To ensure your hedgehog isn’t negatively affected by the food they eat, it is imperative to know which food they should or shouldn’t eat. You must be highly cautious when feeding hedgehogs because they are pretty feeble and can get ill when they eat the wrong stuff. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at cucumber to find out if hedgehogs can safely eat it.
What Is Cucumber?
Cucumber is botanically categorized as a pepo, which is a fruit with no internal divisions and a hard outer rind. However, cucumber is frequently regarded, prepared, and consumed as a vegetable, just like tomatoes.
Cucumbers have been grown for at least 3,000 years and are now among the most consumed fruits in the world because of their flavor, nutritional value, and health advantages. These fruits can be used to create a myriad of dishes, including smoothies, yogurt, parfait, sandwiches, salads, pickles, and soup.
The Nutritional Composition Of Cucumber
| Name | Cucumber’s Quantity |
| Energy | 10 kilocalories |
| Water | 96.7 grams |
| Protein | 0.59 gram |
| Fat | 0.16 gram |
| Carbohydrate | 2.16 grams |
| Fiber | 0.7 grams |
| Sugars | 1.38 grams |
| Calcium | 14 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 12 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 21 milligrams |
| Potassium | 136 milligrams |
| Zinc | 0.17 milligrams |
| Manganese | 0.073 milligrams |
| Iron | 0.22 milligrams |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.051 milligram |
| Vitamin C | 3.2 milligrams |
| Vitamin E | 0.03 milligrams |
| Vitamin A | 4 micrograms |
| Vitamin K | 7.2 micrograms |
| Folate | 43 micrograms |
NOTE: This Table Includes Only The Most Relevant Information.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Cucumber?
Though hedgehogs can eat cucumber, you shouldn’t feed them too much of the fruit at a go. Too much cucumber can negatively affect hedgehogs if they overeat it. Additionally, cucumber doesn’t contain all the nutrients hedgehogs need in their food. That’s why it’s best to feed hedgehogs some cucumber as a snack or as a part of a meal that includes other more essential foods.
Health Benefits Of Cucumber For Hedgehogs
These are the health benefits of cucumber for hedgehogs.
Water
Hedgehogs can stay hydrated whenever they eat cucumber since the fruit is made up of 95% water.
Fiber
Cucumber has a substantial amount of fiber which can aid in preventing constipation and diarrhea in hedgehogs.
Antioxidants
Cucumber is rich in antioxidants, which shields hedgehogs from chronic ailments of the heart, lungs, and body.
Vitamins
Cucumber contain several vitamins, such as vitamins K, A, and C. Vitamin C is necessary for protein metabolism, which aids in iron absorption. Vitamin A is required for vision, healthy skin, and bone growth, while Vitamin K is necessary for proper blood clotting.
Potassium
Cucumber is also a rich source of potassium which helps keep hedgehogs’ kidneys healthy.
Magnesium
Cucumber is a good magnesium source, which is essential for maintaining a hedgehog’s brain health.
Manganese
Cucumber contains a considerable amount of manganese, a mineral that supports metabolism and helps to prevent inflammation.
Health Risks Of Cucumber For Hedgehogs
These are the health risks of cucumber for hedgehogs.
Calcium To Phosphorus Ratio
It is crucial to consider the quantity of calcium and phosphorus in a food when you want to add it to your hedgehog’s diet. Hedgehogs require the calcium and phosphorus ratio in their food to be 2:1 or 1:1. This implies that the quantity of calcium in the food must be equal to or more than that of phosphorus. Nevertheless, the amount of phosphorus in cucumber is more than the amount of calcium in the fruit. This makes cucumber more suitable as a treat for hedgehogs rather than a staple food.
Cucurbitacins
Cucurbitacins, the substance in cucumber that gives the fruit its bitter flavor, is hazardous to hedgehogs if they ingest too much of it. Hedgehogs may experience digestive problems if they consume an excessive amount of cucurbitacins.
What Parts Of Cucumbers Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Let’s find out which parts of cucumber hedgehogs can eat.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Skin?
Cucumber skin is entirely edible and can be fed to hedgehogs. Nevertheless, cucumber skin is usually too tough and can choke hedgehogs when they try and eat it. So make sure you mash the skin first to make it easier for your hedgehog to swallow it.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Leaves?
Cucumber leaves are edible and can be fed to hedgehogs. Just make sure your hedgehog doesn’t overeat them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Flesh?
Hedgehogs can safely eat cucumber flesh. However, ensure that your hedgehog doesn’t eat an excessive amount of it.
How To Pick The Best Cucumbers For Your Hedgehog
Follow the steps below to learn how to pick the best cucumber for your hedgehog.
Choose Only Organically Grown Cucumber
It’s best to feed hedgehogs only ripe and organically grown cucumbers. Opting for organic cucumbers is important because non-organic ones may contain high levels of pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics that could have adverse effects on a hedgehog’s health. Additionally, it’s also important to carefully examine several cucumbers before selecting any for your hedgehog to ensure that you choose only the ripe ones.
Check The Size And Skin
Avoid picking cucumbers that are soft, wrinkled, or have spots on the body, as they are either wholly spoiled or on the verge of spoiling. A good cucumber should be firm, heavy for its size, and have smooth skin that’s free of blemishes, marks, or holes.
Additionally, only choose bright green leaves that are not wilting and have no spots, blemishes, or signs of insect damage if you decide to feed your hedgehog some cucumber leaves.
How To Prepare Cucumber For Hedgehogs
- Wash the cucumber thoroughly.
- Steam the cucumber to make it softer if you want to do so.
- Slice the cucumber into small pieces so that it’s easier for your hedgehog to chew and swallow it.
- You can feed your hedgehog the cucumber slices alone or mix them with other fruits and vegetables.
- Don’t forget to clean your hedgehog’s cage and take out any pieces of food they might not have eaten.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Cucumbers?
Hedgehogs should be allowed to eat one or two slices of cucumber about once a week. Cucumber isn’t a staple food for hedgehogs and should not be fed to them daily.
How To Store Cucumber
Knowing how to store cucumbers is important, especially if you got them in bulk or want to keep the ones you have fresh.
How To Store Cucumbers At Room Temperature
Start by washing the cucumbers thoroughly and drying them with a towel. Then, place them in a well-ventilated area of your home, avoiding direct sunlight and any heat sources.
Consider placing the cucumbers on a plate or in a bowl to prevent them from sticking together.
Cucumbers can last up to a week when stored in this manner.
How To Store Cucumbers In A Fridge
Start by washing the cucumbers and drying them thoroughly with a towel. Wrap each cucumber with its own paper towel and place them in an air-tight container, preferably a zip lock bag if available.
Keep the cucumbers in the crisper drawer or at the front of the refrigerator.
By following these steps, you can store uncut cucumbers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and cut cucumbers for up to three days.
Conclusion
Cucumber packs a whole lot of nutrients that hedgehogs require in their food. So feel free to add it to your hedgehog’s diet list. However, cucumber should be fed to hedgehogs about once a week rather than daily.
Resources And Further Reading
”Cucumber: Cucumis Sativus L” Genetic Improvement Of Vegetable Crops. Science Direct.
Observations On The Food Of The Hedgehog (Erinaceus Europaeus L.) In New Zealand. Cab Direct.
