Home / Pets / Can Squirrels Eat Almonds ? | What Kind of Nuts Do Squirrels Eat?



Almonds are favorite of everyone across the world. However, at the same time, eating almonds are healthy for us. Not only for us but almonds are beneficial for animals also. However, what about your backyard squirrels? Do they like almonds? And can squirrels eat almonds?

If you are interested in to know about all the almonds eating facts about squirrels, then navigate this article. As in this article, I’m going to explain all about this.

However, not only squirrels can eat almonds but they are favorite to squirrels. Moreover, eating almonds will make a squirrel happy more than any other food.

Almonds are healthy for squirrels also. As, almonds are the source of fats, proteins, crabs, and many other essentials nutrients for squirrels. However, moderation is the key to a healthy life. So, if we offer almonds to squirrels, don’t offer them too much in quantity.

Can Squirrels Eat Almonds?

Squirrels are opportunistic omnivorous critters and can eat both plant and animal base matter. Not only this, but squirrels fall into the category of such rodents that can eat almost everything on their paws.

As, they can eat fruit, seeds, nuts, meat, as well as they can eat dead squirrels also. However, in favorite nuts of squirrel’s almonds are on the first point.

Read also: Can Squirrels Eat Chocolate ?

Almonds are the most popular nuts for humans too, and they offer us several essential nutrients. They are rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and many other essential vitamins like vitamin A, E. That’s why because of their healthy nature squirrels can safely eat almonds.

However, several types of almonds are available in the market but squirrels cannot eat all the types. Moreover, roasting almonds or almonds with more salt should not be offered to squirrels as they will be dangerous for squirrels’ health.

Are Almonds A Healthy Treat For Squirrels:

Almonds are one of the superfoods for both humans and squirrels. As, almonds have a lot of nutrients to offer. So let’s look at all the healthy nutrients that almonds can provide to squirrels and us.


Proteins are essential for humans as well as animals. As they are the building blocks of our body and helps in the production of vitamins, hormones, and enzymes.

Like humans, squirrels also need proteins for their healthy life. And almonds will be the best source for proteins and can full fill their daily proteins need.

Omega-Fatty Acids:

Almonds are also a good source of omega fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help squirrels in hibernation during the winter season.

As, it keeps squirrels warm during hibernation. Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, leading to blindness.


As we know that antioxidants reduce the risk of cancer in the body. And almonds are the best source of antioxidants as they are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant. Not only cancer, but antioxidants also help reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc.


For strong bones, calcium is necessary for humans as well as for squirrels also. And almonds are a good source of calcium, which helps squirrels to keep their bones strengthen.

Healthy bones are needed for squirrels as well as for humans. So, we surely add the proper amount of calcium to our daily routines. And make sure to provide sufficient amount of calcium to your pet(s).

Phosphorus And Potassium:

Almonds are a great source of phosphorus and potassium, which are necessary for our health and squirrels. As, phosphorus is essential to repair body cells and tissues.

And potassium helps reduce the risk of hypophosphatemia, which results from low phosphorus levels in the blood.

Should You Give Squirrels Shelled or Unshelled Almonds?

However, a precise answer to this question is that we have to offer shelled almonds to squirrels. As in the wild, squirrels eat shelled almonds as no one help them to remove almond from the shell.

And shelled almonds are also better for their teeth. As, squirrel’s teeth keep growing, so keep them in shape, squirrels have to gnaw different things like trees.

Thus, a shelled almond will help them keep their teeth in shape, make them sharp and keep in proper size. However, shelled almonds don’t make them humans dependent, and their ability to rip off-shell also improving.

Moreover, eating almonds with shells makes them eat fewer almonds, which is also healthy for squirrels. But now, let’s discuss this in the following section.

Can Squirrels Safely Eat Large Quantity of Almond?

Excess of every good thing is bad for everyone, and the same rule applies to squirrels also. That’s why offering an excess amount of almonds to squirrels is not safe for them.

Moreover, excess almonds can be dangerous for squirrels in many ways. Let discuss all of them one by one.

  • As we know that almonds are rich in fats and crabs. And they can cause weight gain in the squirrels, which is ultimately destructive for a rodent. More weight cause trouble for squirrels. Even a little rise in weight limits their daily activities.
  • On the other hand, there is one downside of almonds that they contain cyanide, which is a poison. However, a small amount of almonds is not bad for squirrels, but it’s healthy. But a large number of almonds can cause cyanide poisoning to squirrels.

However, the symptoms of cyanide poisoning including respiratory problems in squirrels, muscles twitching, etc. Moreover, cyanide poisoning can cause quick death in squirrels if they have a weak immune system.

What Kinds of Nuts Do Squirrels Eat Rather Than Almonds?

Almonds are the type of nuts, and many other types of nuts are favorite to squirrels. As, acorns, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, etc.

Read also: Do Squirrels Eat Meat?

However, you can use them as an alternative to almonds when you don’t have almonds to feed them. Moreover, all these nuts are favorite to squirrels as well as healthy for squirrels.



Oak nuts are also known as acorns, and they are favorite to squirrels and healthy for them. As they contain a sufficient amount of potassium, water, energy, calcium, protein, vitamins, etc. However, like almonds, a large number of acorns can be toxic for squirrels.



Hazelnuts are also on the list of squirrels favorite nuts. However, squirrels like to eat hazelnuts and burry them to eat when there are no more hazelnuts.

Moreover, hazelnuts can provide all the necessary nutrients. But, nuts in excess amount can cause calcium vitamin deficiencies. So try to offer them in less amount for their excellent health.



In the list of nuts, walnuts are also favorite to squirrels. However, walnuts also offer them fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and many other nutrients.

Read also: How do Squirrels Drink Water in the Wild ?

How Can You Feed Nuts to Squirrels?

Many people around us would like to feed squirrels. If you are also one of them, you indeed looking for how you can provide them.

However, it’s easy that you need one bird’s feeder to place it near a tree or hang it with a branch, where squirrels can easily access it.

Then, put a sufficient amount of nuts in the bird’s feeder. However, you can add different vegetables as well as fruits to squirrels in this bird feeder. Moreover, don’t try to feed squirrels with your hands as it can cause them to lose human fear.

Wrapping Up:

Can squirrels eat almonds? Yes-squirrels can eat almonds. However, we have to offer them nuts as they provide squirrels with a sufficient amount of nutrients.

But, a large number of almonds are harmful to squirrels. As, they contain a low amount of cyanide. That’s why a large amount of cyanide can cause cyanide poisoning in squirrels.

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