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Yes, gerbils can eat pumpkin. The RSPCA lists pumpkin among vegetables to supplement a gerbil’s pellets, and Burgess names it with carrot, broccoli and courgette (zucchini) as a safe vegetable. Burgess suggests fresh food as a thumbnail-sized portion two or three times a week. Use plain, fresh, raw flesh, not pie filling or a carved pumpkin that has been out for days.
| Safe? | Yes |
|---|---|
| How much | A thumbnail-sized piece |
| How often | Two or three times a week |
| Best served | Fresh, raw, plain flesh in small cubes |
| Watch out for | Pie filling, spiced or sweetened pumpkin, old carved pumpkins |
Is pumpkin good for gerbils?
Yes, as one of their fresh foods. The RSPCA suggests fruit and vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, pumpkin and fennel to add variety to a gerbil's pellets. Burgess lists pumpkin among safe vegetables and herbs. A gerbil's main food is still a complete gerbil diet, about a tablespoon of nuggets a day according to Burgess.
How much pumpkin can a gerbil have?
Burgess suggests just a thumbnail-sized portion of fresh food, two or three times a week, served as small slices or cubes. Pumpkin can be that portion. Blue Cross reminds owners that gerbils can become overweight, so treats stay small.
Fresh, cooked, tinned and Halloween pumpkin
| Form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh raw flesh | Yes | Small cubes, washed |
| Squash and courgette (zucchini) | Yes | Burgess lists courgette; similar rules |
| Plain cooked pumpkin, cooled | A little | Not on the lists; raw is the safer choice |
| Pumpkin pie filling, spiced or sweetened purée | No | Sugar and spice; Burgess says avoid sugary foods |
| A carved pumpkin left out for days | No | It spoils quickly and may have candle wax on it |
| Ornamental gourds and decorative pumpkins | No | Grown for show, not food; Four Paws warns mouse owners never to give decorative pumpkin |
How to prepare pumpkin
- Use a fresh eating pumpkin. One bought for cooking, freshly cut.
- Peel and deseed. Cut a small piece of flesh away from the skin and stringy centre.
- Cube it. A thumbnail-sized amount in small cubes.
- Clear away leftovers. The RSPCA says remove stale food daily, as gerbils hoard.
Gerbils hide food in stores. Check their favourite corners the next day for squirrelled-away pumpkin before it spoils.
What about the seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are a separate treat. The RSPCA calls them a healthy treat; see can gerbils eat pumpkin seeds.
Other vegetables
Rotate pumpkin with cucumber and carrots. See our gerbil food list, the gerbil diet guide and the gerbil care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can gerbils eat raw pumpkin?
Yes. Fresh, raw pumpkin flesh in small cubes is the simplest form. The RSPCA and Burgess both list pumpkin as a vegetable for gerbils.
Can gerbils eat Halloween pumpkin?
Only a fresh piece cut on the day, from a pumpkin bought for eating. A carved pumpkin left out for days spoils and may carry candle wax.
Can gerbils eat pumpkin skin?
We would peel it. The flesh is the part people and pets eat, and the skin is tough and may have been handled or waxed.
Can gerbils eat tinned pumpkin?
Plain pumpkin purée is not on the gerbil lists, and pie filling has sugar and spice. Fresh flesh is the better choice.
