Pumpkin is a tasty and edible fruit that is consumed by millions of people worldwide. The fruit is prevalent for its significance in Halloween, use in pumpkin chucking competitions, and nutritional composition. As such, it’s not wrong to try and feed a hedgehog some pumpkin since the fruit is packed full of nutrients and minerals. However, it’s important to note that just because a specific food is edible for humans doesn’t mean it’s safe for hedgehogs. So now we are all left wondering if hedgehogs can eat pumpkin or if the fruit is one of those edible foods we should keep far away from them. Let’s go ahead and find out.
What Is Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family. People usually regard it as a vegetable, but that’s incorrect because it has seeds deep within. The fruit has an oblong or round shape, a tough outer skin, and a hollow interior packed with seeds. Pumpkin is also usually orange in color, although several varieties of the fruit are white, yellow, and green. Each pumpkin fruit generally weighs around 6.6-17.6 pounds (3-8 kilograms) though some weigh as much as a ton (1000 kilograms).
Pumpkin is also quite medicinal and was once used in America to treat urinary and intestinal worms, in Europe to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and irritable bladders, and in China to treat schistosomiasis.
The fruit is also famous for its usage in Halloween and Pumpkin Chunking. During Halloween, people wear costumes, hang decorations, and share gifts. This custom has its roots in the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, when people would dress up and build bonfires to fend off ghosts. On the other hand, pumpkin chunking is a sport where teams create mechanical apparatuses like catapults and compete to see who can “shoot” a pumpkin the farthest.
As mentioned earlier, pumpkin is also edible and nutritious. The skin, seeds, leaves, flowers, and most other parts of the fruit are all palatable. The fruit can be eaten in various ways but is most commonly boiled, steamed, or roasted. Pumpkin is also a popular ingredient in many dishes, including pies, bread, and soups.”
The Nutritional Composition Of Pumpkin
| Name | Pumpkin’s Quantity |
| Energy | 26 kilocalories |
| Water | 91.6 grams |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Fat | 0.1 gram |
| Carbohydrate | 6.5 grams |
| Fiber | 0.5 gram |
| Sugars | 2.76 grams |
| Calcium | 21 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 12 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 44 milligrams |
| Potassium | 340 milligrams |
| Sodium | 1 milligram |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.061 milligram |
| Vitamin C | 9 milligrams |
| Vitamin E | 1.06 milligrams |
| Vitamin A | 426 micrograms |
| Vitamin K | 1.1 micrograms |
NOTE: This Table Includes Only The Most Relevant Information.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin?
Though pumpkin is jampacked with nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial to hedgehogs, it’s not a good idea to feed it to them because the fruit is a natural, effective laxative. Eating a little bit of pumpkin might not negatively affect a hedgehog, but overeating it might be fatal. However, a pumpkin can help rid a hedgehog of constipation, so it’s best to only feed them little pieces of the fruit in these circumstances.
How To Feed Pumpkin To Other Wild Animals Without Getting Hedgehogs To Eat it
Ensure you don’t leave your pumpkins in your yard after Halloween or plant them in an open garden since wild hedgehogs can sneak in and eat them. It’s also important you dispose of your pumpkin scraps by placing them in secured disposable bags before dropping them off in a refuse bin. It’s easy to care for pet hedgehogs and control the food and quantity they eat, but that can’t be said for wild ones. As such, it’s your duty to create an environment that will not be detrimental to their health and lives.
Though you can allow some animals, like birds and squirrels, to eat your pumpkins, you shouldn’t allow hedgehogs to eat them. Hence, it’s best to take them off your garden or place the fruits in a location where wild hedgehogs can’t reach them.
You can do this by placing the pumpkin fruits on a garden table, hanging them from trees, or placing them on top of a wall, so hedgehogs can’t get to them, but animals like birds and squirrels can. You can also fence your garden or yard to keep wild hedgehogs out permanently. With hedgehog numbers in decline, it’s our duty to ensure they don’t go extinct. We need to make our homes, gardens, yards, streets, and their homes in the wild as safe as possible for them.
Pumpkin fruits can also be disposed of sustainably by placing them in a compost bin or feeding them to roaches and worms if you’re raising some feeders for your pets. Pumpkin contains enough nutrients and vitamins and can be used for gut-loading feeders.
What Parts Of Pumpkin Can Hedgehogs Eat
A pumpkin comprises several parts, so it’s important to know which parts can be safely fed to hedgehogs. The fruit is made up of a stem, skin, flesh, pulp, and seeds.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin Stem?
The pumpkin stem is the portion of the vine that remains connected to the pumpkin fruit after the pumpkin has been cut off from the vine. It is edible but should not be fed to hedgehogs since it is difficult to chew and doesn’t contain enough nutrients.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin Skin?
Pumpkin skin, also called pumpkin rind, is the rough exterior of the pumpkin fruit that is usually green, yellow, or orange. The skin is nutritious and edible but should not be fed to hedgehogs except if pureed or mashed. This is because the skin is usually quite tough and might be too difficult for hedgehogs to chew and swallow.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin Flesh?
Pumpkin flesh is the main part of the pumpkin fruit that is frequently eaten and used for cooking. It is edible and can be fed to hedgehogs.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin Pulp?
Pumpkin pulp is the thick, slimy substance that holds the seeds in place inside the pumpkin fruit. It is also the part of the pumpkin fruit that is scooped out when creating Jack O’lanterns! for Halloween. The pulp is edible and nutrient-rich and can be fed to hedgehogs.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are edible and can be cooked and roasted before eaten. However, the seeds shouldn’t be fed to hedgehogs since they are a choking hazard and can get stuck in a hedgehog’s throat when they swallow.
Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Hedgehogs
Although pumpkin is not the best food for hedgehogs, there are circumstances when you need to feed little pieces of the fruit to a hedgehog. As we mentioned earlier, feeding little bits of pumpkin to a hedgehog suffering from constipation is a good idea. The fruit is also a respectable source of numerous vitamins and minerals which are beneficial to hedgehogs.
Natural Laxative
Pumpkin is chock-full of fiber, which is essential for maintaining regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation. As such, the high fiber content of pumpkin fruits can aid in softening a hedgehog’s stool whenever they are constipated. Pumpkin also contains a substantial amount of water, which can hydrate the colon and make it simpler for constipated hedgehogs to poop. As such, we can regard pumpkin as a “natural laxative” even though the fruit is not actually a laxative in a technical sense. Laxatives are substances that are specifically created to treat constipation and stimulate bowel movements, while pumpkin is a fruit that does the same thing but wasn’t actually created to do so.
Nutrients And Vitamins
Pumpkin is also packed full of nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial to hedgehogs. As such, a hedgehog will benefit from eating pumpkin whenever they get the chance, even though it’s not a good idea to make it a staple food for them. For example, pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A, which is necessary for hedgehogs to have good vision and a healthy immune system.
Health Risks Of Pumpkin For Hedgehogs
Feeding little quantities of pumpkin can easily soften a constipated hedgehog’s stool. However, pumpkins are a double-edged sword because knowing the right amount to feed a constipated hedgehog is paramount. That’s why it’s best to reach out to a veterinary doctor for guidance before doing so.
Hedgehogs may experience digestive problems if they consume too much pumpkin. So ensure you only feed them the fruit in exceptional circumstances. Pumpkin is packed full of fiber which can cause diarrhea if a hedgehog eats too much of the fruit. Hedgehogs can also get dehydrated from frequent and excessive pooping, making them lose weight. Diarrhea and dehydration can be fatal because they will leave wild hedgehogs too weak to forage for food. At the same time, excessive stooling could make pet hedgehogs too sick to eat.
How To Pick The Best Pumpkin For Your Hedgehog
It’s important to feed hedgehogs only ripe fruits so they can derive the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins. It’s also important to feed your hedgehog only homegrown and organic fruits and vegetables. This is because most fruits and vegetables sold in markets usually contain pesticides and chemicals that may harm a hedgehog when consumed. As such, it’s best to buy them from a reputable source or grow them yourself.
Confirm If The Pumpkin Was Organically Grown
You need to ensure the pumpkin you choose is both ripe and safe for your hedgehog if you decide to buy instead of growing it. Please confirm that the pumpkin you’re getting from the farmer or seller is organically grown before you pay for it.
Ensure The Pumpkin You Pick Is Ripe
You need to also ensure the pumpkin you choose is ripe. Unripe pumpkins are still edible, but they don’t taste as good as ripe ones and must be cooked longer before they get tender. As such, only go for ripe pumpkins for your hedgehog since they are easier to prepare and healthier.
Check The Pumpkin’s Color
The color of a pumpkin is a good indicator of its ripeness. Chances are that a pumpkin is ripe when it’s orange all over. On the other hand, some pumpkins are ripe when they are still entirely green. So using color alone to decide if a pumpkin is ripe is not a good idea. However, ripe pumpkins ought to have a rich, uniform color so avoid pumpkins with green spots or patches.
Give The Pumpkin A Thump
It’s best to also give the pumpkin you’re interested in buying a light thump first. A ripe pumpkin will sound hollow when hit. You can also try puncturing the pumpkin’s skin with your fingernail if you’re not entirely convinced it is ripe. A fingernail will only dent a ripe pumpkin but won’t penetrate it.
Check The Pumpkin For Marks, Holes And Blemishes
The skin of the pumpkin you pick should also be hard, smooth, and clear of marks, holes, and blemishes, while the stem needs to be sturdy and tightly fastened to the pumpkin.
How To Prepare Pumpkin For Hedgehogs
- After you’ve picked out a pumpkin to feed your hedgehog, you first need to wash it thoroughly. Doing this ensures the pumpkin is clean and free from dirt and debris that might have gotten stuck to the skin.
- Next, you should slice up just a little section of the pumpkin and store the rest to be used later. The little part of the pumpkin you kept aside should be further sliced into smaller bits.
- Ensure you remove all the pumpkin seeds next. Pumpkin seeds are a choking hazard and can get stuck in a hedgehog’s throat when they swallow them.
- It’s best to steam or boil the pumpkin pieces for a couple of minutes or until they are tender. Doing this ensures the pumpkin pieces are as soft as possible.
- Go ahead and mash the pumpkin with a fork or spoon before feeding the little pieces to your hedgehog. You can also blend it into a puree and pour it on their main meal.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Pumpkin?
Though we have mentioned this before, we must state it again due to its importance. Pumpkins should only be fed to hedgehogs in small quantities when it is necessary to do so. For example, when you want to help them get rid of constipation. This will only work out well if you feed the hedgehog a little bit of pumpkin.
However, it’s best to try out other means of ridding your hedgehog of constipation before feeding them some pumpkin. It’s also important to contact a veterinary doctor for general advice if you want to change your hedgehog’s diet, incorporate new food into their diet or want to feed your hedgehog some pumpkin.
It’s also important to note that pumpkin is only safe for adult hedgehogs. Little quantities can make baby hedgehogs ill so ensure you don’t feed them any at all.
How To Store Pumpkin
Knowing how to store pumpkins is essential, especially if you got them in bulk or want to keep the ones you have fresh.
How To Store A Cut Pumpkin
The best way to store a pumpkin you’ve already cut open is by placing it in a fridge. Just ensure you wrap it in a cling wrap before doing so. A thin layer of mold will eventually form if the pumpkin is left for a long time. Don’t worry; the mold can be safely removed as long as the pumpkin is still firm. All you have to do is cut out roughly a centimeter of the affected area. However, the mold may have gotten inside the pumpkin’s flesh if you notice the area around the mold is soft. It’s best to dispose of the pumpkin if this happens.
Pumpkins can be stored in a fridge for up to 6 months if wrapped in a cling wrap.
How To Store An Uncut Pumpkin
All you have to do is to find a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location in your home with a temperature range of around 50-55°F (10-12°C). Next, you have to place the pumpkin on a piece of cardboard or a mat. You shouldn’t set them down directly on the floor. Ensure you also place the pumpkins in a single layer, so they don’t touch one another. Placing the pumpkins too close to one another can generate unwanted heat, which can make the fruits get rotten quicker. It also helps if you place the pumpkins with their stalk on the bottom.
Pumpkins can last up to 3–4 months when stored in this manner.
Conclusion
Pumpkins are not the healthiest or safest foods for hedgehogs, but they are vital since they are a natural laxative that can clear out a hedgehog’s constipation. Just be sure to be on the lookout and ensure they don’t overeat it.
References
Decline In Distribution And Abundance: Urban Hedgehogs Under Pressure. MDPI.
History Of Halloween. History.
Laxative. ScienceDirect.
Pumpkin, Raw. Agricultural Research Service. U.S. Department Of Agriculture.
