If you’ve ever seen a squirrel scurrying around your yard, you’ve probably noticed that they’ll nibble on just about anything. Nuts, seeds, fruits, and even bread scraps from a picnic aren’t safe when a squirrel is nearby. But what about potatoes? This question might sound funny at first, but it comes up more often than you think, especially for people who grow their own potatoes in the garden or leave kitchen scraps outside.
The simple answer is yes, squirrels can eat potatoes, but there are some important details you need to know before you think about feeding them. Potatoes aren’t exactly the same as an acorn or an apple, and how squirrels interact with them depends on whether the potatoes are raw, cooked, or even sprouting.
This guide will give you a deep dive into the subject, breaking it down in a way that’s clear and useful. I’ll cover everything from what potatoes are made of, to whether they’re safe for squirrels, to the effects on their health. And yes, I’ll share what I’ve noticed from my own personal experience watching squirrels raid gardens.
Why People Ask This Question in the First Place
Squirrels are opportunistic eaters. That means they don’t always stick to one type of food. They adapt to what’s available. If a yard has oak trees, they’ll go for acorns. If a bird feeder is full, they’ll raid it for sunflower seeds. And if you’re growing a vegetable garden, they may sneak in for a bite or two of your crops.
Potatoes are common in gardens, but they aren’t usually thought of as “wildlife food.” They grow underground, which makes them different from tomatoes or corn that squirrels can grab easily. But squirrels are clever. If they sense food under the soil, they’ll dig for it. Gardeners often wake up to find half-dug potato patches, and that’s where the question comes up: Are squirrels actually eating the potatoes, or are they just being nosy?
The Nutritional Makeup of Potatoes
To really understand whether squirrels should eat potatoes, you need to look at what potatoes are made of. Potatoes are mostly:
Carbohydrates (starch): Potatoes are packed with starch, which provides quick energy.
Fiber: They contain dietary fiber, which aids digestion.
Vitamins: Potatoes have vitamin C, vitamin B6, and some folate.
Minerals: They include potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Water: A raw potato is roughly 80% water.
On paper, that doesn’t sound harmful. In fact, it looks like a decent food option. But the catch lies in how squirrels process food compared to humans.
Do Squirrels Like Potatoes?
The funny thing about squirrels is that they don’t have one “universal taste.” Some squirrels will nibble at potatoes if they find them, while others will ignore them completely in favor of nuts or sweeter foods like berries.
From my own personal experience, I’ve noticed that squirrels tend to go for potatoes only when other foods are scarce. They’ll gnaw at the skin, take a few bites, and then leave the rest behind. It’s almost like they’re curious but not totally satisfied. Compared to corn kernels or sunflower seeds, potatoes just don’t seem as exciting to them.
Are Raw Potatoes Safe for Squirrels?
Here’s where things get important. Raw potatoes contain solanine, a natural toxin found in the green parts of potatoes (including the skin, stems, and sprouts). While humans would need to eat a lot of solanine to get sick, small animals like squirrels are more sensitive.
Eating too much raw potato, especially if it has green skin or sprouts, could cause stomach upset or worse in squirrels. Symptoms in animals exposed to solanine can include lethargy, confusion, or digestive problems.
That said, a few small bites of a non-green, raw potato usually won’t harm a squirrel. It’s the repeated or large amounts that could pose a problem.
What About Cooked Potatoes?
Cooked potatoes are safer because the cooking process reduces solanine and makes the starches easier to digest. A squirrel that finds a leftover piece of baked potato will probably eat it without issue. But there’s a catch again, most cooked potatoes that people leave outside are seasoned. Salt, butter, oil, garlic, and spices are harmful to squirrels.
If you were ever to share a potato with a squirrel (which isn’t really necessary), it should be plain, boiled or baked, and unseasoned. Even then, it shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet.
Potato Chips and Fries – A Definite No
Let’s clear this up right away: potato chips and French fries are not good for squirrels. These are processed foods that are high in salt, oil, and artificial additives. Just like with humans, too much junk food can lead to poor health. For squirrels, even small amounts of heavily salted or fried potatoes can be harmful.
Do Squirrels Dig Up Potato Plants?
If you grow potatoes, you might already know the frustration of seeing your garden disturbed. Squirrels are natural diggers, and if they sense something edible beneath the soil, they’ll go for it. But here’s an interesting fact: often, squirrels aren’t really after the potato itself. They may just be curious, looking for buried nuts, or digging for insects. Potatoes sometimes get unearthed in the process, which makes it look like squirrels are potato thieves.
Still, some squirrels do bite into potatoes directly. And while they might not eat the whole thing, a single squirrel can ruin part of your crop by nibbling and leaving behind damaged tubers.
Are Potatoes a Good Food Source for Squirrels?
When you look at what squirrels actually need, potatoes aren’t a perfect match. Squirrels thrive on a mix of:
- Nuts (like acorns, walnuts, and hazelnuts)
- Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, pine seeds)
- Fruits (apples, berries, grapes)
- Vegetables (corn, leafy greens, squash)
- Occasional insects for protein
Compared to these, potatoes are heavy on starch and low on protein and fat. They don’t provide the energy balance squirrels require. So, while squirrels can technically eat potatoes, they don’t make a strong or necessary part of their diet.
The Risks of Feeding Squirrels Potatoes
If you’re tempted to leave potatoes out for squirrels, it’s worth knowing the risks:
- Toxin exposure: Green or sprouting potatoes may cause harm.
- Unbalanced diet: Too many starches without enough protein and fat can weaken squirrels over time.
- Dependency on humans: Feeding squirrels unusual foods like potatoes can make them dependent instead of foraging naturally.
- Attracting pests: Leaving potatoes out may bring rats or other unwanted animals.
Should You Ever Feed Squirrels Potatoes?
The best answer is no, not really. While they won’t drop dead from eating a plain piece of potato, there are far better options you can give if you enjoy feeding squirrels. Safer snacks include:
- Unsalted peanuts (in moderation)
- Sunflower seeds
- Apple slices (no seeds)
- Berries
- Corn kernels
- Pumpkin seeds
These provide more nutrition, and squirrels will enjoy them more.
Gardeners’ Tips for Protecting Potato Crops
If you’re growing potatoes and worried about squirrels digging them up, here are some practical steps:
- Use chicken wire or mesh to cover the soil above your potato bed.
- Plant decoy food sources like corn or sunflowers away from your potatoes.
- Scatter natural deterrents like coffee grounds or cayenne pepper near potato plants.
- Harvest potatoes promptly once they’re mature instead of leaving them in the ground too long.
These tricks don’t harm squirrels but help keep your crops safe.
Final Thoughts
So, can squirrels eat potatoes? Yes, they can, but they shouldn’t rely on them. Raw potatoes can carry risks due to toxins like solanine, while cooked potatoes (without seasoning) are generally safe in small amounts. But potatoes don’t offer much nutritional value for squirrels compared to their usual diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
If you see a squirrel gnawing at a potato, don’t panic, it’s not likely to hurt them unless they’re eating large amounts. But if you want to encourage healthy wildlife habits, skip the potatoes and stick to foods that benefit them more.
Watching squirrels is fun, and learning about what they can and can’t eat helps you understand their world better. Potatoes may not be the best thing on the menu for them, but the fact that they’ll sometimes try them just shows how curious and adaptable these little animals really are.