Do Deer Eat Pumpkins? (Treat or Deter Deer)

Just about the time when Halloween is over, this question always pops up: Will deer eat whole pumpkin? Is pumpkin good for deer to eat? Can you feed pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread to wild deer?

Gardeners growing pumpkin plants worry about deer targeting their patches.

Key takeaway is, deer definitely do eat pumpkins, as well as summer squash and zucchini. They can eat the whole of the fruit: guts, seeds and shells (rinds). Deer also love to feed on pumpkin plants, so gardeners beware!

• Do Deer Prefer: Corn, Lemon, Orange, Carrot or Pumpkin?
• Do Whitetail Deer Eat Pumpkins?
• Is Pumpkin Good for Deer to Eat?
• Will Deer Eat Carved Pumpkins?
• Do Deer Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
• How to Feed Pumpkins to Deer
• Do Deer Eat Pumpkin Flowers and Pumpkin Leaves?
• How to Stop Deer Eating Your Pumpkin Plants
• What Other Animals Will Eat Raw Pumpkin?
• Conclusion

Hungry feral deer will be happy to encounter pumpkins. Our ones, spoiled and full, can sometimes be picky eaters, so they’ll eat it after prioritizing other foods. Watch the short video below with a little test we’ve done regarding which food deer prefer.

Do whitetail deer eat pumpkins?

Yes, whitetail deer are known to eat pumpkins. In fact, pumpkin is considered a highly attractive food source for whitetail deer during the fall and winter months when other sources of food may be scarce. The soft and sweet pulp inside the pumpkin is especially appealing to deer, and they may also eat the seeds and surrounding flesh as well. Some farmers and hunters may even use pumpkins as a bait to attract deer to a particular area for hunting or observation purposes.

Is pumpkin good for deer to eat?

Pumpkins are generally a safe treat for many animals - from pets to livestock.
However, feeding a large amount of a new food may cause gastrointestinal problems. But small quantities should be a tasty and nutritious treat.

Pumpkin has a lot going for it from a nutritional perspective. It is particularly rich in fiber content and vitamin A. This fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, copper, and manganese.

Nutritional values for 100 grams of raw pumpkin in a table format:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	559
Protein	30 g
Fat	49 g
Carbohydrates	11 g
Fiber	6 g
Sugar	1.4 g
Vitamin A	16 IU
Vitamin C	1.9 mg
Vitamin E	0.6 mg
Thiamin	0.2 mg
Riboflavin	0.2 mg
Niacin	4.6 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Folate	58 mcg
Pantothenic Acid	0.7 mg
Calcium	46 mg
Iron	8.8 mg
Magnesium	592 mg
Phosphorus	1233 mg
Potassium	809 mg
Zinc	7.6 mg
Copper	1.4 mg
Manganese	4.5 mg
Selenium	9.4 mcg

Note that the units of measurement are shown in grams (g), milligrams (mg), and micrograms (mcg). These values may vary depending on the specific type of pumpkin.

Will deer eat frozen or canned pumpkins? The answer is both are fine as long as there's no added sugar. Boiled or baked lightly salted fruit is ok as well.

How about pumpkin pie or bread?

Pumpkin bread ususally contains eggs so for that reason alone is not suitable for deer. Egg is used in deer repellant spays, and having powerful noses deer will probably not like the scent of the bread. Pumpkin pie filling is also a bad idea as it's likely to be loaded with ingredients these animals don’t need.

Will deer eat canned pumpkin?

We can speculate that - yes. However, you should mind the ingredients on the can. If it has added sugar, colorings, flavorings or preservatives - perhaps it's not the best deer feed, even though a small amount can likely do no harm. Our deer have tried cooked (boiled) carrots, beetroot and potatoes and seem to enjoy them.

Will deer eat carved pumpkins?

If you’re re-purposing your carved Halloween pumpkins, make sure they aren't covered in candle wax or paint before feeding to deer. Any moldy bits should be cut off and discarded.

picture source: unknown, Pinterest

Keep in mind that simply leaving old jack-o-lanterns in your yard for deer to find may also entice them to come back later. Consider taking the pumpkins to them rather than attracting feral deer into urban areas.

Do deer eat pumpkin seeds?

The answer is yes, deer enjoy eating pumpkin seeds which are a good source of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and are rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium and many other nutrients.

Here's the nutritional profile for 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	559
Protein	30 g
Fat	49 g
Carbohydrates	11 g
Fiber	6 g
Sugar	1.4 g
Vitamin A	16 IU
Vitamin C	1.9 mg
Vitamin E	0.6 mg
Thiamin	0.2 mg
Riboflavin	0.2 mg
Niacin	4.6 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Folate	58 mcg
Pantothenic Acid	0.7 mg
Calcium	46 mg
Iron	8.8 mg
Magnesium	592 mg
Phosphorus	1233 mg
Potassium	809 mg
Zinc	7.6 mg
Copper	1.4 mg
Manganese	4.5 mg
Selenium	9.4 mcg

Deer will consume almost the entire fruit, sometimes including the stem. 

How to feed pumpkins to deer

It is adviced to smash open the pumpkins so it is easier for deer to eat. You could also cut them in smaller chunks. Otherwise, deer try to crush them with their hooves and that's no easy matter. Deer might leave the shells laying around for a while and then come back to finish the leftovers. The rinds become softer with time, this might be one of the reasons. Also, deer always try to eat the best available foods first.

Do deer eat pumpkin flowers and pumpkin leaves?

Yes, deer will eat pumpkin flowers and leaves. The vine of the pumpkins is oftentimes the only part of the plant that deer won’t touch. 

Deer are most attracted to the leaves and tender shoots of young pumpkin plants. As the plants mature, deer may also feed on the pumpkin fruits, especially if they are still small and tender. In fact, deer are sometimes known to eat entire pumpkin plants, leaving only a few tattered leaves behind.

Deer can damage pumpkin plants so if you're growing some for yourself, you might be interested in the next question:

How to stop deer eating your pumpkin plants

Deer come - deer eat. So the best way to stop deer from eating your pumpkin plants is to prevent them coming into your yard in the first place. Read our post on how to protect garden from deer.

To put it simply, surefire way to bar deer from accessing your pumpkin patch is erecting a physical barrier. But do not use lightweight plastic meshes as deer can end up tangled in them, which sets panic mode in them, making these animals dangerous to both humans trying to help and themselves! In the abovementioned post, we're also discussing the use of repellents, barriers, hedges, dogs, coyote urine etc... to keep deer from eating your plants.

What other animals will eat raw pumpkin?

Many animals aside from deer will eat raw pumpkin, including:

• Deer
• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Rats
• Mice
• Squirrels
• Chipmunks
• Birds such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

In addition, some domestic pets like dogs and cats may also enjoy pumpkin as a treat.

Bottom line: deer can be fed pumpkin in moderation. It is not their top favorite, but is still appreciated and is a healthy supplement to their diet. Rest assured deer will gladly eat up any pumpkin leftovers to save you the trouble. In fact, many other animals enjoy this variety of squash and would appreciate this nutritious treat. Pumpkin plants are vulnerable to deer damage, so you might want to protect your garden from deer visits.

🎃 Do you have any questions for us about feeding deer pumpkins? Ask in the comment section below!

Last modified 15 November 2023 at 22:12