There are plenty to choose from that a good for hedgehogs, these include:
- Apples – eaten in moderation, apples are a deliciously crunchy treat for hedgehogs. They are high in natural sugars, so...
- Leafy greens – hedgehogs love veggies like broccoli, cucumber, lettuce and more. You might have to cook some of the...
- Berries – organic blueberries and raspberries in...
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 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)
What foods can hedgehogs eat?
There are plenty to choose from that a good for hedgehogs, these include:
- Apples – eaten in moderation, apples are a deliciously crunchy treat for hedgehogs. ...
- Leafy greens – hedgehogs love veggies like broccoli, cucumber, lettuce and more. ...
- Berries – organic blueberries and raspberries in particular are okay for hedgehogs to eat, opt for organic if you can because these will less likely have been sprayed with possibly ...
What fruit can hedgehogs eat?
Some of the best fruits to feed your hedgehog include apples, pears, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon. Although you can feed hedgehogs any of the fruits in the above list, these six fruits are the best options. No matter which fruit you select for your hedgehog, it’s important that you select an organic variety.
What do you feed a nursing hedgehog?
Young, pregnant, or lactating pets can be fed free-choice, but the amount should be measured out for all others. An adult hedgehog will thrive on 3 level teaspoons of the main diet (eg Mazuri), 1 level teaspoon of meat, egg, and/or insects, and 1 level teaspoon vegetables and/or fruits per day.
What do newborn hedgehogs eat?
What Do Baby Hedgehogs Eat 4 Weeks After Being Born?Mealworms. Mealworms. For hedgehogs, live or frozen-dried mealworms are a good source of chitin. ... Waxworms. Waxworms. ... Crickets. A Cricket. ... Fruits. Baby Hedgehogs Can Eat Fruits. ... Vegetables. Vegetables. ... Cooked Meat. Cooked Meat. ... Cooked eggs. Cooked Eggs. ... Pinky Mice. Pinky Mice.More items...•
How do mother hedgehogs feed their babies?
Baby hedgehogs feed on mothers milk, just like humans. The mother has two sets of five nipples. This would allow her to feed a huge litter of 10 in theory. In practice, though, she is unlikely to have enough milk to feed more than 4 or 5 hoglets properly.
How do you take care of newborn hedgehogs?
Mom and babies should be kept in a quiet, secluded spot in your house. Supplemental heat should always be provided to hedgehogs and is especially important for new moms and hoglets (see HH care sheet for more info). Recycled newspaper bedding can be provided for nesting.
How do you take care of an abandoned baby hedgehog?
Keep the hedgehog somewhere warm and quiet indoors, offer them a small amount of suitable food and water, and contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. It's often faster to take an animal to a wildlife rehabilitator yourself, as our officers may be out of the area attending other calls.
Can you give hedgehogs 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.
How long do hedgehog babies stay with their mothers?
At the start of November they should weigh around 500 grams, or they may need to go to a wildlife hospital for overwintering. How long do juvenile hedgehogs stay with their mum? Hedgehog mums will feed their babies for up to eight weeks and then will leave them to fend for themselves.
What milk do you feed baby hedgehogs?
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.
How long do baby hedgehogs stay in the nest?
Young hedgehogs will leave the nest when they are around three to four weeks old to go on foraging trips with their mother. After around ten days of foraging with their mother the young will wander off on their own.
Can baby hedgehogs survive without Mom?
Step 4: Take abandoned hoglets to a local hedgehog hospital But without the mother to provide this, they won't survive out in the wild on their own, and with daily life in the way, you won't have the time to give the hoglet the proper care and attention it needs.
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.
How do you keep baby hedgehogs warm?
Place a hot water bottle, filled with hot – not boiling water - wrapped in a towel or warm material, in the bottom of the box (a reptile heat mat or heated propagator may be used instead) Put the hoglets on this and cover with further bedding.
What milk do you feed baby hedgehogs?
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 do you need for a baby hedgehog?
Supply Checklist Before Taking Your New Hedgehog HomeCage.Hiding Hut/Hideaway.Bedding/Cage Liners.Heating.Exercise Wheel.Food.Food Dishes.Water Bottles/Dishes.More items...
Do mother hedgehogs eat their babies?
Unfortunately, it is fairly common for hedgehogs to eat their babies and/or reject them, especially if it is a first litter or if the mother was disturbed (mother hedgehogs need considerable peace and quiet).
Can you touch hedgehog babies?
Baby 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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you feed hedgehogs live insects?
Before feeding many insects to your hedgehog, we strongly recommend gut loading the insects. Gut loading is a process where you feed your insect’s nutritional meals for a few days to pack it with nutrients, which allows the insects to transfer the nutrition to your pet. Gut loading is another good reason to feed your hedgehog live insects when possible.
Is chicken good for babies?
Chicken, as well as several other flavors, make a great snack. It’s difficult to find out the percentages of protein and fat, so it’s best to relegate baby food to the snack or occasional meal.
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.
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 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.
How long does a hedgehog nurse?
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.
What is the best insect feed for mealworms?
There are calcium-rich insect feeds that you can buy to help with this. For example, Fluker’s 70008 High Calcium Cricket Feed comes in a 6lb jar. It seems suitable for mealworms and dubia roaches, as well as crickets, and contains 8% calcium to 0.6% phosphorus.
How do hedgehogs get their fiber?
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. Despite their omnivorous tendency, hedgehogs don’t digest plant matter.
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.
Why is my hedgehog's bone weak?
Phosphorus absorbs calcium. 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.
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.
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.
What do 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: Earth worms. Slugs. Snails.
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%.
What are some forbidden foods for hedgehogs?
Here is the complete list of forbidden foods for hedgehogs: Dairy products. Fatty foods.
Can hedgehogs eat dog food?
However, make sure that if you do choose commercial food for your pet hedgehog you must choose high quality food. Check the ingredients and nutritional composition. On the other hand, dog food would not work for hedgehogs. In fact, dog food is dangerous for hedgehogs. Therefore, it's best to avoid any other type of commercial food.
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.
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.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs are opportunistic carnivores that mainly eat their cat kibble and insects. They are lactose intolerant, so feeding them dairy can harm their digestive system and give them painful gas. Also, even though they find and munch on berries in the wild, their digestive systems do not benefit from directly eating fruits and vegetables because of their lack of cecum. However, they do benefit if the insects being fed to them has ingested fruits and veggies. This is a process called gut-loading their worms. Gut loading worms, means purchasing pet store bought feeder insects and feeding them fresh veggies, fruits 24 hours before feeding them live to your hedgehog. 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. If you want to find out exactly why we say that about calcium and phosphorus – give this article on metabolic bone disease a read.
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.
What percentage of protein should be in hedgie food?
Optimal Protein and Fiber Percentage In Hedgie Food. Protein content needs to be below 35%, but optimally between 30% and 33% is best. The higher the protein the greater the risk of kidney and liver damage, causing a ton of potential consequences for their mental and physical health. Most noteably is fatty liver disease.
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?
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 are some good treats for hedgehogs?
Healthy Treats for Hedgehogs. Hedgehogs have a broad palate, so there’s a wide variety of foods that can be served as a treat. Many veggies or fruits make excellent treats, as they’re loaded with nutrition and delicious.
How much water should a hedgehog drink?
A healthy hedgehog should drink somewhere in the vicinity of 1 ½ to 2 ½ tablespoons of water every day. As a result, your hedgehog must have access to plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
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.
What do wild hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs living in the wild will feed on a range of things and tend to survive on a ‘whatever they can get their claws on’ basis.
What do domesticated hedgehogs eat?
Lots of people tend to think the only thing you can feed hedgehogs is cat food, but there are actually lots of things you can feed them.
Cat kibble (or other protein sources)
Cat or dog food like kibble as their main food source. You can actually purchase special hedgehog food, but cat kibble will do fine.
Certain fruits and vegetables
Including some safe to eat fruits and veggies is a great way to include different tastes and textures and some lower calorie nibbles for your hog.
Insects
If owners are able to purchase some from pet stores or online, this can be a nice treat for hogs.
Water
Just like other household pets like cats and dogs, hedgehogs need a constant source of clean water available to them to drink as and when they please.
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.
Can you feed a hedgehog raw meat?
And never feed raw meat to your hedgehog! You should just cook the meat with a little bit of oil. No seasoning whatsoever, though. Chicken and turkey are the best options. Try to avoid beef, pork, and any other kind of meat. Meat that’s not poultry is not as easily digestible.
Can hedgehogs eat sugar?
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.
Is hedgehog food good for you?
Some people recommend skipping brand hedgehog good. They say that the food isn’t scientifically engineered to keep up with the hedgies’ nutritional needs. Furthermore, others say that hed gehog food is fine along as the owner checks the label for the nutritional value. Low-grade pet food is always a bad idea.
Can you give baby food to hedgehogs?
But you do need portion control. Baby foods aren ’t something to give them on a daily basis. It’s more of a treat as when people have some chocolate cake to celebrate something (never give that to hedgies, though!). Just check the baby food labels before you give that to your hedgehog.
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.
The Staple Meal For Your Hedgehog
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.
Timeline For Baby Hedgehogs
It is advised to let an expert handle a baby hedgehog and its diet for at least two days after it is born. When a hedgehog is premature, it needs to feed with special techniques and care.
