Perhaps unsurprisingly, these large and small-bodied animals use their intelligence to avoid predators, as well as to find, store and protect food.
Speaking of their eating habits, squirrels have a diverse diet, eating everything from nuts to vegetables to herbs – yes, our furry friends love to eat herbs!
In general, squirrels are omnivores: they eat both plants and other smaller animals.
Below is a list of just some of the things that squirrels love to eat.
Vegetables, especially leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale and arugula
Nuts, although that shouldn’t be a surprise.
Fresh herbs from your garden.
The diets of squirrels are typically rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates, so it should not be surprising that they often integrate herbs into their diet.
Check out these five herbs that squirrels love to eat.
5 herbs that squirrels can eat
Both cilantro leaves and seeds are edible, and squirrels aren’t the only ones who enjoy munching on them.
Rabbits and raccoons are also lovers of this popular herb, which makes sense given that cilantro leaves are rich in vitamins.
While cilantro seeds have a much lower vitamin level than cilantro leaves, they are rich in calcium, iron and magnesium, making them a popular snack among squirrels.
Closely related to oregano, thyme is a prevalent plant in the culinary and medicinal realm.
Its pungent smell, high percentage of healthy fats, and antioxidant properties make it a herb with many uses, including providing a healthy snack for squirrels.
Used as a garnish in many cuisines around the world, parsley is probably one of the most popular herbs, and not only for humans, but also for squirrels.
Parsley is also a source of antioxidants.
It is also rich in vitamins, so the squirrels are not afraid of munching on this grass.
Squirrels are among a long list of animals that enjoy eating basil.
This plant comes in many varieties and is easy to digest, so it is not surprising that squirrels take a particular taste for grass.
Finally, another herb that you often find squirrels happily nibbling on is dill.
Coming from the bee family, dill leaves and seeds are both edible and very aromatic.
Again, this plant is rich in vitamin C, magnesium and vitamin A.
Like us, an elderly squirrel will have to deal with pain.
For the most part, fresh organic herbs will be safe for these rodents.
Herbs grown in the garden may contain toxic pesticides that can poison these critters.
Believe it or not, squirrels do not like to eat any kind of grass.
If you have problems with squirrels eating grass in your yard, you may want to consider planting the following herbs.
When feeding your pet squirrels or garden squirrels herbs, make sure they do not contain pesticides.
Are there any herbs they don’t eat?
Well, according to this forum, squirrels love to eat most of the grass.
Other herbs they love are rosemary, ginger, cilantro, vanilla.
Like humans, some will prefer to eat certain herbs and spices because they taste better.
It may take time to find which herbs your squirrels like to eat.
Unlike dogs and cats, squirrels do not need our help with feeding.
However, many homeowners like to fill feeders with wild squirrel food to keep them visiting their backyard.
If you start feeding herbs or other human food, eventually they will notice your garden.
Eventually, you will be looking for ways to get away from your herb garden.
If you are going to feed them, I recommend putting a feeder in your garden that is far from your garden.
Should you feed the squirrels with herbs and spices?
Do not feed grass to wild squirrels.
Instead, provide nuts, wild squirrel food, other vegetables.
If you have a squirrel, you can feed it grass so you don’t have to worry about them tearing up your yard!
How to feed grass squirrels?
It is not difficult to find videos of squirrels eating vegetables, herbs, sweets, etc.
If you are reading this, you probably want to see if your squirrels eat grass, so how do you feed them?
Well, it’s easy, just put some clean fresh herbs out of their feeder and go.
Once they feel it is safe, they will either eat it or they won’t.
If it’s a grass they don’t like, you’ll notice they won’t return to the feeder until you throw the grass away.
If you have a squirrel, you can just hand feed a small amount.
The diets of squirrels are very similar to those of rabbits, in the sense that both tend to eat whatever they can get their hands on.