Can Squirrels Eat Almonds? (Healthy Nutritional Value)


can squirrels eat almonds

We’ve all seen those videos where squirrels are eating peanuts, acorns, hickory nuts, and almonds. It’s no secret these critters will eat anything they can get their paws on, but can squirrels eat almonds?

Can Squirrels Eat Almonds?

Yes, squirrels can eat almonds and they love it! Almonds are packed loaded with protein, and other more vitamins and nutrients than peanuts, which make them a healthier snack for both you and your backyard critters. They should be served in moderation, a maximum of two per day and should be fed in the shell.

While it’s true that squirrels eat anything and everything, not nuts or human food is good for them. Squirrel enthusiasts should know which foods are best for the furry critters in their yard.

We’ll take a closer look at these popular nuts, and why you should feed them to your backyard critters, especially, if you want to attract them to your yard.

Before we look at the nutrients, we first have to understand what an almond is.

What Are Almonds?

Almonds are the most popular nuts in the United States. People eat them in various forms from chopped, roasted, whole, sliced, slivered. Due to their popularity, you can now buy it in the form of milk, paste, flour, and oil.

Squirrels won’t be able to eat all the forms, but they will the hard brown shell. Some will even ransack your almond tree and eat the hard green shell before they are ready for harvest.

So why are almonds considered a superfood for both humans and animals? Well, these tree nuts are filled with vitamins and nutrients you don’t find in all nuts or peanuts (which are actually legumes)

Almond Nutritional Information

One cup of raw whole almonds (143g)

NutrientsQuantity
Calories822
Starch1.1 grams
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids8.6 mg
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids17253 mg
Selenium3.3 mg
Calcium378 mg
Sodium1.4 mg
Potassium 1008 mg
Vitamin B60.2 mg
Vitamin A 1.4 IU
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)37.5
Choline74.5 mg
Betaine0.7 mg
Iron5.3 mg
Phosphorous692 mg
Copper1.4 mg
Water 6.7 grams
Sugars5.6 grams

(source)

Are Almonds Safe for Squirrels

Almonds won’t kill squirrels and are completely safe, and are considered some of the healthiest nuts for these furry critters.

Avoid feeding your pet squirrel or backyard critters sunflower seeds, pine nuts, or dried corn as they are known to cause a loss in calcium.

Are Almonds a Healthy Treat for Squirrels?

Almonds are considered a superfood and are considered one of the healthiest nuts for both humans and animals. That being said, a squirrel won’t eat as many almonds as you and I.

These critters weigh less than 2 pounds, so they don’t need to consume as much as you and I to reap the benefits.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits from eating almonds.

Protein

Both animals and humans need protein for our bodies to stay healthy and work the way it should. Protein functions as a building block for skin, bones, muscles, blood, and cartilage.

It also aid in the production of vitamins, hormones, and enzymes. All squirrels require a balanced diet, with the right amount of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.

Protein is known to make both humans and animals feel fuller faster, which makes these nuts a great snack, especially, in the winter when there’s a shortage of food.

Omega- Fatty Acids

Omega-3 also known as DHA is known to help slow down or reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which is the main cause of blindness. This nutrient is known for its heart healthy benefits.

Antioxidants

Almonds are high in antioxidants such as vitamin E. This fat soluble is known to responsible for lowering the rates of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. (source)

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential mineral for animals, humans, and plants. It is responsible for filtering waste, and repairing cells and tissues.

Along with calcium, it will help build strong healthy bones.

Water

If a squirrel is eating your green almonds, it could be because they contain water. Humans tend to wait until the nut ripens, because they don’t like the bitter taste.

Plus bitter almonds have cyanide, which discourages people from eating them. The small amount of cyanide found in green almonds, squirrels can eat wild mushrooms, so the cyanide won’t hurt them.

Fiber

Almonds, walnuts, and pecans contain more fiber than other nuts. Once ounce of almonds contains 3.5 grams of fiber.

Can Squirrels Eat Roasted Almonds?

Yes, they are not toxic to squirrels, but roasting the nuts will damage the health benefits. If you are going to feed your pet squirrel or wild squirrels almonds, it’s important to feed them the type that won’t cause them any harm.

Avoid feeding them flavored or salted almonds. Like you and I, animals don’t need to eat flavored foods and some spices can be toxic.

Will Squirrels Eat Almonds?

Yes, and it’s not hard to find a YouTube video of a squirrel eating a dry roasted, or honey roasted almond.

Here’s a video of a pet squirrel “Solly” eating an almond.

How to Feed Squirrels Almonds

Feeding this critters isn’t hard, after all, they will eat pretty much anything. Avoid feeding squirrels almonds from a tree, especially, if you’ve used pesticides.

One of the dangers of squirrels eating fruits, nuts, and vegetable plants is accidentally poisoning them. I’d recommend buying almonds in bulk from Amazon, Costco, or Sams that you can share with your furry critters.

Put a couple of almonds (with the shells) in the feeder or on the ground where they like to forage for food. Once they investigate the nut and realize it’s food, they will take it and run away to their nest.

If you’re lucky enough, they’ll hold the almond with both paws and eat it right there in front of you.

Almonds, tree branches, or sea shells are perfect for pet squirrels. Giving them something hard to chew on can prevent their teeth from overgrowing.

Can Baby Squirrels Eat Almonds?

If you’ve rescued a baby squirrel, you should contact a rehabilitation center and wildlife rehabilitator center in your area. I many people will nurse the baby to health and end up keeping it as a pet.

Baby squirrels can’t eat solid food for the first 6-8 weeks of their life. They should be fed Esbilac powder formula, until they are old enough to eat solid food.

Best Nuts for Squirrels

If you really want to lure squirrels to your backyard, or you have a pet squirrel, then consider feeding them some of these nuts.

Conclusion

Almonds are a superfood, for both humans and squirrels. They are a natural source of nutrients, and plant proteins that will benefit these fast moving critters.

They are the healthiest nut you can feed them, but feeding them too much is never a good thing!

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