Coconut

[KaitlynG]

Can squirrels eat coconut? And or drink coconut milk?

[Milo's Mom]

Yes, squirrels can eat coconut in SMALL quantities. It can and does cause soft poops if too much is fed. And, they should only get coconut after they are eating their blocks and the Healthy Diet. It should be used as a treat only.

I do not know about the coconut milk/water. I would think since you are not in a tropical environment it would be best to not offer the milk/water.

[Ratatouille]

I have given it to my fancy rats for years, they love the coconut meat and the oil, it makes their coats wonderful!

[island rehabber]

Right, but you're in the 'tropics', too (FL). I know what MM means by a Massachusetts squirrel not ever seeing coconut in her natural life. I try not to give anything to my squirrels that is not found in their own natural locale with one exception: avocado. :)

[stosh2010]

I have 6 fuzz heads --here in Costa Rica...and all the wilds ( and my guys) love the meat and the coconut water inside the coconut.
You can see countless coconuts...still attached to the palm trees, with squirrel entry holes. A very common sight.

[Skayda]

Both of my grays absolutely hate coconut. One sniff of it sends them running the other way.

[Lighten-Up]

I absolutely love fresh coconut out of the shell, and because I have so much on hand much of the time I have given it to my girls.

I have given them the coconut water (the liquid that comes out of a coconut when opened), one to two teaspoons in a small dish each. It is full of electrolytes. Some days they suck it down, other days they ignore it, or only drink half. So I don't give them much anymore.

They always eat the coconut meat and sometime will choose the coconut meat over a nut if given the choice.

I also open the fresh young coconuts which have more water in them, and a loose yogurt like coconut meat that is still forming. They love this as well.

As stated by someone else, I only give this later in the day after they have eaten their block and veggies. And of course in moderation.

Please note that when giving fresh coconut, it is important that the coconut is a "good one", and not gone bad. If the shell gets a hairline crack in it, not obvious to the naked eye, the water inside will grow bacteria/spoil and the meat itself with get black patches on it. Throw it out-or take it back to the store for a refund. Often if when you poke through one of the eyes to drain the water, you hear the sound of a "seal breaking"-air rushing in, you know that it is good and integral.

Also, I would not personally give them "coconut milk" from a can. This has preservatives in it, and possibly even sugar. Just my opinion. I do cook with coconut milk for myself, but I wish I could find preservative free coconut milk....

Island Rehabber has a good point about only giving foods that are specific to their location. I agree this makes sense, complete sense. However, avocado and oranges, mandarins and other things I give are not local, so where does one draw the line?

From what I've read, avocado and coconut have some specific nutrients that help a squirrels fur coat and other things, it's almost a medicinal food of sorts. In my opinion, the benefits are worth giving it. And they say oranges are high in vitamin C, so I'm not sure what the best answer is on this. I welcome others thoughts. These are just mine, today, they could change..... :-0 Always learning and growing and changing...