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. Baby mice
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)
How much and how often do you feed a hedgehog?
You should free feed your hedgie, that's what most people here do As for how much a hedgehog eats, it varies between hog to hog. Kashi eats about 20-30 kibbles a night, so I put in about 40 in his bowl... but recently I have had to start crushing up his kibble into smaller pieces (because he kept choking on them), so I measure by table spoon, and he eats about 1 tbsp a night.
What human food can you feed a hedgehog?
- A ‘base food’ cat kibble or premium hedgehog food.
- Some other animal protein foods (could be different types of cat kibble).
- Some vegetables and fruit.
- Some insects.
- Supplements (optional).
- Treats (optional).
What type of food do you feed a hedgehog?
What to Feed a Hedgehog Pet: The Complete Guide
- Use Good Quality Dry Meat-Based Cat Food As the Staple. ...
- Use Moist Meat-Based Cat and Dog Foods as an Addition. ...
- Supplement Your Hedgehog’s Staple Diet With Insects. ...
- Try to Avoid Poor Quality Speciality Hedgehog Foods. ...
- Add Small Quantities of Unseasoned Cooked Meat and Eggs. ...
- Water Is a Vital Part of a Pet Hedgehog’s Feeding Needs. ...
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.
What food can I put out for hedgehogs?
Feeding hedgehogsLeave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits. ... 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.More items...
What do hedgehogs normally eat?
Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog's main natural food source....A typical diet includes:Beetles.Earwigs.Caterpillars.Earthworms.Millipedes.Fly larvae.
Can I feed hedgehogs cat biscuits?
What food should I feed to wild hedgehogs? Good quality proprietary hedgehog 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.
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.
Is it OK for hedgehogs to 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.
Do hedgehogs eat bread?
Also, hedgehogs are insectivores and obligate carnivores, so their diet doesn't require a large percentage of carbohydrates. Bread provides little to no nutritional value for hedgehogs, so they shouldn't eat it, even as a treat. There are many more nutrient-dense treats that your hedgehog will like and also find tasty.
What veggies can hedgehogs eat?
Here's a list of vegetables hedgehogs can eat:Arugula.Spinach.Dandelion greens.Asparagus.Carrots.Broccoli.Sweet potatoes.Radish.More items...
How do I encourage hedgehogs into my garden?
Making sure they have lots of thick dense undergrowth and a variety of lengths of grass to hide and nest in is always good. You can also make your garden a hot spot for the slugs, snails and bugs that hedgehogs like to munch on. You can also try to provide hedgehogs with supplementary food and water.
What veggies can hedgehogs eat?
Here's a list of vegetables hedgehogs can eat:Arugula.Spinach.Dandelion greens.Asparagus.Carrots.Broccoli.Sweet potatoes.Radish.More items...
What can 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.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog’s main natural food source. A typical diet includes:
How big of a space do hedgehogs need?
A space of just 13 x 13cm is enough for any hog to get in and out of your garden. Hedgehogs also need sheltered spaces to sleep during the day and hibernate through the winter. Overgrown patches, compost heaps and log piles can all be used by resting hogs. Another option is to buy or build a hedgehog house.
How far can hedgehogs go in a garden?
A space of just 13 x 13cm is enough for any hog to get in and out of your garden.
Why are hedgehogs declining?
Carrion, fallen fruit and the eggs of ground-nesting birds may all be taken should a hog come across them. It’s thought a lack of food may be a factor in the hedgehog’s decline. This is because invertebrate numbers have been reduced by agricultural intensification and pesticide use .
Can hedgehogs live in gardens?
Your garden could provide much-needed hedgehog habitat.
Do hedgehogs eat cat food?
As opportunistic eaters, hedgehogs will readily consume food left out in your garden. The best foods to provide are: As well as providing food, you can put out a shallow dish of water to ensure any visiting hogs stay hydrated. Hedgehogs will readily eat meat-based cat food.
What to feed a hedgehog?
Aside from mealworms, you may also treat it with moist cat or dog treats, and cooked foods like eggs and chicken.
What do hedgehogs eat?
To achieve a balanced diet, you can add some fruits and vegetables to your hedgehog’s diet. These may include peas, carrots, green beans, apples and corn. This, however, should be in very small portions considering the pet’s low absorption capability of vegetables and fruits.
Can hedgehogs eat dry cat food?
If your local pet store does not have hedgehog dry food, dry cat food will be a good alternative. The cat food should be high in protein, for example, chicken or meat cat food is a perfect choice. Dry food should be the main portion of the hedgehog’s meal. Adult cat food is preferred over baby cat food, because baby cat food contains more fat than proteins, therefore, it would be unhealthy for hedgehogs.
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 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%.
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.
What are some forbidden foods for hedgehogs?
Here is the complete list of forbidden foods for hedgehogs: Dairy products. Fatty foods.
Can hedgehogs be domesticated?
Nowadays, they can also be domestic pets. However, many hedgehog companions ask themselves what pet hedgehogs eat. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain what hedgehogs eat. We'll go through their nutrition and complete food list.
Do hedgehogs drink their mothers milk?
Baby hedgehogs, also known as hoglets, are mammals and therefore drink their mother's milk as babies. If they are with their mother, she will take care of feeding them and providing all the care they need. Humans shouldn't intervene or stop this process as it's very important for their health and wellbeing.
What is the best food for a hedgehog?
When you give too much protein, this isn’t good for you hedgie as well. Let’s make a short list of the best vegetables that you can give to your hedgehog: Arugula. Broccoli. Dandelion greens. Spinach.
What human food can you feed a hedgehog?
Take a look at the following lists. In the first one, we put all the food items that should be eaten as main food sources. The second list shows all the food that is best for snacks and treats. But do remember that this is just a broad overview. All of the food comes with important exceptions. Some common food is dangerous for hedgehogs!
What are the best snacks and treats for hedgies?
Best snacks and treats include fruits and vegetables. Still, some experts admit that even regular chicken should stay as a treat. According to them, the most optimal way is to give chicken along with other snacks three to four times a week. Actually, this makes a lot of sense. The hedgehog food or cat food already contains high-quality protein. When you give too much protein, this isn’t good for you hedgie as well. Let’s make a short list of the best vegetables that you can give to your hedgehog:
What else should I know about giving human food to hedgehogs?
Avoid food that’s sweet. Refined sugar isn’t nice for your hedgehog at all. Both sticky and hard foods don’t make for good snacks. The hard ones could quickly become a choking hazard for your hedgie. On the other hand, sticky foods, like all sorts of dried fruit, can get stuck to the mouth roof or teeth. In turn, your hedgie can develop serious tooth decay or just plain discomfort.
Why is canned meat not good for hedgehogs?
Fried and spicy foods don’t get along well with an average hedgehog stomach. Frying inevitably creates greasier food. Consequently, that isn’t well-handled by their intestinal system adapted to lesser fat intake. Excessive salt in food is another serious concern. That’s one of the reasons why canned meat is out of their menu. Inadequate salt intake creates electrolyte imbalance in their body. And that could become an acute health threat. Better be safe than sorry!
Can hedgehogs eat chicken?
Many of the human foods overlap with hedgehogs’ meal preferences. But that concerns the snacks and treats. Their main source of calories should come from a high-quality cat or hedgehog food. As for snacks, you could provide poultry, fruits, and vegetables. Basically, all of these food groups carry many important exceptions. You should learn about these before offering any food to your hedgehog. This ensures the good you give to your prickly buddy doesn’t threaten their health and well-being in any way.
Is a hedgehog an insectivore?
Hedgehogs are omnivorous or insectivorous, depending on who you ask. That means their menu covers a lot of different food items. Now, you might wonder what kind of human food can you feed a hedgehog? In this post, we’ll cover exactly this question along with the basics of hedgehog nutrition needs.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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 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.
