Squirrels belong to the family of Sciuridae, which is also known as the family of small and medium-sized rodents. However, squirrels are the cutest rodents that are not harmful to humans. And being a natural forager, they can eat almost everything which they get. But what about your dog’s food? Do squirrels eat dogs food? Is it safe for them to eat dogs food? Let’s dig into it.
However, squirrels do eat dogs food. As squirrels can eat almost everything, they can get their paws on. Not only this, squirrels adapt themselves to eat human’s food as well. As they are living with us since millennia. Moreover, squirrels are not picky eaters that’s why they never mind eating your dog’s food.
However, squirrels can eat what they get, but everything is not healthy for them. So let’s look at the fact that either eating dog’s food is healthy for them or not. But at first, let’s explore their dog’s food eating habits.
And if you are interested in feeding dog’s food to squirrels in your area, then navigate this article. As this article will serve you all about it in detail. So let’s start.
Do Squirrels Eat Dogs Food?
An interesting fact about squirrels is that, like raccoons, they are also a natural forager. As both of them can eat what they get with their paws on. Not only this, squirrels can become omnivores when they have nothing vegetarian to eat.
Moreover, squirrels can eat human food, such as bread, pasta, etc. Because of it, these rodents are classified as omnivores because they used to eat both plant and animal based food. And this shows that squirrels are not picky eaters.
And that’s why when it comes to your pet food, then for squirrels, it is no exception. As, they can also eat it. Not only this, squirrels can steal your pet food when they get a chance to do so.
Is Dog Food Good for Squirrels to Eat?
However, as we know that squirrels can eat dog’s food, and it is no doubt that they might love to eat dog’s food. But is this food is good for them? Let’s discuss it in detail.
However, dog’s food is not dangerous to squirrels. As, this food doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients for squirrels. But pet food is not healthy for squirrels in two following ways.
Firstly, pet food is made according to the health needs of domestic animals. And thus, this food doesn’t contain the essential nutrients which a squirrel needs. Therefore, however, we can say that pet food is not healthy for squirrels.
Secondly, as we know, dog food is processed food and contains chemicals and byproducts according to a dog’s needs. And that’s why this food is not healthy for squirrels as squirrel’s nutritional need is different from the dogs.
How Do You Keep Squirrels Out of Dog Food?
However, there can be several solutions to keep squirrels out of dog’s food. As keeping squirrels away from the dog’s food is better for squirrels. Because eating pet food doesn’t give any significant nutrients to the squirrels.
However, you can avoid dog’s food from squirrels by changing the place of the food bowl. And for that, you can place it where squirrels cannot access it.
Moreover, to avoid squirrels approaching your dog’s food, you can also use natural squirrel’s repellent. For example, you can sprinkle hot spices like cayenne pepper because these critters don’t like the smell of these pepper. However, with the use of cayenne pepper flakes, you can keep squirrels away from your yard as well.
Do squirrels eat cat food?
A precise answer to this question is yes, as these tiny critters can eat cat food as well. Not only this, but squirrels like to eat dry cat’s food. But similar to dog’s food, cat’s food also not healthy for squirrels. As, pet food doesn’t offer many nutritional values to the squirrels.
Moreover, squirrels used to store food for their later use. And as pet foods are processed foods, that’s why they can become toxic if squirrels store them. Because of it, squirrels have to avoid dog’s and cat’s food.
Are Squirrels Dangerous to My Domestic Pets?
However, it depends upon the situation because a squirrel can be dangerous to your domestic pets and cannot be. As squirrels can attack domestic pets when they feel threatened and cornered. And keep in mind that a squirrel can injure your pet severely with its sharp teeth and claws.
Moreover, squirrels are carriers of several diseases like leptospirosis. And they can transfer it to you and your pet animals through their urine.
Read also: How do Squirrels Drink Water in the Wild ?
What do squirrels eat?
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores rodents that can eat almost everything with their paws on. However, they are also known as a natural forager. Moreover, squirrels can eat what they get, but they like to eat nuts more.
And in vegetables, they can eat lettuce, tomato, radish, corn, okra, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, etc.
In cereals and nuts, these critters can eat corn flakes, grape nuts, wheat, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, acorns, cashews, chestnuts, hickory nuts, pine nuts, etc.
As squirrels are omnivores, that’s why they can eat animal’s matter as well. And for that, they can hunt little rodents, birds and can eat their eggs as well. Not only this, squirrels can eat humans related food as well. Furthermore, they can scavenge food from your trash as well.
A Final Word:
In conclusion, squirrels can eat dogs food, and they also like to eat it. But dogs food cannot offer them healthy nutrients. Because it is a processed food, according to the health needs of dogs. And being a processed food, it contains chemicals and several byproducts that are not beneficial for them.
However, there are numerous other foods that are healthy for squirrels. For example, nuts, fruits, eggs, vegetables, etc. So if you want to feed your backyard squirrels, then you can feed them these foods. And if you’re going to keep them away from your dog’s food, then you can use chili powder.