You need to be cautious when feeding a hedgehog. These little critters love food and will gladly munch on anything you place on their food tray. However, hedgehogs are feeble and can quickly get ill or even die if they eat the right amount of the wrong stuff. So it’s best if you know what they can and can’t eat to be on the safer side of the spectrum.
Most veterinary doctors advise feeding your hedgehogs quality cat food or, at least, making quality cat food the bulk of their meals. Veterinarians, however, will also request that you add some variation to their food by using nutritious substitutes like fruits and vegetables. Since hedgehogs are omnivores, they can eat plants and animals, so there’s no need to stick to one food. Watermelon is one of those fruits that always seems to be lying somewhere in the kitchen, so it’s important to find out if your hedgehog can eat it too.
What Is Watermelon?
Watermelon is an edible fruit that grows in temperate to tropical areas and requires temperatures around 25 °C (77 °F) to flourish. It has no internal divisions and a tough rind, so it’s not as squishy as most other fruits. Although there are kinds without seeds, most watermelons’ sweet, juicy flesh is typically deep crimson or pink and contains many black seeds.
Watermelon is sweet and refreshingly has low-calorie content, so it’s a popular snack for adults and children. It can be sliced and eaten, mixed with other fruits and vegetables in a salad, or blended to create fruit juice or wine. Hence, there’s always a way to efficiently incorporate it into a person’s meal plan.
The Nutritional Composition Of Watermelon
| Name | Raw Watermelon’s Quantity |
| Energy | 30 kilocalories |
| Water | 91.4 grams |
| Protein | 0.61 gram |
| Fat | 0.15 gram |
| Carbohydrate | 7.55 grams |
| Fiber | 0.4 gram |
| Sugars | 6.2 grams |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.045 milligrams |
| Vitamin C | 8.1 milligrams |
| Calcium | 7 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 11 milligrams |
Can Hedgehogs Eat Watermelon?
Yes! Hedgehogs can eat watermelons. Watermelons are juicy and sweet, and hedgehogs love them as much as we do. They contain many vitamins that help hedgehogs grow strong and live fruitful lives. It would be best to incorporate watermelons into your little buddy’s meals about 2 – 3 times a week.
Health Benefits Of Watermelon For Hedgehogs
Watermelons consist of 92% water, so, at first glance, they might look like the least efficient fruit to feed a hedgehog. However, watermelons also contain a reasonable amount of fruit sugar (fructose) which a diabetic person can even safely consume due to its low glycemic index.
Since hedgehogs have small stomachs and can quickly get fattened if they eat foods that contain a lot of sugar and fats, they can be easily fed watermelon without any worries since the fruit contains a minimal amount of fats too.
Watermelon is also rich in vitamins A, B-6, and C.
Vitamin A helps the body with good vision, supports the immune system, and facilitates the normal functioning of organs, including the heart and kidneys. Hedgehogs naturally have poor eyesight and usually use their sense of smell and sound to function correctly. Including watermelon in a hedgehog’s diet list, is, therefore, a good idea. However, you should note that consuming excessive amounts of foods with vitamin A can have a negative effect on hedgehogs, so it’s best to feed your hedgehog watermelon in tiny bits.
Healthy neurological and immunological systems, as well as optimal brain development, depend on vitamin B-6. While vitamin C is crucial in various metabolic processes, including tissue growth and maintenance, reducing oxidative stress, and controlling the immune system.
Watermelon also contains fiber. Fiber helps generate firm, well-formed stools by adding mass and absorbing extra water, which promotes intestinal regularity. Additionally, fiber contributes to a balanced intestinal pH, preventing harmful bacteria formation in a hedgehog’s gut.
Watermelon also contains the amino acid citrulline. Citrulline facilitates blood flow throughout the body and is essential for healthy cardiac operation. Nitric oxide synthesis in the body is increased by citrulline, which enhances blood flow throughout a hedgehog’s body by assisting the arteries in relaxing and performing better. Some diseases may be treated or prevented because of this.
Lycopene, an antioxidant that promotes heart health and cancer prevention, is also abundant in watermelons.
The rind of a watermelon is rich in phytochemicals, zinc, vitamins, and several other minerals. Additionally, the rind has fewer calories than the fleshy parts of the watermelon, making it even more enticing to consume.
Health Risks Of Watermelon For Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are at risk of Metabolic Bone Disease once they begin having a calcium/phosphorus imbalance. Poor diet is one of the leading causes of Metabolic Bone Disease, particularly when there is too little calcium compared to too much phosphorus (or vice versa) in a hedgehog’s diet.
Many professionals advise that the ratio of calcium/phosphorus should be either 1:2 or 1:1. However, the percentage of calcium and phosphorous in watermelon does not reach the suggested standards. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feed your hedgehog some watermelon at all. Rather, hedgehogs should only eat watermelon in moderation, and it should never be the primary food in their diet. To help curtail this problem, you can feed watermelon to your hedgehog with dandelion greens, collard greens, kale, or other foods rich in calcium.
What Parts Of Watermelon Can Hedgehogs Eat?
Let’s find out which parts of watermelon hedgehogs can eat.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Watermelon Rind?
Although watermelon rind is edible and can serve as food for hedgehogs, it is often too rigid and can pose a choking hazard for them. To prevent this, it is advisable to mash the rind beforehand, making it easier for hedgehogs to swallow.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Watermelon Flesh?
Hedgehogs can safely eat watermelon flesh. However, ensure that your hedgehog doesn’t eat an excessive amount of it.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?
Hedgehogs should not be fed watermelon seeds because they are unable to digest them. Hedgehogs can get bloated or get their digestive tract blocked if they eat them.
How To Pick The Best Watermelon For Your Hedgehog
Choosing a ripe and sweet watermelon for your hedgehog can be challenging if you don’t know what to look out for. Nevertheless, with these tips, you’ll be able to pick the perfect one.
Choose Only Organically Grown Watermelon
You should try and feed your hedgehog only homegrown and organic watermelons. Although any random ripe watermelon is supposed to do, it’s best to stay on the safe side and only feed your hedgehog a fruit you grew yourself or at least one you’re sure is organic. The major disadvantage of non-organic foods is that they usually contain more pesticides, antibiotics, or hormones than their organic counterparts.
This does not necessarily imply that all non-organic foods are bad for your hedgehog. Ask your farmer what fertilizers and growing conditions are employed if you want to buy some watermelon. They just might be using fewer pesticides or adopting more environmentally friendly farming methods. So having nearly organic watermelons while avoiding higher costs is possible if you do this.
Inspect The Field Spot
The field spot is the area of the watermelon that was in contact with the ground as it grew. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow or orange spot. The watermelon may not be fully ripe if the spot is green or white.
Check The Weight
A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size. If it feels too light, it may not have developed fully.
Examine The Webbing
The webbing of a watermelon is the brown, web-like lines on the fruit’s rind. A good watermelon will have a lot of webbing. Webbings indicate that it has been pollinated correctly.
Give It A Thump
A ripe watermelon will produce a deep, hollow sound when thumped with your fingers. If it sounds dull or flat, it may not be ripe. Don’t thump it too much, though, so you don’t burst the fruit open.
Look Out For Uniformity
A ripe watermelon should have a uniform shape. It should also be without any lumps or bumps on the rind. So make sure you don’t pick an oddly shaped watermelon because it may have grown unevenly.
How To Prepare Watermelon For Hedgehogs
As stated before, watermelon is a healthy fruit for a hedgehog but should not be the main bulk of their diet. Instead, watermelons should be fed to hedgehogs as a small part of their meals.
There’s no need to wash the watermelon if you decide to feed your hedgehog, only the fruit’s soft, juicy interior. If you choose to feed your hedgehog the rind, always wash the exterior with cold or warm water to remove any dirt that may have gotten stuck to it.
Remember to take out the seeds before giving your hedgehog some watermelon. Hedgehogs are unable to digest them. This could make your hedgehog get bloated. In addition, watermelon seeds could clump up a hedgehog’s digestive tract if the hedgehog is not adequately hydrated.
Make sure you cut the watermelon into small tiny bits to make it easier for your hedgehog to eat. You can also mash the watermelon before feeding it to your hedgehog. Portion control should always be observed so you don’t overfeed your hedgehog.
Remember to clean your hedgehog’s cage one it’s done with its meal.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Watermelon?
Hedgehogs should be given a tablespoon of watermelon 2 – 3 times a week or less. Watermelon isn’t a staple food for hedgehogs and should not be fed to them daily.
How To Store Watermelon
Knowing how to store watermelon is important, especially if you got them in bulk or want to keep the ones you have fresh.
How To Store Uncut Watermelon
To store an uncut watermelon, keep it in a cool, dark place like a pantry, away from direct sunlight. It’s not a good idea to store it in a cold environment, such as a fridge, because doing so can actually decrease its lifespan.
A whole watermelon can be stored like this for up to two weeks if ripe and longer if unripe.
How To Store Cut Watermelon
Storing cut watermelon can be challenging, but there are two good options for keeping it fresh.
The first option is to refrigerate the cut watermelon at a low temperature and seal it in a container to prevent moisture loss.
The second option is to freeze the fruit by cutting it into small chunks and removing the rind. Once the chunks are frozen, they can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to six months.
Conclusion
It would be best if you exercise caution when feeding some watermelon to your hedgehog. Moderation when feeding hedgehogs is essential, so be sure to give them only a little. Additionally, ensure you serve the watermelon as a part of your hedgehog’s meal. Don’t make it the primary food in your hedgehog’s meal plan.
