Hedgehogs aren’t often kept as pets. Many new parents don’t know what foods to give them or what foods to avoid. This topic has been well-researched by us, and we have several hedgehogs. We’ll list as many foods as they can eat and tell you how to find them.
We will be discussing the dietary needs of hedgehogs and we will take you along. To help you keep your hedgehog healthy, we’ll discuss how much protein and fat they require as well as which foods can lead to obesity.
Hedgehogs eat wild foods
Hedgehogs are an omnivore, meaning they eat a wide variety of insects, small animals, plants, berries, and other vegetables. These are some of the foods that they enjoy eating in the wild:
- Baby mice
- Beetles
- Caterpillar
- Slugs
- Snails
- Worms
- Small animals
- Vegetables and fruits
Your pet hedgehog won’t get as much exercise as a wild one. Some of these foods can be difficult for wild hedgehogs to eat so they only eat very small amounts. Although insects have Chitlin which is an important nutrient, hedgehogs can gain weight if they are given too many. It’s best to treat them with these foods.
1. Crickets
Crickets can be bought live, frozen-dried or canned. Live crickets are best as they can provide mental stimulation and exercise for your pet while they try to catch them. High in protein and Chitlin, crickets are a great source of Chitlin.
2. Mealworms
You can also purchase mealworms in many forms. Mealworms can be even more beneficial than live crickets in that they don’t jump away. However, they are still able to move around and provide stimulation for your pet’s mind and body. They are also high in protein and Chitlin.
3. Waxworms
Waxworms have a higher fat content than either mealworms or crickets so they should only be used as an occasional treat.
4. Caterpillar
Caterpillars are another high-protein food, but they also have a lot of fat. Caterpillars can be slow-moving so it is fine to buy freeze-dried and canned caterpillar food products and give them as treats.
5. Snails
Although snails don’t contain Chitlin they are rich in protein and low in fat. Snails are a great choice for treats.
Gut Loading
Gut loading is a must before you feed many insects to your hedgehog. Gut loading involves feeding your insect’s nutrition for a few days in order to provide nutrients. This allows your pet to receive nutrients. Gut loading is another reason to give your hedgehog live insects whenever possible.
- TIP! Pet hedgehogs shouldn’t eat too many insects. They could become obese. They should be treated as a treat only every other day.
The Best Foods for Pet Hedgehogs
Pet hedgehogs need to eat high-quality poultry-based meals with 25%-35% protein, and 10%-15% fat.
6. Hedgehog food
Hedgehog food will be the best choice because it will have the right balance of fats and proteins, as well as important nutrients that are specific to hedgehog health. Hedgehog food is available in many brands, but it can be difficult to find, particularly if you live far from the nearest one.
7. Dry Cat Food
Cat food can be used as a second option, but many people recommend cat food as their primary food source because of its high-quality ingredients and availability. When buying cat food, it is important to choose a brand with at least 35% protein and 15% of fat. Also, ensure that the first ingredient is not a meat byproduct.
8. Dry Dog Food
If you adhere to the guidelines, dry dog food can be as good as cat food. It’s harder to find good brands than cat food because dog food has less protein. Dog food brands tend to include other types of poultry, such as turkey and duck. This is fine.
9. Baby Food
High-quality ingredients are used in baby food. You can snack on chicken or other delicious flavors. It can be difficult to determine the exact percentage of fat and protein in baby food, so it is best to limit the use of baby food to snacks or occasional meals.
10. Lean Meats
Chicken and turkey are great choices for snacks. Although a hedgehog cannot eat only lean meats, it can be a good addition to their diet. To remove harmful bacteria, cook the meat thoroughly before you give it to your pet.
11. Eggs can be hardboiled or scrambled.
Eggs can be hardboiled or scrambled, which are rich in fat and protein. They make great treats from time to time. The yolk can be removed before you serve to make them more nutritious.
12. Water
The hedgehog is not the only one who needs clean water. To ensure that your hedgehogs are well hydrated, we recommend keeping water at their fingertips. This will help reduce the risk of developing urinary tract infections or other complications associated with dehydration.
13. Fruits
Hedgehogs are able to eat almost all berries and love apples. Your hedgehog may also enjoy bananas, peaches, and watermelon. Although fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for your hedgehog’s well-being, they can also be high in sugar so it is important to limit their consumption.
14. Vegetables
Hedgehogs love vegetables but have difficulty digesting them. If you give your pet veggies, make sure to cut them into smaller pieces. To soften hard vegetables like broccoli or carrots, you can cook them first. Your hedgehog will eat broccoli, cucumbers, and green peppers.
These are the 6 Foods Hedgehogs Should Not Eat
These are some foods that you should not give your hedgehog.
- Avocado – Avocado is toxic and should not be given to your hedgehog.
- Grapes – Grapes can also be toxic to hedgehogs so you should not give them to your pet.
- All Dried Fruits: Dried fruits of all kinds are a potential danger for choking.
- Potatoes – Potatoes are low in nutritional value, but high in calories and carbs that can cause obesity. Your hedgehog may also find starchy vegetables difficult to digest.
- Raw meat – Any type of raw meat can contain dangerous bacteria such as E Coli or Salmonella. You should not give it to.
- Hedgehogs can get diarrhea from milk if they are lactose-intolerant. Yogurt may not cause the same reaction to milk as yogurt, but it is best to avoid it unless your hedgehog loves it.
Summary
We have 14 food options that are safe for your hedgehog. Most people would agree that high-quality cat food is the best option. It’s affordable, easy to find, and has all the right ingredients. Hedgehog food is the best choice if you have unlimited funds and access to money. You might want to stockpile a variety of food for hedgehogs. Hedgehogs love to eat so be sure to keep an eye on their weight.
We hope that you enjoyed our brief look at the diet of an exotic hedgehog. If you found this information helpful and it helped you choose a diet for your hedgehog, please share the following 14 foods you can feed them and which foods you should avoid on Facebook or Twitter.
What should hedgehogs not be fed?
Hedgehog-feeding Foods such as canned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits should be avoided. Never give hedgehogs milk or bread since milk can induce diarrhea and bread is low in nutrients. Check the food and water bowls every day to replenish them with new water and food, and to remove any uneaten food.
What are hedgehogs’ favorite foods?
The hedgehog’s primary natural food source is insects and other invertebrates. Beetles and earwigs are common foods.
Can hedgehogs be fed milk?
Never feed milk or bread to hedgehogs since they can’t digest it and it hurts their tummies. Keep in mind that leaving food out can attract various kinds of animals, including predators, in addition to hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs consume bread?
Bread should not be eaten by hedgehogs. They do not have a digestive system that allows them to handle it adequately. Bread, on the other hand, has little nutritional value for hedgehogs and will fill their bellies, preventing them from consuming other, more nutritious items.
How often should hedgehogs eat?
Some people eat twice a day, in the morning and at night, while others just feed once. Burgess recommends that food is normally offered in 12 parts twice a day, so the pet receives a couple of meals a day, rather than eating all of their food in a few hours and starving for the following 20 hours.
What may hedgehogs consume?
Hedgehogs may drink water from natural sources like puddles, but keeping a shallow dish of fresh, simple water on hand all year is the best way to keep them hydrated.
What do hedgehogs require in their enclosure?
Hedgehogs require temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees. Keep your hedgehog’s cage away from drafts, direct sunshine, and freezing temperatures. You could want to provide your hedgehog a tiny warm location in his cage where he can go to be warm but also get away from if he gets too heated.
Do hedgehogs prefer hay or straw?
Choose natural nesting materials such as leaves, hay, or straw for a hedgehog house in your yard. If you need bedding for an indoor hedgehog care box, hay and straw are still OK, but you may also use alternative small animal bedding, such as wood shaving bedding or fleece.
Can hedgehogs consume dog food?
They are wild animals; they do not require ‘treats,’ only basic and uncomplicated healthy food; they will obtain diversity from their natural diet. We propose providing cat or kitten biscuits or moist cat/dog food with a small dish of water nearby.
What kinds of soft foods can hedgehogs eat?
Crickets crumbling, mealies mashing, and live mealworms that have recently shed appear white and are softer than conventional mealworms, making them more appealing to some hedgehogs. Fresh or freeze-dried insects are softer than canned insects. Canned insects must be refrigerated after opening to avoid spoilage.