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...
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)
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 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 foods are safe for hedgehogs?
- Romaine lettuce
- Arugula
- Dandelion greens
- Collard greens
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Sweet potato
- Asparagus
- Radish, turnip
- Green pepper
What do you feed a nursing hedgehog?
Young or pregnant hedgehogs can be fed kitten or ferret diets. ~ Insects: mealworms, earthworms, waxworms, crickets and cat treats....Yarmouth Veterinary Center.DayOpenCloseSATURDAY8:00am**12:00pmSUNDAY**4:00pm5 more rows
What do you do after your hedgehog gives birth?
It is important to remove any cagemates and to leave her and her litter undisturbed for at least 5-10 days after birth. If you know your female is pregnant, cagemates should be removed at least 5 days before birth. Mom and babies should be kept in a quiet, secluded spot in your house.
Do hedgehogs feed after giving birth?
The female will be pregnant for around four weeks and normally births a litter of up to 6 or 7 hoglets. The mother will forage and return to feed her young while they are are too small to leave the nest.
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...•
When can you hold a baby hedgehog?
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.
Why do mother hedgehogs eat their babies?
Perhaps it's because she felt like her babies are in danger, or when someone touch the babies they leave unfamiliar scent on them, or due to crowded environtment, for example when people passed around her cage or if there's another hedgehogs in the cage, including the daddy.
How do you look after a baby hedgehog?
For survival, human help is needed quickly, and generally three things are needed urgently – WARMTH, TOILETING and FLUIDS. Do not give hoglets fluids by mouth if the hoglets are cold. Warm fluids before giving. Wild animals suffer stress in an unnatural environment and hedgehogs are no exception.
How many babies are in a hedgehog litter?
Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets The average litter size is four or five young, though can be as many as seven. However, they usually only wean two or three successfully. The mother is liable to desert or even eat hoglets if she is disturbed.
What should you not feed 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...
How much should I feed my baby hedgehog?
From the beginning until the second week of life, hoglets need to be on a feeding schedule of 1-3 mls every two hours, or on demand. Between their third and fourth weeks of life, they should be eating every four hours. After five weeks, they should stop their scheduled day feedings, and only self-feed at night.
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 many babies will a hedgehog have?
Typical litter is 4 to 6 babies, but can have around 10. Normally born early to late summer, although the late born babies will struggle to put on the weight needed for hibernation. The male hedgehog takes no part in rearing baby hedgehogs. They are born after a 35 day pregnancy.
How do I know if my hedgehog is giving birth?
You will notice the female hedgehog coming out to feed in the middle of the day more, and you will see that she is putting on more weight. Her belly will become big and round during the last week or so before giving birth. Her stool may look different, usually bigger.
How many times can a hedgehog give birth?
How Often Is It OK To Breed A Female Hedgehog? No more than 3 times per year! Give Mama roughly four months between each litter to avoid exhaustion, health concerns, and to increase your chances of breeding successfully.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 should I feed my hedgehog?
That means a diet containing moderate amounts of protein, low-fat, and some fiber. Generally, good quality dry cat food supplemented with live calcium-enriched insects and cooked meat should do the trick.
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 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 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.
What are the food sources of hedgehogs?
Slugs. Millipedes. Worms are an important food source for hedgehogs. Credit: Buiten-Beeld / Alamy Stock Photo. Hogs hunt by snuffling through the undergrowth, using their keen sense of smell and hearing to catch any prey they disturb. While invertebrates are top of the menu, hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
What is the best food to eat after birth?
Chicken – is grounding and nourishing, and can be used as a medicine for building strength after birth. The dark meat of chicken has both a heavy oil and fat content, which is particularly grounding and nourishing after birth. Fish – lighter than poultry, fish is a good choice for a animal protein source after birth.
How does diet affect postpartum recovery?
Your diet and the foods you eat have the ability to create balance or imbalance in your system. Knowing which foods to eat after birth can be quite instrumental in having a strong postpartum recovery. Following a specialized postpartum diet with healing and rejuvenating foods, is the single most important way you can positively affect your recovery ...
What is the best seasoning for breast feeding?
Best Seasonings: Fennel Seeds and Ginger. Fennel Seeds – are a wonderful spice for postpartum mothers and their breast feeding babies. Fennel is an excellent digestive, as well as relieving uterine cramping and colic in babies. It also increases breast tissue and builds a healthy breast milk supply.
What vegetables are good for nursing mothers?
Best Veggies: Fennel and Yam. Fennel Bulb – a nursing mother’s best friend, fennel increases breast tissue as well as encourages a healthy milk supply. It’s sweetness has a cooling effect which helps calm the mind and soothe the nerves. Fennel bulb is great replacement for celery in soups and stews.
How long after birth can you eat meat?
Note: Due to the heaviness associated with meat, it is best to wait at least 4 weeks after birth before consuming it, with the exception of bone broth. For those who can’t do without it and are planning to eat meat anyway, these are the two recommended options during the postpartum period.
What is the best oil for postpartum?
Sesame oil – this warming and deeply penetrating oil will lubricate your intestines and stimulate your digestion after birth. It will help you feel more grounded, soothe your nerves and promote a deeper sleep. Cold-pressed, unrefined sesame oil is best for postpartum healing.
What is the best sweetener for a baby?
Best Sweetener: Molasses and Maple Syrup. Molasses – has a rich mineral profile and is a wonderful for rebuilding the blood after birth. It’s heavy, warm, sweetness has a soothing effect on the nervous system while also relaxing tense muscles.
