Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Squirrels are not shy animals when the matter is food. They love to eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds when available. Pumpkin Seeds are among squirrels’ top favorite foods. They eat pumpkin seeds and store them for use in winter or harsh weather. If you are curious about “Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds?” This blog is for you.
Most of the time, squirrels collect the seeds in their mouth and store them in their hiding places. Pumpkin seeds are the best source of nutrients and minerals, including iron, fiber, sugar, proteins, antioxidants, and vitamin E. These seeds, in moderation, are highly beneficial for squirrels, but their excessive consumption can cause digestive issues and obesity in these tiny animals.
Summary
Yes, Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds, and it’s super beneficial for them if given in controlled amounts. They also store these seeds for future consumption. These seeds benefit squirrels in many aspects of their dental health and overall body functions.
However, excessive pumpkin seeds can cause different diseases in squirrels, like digestive disorders, obesity, and kidney diseases. Do not feed pumpkin seeds to baby squirrels, and use squirrel-repellent techniques to keep squirrels away from eating your pumpkins if you do not want them to eat from your garden.
Can Squirrels Eat Pumpkins?
Squirrels eat pumpkins, which are a good source of nutrients and minerals. However, they always prefer to eat pumpkin seeds instead of pumpkin if both are available.
Yesterday, I placed a whole pumpkin in my garden to observe what these tiny creatures do with it. After two hours, I was amazed that squirrels made a hole in the pumpkin and removed all the seeds. I left the empty pumpkin for over two hours and observed that squirrels had eaten half the pumpkin. So, this experiment validates my stance that squirrels prefer to eat seeds instead of pumpkins.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds For Squirrels
- A Healthy source of proteins for squirrels
- It contains an ample quantity of Vitamin B complex
- A natural source of antioxidants and minerals
- A powerful energy booster for squirrels due to high fats and carbohydrates
- It contains healthy fats that are beneficial for the squirrel’s body
- Desheeling and chewing pumpkin seeds improve squirrel’s teeth health
Are Pumpkin Seeds Bad For Squirrels?
Pumpkin seeds are a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins for squirrels. But a moderate quantity of everything is good, and excessiveness of everything is bad. If they consume too many pumpkin seeds, they probably affect their stomach. Squirrels will face stomach disorders and obesity issues, leading to kidney failure and liver problems.
Furthermore, raw pumpkin seeds are the best food source for squirrels. Roasted seeds with salt are a very unhealthy option, and they cause different diseases like calcium deficiency and kidney failure. Pet squirrels are more sensitive to these issues related to wild squirrels because they have good immunity due to their wild habitat.
Can Baby Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Like human babies, baby squirrels also feed their mothers milk to grow. After 12 weeks, you can give them solid food, but it must be softer. Mother squirrels feed their babies with milk after every 2-4 hours until they grow up and leave the nest.
Pumpkin seeds are not good for baby squirrels as they cannot fulfill their requirements and are unsafe. However, you can give them seeds when they start eating alone.
How Can You Keep Squirrels From Eating Your Pumpkin Seeds?
Squirrels are very friendly but do not cooperate with anyone regarding eating; if you have grown pumpkins in your garden, they will eat them or remove seeds. To avoid this loss, you should follow some restriction techniques.
Do not harm or hurt the squirrels, instead use squirrel repellents or different instruments to keep them out of your garden.
Conclusion
Squirrels are like pumpkin seeds, and they are also beneficial. Considering your question, “Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkin Seeds?” I have described all the aspects related to squirrels and pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are beneficial for them, but only in moderate quantities. Excessive eating of these seeds can cause different diseases in squirrels. If you want to keep them away from your garden, use different repellents and techniques to keep them away without harm.
