If you love feeding squirrels in your backyard, then you need to know what to feed them on and what effect it can have on their health.
Squirrels are known to feed on nuts more often. However, they can be served with other food sources as treat.
The question many owners of pet squirrels is what can they offer to their animals as a treat and what effect may it have on their bodies.
Squirrels can be served with fruits as a treat. But now, do they eat all types of fruits? This is another question that needs to be looked into.
So, can squirrels eat apples? Of course, yes. Squirrels love eating apples and they will like it when you serve them with it.
Apples can be used to attract squirrels to your squirrel feeders. It is safe for small animals but not all parts should be consumed.
Apple seeds contain cyanide which is harmful to animals and when consumed it may cause the death of your pets.
The core also is toxic as it contains cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin. It should not be served to squirrels as it may cause harm to the squirrel.
The seeds and core should be removed before the apple is served to your pet squirrels.
Are Apples Bad for Squirrels?
No, apples are not bad for squirrels. They are not toxic but they should be served in small quantities as it is not the main part of their diet.
However, seeds and core contain toxic substances that can harm the squirrels. Seeds contain cyanide which is a compound that may lead to the death of squirrels if it is consumed.
The core contains cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin which may also cause problems to the squirrels’ body when consumed.
The flesh and skin are safe for the squirrels, only the seeds and the core should be removed before the apple is served to the squirrel.
Apples are a healthy treat for squirrels as it will provide to them the nutrients it needs.
Do Squirrels Like Apples?
Absolutely yes, squirrels like apples and they can even go for them when they are still green on top of the tree if they are not served with it.
Apples can be used by the owners of squirrels as a fun way to bond and attract squirrels to squirrel feeders.
It is safe for small mammals but you should be aware that not all parts are safe for your squirrel. Seeds and core contain some compounds that can be harmful to your squirrel.
However, squirrels should not only be fed with apples as they like them. They should be offered a balanced diet. Squirrels mostly feed on anything they find along but they mostly prefer nuts.
Apples should be included in their diet as a treat and they should be served in small amounts and not that often.
Are Apples Safe for Squirrels?
Yes, apples are safe for squirrels. The apples do not contain any toxic substance that can harm the squirrels hence safe for them.
However, not all parts of the apple are safe for the squirrels. Seeds and core are not safe for the squirrel as they contain compounds that may harm the squirrels.
Seeds contain cyanide compounds that may harm the squirrel and even lead to its death hence the seeds should be removed to avoid the risk of the squirrel feeding on them.
The core contains cyanogenic glycoside, an amygdalin compound that may also harm the squirrel and when consumed may lead to the death of the squirrel.
The skin and the flesh are safe for the squirrel and these are the only part that can be served to the squirrels.
Can Squirrels Eat Apple Cores?
No, they should not eat apple core. As these animals are scavengers and they can feed on anything they find along, then they can still eat the core if they find it along their way.
The core contains a toxic substance. It contains cyanogenic glycoside, an amygdalin compound that may harm the squirrel if consumed.
Small animals consuming small amounts of amygdalin or hydrogen cyanide may lead to their death, unlike a human being who needs to consume large amounts of seeds to see the effect.
When feeding your squirrel make sure you remove the core to avoid the risk of killing them.
Are Apples Healthy for Squirrels?
Absolutely yes. Apples are healthy for squirrels just like any other animal. As apples play a role in luring the squirrels it also provides them with the nutrients they need for their health.
The apples contain vitamin A which plays a role in the eyesight of the squirrel, smooth functioning of their respiratory system, and reproductive health.
Proteins is in moderate quantity and it aids in their muscles and hair development. Vitamin B and C promote healthy growth and speed up the healing of wounds.
Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are essential for their bones. Calcium is responsible for their teeth which keep growing throughout.
Apples contain a lot of nutrients that are essential for the squirrels’ body hence it is the better option to be served to squirrels as a treat.
Is It Ok for Squirrels to Eat Apple Seeds?
Not at all. Apple seeds should not be served to the squirrels. When the apple is served to squirrel all of it, the squirrels may feed on the seeds as they feed on anything they find along with them.
Seeds are not good for them. They should be removed before serving the apple to the squirrel. Seeds contain cyanide which harmful to the squirrels’ health.
Other fruit seeds contain cyanide but apples have it in large amounts hence can cause great harm to animals.
By squirrel just eating a couple of seeds, the cyanide compound may block the absorption of oxygen by the blood making it die as it will not be able to breathe.
Before serving the apples to squirrels you need to remove the seeds.
Can Baby Squirrels Eat Apples?
No, baby squirrels do not need to be fed on apples. They need to survive on their mother’s milk up to the age of three months.
Baby squirrels are young to be fed on solid food as they have not yet developed teeth that they can use to crush the food into small particles.
In case you feed them with an apple that has been cut into small pieces, it may suffocate them and it can easily lead to their death.
Apples should not be given to baby squirrels.
How to Feed Apples to Squirrels?
Any fruit or vegetables to be fed to squirrels should first be washed to remove any pesticide or dirt that may be on it that may cause health problems to the squirrels.
After washing, you may cut at the center to remove the seeds and the core that contains harmful compounds that may harm the squirrel when consumed.
Cut the apple into small pieces and throw the pieces in the yard for the new squirrels to feed on them as they are not used to you. Once they get used to you, they can even feed on your hand.
In Conclusion
Squirrels can eat apples and they like it very much just as they like fruits. Apples can be used to lure squirrels and apart from that they contain essential nutrients that are needed by the squirrels’ body to be healthy.
Squirrels can eat anything they find their way, but apple seeds and cores should not be served to squirrels as they contain some compounds that may harm them.
