Can Squirrels Eat Raisins

Can squirrels eat raisins? Glad you asked. Squirrels eat various food such as grapes and pistachios, but can squirrels eat raisins? Read on to find out what’s good and bad about this delicious food.

Can Squirrels Eat Raisins?

The answer is yes. Squirrels can eat raisins, but before you start feeding raisins to squirrel, there are some risks you should consider first. Read on to find out what’s good and bad about feeding raisins to squirrels.

Are Raisins Good for Squirrels?

The answer is yes. Raisins are good and safe for squirrels to eat in moderate amounts. However, you have to learn how to treat them to avoid some risks.

Raisins are a good source of several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbs that can benefit the health of your squirrel.

Below, we’ve put together few of the health benefits of serving raisins to squirrels.

Vitamins

Squirrels need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are few vitamins that squirrels can get from raisins.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) aids in protein metabolism in the squirrel’s body, impacting their overall health from growing and repairing muscles to a healthy skin.
Vitamin C helps create antibodies which are required for squirrel’s immune system, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory

Minerals

Squirrels need several minerals in their meal. Down below are several minerals that squirrels can get from raisins.

Potassium content of raisins keep blood pressure in check and protect your squirrel from strokes and other problems like kidney stones and osteoporosis.
Magnesium in raisins helps the squirrels’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy heart.
Iron content of raisins is vital for squirrel’s body to produce healthy red blood cells.

Fiber

Raisins are around 3.7% fiber which helps keep your squirrel’s digestion system in good condition.

Protein

Raisins also consist of 3.1% protein which is vital for squirrels’ growth.

Are Raisins Bad for Squirrels?

No, raisins are neither bad nor poisonous to squirrels. However, eating substantial quantities can lead to some extreme side effects like digestion issues, obesity and clogged arteries due to the high sugar levels around 59g sugar and 299 calories in each 100 grams of raisin.

Do Squirrels Like Raisins?

Yes, squirrels like raisins; they find them delicious and would happily eat them irrespective of how much you give.

Want to make sure? Enjoy watching this video

However, there’s a chance that your squirrel won’t be interested at all, and that’s fine. Squirrels are different with their own dietary preferences.

If your squirrel aren’t interested in a specific food, there are many others that you can replace it with.

How Much Raisins Can Squirrels Eat?

There is no rule on how much raisins squirrels can eat. However, raisins or any snack shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your squirrel’s total calories. You should consider raisins as treats, not as replacement for their main meal. If you give your squirrels raisins, it should be as a part of a well-balanced diet.

How to Feed Raisins to Squirrels?

Here is how you can offer raisins to your squirrels.

Seek out organic raisins whenever possible.
Wash the raisins thoroughly to remove any potential pesticides from the skin.
Mix the raisins with other foods that your squirrels usually eat.
Start with a small amount of raisins the first time you feed them to your squirrels to see if they show any negative signs. It’s wise to do this with any new food.