as they are toxic to mice.
What food can squirrels not resist? ›Nuts/Peanut Butter
After all, squirrels gather nuts and seeds from your yard (though they will try to eat just about anything). You can bait a humane trap with peanuts to entice a hungry squirrel by smearing the pan with peanut butter and embedding a few unsalted, in-the-shell peanuts in the peanut butter.
Will squirrels like you if you feed them? ›
Naturally, squirrels are intimidated by humans. However, if you keep feeding them, they will lose their fear and will expect to be fed. When they're not fed, they can get aggressive.
Do squirrels eat oatmeal? ›Can squirrels eat oatmeal? Yes, it is not toxic, but should be fed to them cooked as raw oatmeal can be dangerous for..
What do squirrels like to drink? ›As it turns out, squirrels actually drink a lot of water, and they need even more water during warm weather, lactation and pregnancy. It's crucial that they have a clean source of water, and if they cannot get this from their natural environment, then there is nothing wrong with helping them out.
What animal are squirrels afraid of? ›A dog or cat may keep squirrels out of your yard, particularly if your dog chases squirrels. If you don't have a cat or dog, you can place plastic owls around your property on elevated surfaces such as fence posts or the roof to frighten squirrels away.
What time of day do squirrels eat? ›Bushytails are most active early in the day as they scavenge for food, with a lull in activity during the warmest part of the day. You may also find them foraging in the early afternoon right up until dusk.
Are cranberries toxic to any animals? ›Cranberries are generally safe for cats and dogs, so it's ok to share. But, feed in moderation. Dogs and cats could experience stomach upset if they eat too many cranberries and dried cranberries and sauces have a lot of sugar, so feed sparingly.
Can wild animals eat cranberries? ›Its fruit is not overly attractive to big game animals, but birds like pheasants, grouse, and small mammals (chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits) are more likely to eat it. Small cranberry fruits are flavorful and are often used to make jams and jellies.
Can animals eat Craisins? ›If your dog is drawn to anything you eat, and you're chowing on a handful of Craisins, you might be wondering if dogs can eat cranberries too. In fact, they can!
What birds eat raisins and cranberries? ›- Cranberries: Cardinals, Finches, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Jays, Titmice, Grosbeaks and Woodpeckers.
- Cherries: Cardinals, Finches, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Jays, Titmice, Grosbeaks and Woodpeckers.
- Raisins: Cardinals, Finches, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Jays, Titmice, Grosbeaks and Woodpeckers.
Birds can eat Cheerios and often love to do so. But that does not mean that they are the healthiest choice for birds (or even for us!). Their high sugar content and salt content mean that they are not the best option if you are looking for foods to share with the birds.
Do deer eat cranberries? ›
Deer. Deer may wander onto cranberry bogs and eat foliage or berries. Anecdotal evidence indicates that a deer may eat 2-4 barrels of cranberries over the course of a season. They can also cause damage by trampling vines and fruit or by bedding down on the vines.
Can red squirrels eat raisins? ›Sweet, dried foods such as raisins and sultanas must be avoided, as these are hard to digest and can cause calcium deficiency. The food should be placed as high as possible – a good feeder location is against a tree or wall so that squirrels don't have to cross open ground where they will be vulnerable to cats.
What dried fruit is best for wild birds? ›Dried fruits - raisins, sultanas and currants are particularly enjoyed by blackbirds, song thrushes and robins.
How long to soak raisins for birds? ›Fruit specialists such as robins, waxwings, bluebirds, and mockingbirds rarely eat birdseed. To attract these birds, soak raisins and currants in water overnight, then place them on a table feeder, or purchase blends with a dried fruit mixture.
Is cinnamon OK for birds? ›Ceylon (True) Cinnamon: This is the only safe type of cinnamon for birds and it can be offered in powder form or as a stick to chew on. Ceylon cinnamon is high in Vitamin K, Vitamin E and potassium. It is also believed to be antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants.
Can you feed wildlife cranberries? ›Attract new fruit-eating birds to your feeder with cranberries. Great for attracting catbirds, orioles, robins, waxwings and others! Cranberries are a natural antioxidant and provide Vitamin C and fiber to support proper digestion.
What animals eat raw cranberries? ›The cranberry supplies food and shelter to many animals. Birds residing on bogs find the cranberry to be a very good food source. Birds like jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens, and warblers all enjoy eating the berries. One of the many birds that loves cranberries is the red-winged blackbird.
Do birds eat cranberries and raisins? ›Small dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, or currants, ought to be soaked or moistened before being offered to birds. Never offer any fruits with candy or chocolate coatings, seasonings, or spices, which do not appeal to birds and could even be toxic or otherwise unhealthy.
Are dried cranberries full of pesticides? ›The group's testing found that conventional dried cranberries, dates, figs, mangoes and prunes had non-detectable levels of pesticides. The highest levels of pesticides were found on dried strawberries, raisins, cherries and apples.
Are dried cranberries good for wild birds? ›“Cranberries are a great nutritional treat,” said Jill Patt, DVM, of Alta Mesa Animal Hospital in Arizona. “They are a good source of antioxidants that helps a bird's immune system.
How do you feed wild birds cranberries? ›
Making a bird feeder garland is as easy as stringing cranberries and other foods along a length of string, twine, or yarn and hanging it out for the birds to enjoy.
Can Deers eat cranberries? ›Deer. Deer may wander onto cranberry bogs and eat foliage or berries. Anecdotal evidence indicates that a deer may eat 2-4 barrels of cranberries over the course of a season. They can also cause damage by trampling vines and fruit or by bedding down on the vines.
Can birds eat raisins? ›In general, however, most birds can eat raisins safely. Raisins are a good source of natural sugar and nutrients, and they can be a healthy treat for your feathered friends. Just be sure to offer them in moderation, as too many raisins can cause digestive issues.
Do rabbits eat cranberries? ›Cranberries are a great treat food to give to bunnies. Like all fruits, they must be classified as a treat and therefore only given on occasion, but they are a particularly healthy option and among the best fruits you can feed.
Are cranberries good for rats? ›Fresh fruit can be used as a treat. Rats often enjoy apples, bananas, blueberries, cherries (pitted), cranberries, grapes, kiwi, melon, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums and strawberries. Please note that male rats should not have citrus (lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit).