Squirrels eat hay, but you should not feed it to them. You may find a squirrel nibbling on hay. It would seem that hay is a nutritious food item for squirrels, but it is not. Squirrels need fresh foods that are rich in vitamins. Hay loses the potency of its vitamins. Squirrels would benefit much more from fresh green food instead of hay.
Why is hay good for horses and not squirrels?
Horses have different dietary needs than squirrels. Horses also have their diets regulated by their caretakers. Most of the time, horses are given supplements to make up where their feed is lacking. In addition, commercial grade hay is designed to meet a horse's diet, not a squirrel.
Squirrels are small animals and don't need to consume many calories for survival. If a squirrel fills up on hay, it will feel full, but not have the nutrients it needs.
What vitamins do squirrels need that are lost in the hay?
Vitamin A and vitamin E are two of the main vitamins lost when hay is produced. Both vitamins will naturally be lost over time as the hay ages. A large percentage is lost when the hay is cured. Up to 80% can be lost during the curing process.
What other food can you give squirrels besides hay?
Feeding squirrels is a popular activity for many people. It's important to understand that you should not feed them unhealthy food or junk food, because this will make the squirrels sick and it can also harm the environment. Feeding them healthy foods like fruit and vegetables will make your squirrel friends happy and healthy.
There are many different foods that can be given to a squirrel, but some may not be appropriate for them.
Fresh Parsley Leaves
Parsley is one type of food squirrels like. It has many benefits for the health of the animal as well as their mental state. The parsley leaves contain high levels of vitamin C which helps with healing wounds, boosting the immune system, and producing antibodies in response to bacterial infections. This is extremely beneficial because there are very few natural sources of this vitamin available for animals who live outside in the wild.
Pumpkin Seeds
Squirrels eat pumpkin seeds because they contain protein that they need to survive. Squirrels are not the only animals that can eat pumpkin seeds. You can also feed them to rabbits, hamsters, and mice.
Banana
Bananas provide plenty of potassium for energy, fiber to keep their digestive systems healthy, vitamin A for good vision and overall health, natural sugars which help with brain function, and more. Bananas also contain high levels of antioxidants which protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Is hay dangerous for squirrels to eat?
Hay is not dangerous for squirrels to eat, it just won't provide them with all of the nutrients they need. If a squirrel didn't have any other food and it ate hay, then it would be okay.
Do squirrels eat hay summary
Squirrels do sometimes eat hay. While it will not hurt them, it is not the best food to give to a squirrel. Hay lacks some of the essential vitamins squirrels need. Hay will fill a squirrel's stomach up very fast. If they continue to eat hay often, they will feel full, but will not get the right nutrients they need to survive.
