what to feed a young hedgehog

You can try offering food to a young hedgehog, but make sure you feed them something suitable:

• Dog or cat food - tinned dog or cat food, and cat biscuits or crushed dog biscuits, make good hedgehog foods.
• Good quality, meaty specialist hedgehog foods - these can be bought from wildlife food suppliers.
• Soak biscuits in water for very young hoglets that weigh less than...

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 you feed a 7 week old hedgehog?

ItemsGoats milk (fresh or powder)Soft syringe with nipple tip.Baby bottle/food warmer.Boiled filtered water.Multivitamin drops.Puppy pee pads.Warm fleece blanket or hide.Microwavable heating pad.More items...

What do baby hedgehogs drink?

Hoglets should be fed with a milk substitute such as Esbilac which contains all the fats, vitamins and minerals they need. Under no circumstances should you give them cow's formula which will kill them. Goat's milk with Goat's colostrum may be used for a short period of time if nothing else is available.

What is the best thing to 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.

How do you look after a baby hedgehog?

It is essential to provide adequate constant warmth and regular feeding and toileting. Hoglets can deteriorate very quickly especially if they are not kept at an even temperature. Their best chance of survival is with someone experienced with their care.

What do 4 week old hedgehogs eat?

A baby hedgehog will begin to eat solid food at 3-4 weeks old. Hoglets require all of the vitamins, fats, and minerals found in cow's milk. They should not be fed with cow's formula since it will kill them. A goat's milk and colostrum is wonderful and nutritious food that just has to be used carefully.

How big is a 3 month old hedgehog?

While there are over 17 different kinds of hedgehogs, there are only a few that are consistently kept as pets....Hedgehog Size and Growth Chart.AgeWeight RangeLength Range1 month4–6 ounces1–2 inches2 months7–9 ounces2–4 inches3 months10–12 ounces2–4 inches4 months13–15 ounces4–12 inches3 more rows•May 8, 2022

What do you feed rescued hedgehogs?

Dog or cat food - tinned dog or cat food, and cat biscuits or crushed dog biscuits, make good hedgehog foods. Good quality, meaty specialist hedgehog foods - these can be bought from wildlife food suppliers. Soak biscuits in water for very young hoglets that weigh less than 300g, as they can't eat dry food.

What can I feed a hedgehog in my garden?

Feeding hedgehogs Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits. If the hedgehog is very young - roughly apple-sized - you'll need to soak the biscuits in water first. You can also get good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife food suppliers.

What can hedgehogs not eat?

What can hedgehogs not eat:Milk.Avocado.Bread.Raw meat.Citrus fruit.Raisins.Onion.Grapes.More items...

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.

When can you touch baby hedgehogs?

15 days oldBaby hedgies are cute, but shouldn't be handled Since a mother hedgehog that thinks its nest is in danger may abandon or kill off the litter, it's advised to wait until babies are at least 15 days old before handling.

Do hedgehogs drink milk?

What not to feed hedgehogs. The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs: Bread and milk: hogs are lactose intolerant so milk can make them ill and bread has little nutritional value.

What water do hedgehogs drink?

A feeding station will ensure the food isn't pinched by pets. 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.

Do hedgehogs drink milk?

Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread as they can't digest it and it upsets their stomachs. Be aware that putting any food out will attract all sorts of wildlife including predators, not just hedgehogs.

Can hedgehogs drink tap water?

Really, it just depends on the quality of your tap water. There are some people on the forum that use tap water for their hogs, and don't have any issues with it. If your city's water is pretty clean, then it should be fine if you want to use it.

What do newborn hedgehogs eat?

You can try offering food to a young hedgehog, but make sure you feed them something suitable: Dog or cat food - tinned dog or cat food, and cat biscuits or crushed dog biscuits, make good hedgehog foods. Good quality, meaty specialist hedgehog foods - these can be bought from wildlife food suppliers.

How often do hedgehogs massage their babies?

So mama hedgie massages their bellies to help their digestive tract do its thing! The mama hedgehog is also usually around to feed on demand and she nurses every 2-3 hours every time the baby wakes up from napping. This goes on usually for 3-5 weeks. She provides warmth and comfort by laying on top of them while they sleep. If you have found yourself in need of having to know how to feed a baby hedgehog, then you too will need to massage them, feed them formula every 2-3 hours and on demand, and provide warmth for them to thrive and grow.

How to feed a hedgehog?

How to feed a baby hedgehog with syringe. Hold the syringe in one hand and the hoglet in the other. For tiny new borns, hold them in your palm on an angle so they are sort of on their backs, with your thumb under their chin. Bring the syringe's nipple tip right to their mouth if they are still too young to see it.

How to toilet a baby hedgehog?

Since the baby hedgehog is not being groomed by their mama, they need your help with their digestion. Grab a cut piece of puppy pad into 2″ x 2″ / 5cm x 5cm squares and wrap it around their bottoms. This is to catch any excretions that can happen.

What temperature should a hedgie cage be?

Their cage temperature also needs to be the same as adult hedgies, between 74° and 80° with a CHE set-up. Utilize a fleece snuggle sack in between feedings to keep them comfortable. For extra warmth, a microwavable snuggle safe pad can be used. Place it under them during feedings.

How long does it take for a hedgehog to walk?

By 3-4 weeks they should be able to walk up to it so the hedgie will attack it with their new forming teeth and lick it. So hold it a few cm away from them and let them come to it. The best advice regarding how to feed a baby hedgehog is to gently squeeze the formula out and never squeeze too much, too fast.

How to keep hedgehogs from gaining weight?

Weigh them daily to keep tack of their progress. If they are not gaining weight, increase the amount given at each feeding and feed more often . Of course, by now you should have sought extra advice from a reputable breeder, a hedgehog rescue center, or veterinarian that knows hedgehogs well.

How to make goat milk for hedgehogs?

Try to use only filtered boiled water for the mix. Follow the directions on the goats milk powder and measure out 3 mls for the syringe in a separate container. Place covered excess formula in the fridge for up to 48 hours. A hedgehog mother's milk is body temperature, so you'll need to serve the formula at 35°c / 95°F. Formula can be re-heated by placing it inside a baby bottle and then into a bottle warmer. You can also place the formula inside a sealed container and sit it in boiling water for a minute. Always swirl rather than shake it to mix it to avoid disrupting the colostrum too much. Before feeding, make sure the formula is a safe temperature by placing a drop on your inner forearm and/or using a thermometer. Making sure you have exactly 3-5 mls in your syringe, depending on age chart below, you can now move on to the next step.

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.

Do hedgehogs like vegetables?

Hedgehogs like vegetables, but they have a bit of difficult y digesting them, so if you do give your pet veggies, cut them into small pieces first. If the vegetable is hard like carrots or broccoli, cook it a bit first to soften it a little. Vegetables your hedgehog can eat include broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, corn, green peppers, and peas.

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.

Where does Nicole live?

Nicole is the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts’ knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.

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.

Do waxworms have fat?

Waxworms are quite a bit higher in fat than the crickets or mealworms, so these should be an occasional treat.

What do wild hedgehogs eat?

Some are capable of traveling enormous distances at night. They eat considerable amounts of insects of any kind, especially underground ones, such as:

Why are hedgehogs important?

Wild hedgehogs help in pest control as they mainly eat insects. When adopting a domestic hedgehog, it's important to imitate their diet as close as possible to what they would eat in the wild. This way, we make sure they live a long and happy life. You may also be interested in our article about why hedgehogs bite.

How long do hedgehogs drink milk?

Hoglets will consume only milk until they are approximately six weeks of age. Then, they will begin eating the same foods as their mother, which we have mentioned above.

Why do wolves hibernate?

This is why they eat large amounts of food and why many hibernate when weather conditions make it difficult to obtain the amount of food resources they require. These animals are considered omnivorous or insectivores as the majority of their diet consists in insects. The rest of their diet consists in fruits and vegetables.

What is the diet of a hedgehog?

The rest of their diet consists in fruits and vegetables. However, we must bear in mind that their diets will vary depending on their species and which part of the world they are from. When it comes to the nutrition of a hedgehog. Their diet consists of: Protein: should be around 22% of their diet, always less than 35%.

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What are some forbidden foods for hedgehogs?

Here is the complete list of forbidden foods for hedgehogs: Dairy products. Fatty foods.

Is There a Specific Timeline That I Need To Follow For My Baby Hedgehog’s Food?

It varies from week to week, and the hedgehog’s diet and consumption need to be checked and observed to ensure that the hedgehog eats healthy and has a fair consumption of food so that it remains healthy.

Why are hedgehogs prone to infections?

While a hedgehog is young, it is prone to many infections and diseases because of the baby hedgehog’s digestive system’s sensitivity. The sensitive digestive system is why many rules come into play when hedgehog owners feed their baby hedgies.

How to get a hedgehog to eat solid food?

Initially, try mixing solid foods along with the liquid that you provide to your little hedgie. Liquid and solid foods mixed make it very easy for the hedgehog to consume the food they have given very easily.

Why do hedgehogs keep an eye on their newborn?

Keep an eye on the newborn while its mother feeds it to ensure that the mother hedgehog does not harm her child.

How old are hedgehogs when they start growing?

When a hedgehog is at least two weeks old, its spines start pushing up, and it starts showing immense growth. At this age, hedgehogs are completely blind and deaf. They need continuous guidance in their food consumption.

Can hedgehogs be fed?

All of the methods of handling and feeding premature and newborn hedgehogs are unknown to the common person. Hence, it is advised that you take your hedgehog to an expert as soon as you can to ensure that your hedgehog is fed and cared for properly without causing any harm to its sensitive body.

Can hedgehogs eat milk?

Milk is regarded as the usual staple given to your pets because of the amount of nutrition it contains. Like adult hedgehogs, baby hedgehogs can not be given milk or any food with lactose present in it as an ingredient.

How Much Do Baby Hedgehogs Need To Eat?

Baby hedgehogs need to small amounts and often. Initially and in the first 3-4 weeks of life, they will or should feed exclusively on milk before transitioning into larger servings and onto solid meat-based foods.

How do hedgehogs start feeding?

The mother hedgehog will begin by massaging her hoglets and getting their digestive systems prepared for feeding.

How often do hedgehogs eat?

The younger the hedgehog, the more frequently they should be feeding. As they age and get bigger, hedgehogs can go longer without food until they will only eat once, per night.

What is the best food for a hedgehog?

The diet of a baby hedgehog primarily depends on their age and weight. Milk, preferably mothers’ milk, is the ideal food source when they are very young.

What temperature should milk be served at?

A mother will provide her milk at body temperature, so you should replicate this by serving any formula at 35°C / 95°F – never cold!

What are the essential aspects of care?

Regular feeding, warmth, and toileting are all essential aspects of care that simply need to be done right.

Why do dogs go longer between meals?

In time, and as their digestive system develops and adapts , they can handle a higher frequency of food and go longer between meals.

How Often Do Hedgehogs Drink Water?

A healthy hedgehog should drink somewhere in the vicinity of 1 ½ to 2 ½ tablespoons of water every day.

What do hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs are omnivores, and as such, they can eat small amounts of lean, cooked meat, like chicken, salmon, tuna, or the occasional bite of steak.

Why does my hedgehog stop eating?

Featured Image Credit: szabfer, Pixabay. There are many reasons that a hedgehog might stop eating. Many of them have to do with stress, but others could be signs of disease or illness. Don’t be alarmed if your hedgehog doesn’t eat when you first bring them home or if you move to a new place.

What to feed a hedgehog?

Meats. Try to get lean cuts of the following meats , and only give them to your hedgehog as a snack a few times a week. It’s best if you buy the meats raw and cook them yourself, as precooked meats are often full of salt and other ingredients that are bad for your pet’s health. Chicken. Salmon.

What does it mean when a hedgehog has a blockage?

They may have an intestinal blockage, an upset stomach, problems with their teeth and gums, or a more serious disease, like cancer. If you’ve tried to solve the problem yourself to no avail, take your hedgehog to the vet as soon as possible.

Why won't my hedgehog eat?

If you suspect that your hedgehog’s refusal to eat is due to environmental factors rather than health problems, you can try to remedy the problem yourself. You can also try to tempt your hedgehog to eat by offering them high-value foods, like baby food or other beloved treats.

What could be affecting my hedgehog's appetite?

Other things that could be affecting your pet’s appetite include loneliness or discomfort due to temperature . You should do everything in your power to make sure your hedgehog is comfortable, and that may include changing the ambient temperature in their tank or getting them a friend.

Why do hedgehogs like crickets?

Crickets are a great choice if your hedgehog is prone to gain weight because they’re lower in fat than mealworms.

What happens if a hedgehog eats too much phosphorus?

If there’s too much phosphorus in your hedgehog’s diet, it could cause a calcium deficiency. This calcium deficiency, Metabolic Bone Disease, is a weakening of the bones. It’s not only painful but can also be fatal. So, it’s crucial to maintain a proper proportion of calcium and phosphorus in your hedgehog’s diet.

Why is fiber important for hedgehogs?

The thing is that fiber is an essential element of your hedgehog’s diet as it helps the digestion of protein and fat. In the wild, they get their fiber from insect exoskeletons, which contain chitin. Hedgehogs have a particular enzyme called chitinase, which enables them to use this chitin as their fiber intake.

Why do hedgehogs eat all night?

Because in the wild, hedgehogs forage all night searching for and consuming food. In captivity, they’re not burning energy in this way, but the high-fat content of insects, coupled with the hedgehog’s relative inactivity, means it’s prone to putting on weight. Also, in the wild, African Pygmy hedgehogs are aestivate.

What do hedgehogs eat?

So, hedgehogs will devour almost whatever happens to cross their path if it looks or smells tasty. For example, they’ll eat insects, beetles, worms, slugs, millipedes, spiders, and ants.

What to avoid with meat?

But, there are things to avoid apart from unnamed meats or poultry. These include: 1 Meat or poultry by-products. Even if the name of the meat or poultry is specified, you can’t be sure exactly what it is. 2 Preservatives like Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). These are thought to be safe in low doses but otherwise may be carcinogenic. 3 Ethoxyquin. This is an antioxidant with animal safety issues.

How to calculate protein content of 30%?

But it’s so straightforward even your hedgehog could do it. If you have a protein content of 30% and a moisture content of 10%, deduct the moisture content from 100. That gives you 90. Then divide your protein content of 30% by 90 and multiply by 100.

What Can a Hedgehog Safely Eat?

Hedgehogs love meaty protein based diets. In this section, you will learn fun treats to fully optimize nutrition and quality of life. We'll go over the best kibble to feed your hedgehog, and the different types of food you can add to their kibble for increased nutritional value.

How much food do hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs only eat 1-2 tablespoons per day. Even though the food list will cost a bit more when you choose higher quality food, it will last longer and so will the lifespan of your hedgie. If you portion properly, you will only have to purchase hedgehog food twice a year.

What is the recommended fat percentage for hedgehogs?

For the average hedgehog food list, the golden range for fat ratio is 10%-13%. This range gives you a comfortable scale to find food that will meet your hedgehogs needs.

Why does my hedgehog's poop smell?

Be warned, irregular odor in their stool is a common side effect of digesting fish. As mentioned above, hedgehogs thrive with protein rich foods, and fish is extremely high in protein and other essential nutrients so maybe the smell isn't such a bad thing IF there is a balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio! Before feeding anything, check the nutritional labels before, and remember, you are looking for a balanced ratio of Ca:P that is 1:1 or 2:1. If it has zero phosphorus or calcium in it, like snow crab, then a little of that should be fine if they'll eat it as a treat. It is high in protein after all.

What insects are not balanced in calcium?

Speaking of insects though, you want to avoid feeding anything that is not balanced in calcium and phosphorus – so be careful of mealworms, crickets, and hornworms . We only know of one worm that is balanced in Ca:P, and that's the black soldier fly larvae – a nutritious calci worm.

Why can't hedgehogs eat acidic food?

Hedgehogs should avoid ingesting or anointing with anything acidic because it causes upset stomach, mouth sores, and ulcers. The items to strike off your hedgehog's food list includes, but is not limited to:

What to feed a hedgehog?

The best choice is a calci worm to feed them, so check out black soldier fly larvaes. They can be gut loaded with some yummy broccoli or carrots and potato 24 hours before feeding them to your hedgehog! Meat like boiled chicken, egg whites, and beef tripe are excellent choices to offer hedgehogs as well.

When are baby hedgehogs born?

The first litters of hoglets may be found in May, June, and July. Additionally, the second litters are born in August to September.

How long are hedgehogs pregnant?

Typically speaking, a female hedgehog is pregnant for around four weeks before giving birth to her litter.

What happens when a hedgehog's nest is disturbed?

In this circumstance, the mother may abandon or even eat her young. However, if a nest is disturbed when the hoglets are a little older, the mother may move them to a new nest.

Why are hoglets so vulnerable?

Not only is this true because they are born blind, but also because their mother may abandon them if their nest is disturbed.

What to do if you find a baby hedgehog?

If you find a baby hedgehog in your garden, be prepared to take responsibility and call someone with the right experience for help.

How to keep a baby hedgehog alive?

In this circumstance, you need to act quickly if the baby hedgehog is to survive. Begin by lining a cardboard box with a soft towel. Place a hot water bottle inside the box (or a plastic bottle filled with warm water) and wrap it in another towel.

How long does it take for a hedgehog to leave the nest?

Once the hedgehog babies have been born, the mother will forage and return to feed her young while they are too small to leave the nest. Following three or four weeks after the hedgehog babies are born, they will begin joining their mother for the foraging trips, which can lead to issues if they become separated.