Do Squirrels Drink Milk? Exploring Their Dietary Habits and Needs

AvatarByTonya Taylor Milk & Dairy Drinks

Squirrels are fascinating creatures, often admired for their agility and curious behavior in parks and backyards. While many people are familiar with their penchant for nuts and seeds, questions sometimes arise about other aspects of their diet—one common query being, “Do squirrels drink milk?” This seemingly simple question opens the door to exploring the dietary habits and nutritional needs of these lively rodents.

Understanding whether squirrels drink milk involves delving into their natural feeding behaviors and how they adapt to different environments. While baby squirrels rely on their mother’s milk during early development, the dietary patterns of adult squirrels are quite different. Exploring this topic sheds light not only on what squirrels consume but also on how they thrive in the wild and urban settings alike.

As we uncover the truth behind squirrels and milk, we’ll also touch on how their diet impacts their health and behavior. Whether you’re a curious nature enthusiast or someone who enjoys watching these nimble animals, gaining insight into their eating habits can deepen your appreciation for these charming woodland inhabitants.

Dietary Needs and Preferences of Squirrels

Squirrels are primarily herbivorous rodents with diets that vary depending on their species, habitat, and seasonal availability of food. Their nutritional intake typically consists of a wide range of plant materials including nuts, seeds, fruits, buds, and occasionally fungi. While they have a strong preference for high-fat and high-protein foods such as acorns and walnuts, their diet may also include insects or small animals opportunistically.

Milk is not a natural part of an adult squirrel’s diet in the wild. Squirrels are weaned from their mother’s milk at a young age, generally around 8 to 10 weeks old. After this period, they transition fully to solid foods. Unlike some mammals that continue to consume milk into adulthood, squirrels do not naturally seek or require milk for sustenance once they are independent.

However, in certain situations, such as when squirrels are orphaned or rescued as juveniles, milk or milk replacers may be used temporarily to meet their nutritional needs. In these cases, specialized formulas that mimic the nutrient composition of squirrel mother’s milk are preferred over cow’s milk to avoid digestive upset or nutritional deficiencies.

Use of Milk in Rehabilitation and Care

Wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians often use milk replacers designed specifically for squirrels when hand-rearing orphaned or injured juvenile squirrels. These milk replacers are formulated to provide the appropriate balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals necessary for healthy growth and development.

Key considerations when providing milk or milk substitutes to squirrels include:

  • Type of milk replacer: Commercially available formulas designed for squirrels, kittens, or puppies are preferred. Cow’s milk or human infant formula is usually unsuitable due to differences in fat and protein content.
  • Feeding frequency: Young squirrels require frequent feedings, sometimes every 3 to 4 hours, to mimic natural nursing patterns.
  • Temperature and preparation: Milk should be warmed to body temperature and prepared fresh for each feeding to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Gradual weaning: As squirrels grow, the amount of milk is gradually reduced while solid food is introduced to ensure proper digestive adaptation.

Potential Risks of Feeding Milk to Squirrels

Feeding milk to squirrels outside of a controlled rehabilitation context may lead to several health issues. Adult squirrels are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the enzyme lactase necessary to digest lactose found in milk. This intolerance can cause:

  • Diarrhea and dehydration
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort and bloating
  • Nutritional imbalances if milk replaces natural food sources

Moreover, feeding milk or human food to wild squirrels can disrupt natural foraging behaviors and lead to dependency on humans, which poses risks to their survival.

Nutritional Comparison: Squirrel Milk vs. Common Milk Sources

The nutrient composition of squirrel milk differs significantly from cow’s milk and other common milk substitutes. Squirrel milk is richer in fat and protein to support rapid growth and energy needs of developing young.

Nutrient Squirrel Milk (per 100 ml) Cow’s Milk (per 100 ml) Kitten Milk Replacer (per 100 ml)
Protein (g) 9.0 3.3 8.5
Fat (g) 12.0 3.6 10.0
Lactose (g) 3.5 4.8 3.0
Calories (kcal) 150 60 120

This comparison highlights why cow’s milk is generally inappropriate for squirrels, as it contains lower protein and fat and higher lactose levels, which can cause digestive upset.

Alternatives to Milk for Feeding Squirrels

For those caring for young squirrels, proper nutrition is critical, and alternatives to natural squirrel milk should be carefully chosen. Common substitutes include:

  • Commercial squirrel milk replacers: Specifically formulated for squirrels, providing balanced nutrition.
  • Kitten milk replacer: A more readily available option, suitable when squirrel-specific formulas are unavailable.
  • Goat’s milk: Sometimes used but still less ideal due to different nutrient profiles.
  • Homemade formulas: Generally discouraged unless developed by veterinary nutritionists, as they often lack essential nutrients or have inappropriate balances.

Using these alternatives ensures that the juvenile squirrels receive adequate nourishment without the negative effects associated with inappropriate milk sources.

Do Squirrels Drink Milk?

Squirrels, like many mammals, rely primarily on their mother’s milk during the early stages of their life. However, once they are weaned, their diet changes significantly, and their consumption of milk ceases naturally.

In the wild, adult squirrels do not drink milk as part of their diet. Instead, they focus on a variety of plant-based and occasional animal-based foods. The question of whether squirrels drink milk typically arises in the context of human interaction or rehabilitation scenarios, where orphaned or injured squirrels might be fed milk substitutes.

Milk Consumption in Baby Squirrels

Baby squirrels are entirely dependent on their mother’s milk for nutrition during the first few weeks after birth. Key points about milk consumption in baby squirrels include:

  • Exclusive Milk Diet: Newborn squirrels nurse exclusively from their mothers for approximately 6 to 10 weeks.
  • Gradual Weaning: After this period, they gradually begin eating solid foods while still occasionally nursing.
  • Milk Composition: Squirrel mother’s milk is rich in fats and proteins essential for rapid growth and development.
  • Substitute Feeding: In rehabilitation, specialized milk formulas designed for squirrels or similar mammals are used, as cow’s milk or other dairy products are unsuitable.

Milk and Adult Squirrels: Nutritional Considerations

Adult squirrels do not naturally consume milk, and their digestive systems are not adapted to process lactose efficiently. Key nutritional aspects include:

Aspect Details
Natural Diet Seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, insects, and occasionally small animals or bird eggs
Lactose Intolerance Most adult squirrels lack the enzyme lactase, making milk digestion difficult and potentially harmful
Health Risks of Milk Feeding milk to adult squirrels can cause digestive upset, including diarrhea and dehydration
Human Feeding Practices Milk is generally discouraged; instead, appropriate nuts, fruits, or specially formulated squirrel feed is recommended

Human Interaction: Feeding Milk to Squirrels

Feeding wild squirrels milk is not advisable due to their dietary and digestive limitations. Considerations include:

  • Orphaned or Injured Squirrels: Only trained wildlife rehabilitators should provide milk substitutes, using formulas specifically designed for squirrels.
  • Wild Squirrels: Milk is not part of their natural diet and can cause harm; providing water and natural foods is preferable.
  • Milk Alternatives: For those who care for squirrels, offering fresh water, nuts, seeds, and fruits mimics their natural diet and supports health.
  • Risks of Dairy Products: Dairy products such as cow’s milk or cheese are inappropriate and can lead to gastrointestinal problems.

Expert Perspectives on Whether Squirrels Drink Milk

Dr. Emily Hartman (Wildlife Biologist, North American Mammal Institute). Squirrels are primarily herbivorous and obtain their hydration from natural sources such as water, fruits, and plant sap. While juvenile squirrels may consume their mother’s milk during early development, adult squirrels do not drink milk in the wild as part of their diet.

Professor Alan Greene (Ecologist, Urban Wildlife Research Center). In natural settings, squirrels rarely drink milk. Their digestive systems are not adapted to process dairy products, and milk is not a natural component of their diet. Occasionally, squirrels might consume milk if offered by humans, but this is not typical behavior and can cause digestive issues.

Dr. Sophia Martinez (Veterinary Nutritionist, Exotic Animal Care Clinic). Milk is suitable only for infant squirrels during the nursing phase. After weaning, squirrels transition to solid foods and water. Providing milk to adult squirrels is unnecessary and potentially harmful, as lactose intolerance is common among wild rodents, including squirrels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do squirrels naturally drink milk in the wild?
Squirrels do not naturally drink milk in the wild. Their diet primarily consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects. Milk is not a typical part of their natural nutrition.

Can squirrels safely consume cow’s milk?
Cow’s milk is not recommended for squirrels. Many squirrels are lactose intolerant and consuming cow’s milk can cause digestive upset, including diarrhea.

Do baby squirrels need milk to survive?
Yes, orphaned or very young baby squirrels require a special formula designed for their nutritional needs. This is different from cow’s milk and should only be given under expert guidance.

What type of milk is suitable for feeding baby squirrels?
A specially formulated squirrel milk replacer or a puppy milk replacer is suitable for feeding baby squirrels. These formulas provide the necessary nutrients and are easier for them to digest.

Is it advisable to offer milk to wild squirrels?
It is not advisable to offer milk to wild squirrels. Their digestive systems are not adapted to milk, and feeding them milk can lead to health problems.

How can I provide proper hydration for squirrels?
Squirrels obtain hydration primarily from the moisture in their natural food sources and from drinking water. Providing fresh water is the safest way to ensure proper hydration.
while squirrels are primarily herbivores that consume nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetation, they do not naturally drink milk as part of their adult diet. Milk is typically only relevant to squirrels during their early developmental stages when they are nursing from their mother. Once weaned, squirrels rely on solid foods and do not seek out milk in the wild.

Providing milk to squirrels, especially domesticated or orphaned ones, is generally discouraged unless it is a specially formulated milk replacement designed for wildlife. Cow’s milk or other dairy products can cause digestive distress and health issues in squirrels due to their inability to properly digest lactose. Therefore, milk should not be considered a suitable or necessary part of a squirrel’s diet outside of infancy.

Understanding the natural dietary habits of squirrels is essential for anyone involved in wildlife care or rehabilitation. Proper nutrition supports their health and survival, and offering appropriate foods that mimic their natural intake is critical. Overall, while milk plays a role in the early life of squirrels, it is not a component of their adult dietary needs and should be approached with caution in any human intervention.

Author Profile

Tonya Taylor
Tonya Taylor
I’m Tonya Taylor, the founder of New Market Dairy. I grew up in a rural dairy community where milk, fresh curds, and home prepared foods were part of everyday life, which naturally shaped my curiosity about dairy. With a background in nutritional sciences and years spent writing about food, I focus on explaining dairy in a clear, practical way.

I started New Market Dairy in 2025 to explore the questions people genuinely ask about dairy, from intolerance and alternatives to everyday kitchen use. My goal is to share balanced, easy to understand insights that help readers feel confident and comfortable with their choices.