what to feed a wild hedgehog

Food list for feeding wild hedgehogs

• Manufactured pet foods
• Insects (a natural favourite for our insectivore friends)
• Meat from the kitchen
• A favourite! Scrambled, hard-boiled or mashed up boiled eggs – no seasonings, no oils. ...
• Fruits & Veg
• Dairy. No milk – it causes diahorrea – however… Natural yogurt and cottage cheese work well!
• Definite don’ts! ...

Full Answer

What is the best food for a hedgehog?

• Live crickets, mealworms, or silkworms
• Bits of plain, cooked meat with no seasonings or salt (no processed meats)
• Raw or cooked vegetables and fresh fruit (no citrus)
• Unsweetened “stage 1” pureed baby food (no grains)
• Hard-boiled or scrambled eggs (plain: no salt or butter)

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What human food can you feed a hedgehog?

• Berries
• Apples with no skin or seeds
• Bananas
• Melons
• Pears
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Hardboiled egg whites
• Cooked lean meats

What type of food do you feed a hedgehog?

Types Of Hedgehog Food:

• Cat/Dog Food: Believe it or not, cat food is often recommended for hedgehogs since it has high levels of protein. ...
• Soft hedgehog Food: Hedgehog food should include a variety of soft and hard foods. ...
• Insects: Although insects are an important aspect to incorporate into your hedgehog food, not all insects can be used.

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What foods are safe for hedgehogs?

• Romaine lettuce
• Arugula
• Dandelion greens
• Collard greens
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Asparagus
• Radish, turnip
• Green pepper

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What do wild hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs are mainly insectivorous, with key prey items being slugs, snails and larger insects, but will eat almost any animal substance and some plant material. They find much of their prey by smell.

Should you feed a wild hedgehog?

You can also get good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife food suppliers. Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread - milk can cause diarrhoea and bread isn't very nutritious. Check the food and water bowls each day to top them up with fresh water and food, and remove any food that hasn't been eaten.

What is the best food for wild hedgehogs?

Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog's main natural food source....A typical diet includes:Beetles.Earwigs.Caterpillars.Earthworms.Millipedes.Fly larvae.

What can a human feed a hedgehog?

Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices among hedgehogs. Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy. Starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes, and carrots should be avoided as well as dried vegetables.

What to do if you find a hedgehog in your garden?

Bring the hedgehog indoors, place it on a towel-wrapped hot water bottle in a cardboard box. When it is brighter, offer some dog food and water. If the hedgehog does not respond, then take it to your local wildlife rescue centre.

How do you take care of a wild hedgehog?

Handling and care Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn't go cold! You can provide some fresh water and meaty cat or dog food, but don't try to feed the hedgehog directly.

Do hedgehogs eat lettuce?

Dark, Green and Leafy Veterinarian-recommended hedgehog fruit and veggie mixes are based on nutritious greens. Kale, romaine or leaf lettuces and collard greens are all good choices.

Do hedgehogs eat porridge oats?

The main things to avoid when feeding hedgehogs in your garden are peanuts, oats, sunflower hearts and mealworms because these can lead to metabolic bone disease.

Do hedgehogs eat bird seed?

Bird Seed? Hedgehogs are often first seen in gardens eating spilled bird food under feeders. They will be eating the seeds as well as all the insects and invertibrates that gather there. Small quanities of seeds and nuts are not harmful to hedgehogs but can cause issues if eaten to excess.

What to do if you find a hedgehog out in the day?

If they are out during the day there MAY be a problem. If it seems to have a purpose and is going somewhere, or has a mouthful of leaves, it is probably fine. Otherwise a hedgehog found out during daylight should be restrained in a box or cage, INDOORS, then call a rescue for advice.

What do hedgehogs drink?

In terms of water, hedgehogs ingest water from their prey and natural sources like dew and puddles. Ponds also provide a water source so it's important to ensure garden ponds have sloping sides or an exit ramp so 'hogs don't fall in and get stuck.

Is it lucky to have a hedgehog in your garden?

Few people know that hedgehogs are actually valuable pest controllers in gardens. They eat snails, slugs, and insects, protecting your lovely plants from disease and pest infections. It's official: hedgehogs are a gardener's best friend.

What is the diet of hedgehogs?

It is important to remember that hedgehogs are naturally insectivores. This means that the majority of their diet needs to be from insects, it is around 70% of their diet. However, if these are not available, this is when they will turn to alternative foods.

What do hedgehogs eat?

The vast majority of a hedgehog’s diet is made up of bugs. These bugs are invertebrates, and are fairly easy for hedgehogs to catch and eat. Some of the most common types of bugs that wild hedgehogs consume are beetles, caterpillars, worms, slugs, and earwigs.

Do hedgehogs have a license?

In the US hedgehogs are not a native species, and you will not see any in the wild. While they are now legal to have as pets, to own a hedgehog, you need a specific license.

Do foxes hunt at night?

Their strong sense of smell and good hearing certainly comes in handy at night, helping them to hunt. They are happy to hunt for their food, and they are good at this. As they are so small, they do not need to eat a large amount of food per day.

Do hedgehogs eat bugs?

It is important to remember that hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters. This means that when they are available they will eat other types of food in addition to bugs. This can cover a wide variety of different types of food.

What do hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies. Hedgehogs are generalists and feed on a wide range of things. The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies).

What do invertebrates eat?

The most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes. As well as these, they also eat a wide range of other insects.

Do hedgehogs eat food?

Studies suggest that hedgehogs only use food in gardens as a supplement to their natural diet and therefore there is no evidence to suggest you are causing them to become dependent on you for food. This means you are free to go on holiday!

What are some good foods for hedgehogs?

Fruits and veg are great for hedgehogs in the wild, but they need a little preparation for the following reasons:

When do hedgehogs increase their calories?

In the lead up to winter, before hibernating, hedgehogs will often seek to increase their calorie intake.

What are hedgehogs in their element?

Hedgehogs are in their element in the wild. They forage, they find, they feed.

How to help a skunk?

Help them as best as you can by providing a food bowl and water which is topped up regularly.

Do hedgehogs need calorie increases?

If a hedgehog is pregnant or entering into hibernation they will need the calorie increase – and where they find it ready-made and the right balance – this will only help them in harsher conditions.

What is the best food for a hedgehog?

Of the 14 foods we have listed as safe to feed your hedgehog, most would agree the high-quality cat food is the best choice as it’s inexpensive, easy to find, and contains all of the necessary ingredients in the proper ratios. If you have access and unlimited funds, hedgehog food is the obvious choice. Hedgehogs enjoy a varied meal, so you may want to stock up on several of these items. Keep a constant watch over your pet’s weight because hedgehogs love to eat and can quickly become obese.

What do hedgehogs eat?

The hedgehog is an omnivore and feeds on a variety of insects and small animals, as well as plants, berries, and vegetables. Some of the foods they like to eat in the wild are as follows.

Can hedgehogs eat insects?

Unfortunately, your pet hedgehog will not get the exercise that a wild hedgehog gets. Also, some of these foods are hard for the wild hedgehog to get, so they eat very little. Even though insects contain Chitlin, which is an important nutrient for hedgehogs, it can gain weight if fed too many, so it’s better to give these foods as treats.

Do hedgehogs need water?

All life needs plenty of clean water to stay healthy, and the hedgehog is no different. We recommend you always keep a constant flow of clean water within the hedgehogs reach so they can stay hydrated at will, reducing urinary tract infections and other problems associated with dehydration.

Can hedgehogs be pets?

Hedgehogs are not commonly kept as pets, and many new parents may not have a clear idea of what types of foods are best to feed them and what foods you should avoid. We’ve researched this topic well and own several hedgehogs ourselves. We will list as many foods that they can eat as we can, as well as tell you a little about them and how to find them.

Is grape poisonous to hedgehogs?

Grapes – Grapes are also toxic to hedgehogs and should not them to your pet.

Is dry cat food good for cats?

Dry cat food is an excellent second choice, and many people recommend using cat food as their main food source due to its availability and high-quality ingredients. The thing to remember when buying cat food is to use a brand that has about 35% protein and 15% fat. You also want to make sure the first ingredient is chicken and not a meat byproduct or a carbohydrate.

What food should I feed to wild hedgehogs?

Good quality proprietary hedgeh og biscuits, dog biscuits and cat biscuits are best in that order. Along with plenty of fresh drinking water offered in a shallow sided dish. Cooked meaty dog and cat food are also good alternatives. Ark wildlife stocks a great range of hedgehog food that means you don’t have to go making your own!

What is the best food for hedgehogs?

Along with plenty of fresh drinking water offered in a shallow sided dish. Cooked meaty dog and cat food are also good alternatives. Ark wildlife stocks a great range of hedgehog food that means you don’t have to go making your own!

What else should I consider when feeding hedgehogs?

Hedgehogs are natural insectivores* but in addition to insects, they can enjoy and digest quite a variety of foods. Insect and animal proteins are best but bear in mind hedgehogs need a lot of fibre (think of all those insect and snail shells they eat!), so overly processed foods are out. Being nocturnal insectivores*, they are necessarily very efficient at processing vitamins (we need sunlight to produce vitamin D, hedgehogs do not), so watch the additives in pet foods as some cat food can have very high levels of vitamin A and D. Hedgehogs have evolved to metabolise fat easily and gain weight quickly, ideal for an animal that hibernates. While I’ve never seen an obese hedgehog in the wild, I’ve seen plenty in captivity! Just bear this in mind and avoid overfeeding, or excessively fatty foods.

Should I feed vegetables to my hedgehogs?

Hedgehogs do not generally feed on any vegetable matter but do ingest some greens incidentally while feeding on worms and other invertebrates. They do not make a nutritional contribution and do not need to be provided.

What harms hedgehogs?

There are so many easy ways to support and provide food for hedgehogs, that there are simply never reasons to offer milk, salted food or sweets. Hedgehogs may well appear to be enjoying them but you could well be killing them with kindness. Do not feed these items.

What causes a hedgehog to weaken?

It is a weakening of the bones (amongst other symptoms) caused by a lack of calcium. The hedgehogs’ diet is poor in calcium and much of its natural food prey have a poor calcium : phosphorous ratio (the same is true of bats, another nocturnal insectivore). Therefore, when providing supplementary feeds, it’s important to ensure we add calcium to their diet and do not strip it even more. The two things hedgehogs need are room to roam and good quality food that has an appropriate calcium balance to avoid this condition.

Why is dried fruit not good for hedgehogs?

The issue with dried fruit is the much higher sugar content and stickiness compared to fresh. As there is no nutritional reason for feeding dried fruit, the small risk of tooth decay excludes their use. Dried fruit will not attract hedgehogs to your garden and better foods are available.

What do pet hedgehogs eat?

In the wild, hedgehogs eat a diverse selection of insects as well as some plant material and very occasionally small or baby mammals (like pinkie mice). Hedgehogs usually eat at night. As pets, hedgehogs should mainly be fed high quality hedgehog food. Small amounts of gut loaded insects (i.e. insects fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard), such as worms and crickets and a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits can also be offered. Check with your veterinarian regarding which vegetables and fruits are recommended. Avoid lettuce and celery, which are low in nutritional value and avocados, which might be toxic. Insects should be purchased from a pet store or raised in the home; care should be used in obtaining insects from gardens where insecticides and fertilizers have been used. Earthworms can be a very nutritious treat. Your veterinarian may be able to provide some tips on successfully raising your own insects to offer your hedgehog.

What to feed lizards?

Small amounts of gut loaded insects (i.e. insects fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard), such as worms and crickets and a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits can also be offered. Check with your veterinarian regarding which vegetables and fruits are recommended.

Do hedgehogs have a propensity for obesity?

Hedgehogs have a propensity for obesity if the food intake is not monitored or controlled. Food given in measured proportions will help stop this problem.

Can I offer my hedgehog treats?

As a rule, hedgehogs don't require treats, although an occasional offering of fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains is acceptable. Hedgehogs should not be fed raw meats or eggs. Hedgehogs are not able to digest milk, which may lead to diarrhea. Do not offer nuts, seeds or hard foods like raw carrot as they may get suck in the roof of the mouth (especially peanut halves). Don't offer any "people food" without checking with your veterinarian first.

What do hedgehogs eat?

Food that can be taken regularly, bearing in mind that some hedgehogs have their own preferences over others! ground peanuts. peanut granules (never whole peanuts though) mealworms (dried) bird food . dried cat biscuits ( meat variety not fish ) chicken cat food. dried puppy meal ( meat variety not fish) sultanas.

What is the best food for a hedghog?

The crunchy cat biscuits or puppy complete food are also of benefit to the hedghog’s teeth.

What is the best food for a hedgehog?

Suitable hedgehog foods include: 1 Meaty cat or dog food (including gravy and fish flavours). I go for loaf varieties. 2 Cat or kitten biscuits 3 Specialist hedgehog food e.g. Spike’s or Ark Wildlife

What do hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs are also opportunistic and will eat a wide range of other foods including birds’ eggs and small dead animals like mice.

Why do hedgehogs need water?

Also provide plenty of piles of old logs and other hidey holes for beetles. Providing extra food and water helps to keep hedgehogs fit and healthy and to put on weight for hibernation. It also stops them resorting to worms and slugs.

Can hedgehogs eat milk?

Leave out a shallow bowl of water year round. NEVER feed hedgehogs bread and milk. They are lactose intolerant and it can make them very ill. Also avoid dried mealworms, peanuts and sunflower hearts – they can cause serious bone problems. You can find out more here.