On occasion, you might notice squirrels in your backyard. These small, fluffy animals are often adorable and generally harmless, and feeding them may provide numerous advantages. The following guide explains some reasons for feeding backyard squirrels and lets you know which products from a pet food store you can use as snacks for them.  

Why Feed Backyard Squirrels?

Setting up a squirrel feeder in your yard gives the animals a dependable supply of food, helping them stay healthy and nourished. This is especially important during winter, when cold temperatures and arid conditions often make food sources scarce. Squirrels may also bury and store the food you provide them, returning to their stash when they get hungry. Since they may not consume all these seeds and spores, the latter may sprout and replenish greenery to promote environmental health. 

Without their own feeders, squirrels may feast on seeds in birdhouses on your property. Though perhaps tasty, this food does not provide optimal nutritional value for squirrels, and consuming seeds might leave birds without enough to eat. Providing squirrels with their own feeders and keeping them filled with food may prevent them from invading and depleting bird feeders. Since squirrels eat fruits and vegetables, they may consume fresh produce on plants and trees in your yard. Feeding them can keep them satiated and make them less likely to feast on fruits and veggies in your gardening beds.

Entertainment is another excellent reason to feed squirrels. Food can attract them to your yard, allowing you to watch these animals run around, climb trees, and interact with one another. 

What to Feed Them

Nuts are among a squirrel's favorite foods and can provide plenty of nutrients to help them stay healthy. In addition to planting nut-producing trees in your landscaping, you can purchase products that contain nuts from a pet food store. Some good options for squirrels include hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts. 

Since squirrels also enjoy fruits and vegetables, leaving small chunks of these items near feeders can provide extra nutrition while deterring them from eating in your gardens. Non-citrus fruits such as apples, cantaloupes, and strawberries are delicacies for squirrels. They also enjoy fresh veggies, including broccoli, carrots, and leafy greens. 

When you want to start feeding backyard squirrels, get the supplies you need from Clifton Feed and Service Center in Bosque County, TX. This pet food store provides feed for many animals, along with lawn and gardening products. Call (254) 675-3416 to ask about pet and livestock feed in stock, and visit the website to learn more about their products.