Can Squirrels Eat Dried Cranberries? (Yes, But…)

Cranberries are hard, round fruits, small in size and have both a bitter and a sour flavor. They are primarily grown in Northern USA and Southern Canada. 

These fruits are grown on vines in freshwater bogs and are related to wintergreen and blueberries. Squirrels can eat dried cranberries, and they provide many benefits to the little critter. 

We will look at cranberries and a squirrel’s diet more meticulously in this article. Stay tuned for more information on squirrels and the different types of cranberries. 

Contents

Do Squirrels Eat Dried Cranberries?

Dried cranberries, also known as Craisins, contain a good amount of sugar, and it helps boost a squirrel’s energy. They are a good source of Vitamin C and carry essential minerals. 

A raw cranberry contains carbohydrates, proteins, sugars, etc. It enhances a squirrel’s health. Hence, yes, a squirrel eats dried cranberries. 

During winters, fresh food is non-existent; hence to fill that food gap, you can feed your squirrel with dried cranberries, orange slices, raisins, and more. The rodent will love it. These small fruits often turn out to be very beneficial for a squirrel’s good health. Just make sure not to give them in excess as they have a good amount of sugar content which is not good for squirrels.

Are Dried Cranberries Safe for Squirrels?

Dried cranberries are cranberries that are dried off the water, rich in Vitamin C, and low in calories which makes them essential for maintaining body weight. 

It provides crucial dietary fibers to squirrels. Dried cranberries also contain Vitamin B, which helps regulate metabolism and cellular energy needs. 

Squirrels can eat dried cranberries as they are no different from fresh cranberries. Cranberries have a sour and bitter taste which alerts the squirrels. 

Can Squirrels Eat Dried Figs? 

It is no secret that squirrels love to eat fruits. But what about dried figs? Dried figs are devoid of water content and smaller than fresh figs. 

But, as an irony, dried figs are more beneficial than fresh figs as they contain more dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and calories. 

However, fresh figs contain more vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Beta Carotene. Beta carotene eventually turns into Vitamin A. 

It strengthens the squirrel’s immune system and makes it robust against illness. 

So, yes, squirrels can eat dried figs. However, it would be best if you didn’t feed your squirrels with figs in excess. Figs are a good snack choice for squirrels as these tiny fruits contain a massive amount of sugar which maintains the energy balance in the little rodent. 

Can Squirrels Eat Dried Dates? 

Compared to fresh dates, dried dates have less moisture, and they can stay fresh for a more extended period. Dried dates, if appropriately refrigerated, can be stored for five years. 

If we were to give a brief answer, we would say no. It would be best if you did not feed dates to your squirrel. Dates aren’t that toxic for the little rodent, but they aren’t good either. 

Squirrels, like all other living organisms, need a balanced diet to sustain themselves. Their diet should contain essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins. 

However, eating a couple of dates per day won’t harm the little critters. Hence, dates shouldn’t be a part of a squirrel’s daily diet. 

Dates should be fed to squirrels occasionally or as a treat. It would help if you refrained from providing the little rodent with dates in excess. 

They can be harmful if served in excess because they contain a high sugar content. High sugar implies that the fruit is bound to have a lot of calories which proves detrimental. 

Many researchers and experts suggest that squirrel rearers should refrain from feeding dates to squirrels as the squirrels might find them delicious and demand more. 

So, no, the squirrels should not be given dates as a part of their staple diet. You can feed the little critter with a couple of dates as a treat occasionally. 

Can Squirrels Eat Dried Apricots?

Many researchers have claimed that dried apricots are better than fresh apricots. They contain a more significant number of essential vitamins and minerals. 

Dried apricots consist of nutrients like potassium, manganese, fiber, iron, copper, phosphorus, Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A Rae. 

Researchers have estimated that a dried apricot fulfills the need for copper in our body 29% more than a fresh apricot. Hence, people prefer to eat and serve squirrels with dried fruits. 

In the summertime, squirrels love to munch on dried fruits. These dried fruits include apricots, avocados, and more. Squirrels love to eat fruits like oranges too. 

As far as the nutritional value is concerned, dried apricots are a better source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, and iron. 

Hence, we infer that, yes, squirrels love to eat dried fruits like apricots, and this fruit is full of some essential vitamins that help in the rodent’s proper growth. 

Can Squirrels Eat Dried Mango?

Squirrels are known for their opportunistic eating habits. Squirrels love to eat fruits and vegetables. They can easily reach the treetops and get their favorite food quickly. 

Squirrels eat many dried fruits, including grapes, kiwis, mangoes, apples, pears, avocados, nectarines, plums, figs, peaches, and many citrus fruits. 

Hence, the answer to this question is yes. Squirrels can eat dried mangoes. Dried mango contains a vast amount of fiber, and the quality of dietary fiber improves. 

What Fruit Can Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels aren’t picky eaters, and we have seen that rodents can eat anything offered to them, be it a vegetable, seed, or fruit. 

They love to munch on their favorite fruits, including apples, kiwis, mangoes, figs, melons, avocados, oranges, papayas, bananas, pineapples, and pomegranates, and more. 

We will look at some of the significant fruits that we have mentioned above in a more detailed manner:

1. Apples

Apples are loved by both humans and squirrels alike because they are sweet and juicy. These fruits are very beneficial. 

Apples are very nutritious fruits that are rich in manganese, potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C as well as Vitamin K. 

A common phrase is that an apple a day keeps a doctor away. Hence, feeding a squirrel with an apple is a good idea. 

The presence of Vitamin C in the fruit ensures that it boosts the immunity of the little critter and enhances the squirrel’s health in both physical and mental aspects. 

With the intake of apples, a squirrel becomes more lively, alert, and energetic. This fruit gives energy to the little rodents to hunt for more food to store food for later use. 

2. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are deemed one of the most delicious fruits of all time, and they carry a high amount of antioxidants, making them a very healthy and beneficial fruit. 

This fruit contains more antioxidants than green tea or wine. The rodents love this fruit because of its juicy flavor. 

The sweetness and the antioxidants present in pomegranate helps to keep squirrels happy and healthy. They also remain active and alert after eating it. 

3. Pineapples

You might have been shocked to learn that a squirrel also loves to eat a pineapple. But, as we have stated time and again, a squirrel isn’t a picky eater. 

These little rodents eat everything, even a pineapple. Pineapple is a very healthy and nutritious fruit. It contains zinc, calcium, Vitamin K, and even phosphorus. 

Calcium serves the same function for a squirrel as it does for a human. Calcium strengthens the bones of squirrels and helps these animals to jump around freely. 

What Animals Eat Dried Cranberries?

Not all animals and rodents can eat dried cranberries. Dried cranberries are rich in Vitamin C, and it also provides essential nutrients to the animal’s body. 

Animals like the black bear, deers, many rodents including squirrels, and even birds like the red-winged blackbird love to munch upon dried cranberries. 

Cranberries have both sour and bitter flavors. This taste alerts and energizes the animal. Cranberries also help to maintain the body’s metabolism rate. 

Can Squirrels Eat Fresh Cranberries?

Cranberries are excellent sources of Vitamin C that help boost the body’s metabolism, and these pose to be the best snacks for the little rodents in winter. 

In winter, fresh snacks and food are hard to find. Hence, many squirrel owners often serve their squirrels with cranberries. 

Squirrels love to eat cranberry fruit as it has both a sour and a bitter taste. Intake of this fruit excites and alerts the little creature. Hence, a squirrel can eat fresh cranberries. 

Do Wild Birds Eat Dried Cranberries?

Dried cranberries can even be sweet at times. Hence, a bird loves to eat dried cranberries mainly because of their sweet taste. 

You can serve your squirrel with dried cranberries in their raw form or with other fruits and seed mixes which will give it a sweet taste. 

Dried cranberries are safe for squirrels, and they contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, potassium, calcium, and even many antioxidants. 

Many birds like Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Jays, Woodpeckers, Wrens, Titmice, warblers, and finches can eat dried cranberries. 

However, you should make sure that you moisten or soak your dried cranberries before serving them to the little critters. 

Final Thoughts

We read about a squirrel’s eating habits and how it likes to eat dried fruits, including dried figs, cranberries, dates, and more. Many wildlife animals like deers and birds even love to eat fresh and dried cranberries. 

They contain a lot of antioxidants and essential nutrients that are necessary for the proper development of a squirrel’s body. They also help maintain the body’s metabolism rate and cellular growth. We hope that this article helped you! 

Disclaimer: This blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for medical advice.

About Shaun Clarke

Shaun is passionate about pets and animals, especially dogs, cats, and rabbits. He owns a dog and a couple of cats too. He loves visiting wildlife sanctuaries and shares a strong bond with animals. When he is not writing, he loves to do a barbecue in the backyard with his family and friends.