Feeding Squirrels: What's Safe

Squirrels do fine on their own, so feeding is optional. If you do it, these are sensible defaults:

• Offer small amounts of plain, unsalted nuts (in the shell is fine) or the seeds and nuts they already eat, like acorns and hickory nuts.
• Skip bread, salty snacks, sweets and processed food.
• Feed occasionally, not as their main food source, so they don't become dependent or bold around people.
• Keep feeders clean and away from roads.
• Check local rules: some towns and parks ban feeding wildlife.

Want to know what each species eats in the wild? Every species page lists its diet.