Un-popped kernels are considered to be a choking hazard for squirrels.<\/span> If they gulp down too many at one chance, it would block their throat pipe and, in most cases, be fatal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nMoreover, the popcorn kernel gets stuck to the teeth of the rodents. If you don\u2019t remove it on time, it will cause gum bleeding that would lead to serious gum diseases and tooth decay over time, which is also very painful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nCan squirrels eat popcorn?<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSquirrels would even suffer from sodium ion poisoning if they gulf too many salty popcorns. This is life-threatening to them. Further, it would make them over-thirsty; hence, microwave-flavored popcorns are completely not while feeding squirrels.<\/strong> The same goes for oil and butter, which has high calories and leads to digestive problems like diarrhea and vomiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nEven the cheese and caramel-flavored popcorns are unhealthy as they have sweeteners and chemical preservatives that would cause kidney issues and obesity to the squirrels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you want to feed your pet squirrel with popcorn, feed them simple air-popped popcorn occasionally. And please monitor them so that they don’t gulp too many at one chance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/span>What Squirrels Eat<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>1. The natural diet of squirrels<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSquirrels love finding their food, and they love nuts and different types of fruits and vegetables. Fruits are their favorite; they love to eat apples, bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, mangoes, and melons. The unprocessed sugar present in fruits gives them an immense natural energy boost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nVegetables have a high amount of nutrition, like arugula, beet grains, cabbage, cilantro, kale, radish, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and sweet peppers. Nuts inside the shell are of high protein and are considered to be best for squirrels. The fat in them helps to build fat to survive winters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They love acorns, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, pecans, and pistachios. Squirrels also prefer to eat natural cereals and grains when they don’t have other options, like shredded wheat, cornflakes, etc. Few of the squirrel species also eat bones to satisfy the need for calcium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Comparison of the nutritional value of popcorn versus other foods<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSquirrels need a balanced diet to stay healthy and maintain proper weight. Though plain air-popped popcorns are safe and have lots of fibers in them, being good for their digestive, they are not packed with other nutrients. However, they are not harmful but cannot be the only diet to maintain proper health for squirrels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThey love fruits, a great source of natural, unprocessed sugar that gives those lots of energy to jump and play around and find more food. Nuts with shells are also a great source of protein. They also tend to eat insects that are an additional source of protein and vitamins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vegetables are also highly packed with nutrition and vitamins that are considered healthy for squirrels. You can also feed them with supplements that are an additional source of calcium and vitamin D3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Is popcorn healthy for squirrels<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPopcorn is considered safe for squirrels only if they are plain air-popped. They are healthy as they contain lots of fibers that can be given occasionally to them. But one should strictly avoid salted and flavored popcorns to be fed to the squirrels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nMoreover, you should also avoid fruits with pits and seeds like dates,d dried plums,s and prunes. Similarly, do not feed those dried vegetables, garlic, sprouts, and yam. You should also avoid dried corn, pine nuts, and cashews, as they would lead to calcium loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/span>What foods are harmful to squirrels?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAny processed food is very harmful to squirrels as they have zero nutritional value. Trust me, squirrels love to eat peanuts, but that is not good for their health as it contains a fungal toxin named aflatoxin which tends to damage their liver. Furthermore, there is a trypsin inhibitor in squirrels that would stop protein reabsorption. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThey also have tons of sugar and salt in them, which is extremely detrimental for squirrels. Even frozen and canned food are absolute nos as they have chemical preservatives. Squirrels should not be given raw corn because they turn sour and develop mold very quickly, which is fatal for their health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSo it is safe to feed cooked corn in moderation to squirrels. You should strictly avoid giving human baby formula and even dog or bird formula as they have preservatives and chemical additives. This can be allergic to squirrels, cause nervous seizures, and even lead to death. You should also avoid feeding them meat as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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