Here is a complete list of natural foods you can feed your hedgehog:
- Insects: mealworms, grasshoppers, etc.
- Cooked meats: chicken, turkey or pork.
- Cooked fish: salmon or tuna, with no bones.
- Fruits: watermelons, papaya, pears, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, squash & pumpkin, mangos, apples, bananas, cherries, honeydew, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries.
- Vegetables: arugula, spinach, dandelion greens, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, radish, romaine lettuce, turnips, green peppers, collard greens.
What should I Feed my Hedgehog?
What to Feed Hedgehogs 1 Daily Foods. These should make up the bulk of your hedgehog’s diet and should be served at every meal. 2 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. 3 Veggies. ... 4 Fruits. ... 5 Occasional Snacks. ... 6 Foods to NEVER Feed Your Hedgehog. ...
Can hedgehogs eat grasshoppers?
Insects are very important in a hedgehog's diet. Thankfully, these can be purchased live, dead or dehydrated in pet stores. You can give your hedgehog crickets, grasshoppers or mealworms 3-4 times a week. Make sure to never give your pet hedgehog insects from the street as they can be contaminated with pesticides or parasites.
Can hedgehogs eat crickets?
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. 1. Crickets You can find crickets live, freeze-dried, or canned.
What are the best vegetables for hedgehogs?
Vegetables: arugula, spinach, dandelion greens, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, radish, romaine lettuce, turnips, green peppers, collard greens. You may also be interested in our article about the best pet hedgehog names.
What is the best food to feed hedgehogs with?
What can I feed hedgehogs? Hedgehogs will relish any combination of meat-based wet dog or cat foods, or dry cat/kitten food, as these are high in the protein that they need. Just remember, they will be getting most of their food from insects and worms in the wild, and this food is only supplementary.
What should I feed my hedgehog daily?
Each serving should consist of one cricket or large mealworm or two to three medium sized mealworms. If you elect not to feed live, dry insect food can make up 15 to 25% of your hedgehog's daily meal. To avoid overfeeding, live food and dry insect food should not be given together on the same day.
What food is toxic to hedgehogs?
Toxic foods are poisonous to hedgehogs and should be completely avoided.Grapes.Raisins.Tea Tree oil.Chocolate.Avocado.Garlic.Potato.Egg yolk.More items...
Can hedgehogs eat raw chicken?
Pet hedgehogs may eat such table foods as cooked, lean chicken, turkey, beef or pork (in moderation due to fat content). Hedgehogs will often eat small amounts of vegetable and can be given small amounts of fruit as treats .
How often should you feed your hedgehog?
once to twice a dayHow many times a day should you feed a pet hedgehog? A lot of pet hedgehog owners recommend once to twice a day. Some say they prefer a free feeding schedule and keep their hedgie's bowl full at all times. Bear in mind that this could lead to obesity however as hedgies are greedy eaters.
How much food should I put out for a hedgehog?
How Much To Feed? If you offer dry hedgehog food or crushed dry dog or cat biscuits to hedgehogs visiting your garden, aim for around an ounce or 25 grams per hog per night. Twenty-five grams is about one-third of the 75 grams of food that hedgehogs eat most nights.
How often should hedgehogs eat mealworms?
Your hedgehog should never have more than one or two mealworms in a sitting and never more than four in a week. Mealworms can be an occasional treat, not the main part of their diet.
Can you overfeed a hedgehog?
It's hedgehog inequality! Too much food can also stop them hibernating, which messes up their breeding cycles. Apparently, some hedgehogs get so chubby that they can no longer roll into a ball.
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why do hedgehogs eat wet cat food?
They had a lot of experience with their native hedgehogs. They used wet and dry cat food because it was nutritious and widely available, and it worked well. It contained a good amount of protein and fat, similar to the hedgehog’s natural diet, and those organizations still recommend it.
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 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.
Can I Use Store-Bought Pet Food Meant For Other Species?
It’s encouraged by most hedgehog owners to avoid kibble meant for hedgehogs altogether.
What Human Foods Can They Eat?
There are some human foods that hedgehogs can eat, as humans are also omnivores. Hedgehogs like meats (unseasoned), some grains, and many of the same diets as humans. Moderation is key.
Other Considerations
If you ever have any questions about what to feed your hedgehog, there are several sources online where you can find the information you need.
How Much Food is Too Much?
Hedgehogs should look like little symmetric rolls of quills, and they should be able to ball into themselves at their perfect weight.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs are omnivores that can eat meats and vegetables, and a slew of other foods in moderation.
Hedgehog foods list
Generally, products sold as “hedgehog food” should be avoided. Instead, opt for dry cat food, and let this make up the majority of your hedgehog’s diet. Look for foods high in protein and low in fat. While most brands will do, we recommend looking for foods that are recommended by cat owners.
Hedgehog treat list: Recommended treats for hedgehogs
Okay, so you have nailed down your hedgehog’s main diet. That can get boring fast though, so why not spice it up with some treats? I mean, we love treats, so why wouldn’t we offer the same enjoyment to our hedgehogs? Just remember to think of these foods as occasional, though, and not as main foods.
What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?
In the wild, hedgehogs feed mostly on insects. These range from beetles to worms, and everything in between! They are omnivores though, meaning they will eat non-insect animals as well. For example, a wild hedgehog wouldn’t hesitate to eat a snail, if it had the chance.
Why feeding your hedgehogs good food is important
As with any pet, feeding your hedgie the right foods is very important. Bad diet choices can lead to disease and illness, two things you definitely wouldn’t wish on your pet, right?
What foods are toxic to hedgehogs?
While most foods won’t harm your hedgehog in any serious way, there are a few that should be avoided at all costs. These can cause serious illness, some because hedgies can’t digest them properly, some because they are choking hazards, and others because they are plain toxic.
Be careful with fatty and sugary foods
Anything high in sugar should be fed in moderation, as they often lead to obesity. An obese hedgehog is an unhealthy hedgehog, so avoid too much sugar and fat. Feeding these foods in too large quantities can make your pet accustomed to them, leading to less interest in regular, healthy foods.
Conclusion
So to round things off: We’ve covered the basics of feeding a hedgehog, with our own hedgehog foods list. While this post hasn’t raised all aspects of the subject, we feel confident it will work as a good guideline for any new or experienced hedgie-owner.