Pumpkins can be harmful and even fatal for hedgehogs, expert warns

Lisa Joyner, Charlotte Daly
·2 min read
hedgehog outside in the autumn
Pumpkins can be harmful for hedgehogsMIKEPOWLES - Getty Images

Pumpkins go hand in hand with Halloween, but wildlife experts are warning people to dispose of the carved squash correctly.

According to CJ Wildlife, pumpkins can be harmful and potentially fatal for hedgehogs because they are low in protein and can cause stomach upset. Pumpkins are also often decorated with candles and other objects that can kill animals if eaten.

'Hedgehogs are omnivores, so if they eat too much pumpkin this can negatively impact their digestion,' says Eric Michels, head of Vivara Pro at CJ Wildlife. 'Consuming this high-fibre fruit is likely to lead to diarrhoea and consequent dehydration, which can be fatal by leaving hedgehogs too weak to hunt for food ahead of their hibernation.'

Instead of leaving pumpkins on the ground, chop them on bird tables away from hedgehogs. Eric suggests hanging pumpkins in the trees for birds and squirrels to easily feast on.

hedgehog outside in autumn
DAMIAN KUZDAK - Getty Images

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society agrees, telling us: 'We do advise anyone getting rid of leftover Halloween pumpkins to dispose of them responsibly and with wildlife in mind. Dumping them in the wild will very likely just result in a pulpy mess for someone else to clean up.

'In the wild, hedgehogs mostly eat lots of beetles, grubs and worms, but they will welcome meaty cat or dog food, or kitten biscuits to supplement this, alongside shallow dishes of fresh water.'

Meanwhile, Forestry England is urging people not to dump pumpkins in woodlands. 'We see many posts on social media encouraging people to leave pumpkins in the woods for wildlife to eat, but please do not do this,' says Kate Wollen, Assistant Ecologist, Forestry England.

'Pumpkins are not natural to the woodland and while some wildlife may enjoy a tasty snack it can make others, such as hedgehogs, very poorly. Feeding pumpkins, or any other food in the forest, to birds, foxes, badgers, deer, and boar can make them unwell and can spread disease.'

Other ideas for reusing pumpkins include making delicious homemade soup, using them in compost bins, or donating them to zoos, animal shelters, farms, or community gardens.

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