Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog’s main natural food source.
A typical diet includes:
- Beetles.
- Earwigs.
- Caterpillars.
- Earthworms.
- Millipedes.
- Fly larvae.
What is the best food to give a hedgehog?
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 is a healthy diet for hedgehogs?
A pet hedgehog’s diet should mainly consist of high-quality hedgehog food mixed with high-quality, low-fat cat food. The following supplemental foods can be offered in small amounts two to three times a week: Gut-loaded insects, such as mealworms and crickets.
What can hedgehogs not eat?
What can hedgehogs not eat:
- Milk.
- Avocado.
- Bread.
- Raw meat.
- Citrus fruit.
- Raisins.
- Onion.
- Grapes.
What food do hedgehogs eat? – Related Questions
What kills hedgehogs to eat?
The study found that badgers were the main predator, although one hog was eaten by a fox. At one site in particular, Ditchley, badger numbers were high enough to suppress the hedgehog population, keeping it lower than nearby sites with fewer badgers.
Do hedgehogs eat bananas?
Fruits: Dried fruit should be avoided, but a small amount of fresh fruit can be offered to your hedgehog as treats. 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.
Do hedgehogs eat lettuce?
Dark, Green and Leafy
Veterinarian-recommended hedgehog fruit and veggie mixes are based on nutritious greens. Kale, romaine or leaf lettuces and collard greens are all good choices. Iceberg lettuce has no place in a pet’s diet — it’s mostly water and has very low nutrient content.
What should I feed my hedgehog everyday?
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.
Can hedgehogs eat broccoli?
Therefore, hedgehogs can be happy with a variety of foods, and that includes broccoli. However, it’s a good idea to chop fresh broccoli into tiny pieces, so your hedgehog can eat it more easily. Large pieces of broccoli could lodge in their throat and pose a choking hazard.
Can hedgehogs eat raw carrots?
Yes, hedgehogs can eat carrots, but in strict moderation. While carrots have a number of nutrients that can benefit them, these nutrients can be a little too much when consumed too often. Therefore, you should only feed them carrots occasionally as a treat. Moreover, cooked carrots are better for them than raw ones.
Can a hedgehog eat tuna?
Can hedgehogs eat tuna? Yes, only if the tuna is freshed, unseasoned and no oil drizzled on it. Canned tuna that is usually drenched in oil is a strict NO for your hedgehogs. As canned tuna is being preserved with a high salt content, it might not be ideal for your hedgehog in terms of its health.
Can hedgehogs eat eggs?
As well as these, they also eat a wide range of other insects. More infrequently, they will take advantage of carrion, frogs, baby rodents, baby birds, birds’ eggs and fallen fruit.
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.
Do hedgehogs eat any vegetables?
Hedgehogs do not generally feed on any vegetable matter but do ingest some greens incidentally while feeding on worms and other invertebrates. They do not make a nutritional contribution and do not need to be provided.
Will hedgehogs eat sunflower seeds?
Good Food:
– Special Hedgehog food (which we sell). – Biscuits such as Purina One or similar kitten biscuits (chicken). – Sunflower seeds (in small amounts). – Nuts (Ideally crushed so they don’t choke).
What should I put in my hedgehog’s cage?
A thick layer of bedding, fleece pieces, snuggle sacks are good items for a hedgehog to cuddle up in. The ambient room temp should be no lower than 72 degrees; Pet Warming Pad under a corner of the cage are fine so they can get up against it or away from it if needed.
What are some snacks for hedgehogs?
The most popular insects of hedgehogs and hedgehog owners are mealworms, wax worms, silk worms and crickets. Treats can include live, canned or freeze dried crickets, mealworms (only one or two per day), wax worms or other insects.
Do hedgehogs like peanut butter?
But it’s also fun to give your pet treats on occasion, so perhaps you’re wondering if peanut butter is okay to give your hedgie. Peanut butter isn’t the best choice of a treat for hedgehogs. The sticky texture and the high-fat content make peanut butter a treat that should be avoided or only given sparingly.
Should you feed hedgehogs every night?
‘ The advice is to leave small amounts of food out after dusk for hedgehogs, such as specialist hedgehog food, cat or dog food and biscuits to keep their teeth healthy. Householders who discover a hedgehog hibernating, which can last until late March, should never move them.
Can hedgehogs eat tomatoes?
Tomatoes are healthy for hedgehogs to consume in limited portions. The vitamin C found in tomatoes helps strengthen your hedgehog’s immune system. Tomatoes have fiber, which assists in your hedgehog’s overall digestion. Tomatoes can be a great additional treat to your hedgehog’s diet.