Feeding Wisely
Feeding wildlife may feel like a kind and generous act. But despite good intentions, offering food to wild animals can lead to serious consequences for both them and us. From spreading disease to creating dependency, human handouts disrupt natural behavior and can even put wildlife in danger.
The good news? There are ways to support wildlife safely and responsibly, without putting animals or ecosystems at risk.
Why Feeding Wildlife Is Risky
It Disrupts Natural Behavior: Wild animals are instinctively driven to find and compete for food. When we feed them, it interferes with those natural processes.
Animals may become habituated to humans, losing their fear and putting themselves at greater risk of vehicle collisions or conflict.
Foraging skills decline, especially in young animals, which can lead to starvation if handouts stop.
Concentrated food sources can cause unnatural crowding, which increases stress and aggression between animals.
It Increases the Spread of Disease: Gathering many animals in one spot to feed makes it easy for disease to spread.
Viruses, bacteria, and parasites spread quickly when animals are in close contact.
Leftover or moldy food can cause illness or death.
Wildlife can also transmit disease to pets or people, such as raccoons spreading distemper or rodents spreading hantavirus.
It Leads to Dangerous Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Feeding wildlife can unintentionally create dangerous situations.
Large animals like bears, coyotes, or deer may become bold, visiting homes and becoming a threat to people or pets.
Animals accustomed to handouts may damage property or act aggressively when food isn’t offered.
In many areas, feeding certain wildlife is illegal and can lead to fines or animal euthanasia.
Unintentional Feeding:
Even if you're not actively feeding wildlife, you may be unintentionally providing food that draws them in:
Unsecured Trash Cans: Open or overflowing garbage attracts raccoons, opossums, bears, and rodents. Always use wildlife-proof bins and secure lids.
Pet Food Left Outdoors: Leaving pet food on porches or in open garages invites skunks, foxes, raccoons, and even bears.
Compost Piles: Improperly managed compost containing food scraps can become a buffet for many animals. Use enclosed bins or avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods.
Birdseed Spills: While bird feeders can be safe when used properly, spilled seed on the ground can attract rodents and larger mammals. Clean under feeders regularly.
Grill Scraps and Grease: Food residue left on outdoor grills or grease dumped in the yard can attract scavengers.
Open Windows and Doors: Food smells from screens, pet doors, or unattended entryways can entice wildlife indoors.
Being aware of these attractants helps keep both wildlife and your home safer.
Safe and Helpful Alternatives
Plant Native Vegetation: One of the most impactful things you can do is provide natural sources of food and shelter by planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Native plants offer seeds, berries, nectar, and insects that wildlife rely on.
Unlike handouts, they support animals year-round and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
Native vegetation also supports pollinators and improves local biodiversity.
Create Natural Habitat Features
Build brush piles, leave leaf litter, and maintain standing dead trees to offer shelter and foraging spots.
Add water features like shallow birdbaths or small ponds. Ensure that they are cleaned and refreshed regularly.
Tips for Responsible Bird Feeding
Bird feeders can be a safe and enjoyable way to support certain wildlife—but they must be managed carefully:
Clean Feeders Weekly: Use a 1:9 bleach solution to clean feeders and birdbaths to prevent mold and disease transmission.
Avoid Crowding: Use multiple small feeders spread out across your yard to reduce competition and disease spread.
Offer Natural Foods: Choose high-quality seeds like black-oil sunflower, suet in winter, and sugar water for hummingbirds (never with red dye).
Remove Feeders During Disease Outbreaks: If you hear of local bird illness outbreaks (like salmonella or avian flu), temporarily remove feeders to protect birds.
Keep Feeders Away from Windows: Prevent fatal window strikes by placing feeders either within 3 feet or more than 30 feet from glass.
Clean Up Spilled Seed: Regularly sweep or rake beneath feeders to prevent attracting rodents or larger animals.
Don’t feed bread to birds or ducks. It lacks nutrients, can lead to malnutrition, and pollutes water sources.
When Feeding Is Appropriate
There are some exceptions where feeding wildlife is appropriate or even necessary:
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators may feed injured or orphaned animals as part of their care.
Winter feeding stations for certain species (like supplemental feeding of endangered birds) are sometimes run by conservation programs.
Hummingbird nectar feeders and squirrel-proof bird feeders can be safe and effective when properly maintained.
But for the average person, it’s best to support animals in ways that don’t create dependency or conflict.
Wild Animals Need to Stay Wild
Feeding wildlife may feel like helping, but in most cases, it leads to harm. The best way to care for wild animals is to protect their habitats, reduce threats, and let them rely on the instincts that have guided them for millennia.
Kindness doesn’t always mean giving—it means understanding. When we support wildlife in ways that align with their natural needs, we ensure they remain healthy, wild, and free.