Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables enjoyed globally thanks to their amazing taste and multiple health benefits. As a hedgehog owner, you might wonder whether these cute little creatures can share in the goodies offered by the popular vegetable.
This article answers the question “Do Hedgehogs Eat Tomatoes?” by discussing the nuances of feeding tomatoes to cute spiky mammal and their likely reaction to the taste of the fruit. We also reveal potential pitfalls to watch out for when offering tomatoes to domesticated hedgehogs.
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Do Hedgehogs Eat Tomatoes?
Hedgehogs can enjoy fresh tomatoes as an occasional treat. Tomatoes offer vitamins, minerals, and other helpful nutrients for hedgehogs but the high sugar, water, and fiber content can cause diarrhea, sore mouths, and obesity when excessive amounts are eaten. Always serve fully ripe tomatoes to eliminate tomatine traces which may lead to hedgehog poisoning.
Tomatoes are eaten all over the planet for a reason – the amazing taste adds flavor to all kinds of diets. No wonder many hedgehog owners are eager to share their favorite vegetable with their beloved little guys. While hedgehogs may enjoy the sweet taste of tomatoes, caution is the key to preventing complications.
Nutritional Information For Tomatoes
The table below reveals the nutritional information for 1 small (91g) fresh tomato.
| Nutrient | Quantity |
| Calories | 16 kcal |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Sodium | 5mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3.5g |
| Fiber | 1.1g |
| Sugars | 2.4g |
| Proteins | 0.8g |
| Vitamin C | 12.5mg |
| Vitamin K | 7.2mcg |
The total carb content in 91g of a fresh piece of tomato is 3.5g comprising 2.4 g of sugars and 1.1g of fiber. The fat content in tomatoes is negligible like the majority of fruits while proteins make up less than 1g.
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, especially key chemicals like lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Additionally, 91g of fresh tomatoes offers only 16 calories, about 73 percent of which are derived from carbs while 18 percent are from proteins and 9 percent from fats.
In essence, tomatoes are a low-calorie, low-fat vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals for effective growth and vitality in hedgehogs. Tomatoes have a low glycemic index which has minimal effects on blood glucose levels thereby protecting hedgehogs from diabetes and resultant effects.
Are Tomatoes Good For Hedgehogs?
Tomatoes offer awesome benefits for hedgehogs as long as they are eaten in moderation. The nutritional information above makes it clear that it provides good amounts of Vitamins C and K which keep their immune systems at maximum functionality to repel diseases and infections.
The Vitamin A content enhances pet hedgehog’s eye health even if they do not have the best vision in the world. Besides, tomatoes are rich in dietary fiber which aids digestion and enables free bowel movements in hedgehogs.
Unlike other fruits, tomatoes contain low calcium quantities, promoting bone formation and maintenance without putting hedgehogs at risk of bladder stones and other health complications from excessive calcium.
Are Tomatoes Bad For Hedgehogs?
Serving unripe tomatoes to hedgehogs could expose them to food poisoning thanks to the tomatine content. The first rule of serving tomatoes to any animal is to make sure it is completely ripe and hedgehogs are no different.
Additionally, serving excessive quantities of fruits to animals can expose them to the risk of tummy upsets and related complications. This is thanks to the high natural sugar and fiber content which typically induces diarrhea.
Hedgehogs have some of the most delicate digestive systems among popular pets and exposure to acidic foods could cause a lot of trouble. Tomatoes contain a couple of natural acids which should not be ingested in high amounts because the results can be terrible.
How Many Are Too Many Tomatoes For Hedgehogs?
Adult hedgehogs should eat no more than 1 small-sized tomato or slice of a bigger-size tomato to prevent detrimental effects like diarrhea and tummy upsets. Tomatoes should be introduced slowly while keeping an eye on the hedgehog’s reactions.
Slow introductions also get the hedgehog’s digestive systems used to tomatoes before they can enjoy the maximum stipulated quantities. Due to the presence of natural acids, we recommend pairing up tomatoes with high-fat foods like mealies to limit the effects on their stomach.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Tomatoes Every Day?
Hedgehogs should not eat tomatoes daily because it may do more harm than good. Experts recommend feeding the tasty fruit to hedgehogs no more than once every fortnightly. Not only could the sugar content cause diabetes and obesity but the presence of acids may lead to sore mouths in hedgehogs.
These creatures are not smart enough to reject anything provided in excess quantities as long as the taste is good. They’ll be happy to gorge on tomatoes daily despite the side effects.
How To Prepare Tomatoes For Hedgehogs
Tomatoes can be a powerful source of nutrients for hedgehogs but the method of preparation could make all the difference. Firstly, the tomato should be fully ripe and appear fresh with no traces of molds and bacteria. Unripe tomatoes may expose hedgehogs to tomatine poisoning and related side effects.
Choose organic tomatoes from your own backyard garden or local Farmer’s Market if possible to be sure there are no traces of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals. These chemicals can expose hedgehogs to food poisoning signs like stomach upsets, lethargy, and reduced appetites.
Tomatoes should be sliced into small chunks to make digestion easier for hedgehogs. These creatures neither have the sharpest teeth nor the largest mouths and throats. Offering small slices enables easy swallowing with minimal risk of choking.
Fresh tomatoes should be washed one last time before serving to hedgehogs either by hand-feeding or leaving the slices in their food bowls.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Tomato Seeds?
Tomato seeds are not toxic for hedgehogs as long as the green parts and leaves are removed from the fruit. We recommend cutting off the viles as well so hedgehogs only eat the real fruity areas with seeds.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Tomato Leaves?
Tomato leaves should never make their way into the hedgehog’s food bowl because they may contain toxic substances like solanine. Apart from the leaves, the spines could also feature poisons that can put the hedgehog’s health into disarray.
Wild hedgehogs and other animals avoid eating tomato plants due to the component poisons and neither should caged hedgehogs be exposed to them.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Tomato Sauce?
Hedgehogs should never eat tomato sauce because of the presence of chemicals like preservatives during the processing phase. Tomato sauce may also contain additives like salt and sugar which can expose the hedgehog’s organs to severe problems.
Never feed tomato sauce to hedgehogs under any circumstances because the negatives outweigh the positives.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes are healthy for hedgehog consumption as long as they are fully ripe and fresh with zero traces of molds or bacteria. The tomatoes should be washed thoroughly with salty water or vinegar to eliminate disease-causing organisms.
Conclusion: Do Hedgehogs Eat Tomatoes?
Hedgehogs can enjoy moderate quantities of fully ripe, mold-free, and pesticide-free tomatoes. They should eat tomatoes only once or twice per month because the component acids and sugars could cause tummy upsets.
Always wash tomatoes thoroughly and slice them into small chunks before feeding hedgehogs. Adding a few mealworms to the mix could reduce the acid content leading to better digestive reactions. Allowing hedgehogs to eat excessive amounts of tomatoes can result in diarrhea, obesity, and mouth sores.