Disney Dreamlight Valley features a wide variety of charming critters roaming across different biomes, and squirrels are usually the first companions players encounter. Feeding these friendly creatures is an essential daily activity that rewards players with valuable items, dreamlight, and increased friendship levels. Learning what squirrels eat and identifying their absolute favorite food will help you quickly build trust and unlock them as permanent companions.
Understanding the Favorite Food of Squirrels
Squirrels in Dreamlight Valley have a distinct diet compared to other wild critters found throughout the magical realm. While they will gladly accept any type of nut or fruit, their ultimate favorite treat is peanuts. Feeding a squirrel peanuts grants the maximum amount of reward points and unlocks companion status much faster than standard foods.
Peanuts are not available immediately at the start of your journey through the valley. You must first unlock Remy and progress his restaurant questline to access peanuts from his pantry. Stocking up on peanuts ensures you always have the best item ready whenever you encounter a hungry squirrel in the Plaza.
Where to Find and How to Approach Squirrels
Squirrels are exclusively located in the Plaza biome, making them extremely easy to find right from the beginning of the game. Unlike skittish animals like rabbits or foxes, squirrels are naturally curious and very easy to approach. They will actively run toward your character when you walk near them, requiring no special stealth tactics.
When you get close enough to a squirrel, an interact prompt will appear on your screen allowing you to select an item from your inventory. Simply choose a peanut or another suitable ingredient to offer it to the critter. Approaching them regularly helps maintain a steady routine for earning daily rewards.
Accepted Foods vs. Favorite Foods
If you run out of peanuts, squirrels will still accept other forageable items found nearby. They enjoy eating apples, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries that grow abundantly on trees and bushes throughout the valley. Giving them these acceptable foods still counts toward daily feeding interactions and rewards you with basic items.
However, feeding them acceptable foods rather than their favorite food yields lower friendship progression and fewer rare drops. It is always recommended to prioritize peanuts whenever possible to maximize your daily efficiency. Keeping a dedicated stack of peanuts in your storage chest saves time when doing daily village rounds.
Rewards for Feeding Squirrels Regularly
Feeding squirrels each day rewards players with various useful items, including motif bags, dream shards, and cooking ingredients. These rewards are crucial for completing quests, crafting custom clothing designs, and progressing through the main storyline. Additionally, feeding a specific variant multiple times unlocks that color pattern as a follower companion.
Once unlocked as a companion, you can equip a squirrel from the wardrobe menu to follow you around the valley. Having a loyal squirrel companion adds a fun visual touch to your adventures as you farm, fish, and decorate your village.
