Can Squirrels Eat Peanut Butter? A Detailed Look

Peanut butter is a popular snack for humans, but can our furry friends the squirrels have some too? If you’ve been wondering whether squirrels can eat peanut butter, you’re not alone.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Yes, squirrels can eat peanut butter in moderation as an occasional treat.

In this detailed guide, we’ll look at whether peanut butter is safe for squirrels, the nutritional value it provides, how much to feed them, the best ways to offer it, and potential dangers to avoid.

Are Peanuts and Peanut Butter Safe for Squirrels?

Peanuts Are Not Toxic to Squirrels

Peanuts themselves are not poisonous or toxic to squirrels. In fact, peanuts make up a normal part of some squirrels’ natural diets. Ground squirrels in particular have been observed eating and burying peanuts and other nuts in the wild.

Tree squirrels also occasionally eat peanuts when they come across them. Since peanuts grow underground, tree squirrels don’t find them as readily available but will still consume them. So peanuts alone are generally considered safe for both tree squirrels and ground squirrels to eat.

Potential Choking Hazards

However, squirrels have small mouths and throats compared to their body size. So eating whole peanuts or other large pieces of food poses a risk of choking for squirrels.

To reduce this risk, it’s best to break peanuts into smaller pieces before giving them to squirrels. You can break them up with your hands or use a food processor. Pieces no larger than 1⁄4 inch are recommended as a squirrel-safe size.

Risk of High Fat Content

While peanuts themselves are not toxic, peanut butter’s high fat and calorie content makes it a less optimal squirrel food. Squirrels typically need diet low in fats and high in complex carbs and proteins.

Feeding squirrels too much peanut butter may contribute to obesity. An obesity study showed over 60% of rock squirrels studied had obesity signs from unnatural high-fat diets.

If giving peanut butter only provide about a teaspoon a couple times a week at most. Never leave out blobs of peanut butter that would allow a squirrel to gorge and overindulge.

Safer nut butters for squirrels are almond butter with less fat, or reduced-fat all-natural peanut butter. Always monitor the squirrel’s condition if offering any high-fat foods regularly.

Nutritional Value of Peanut Butter for Squirrels

High in Fat and Protein

Peanut butter is a nutrient-dense food that is rich in healthy fats and protein, which makes it beneficial for squirrels. Specifically, two tablespoons of peanut butter contains 16 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein (according to the USDA Nutrient Database).

The high fat content helps squirrels meet their daily energy needs and maintains the function of their cells and organs. Additionally, the protein assists with the growth and repair of tissues and bones.

Rich in Vitamin E

Peanut butter has a good amount of vitamin E – one serving provides about 9% of the recommended daily intake. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage and inflammation. This can boost immune health in squirrels.

Some research shows that the vitamin E in nuts and nut butter may also support brain health and cognition in animals.

Provides Fiber

Two tablespoons of peanut butter offer 2 grams of fiber, which aids digestion in squirrels. The fiber promotes regular bowel movements, prevents constipation issues, and keeps the gastrointestinal tract functioning properly.

How Much Peanut Butter Can Squirrels Eat?

Peanut Butter as an Occasional Treat

Peanut butter can make for a nice occasional treat for squirrels, but it should not make up a significant portion of their diet. According to wildlife experts, peanut butter should compose no more than 10% of a squirrel’s food intake.

Squirrels thrive best on a diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and some insects. Too much peanut butter could lead to obesity or other health issues in squirrels over time.

A few licks of peanut butter here and there serves as a nice protein boost without overdoing it on the fat and calories. As mammals related to rodents, squirrels require foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein to maintain shiny fur and an active lifestyle.

Similar to the “everything in moderation” motto for humans, squirrels can enjoy infrequent spoonfuls of peanut butter as a special snack.

Moderation Is Key

When offering peanut butter to neighborhood squirrels, moderation remains key to maintaining their health. Wildlife rehabilitator Jamie Sams recommends limiting peanut butter to only a couple of times a week at most. This allows squirrels to keep richness and variety in an all-natural diet.

Squirrels possess excellent memories and will return to locations with tasty treats. As one rehabber discovered, too much peanut butter resulted in obese squirrels barely able to climb. By restricting peanut butter servings, squirrels retain healthy weights and energy levels to zoom around oak trees.

Additionally, rotating different nuts and fruits keeps their palates intrigued with diverse flavors.

For homeowners wishing to give squirrels an occasional protein boost, a spoonful of all-natural peanut butter every few days makes a thoughtful gift. Similar to a dessert for humans, this taste of peanut butter gives squirrels a special snack to look forward to without overindulging them into poor health over time.

Tips for Feeding Squirrels Peanut Butter

Mix with Seeds, Fruits, or Oats

Peanut butter on its own can stick to the roofs of squirrels’ mouths, making it hard for them to swallow. To avoid this, try mixing a small amount of peanut butter with seeds, chopped fruits, or oats. The extra textures make it easier for squirrels to eat the peanut butter.

Some good options to mix in include sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, rolled oats, and chopped walnuts or almonds. Just a tablespoon or two of peanut butter combined with a quarter cup of seeds or oats is plenty.

Offer in Small Amounts

While peanut butter can be a nice supplemental treat, squirrels should not eat large quantities of it. Peanut butter is high in fat and can lead to obesity if overfed. As a general rule, only give squirrels a teaspoon or two of peanut butter two to three times per week at most.

It should compose a very small portion of their overall diet.

Check that any leftover peanut butter gets cleaned up as well so other wildlife don’t overindulge. And be sure to offer plenty of healthier natural foods like walnuts, tree fruits, and fresh veggies too.

Use Feeders They Can Lick From

The best way to serve peanut butter to squirrels is in a shallow dish or smeared thinly on a pinecone or tree stump. This allows them to lick the peanut butter instead of trying to bite off chunks. You can also look for specialty “peanut butter feeders” made just for squirrels.

Avoid putting clumps of peanut butter in regular bird feeders. Squirrels may stuff large chunks of it in their mouths, which could lead to choking. Lickable peanut butter in a flat dish is safest.

With just a bit of precuation, peanut butter can be a fun supplemental food for neighborhood squirrels. It gives them some extra protein and fat in their diets during cold winter months or dry summer seasons.

Just be sure not to overdo it, and stick with all-natural peanut butter without extra salt, sugar or additives.

Dangers to Avoid When Feeding Squirrels Peanut Butter

Prevent Choking Hazards

When sharing peanut butter with energetic squirrels, it’s important to be aware of potential choking hazards. Squirrels have small throats, so large chunks of sticky peanut butter can get lodged inside and block their airway.

To prevent this scary scenario, be sure to mix a spoonful of peanut butter with some bird seed or oats. This helps break up the dense clumps of nut butter into smaller, safer pieces that squirrels can comfortably eat.

You should also avoid handing out peanut butter straight from the jar. Squirrels may get overexcited and try to grab mouthfuls that are too large. Instead, spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto tree branches, fence posts, or flat surfaces.

This encourages squirrels to lick the peanut butter instead of scarfing it down.

Don’t Let It Spoil

Leaving peanut butter outside in hot weather can cause it to spoil, grow mold, and make squirrels sick. Here are some tips to keep peanut butter safe and fresh for longer:

• Store unused peanut butter in a sealed container inside the refrigerator between feedings.
• Mix in fresh peanut butter instead of reusing peanut butter that has been left out.
• Offer small helpings that squirrels can eat right away rather than large amounts.
• Remove any leftovers within an hour.

Being careful not to let peanut butter spoil reduces the chance of upset squirrel stomachs or harmful bacteria growing.

Keep Away From Roads

Feeding squirrels near busy streets and highways can tempt them to cross dangerous roads more often to access the peanut butter. Unfortunately, this leads to many squirrels getting hit by vehicles. For their safety, always keep peanut butter far away from traffic, preferably in your own backyard.

You can also smear peanut butter several feet up tree trunks instead of on low branches and fence posts. This encourages squirrels to stay safely off the ground and reduces the risk of them venturing into the road by accident.

By keeping peanut butter away from roads and vehicles, squirrels can enjoy this tasty treat without threat to their safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, squirrels can eat peanut butter in moderation as an occasional treat, as long as some precautions are taken. Peanut butter offers protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E for squirrels. But it’s high in fat, so only small portions should be offered.

Mixing it with fruits, seeds or oats can make it safer and healthier. Feed squirrels from specialized feeders, avoid choking hazards or spoiled peanut butter, and keep feeders away from roads. With some common sense, peanut butter can be a fun, yummy, and nutritious snack squirrels will love!