If you’ve ever stumbled upon a baby squirrel or wondered what they eat during their early days, you’re not alone. Many nature lovers and backyard watchers ask the same thing—what do baby squirrels eat?
Understanding the diet of baby squirrels is important, especially if you’ve come across an abandoned or orphaned one. Whether in the wild or in temporary human care, baby squirrels need specific types of food to survive and grow healthy.
Baby squirrels, just like human infants, begin life with a liquid diet and slowly transition to solid foods as they grow. But the real question is: what is safe and nutritious for them? Let’s explore that in detail.
Understanding a Baby Squirrel’s Diet by Age
In the first few weeks after birth, what do baby squirrels eat is entirely dependent on milk. Newborn squirrels nurse from their mothers and receive essential nutrients from her milk. If a baby squirrel is orphaned, replacement formula is used to mimic the nutrients found in natural mother’s milk. You can find puppy formula (like Esbilac) often recommended by wildlife rehabilitators.
As the squirrel grows older, usually around five to six weeks, they begin to explore soft solid foods. This gradual shift is important for their digestive system to develop properly.
If you’re caring for one and wondering what do baby squirrels eat and drink, it’s crucial to remember that they must be hydrated with special milk formula and slowly introduced to small solid foods like fruit slices, soft vegetables, and unsalted nuts.
Fruits and Squirrels: Do Squirrels Eat Apples Off Trees?
It might surprise you, but squirrels, including young ones, enjoy fruits. So, do squirrels eat apples off trees? Absolutely, they do. Apples are sweet, filled with natural sugars, and provide energy. Once baby squirrels begin trying out solid foods, soft fruits like peeled apple slices can be a great option. Make sure to remove seeds, as they can be harmful.
As they grow, they develop the skills to forage and climb. Apples hanging from trees become a delicious and reachable snack for squirrels, especially in late summer and fall.
Wild Vs. Domestic: What Do Baby Squirrels Eat in the Wild?
Now let’s talk about how nature provides for them. What do baby squirrels eat in the wild is mostly determined by the mother’s diet and the availability of food. In the wild, mother squirrels often chew solid food and pass it to their babies in a softened form. Eventually, the young start to nibble on small bits of whatever the adult squirrel gathers—nuts, seeds, fruits, bark, and fungi.
In forests or wooded areas, wild baby squirrels also start chewing on tree buds and small insects. These natural foods are essential to help build their immune system and strength.
If you’re ever unsure about what’s safe, remember this golden rule: wild squirrels stick to what’s naturally available around them—no processed or sugary human snacks.
Different Species, Different Diets: What Do Baby Ground Squirrels Eat?
Ground squirrels have slightly different habits compared to tree squirrels. So, what do baby ground squirrels eat depends on their environment. They are burrow dwellers, and their diet mostly includes plant roots, grass, and small fruits. When very young, they drink milk from their mother just like other squirrel species.
Once they start exploring, ground squirrels feed on soft plant-based foods, and sometimes even insects. Baby ground squirrels raised in captivity are often given the same formula as tree squirrels, along with greens and fruit pieces to mimic their natural diet.
In rural or garden areas, they might even nibble on homegrown produce, which brings us to a common question many gardeners ask—do squirrels eat tomatoes? The answer is yes, especially when they’re juicy and ripe. So, if you’re growing tomatoes, keep an eye out for tiny nibble marks!
What Should You Avoid Feeding a Baby Squirrel?
While there are many safe foods, there are also some to avoid. Never feed baby squirrels:
- Cow’s milk
- Bread
- Sugary snacks
- Processed foods
- Junk food of any kind
These items can cause serious digestive problems. Stick to puppy formula, soft fruits, and eventually, healthy nuts and veggies.
If you’re curious about their general preferences, learning what do squirrels like to eat can help guide what you offer. Squirrels of all ages love nuts (especially walnuts and pecans), sunflower seeds, apples, grapes, and fresh leafy greens.
Tips for Feeding Baby Squirrels Safely
- Always keep the baby squirrel warm before feeding. They won’t digest food if they’re cold.
- Use a syringe or dropper when offering formula. Never force feed.
- Introduce solid food slowly and one item at a time.
- Watch for signs of diarrhea or bloating, which may mean something isn’t right.
- Clean feeding tools thoroughly after every use.
As they grow stronger, you’ll see them become more active and eager to try new things—fruits, nuts, and even tree bark.
Can Baby Squirrels Eat Apples?
Now here’s another fruit-focused question: do squirrels eat apples? Yes, and that includes baby squirrels once they’re old enough to chew. Apples offer a great balance of sweetness and hydration. For babies just starting out, offer soft apple slices with the skin peeled. Always remove the seeds to prevent any risk.
Feeding fruits in moderation helps avoid tummy troubles while still giving your squirrel the chance to enjoy variety in its diet.
Final Thoughts: What Do Baby Squirrels Eat at Different Stages?
To wrap it all up, what do baby squirrels eat varies by age and environment. In the first weeks, milk (or formula) is all they need. As they grow, you can slowly introduce soft fruits like apples, bits of vegetables, and eventually, nuts and seeds. For those wondering about what do baby squirrels eat in the wild, it’s all about what nature provides—berries, fungi, plants, and more.
Different squirrel types, such as tree squirrels and ground squirrels, might prefer slightly different foods. What do baby ground squirrels eat includes roots and grass, while tree squirrels enjoy more fruits and nuts.
Helping a baby squirrel grow strong takes patience and the right knowledge. Whether you’re watching one in your backyard or temporarily caring for an orphaned baby, the more you understand, the better care you can provide.
