Picky Eaters

Dealing with Picky Eaters

Squirrels can be very choosy about their food. This is called “selective eating behavior” and it’s an important survival strategy in the wild. However, a captive squirrel doesn’t have to worry about getting enough fat and calories, and if high-calorie foods like nuts and treats are available every day, their “selective” eating will cause them to choose these foods exclusively, which is not a balanced diet! That’s why you should limit certain foods, like nuts and treats.

Squirrels don’t like change, and with extra-picky eaters it can take time to change eating habits. Below are some important tips to help get the squirrel on the road to a healthier diet:

• Clean out all food stashes. This is very important, as squirrels will ignore healthy foods if they have lots of tasty treats stashed. If a squirrel has a stash, they will constantly beg for food to add to it. They may also become protective or aggressive about their stash. Stashes are a no-no.

• Feed blocks in the morning, when the squirrel is hungriest, with no other foods. Then leave. They will probably ignore the block and continue begging for something else. That’s okay.

• Eliminate treats. No extra nuts, no fruit, and no treats of any kind. No sips of your coke, or bits of pizza crust, or any kind of treat. Give them their healthy food and then leave. If they won’t eat it, never go back to the kitchen to get something else for them. This is a very bad habit that teaches the squirrel to be a picky eater.