Acorns are a squirrel’s preferred food item. But if you’re feeding your squirrel cashews, is it an excellent excuse to do so? Cashews are a favorite food for humans. It’s both delicious and filled with healthy fats. However, do squirrels have a place for them?
Are Cashews Safe for Squirrels? Even though cashews have a high phosphorus content compared to sunflower seeds, pine nuts, dried maize, and pine nuts, they are still a good option.
If a squirrel can eat one or two cashews, it’s probably OK. However, cashews should not be fed to squirrels in the wild or captivity.
Before we understand why squirrels shouldn’t eat cashews, let’s look at what they like to eat.
Table of Contents
Why Feeding Squirrels Cashews Is a Bad Idea?
Squirrels kept as pets tend to be less energetic than their wild counterparts. The deliciousness of cashews might be too much for them to refuse, even if they aren’t prone to fat.
Is it True That Squirrels Adore Cashews?
Squirrels have no idea whether meals are bad for them. Restrictions in many public spaces restrict feeding squirrels or other wild animals. There is no guarantee that a squirrel’s consumption of a particular food item benefits them.
Cashews are a source of a lot of saturated fat.
The fat in cashews is very beneficial. One ounce of these bad boys has around 12 grams of fat. Every day, squirrels eat 1.5 to 3 ounces of food. There is a logical reason why a 3-and-a-half-ounce portion of squirrel or rat has just 2.7 pounds of fat. Squirrels might develop a variety of health issues if they consume an excessive amount of fat.
Calcium is lost while eating cashews.
Squirrels need a lot of calcium, but cashews are a good source of phosphorus. The high phosphorus concentration might lead to calcium loss.
Calcium deficiency in squirrels may lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which is caused by an unbalanced calcium-phosphorus ratio. Death may result from a calcium deficiency.
What nuts can squirrels not eat?
The healthiest and most nutrient-dense nuts are pumpkin seeds and almonds, followed by hazelnuts. In this order: English walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts. Cashews and sunflower seeds should be avoided. Dried pine nuts and corn (will cause significant loss of calcium).
What happens if you give cashews to squirrels?
In terms of health, a few advantages apply to everyone, not just humans. In addition, consuming a large number of cashews may hurt the health of both people and animals. It’s best to eat a modest quantity of cashews every day.
What’s the best thing you can do to encourage squirrels to eat in the dead of winter?
Chopped grapes, apples, carrots, walnuts, unsweetened watermelon, plain crackers, and kiwis are the healthiest foods for squirrels. They can also eat walnuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water for your pets.
Conclusion
Squirrels in captivity or the wild should not be given cashews. Check out the best squirrel-friendly nuts from your vet to ensure that your squirrels get a nutritious diet.
