Squirrels eat nuts, acorns, and other plant-based foods, but they also chow down on a wide range of pet foods. Squirrels are foragers who feast on nuts, vegetables, fruits, and even insects.
These animals are incredibly adaptable, which greatly increases their survival odds in the harshest of winters and the hottest of summers.
But what about squirrels that live close to humans, and thus their pet rabbits? Rabbit food can be enticing to wild animals, so can squirrels eat rabbit food?
Squirrels can, in theory, eat rabbit food, and they will definitely eat it if offered, but this does not mean that rabbit food is good for them. Rabbit food is made up mostly of hay, which is not the best for squirrels. Still, if the rabbit food is left out, then the squirrel will most likely eat it.
Table of Contents
Can squirrels eat rabbit food?
Rabbits and squirrels share similar diets, so it’s not a stretch for squirrels to eat rabbit food.
Whether it’s the packaged store-bought variety or nature’s own home-grown rabbit meal, squirrels will dig right in without any problems. In urban areas, squirrels will gravitate towards and eat rabbit food if left out in pet food bowls.
That being said, just because the squirrel eats rabbit food doesn’t mean that the food is nutritionally adequate. Rabbit pellets are mostly made up of hay. A squirrel’s natural diet consists of foods like seeds, fruits, grains, and nuts.
In addition, squirrels need a lot of protein, and rabbit food does not have enough protein for them.
If you want to feed your squirrel, then feed them foods that mirror what they eats in the wild. Squirrels may eat anything, but it doesn’t mean that they should.
Can squirrels eat other pet food?
Squirrels are so versatile, with keen survival instincts that they can fit a great deal of other pet food sources in their diet. Squirrels will make a feast of other pet foods such as cat or dog food, bird seeds, and the list goes on.
They’ll eat almost everything, but they don’t prefer eating too much outside of nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Not all foods are best suited to squirrels, so be sure to get foods that are healthy for our cute, bushy-tailed pals.
FAQ:
What animals can eat rabbit pellets?
Animals that can eat rabbit pellets are rabbits and animals related to rabbits. These animals include guinea pigs, hares, chinchillas, and pikas.
If the food is fed to animals that are not rabbits, or are not similar to rabbits, then mineral and vitamin deficiencies can develop
What foods are poisonous to squirrels?
The number one food that is toxic to squirrels is avocado. The persin found in this food is toxic to these animals.
Other foods that will have a bad effect on squirrels include over-processed foods, overly salty foods, and sugary foods.
Are squirrels dangerous to rabbits?
Squirrels can be skittish, ready to hide whenever other animals come their way, including rabbits. Should you or any other animal gain their trust, they are quite friendly. Squirrels aren’t aggressors, so they don’t generally go around picking fights.
They are the first to run away if a fight ever breaks out.
Mating male squirrels get very territorial and are not too afraid to shoo intruders away to show their masculinity to their desired female mate. Mating male squirrels see intrusion on the mating ritual as a personal attack, and like any animal who feels attacked, they will lash out.
Squirrels have sharp teeth and are potential carriers of several known transmissible dangerous diseases, so rabbits, you were warned, don’t interrupt squirrels, you could get bitten and worse, infected.
Squirrels aren’t fighters, but wild squirrels can be a dangerous source of infections.
Can a squirrel eat a rabbit?
Squirrels love nuts, but they aren’t against making a meal of unguarded baby bunny rabbits, dead or hurt, defenceless rabbits. Squirrels can indeed eat rabbits, though they won’t go out of their way to do so.
The phenomenon of squirrels eating rabbits happens under extreme situations where squirrels are desperately hungry and see the opportunity to get a meaty snack out of the rabbit.
So, yeah, squirrels can be dangerous to rabbits. If they see an opening, squirrels will make a meaty treat of a rabbit.
Is it ok to feed wild squirrels?
Yes, it is ok to feed wild squirrels. Squirrels won’t protest much if you hand them a snack. They are rather cautious; they may not trust you immediately, but over time, they will warm up to you.
Just be careful with nervous squirrels, they may nip your hand accidentally while you’re hand-feeding them. Also know that they aren’t shy to call friends over to join them in a meal, don’t be surprised if you get flanked by a herd of squirrels demanding food too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, squirrels can eat rabbit food. Rabbit food may not be the most nutritionally adequate food for squirrels to eat, but they will certainly eat it if hungry and the rabbit food is left out.
That being said if you want to feed squirrels then feed them a diet similar to what they eat in the wild. They will also eat other pet foods like cat, dog and bird food if they can find it. Squirrels aren’t dangerous to rabbits, both of these animals keep to themselves, but if you get into a scuffle the squirrel can injure the rabbit.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why do cats eat squirrel heads?, Why Are squirrels so cute?, Can you neuter a squirrel?, Do rabbits and squirrels get along?