6 Best Squirrel Food Without Corn That Wildlife Rehabbers Trust
Feeding squirrels? Avoid corn, a common but harmful filler. Discover 6 expert-approved, corn-free foods that wildlife rehabbers trust for proper nutrition.
You see it all the time: someone tosses a handful of dried corn or peanuts to a squirrel in the park. It feels like a kind gesture, a small connection to the wild things around our homes. But what most folks don’t realize is that some of the most common "wildlife foods" can do more harm than good. Understanding what to feed—and what to avoid—is the difference between helping and hurting.
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Why Vets Advise Against Corn for Squirrels
The biggest problem with corn is its terrible nutritional profile for squirrels. It’s extremely high in phosphorus and has almost no calcium. This imbalance is a direct path to a devastating condition called Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
When a squirrel’s body doesn’t get enough calcium from its diet, it starts pulling that mineral directly from its bones to keep its heart and muscles functioning. Over time, their bones become brittle, weak, and can easily fracture. For a creature that lives by leaping through trees, this is a death sentence. You might see a squirrel with MBD struggling to climb, showing tremors, or suffering from seizures.
Beyond the calcium issue, corn is essentially a junk food. It offers very little in the way of essential vitamins and nutrients that squirrels need to thrive. It’s the equivalent of a human trying to live on potato chips alone.
Furthermore, dried corn is highly susceptible to aflatoxins, a toxic mold that can grow on the kernels, especially in damp conditions. This mold is poisonous and can cause severe liver damage and death in wildlife. When you’re buying a cheap bag of cracked corn, you have no way of knowing its quality or how it was stored. It’s a risk that rehabbers and vets agree is simply not worth taking.
Henry’s Healthy Pets Blocks: Rehabber’s Top Pick
If you ask any seasoned wildlife rehabber what they feed their squirrels, you’ll hear one name more than any other: Henry’s. These aren’t just treats; they are a complete, nutritionally balanced food block designed specifically for the needs of squirrels and other rodents. They are the gold standard for a reason.
The key is their formulation. Henry’s blocks have a carefully calibrated calcium-to-phosphorus ratio that prevents Metabolic Bone Disease. They’re made with high-quality ingredients like nuts, whey protein, and essential vitamins, ensuring every bite is packed with nutrition. Think of it as the difference between a power bar engineered for an athlete and a candy bar.
These blocks should form the foundation of any supplemental feeding you do. They come in different formulas, such as the "Picky Eater" block for squirrels hooked on junk food or the "Healthy Blocks for Flyers" for flying squirrels. Providing one or two of these blocks daily ensures the squirrel is getting its core nutritional needs met, even if it also forages for other foods.
Mazuri Rodent Breeder 6F: A Scientific Formula
For a more widely available and often more economical option, Mazuri Rodent Breeder blocks are a solid choice. Mazuri is a company that specializes in exotic animal nutrition, and their formulas are based on decades of scientific research. This isn’t a flashy, boutique food; it’s a workhorse diet trusted by zoos and research facilities.
The "6F" formula is specifically designed for breeding rodents, which means it’s packed with the high-quality protein and nutrients needed for growth and health. Like Henry’s, it has a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and provides complete nutrition in every pellet. This prevents the selective feeding that happens with seed mixes, where a squirrel just picks out the tastiest, unhealthiest bits.
The main tradeoff is that it’s a simple, uniform lab block. It doesn’t offer the variety or foraging enrichment of a mix. But for pure, unadulterated nutrition that you can rely on, Mazuri is one of the best and most trusted options out there.
Oxbow Essentials Rat Food for Balanced Nutrition
Don’t let the name fool you; Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food is an excellent choice for squirrels. Oxbow is a brand highly respected in the small animal community, particularly among owners of rabbits and guinea pigs, and their commitment to quality extends to their rodent formulas. It’s often easier to find in local pet stores than more specialized squirrel foods.
The primary benefit of Oxbow, much like Mazuri, is its uniform kibble. Every piece is identical, containing a balanced mix of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. A squirrel can’t just pick out the sunflower seeds and leave the healthy stuff behind. This ensures a consistent, stable diet that supports long-term health.
While formulated for rats, the nutritional breakdown aligns well with a squirrel’s needs. It provides the necessary nutrients without the empty calories and dangerous calcium imbalance of corn-based foods. It’s a practical, reliable staple for anyone looking to support their local squirrel population responsibly.
Supreme Science Selective: Vet Recommended Diet
Another top-tier option you’ll find recommended by veterinarians is Supreme Science Selective Rat & Mouse Food. This brand focuses on creating diets that prevent common health problems in small animals, and their formula reflects that. It’s another corn-free choice that prioritizes balanced, high-fiber nutrition.
What sets this food apart is its emphasis on natural ingredients like dried apple and blackcurrant for antioxidants, all baked into a uniform, extruded nugget. This makes it highly palatable while, again, preventing the selective feeding that plagues low-quality mixes. The high-fiber content is also excellent for digestive health.
Think of this as another premium, all-in-one nutritional solution. When you offer a food like Science Selective, you’re providing a diet that has been thoughtfully engineered to support everything from dental health to a shiny coat. It’s a safe, vet-approved foundation for a healthy squirrel.
Higgins Sunburst Mix for Foraging Enrichment
Now, let’s talk about mixes. While a nutritional block should be the core of the diet, mixes can play a valuable role in providing enrichment and encouraging natural behaviors. The key is to choose a high-quality, corn-free mix like Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend (the rat and mouse formula is a good fit).
This isn’t your typical cheap seed mix. It’s free of artificial colors and preservatives and contains a wide variety of ingredients like different seeds, legumes, and dried fruits. This variety encourages a squirrel to forage and explore its food, which is mentally stimulating.
However, it’s crucial to understand the role of a mix like this. It is a supplement, not a staple. Offer it in small quantities alongside a daily rodent block. Otherwise, a squirrel will almost certainly pick out its high-fat favorites (like sunflower seeds) and ignore the rest, leading to an unbalanced diet.
Audubon Park No-Waste Blend for Natural Nuts
If your goal is to offer more natural, whole foods, a no-waste bird seed blend can be a good choice, provided you pick the right one. The Audubon Park No-Waste Blend is a great example because it’s primarily composed of shelled sunflower seeds, peanuts, and tree nuts. Because the shells are removed, you get less mess and a higher concentration of food squirrels actually eat.
This type of blend is fantastic for providing healthy fats and protein. Nuts are a natural and important part of a squirrel’s diet. Offering a small handful of a quality nut-and-seed blend gives them a chance to eat foods they would naturally forage for.
Just like the Higgins mix, this should be treated as a supplement to a balanced block diet. Nuts are very high in fat and phosphorus. Relying on them exclusively will lead back to the same nutritional imbalances caused by corn. Use this blend as a high-value treat, not the main course.
Supplementing Diets with Calcium and Fresh Foods
A truly healthy diet for a wild animal is a varied one. Even with the best blocks, supplementing with fresh foods and extra calcium is a great practice. This mimics the diversity they’d find in the wild and fills any potential nutritional gaps.
You can offer small amounts of fresh, squirrel-safe vegetables. Think leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, which are often high in calcium.
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Arugula
- Cooked sweet potato
- Zucchini
For calcium, one of the best and most natural things you can provide is a piece of deer antler or a clean cuttlebone (the kind sold for birds). Squirrels will instinctively gnaw on these to get the calcium they need. It also serves the critical purpose of helping them wear down their constantly growing incisor teeth. Providing one in your yard is a simple way to support both their skeletal and dental health.
Ultimately, feeding squirrels responsibly comes down to one core principle: start with a high-quality, corn-free rodent block as the foundation. From there, you can add variety with healthy mixes, nuts, and fresh vegetables as supplements. By ditching the corn and focusing on balanced nutrition, you can ensure your backyard visitors are not just fed, but truly nourished.
