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Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores. Their most preferred diet being insects as they can easily digest chitin (part of the hard exoskeleton) extracted from insects. The food adds high protein content to their diet giving them more energy. For pet hedgehogs, VCA Animal Hospitals recommends a commercial hedgehog or insectivore food as the base of the diet, with insects and small amounts of other foods added (VCA).
They feed on multiple foods groups including protein, low-fat carbs, fruits, vegetables, and water, which is very essential to them. From fish and chicken, Asparagus and green collards, watermelons, and berries, their diet is wholehearted.
For a deeper understanding of what foods are essential, harmful, healthy, and most preferred, read the following subsections for an even deeper understanding.
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Foods they Eat – Natural & Treats
Hedgehogs are insectivores, so insects and a good commercial hedgehog food should make up most of what they eat. The foods below add variety in small amounts. Let’s have a look at them.
Protein Content
First up is proteins. For the highest protein value, hedgehogs should primarily feed on insects such as mealworms, crickets, and waxworms. You can choose between live or freeze-dried. Live is most preferred as the chitin is fresh and offers the best mental stimulation for the hedgie to work towards getting more.
Insects are relatively safe for them to feed on however, there are a few considerations. One, waxworms are very high in fat and low in chitin and should, therefore, be more of a treat than a natural food they eat on a daily. Two, getting insects can be difficult because you wouldn’t know, which one is free from insecticides or other deadly or poisonous chemicals. Hence, without the access to clean and safe to eat insects, feed your hedgie other sources of proteins such as;
- Chicken
- Fish – Salmon or Tuna
- Cooked meat – either low-fat canned dog or cat food.
- Cooked eggs – scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are packed with proteins.
Avoid seasoned, dried, or fried meats.
Vegetables
Vegetables offer some variety and difference in taste, controlled sugar, and low in fat. You can feed your hedgie proteins daily as a meal or even a snack. Here’s an exhaustive list of vegetable hedgehogs can eat;
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Collard greens
- Cooked squash
- Dandelion greens
- Green beans
- Green peppers
- Radish
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Turnips
Fruits
Fruits are high in vitamins and minerals. They aid keep your hedgehog healthy for longer, allowing them to love for longer. However, fruits can be high in sugar content like, therefore, fruits should be ingested with moderation. Peel of any skin from the fruit before giving it to you hedgie. The skin more often than not is bitter and can be a choking hazard to them.
Here are fruits acceptable for your hedgehog;
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Honeydew
- Mangos
- Melons
- Papaya
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Squash & Pumpkin
- Strawberries
- Watermelons
Avoid dried fruit
Hedgehog/cat kibble is also a common food component in your hedgies diet. It contains moderate levels of protein, fat, and starch. It’s ideal only if it meets the right nutritional requirements and doesn’t include food allergens not advisable to feed hedgies.
Treats
Pets love treats and snacking on delicious fatty foods occasionally. Every once in a while, you should feed them a treat outside their normal diet just to make them feel special. Furthermore, this small gesture can strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Allowing your hedgie to feel comfortable and loved around you. This trick often works when you’re trying to win over their heart.
The treat is also a good way to offer more than just nutritional benefits. You all know sugar and fat goes a long way when it comes to getting you excited. There isn’t an expansive list of treats to feed your pet because mostly it’s all about preference. Just simply ensure you stay within its good feeding habits that don’t include milky chocolates, raisins, or nuts.
Some keepers offer a pinky mouse as a rare treat. They are high in fat, so keep them occasional. Otherwise, the intervals of including treats in daily, weekly, or monthly routines are entirely up to you.
Drinks
The number one drink is water. Endeavor to always refill their water bottle with clean fresh water as they drink it just as much as humans do. Other than that, hedgehogs are not big on drinks. Occasional yogurt isn’t harmful but it should be taken with moderation as the pets are lactose intolerant.
Tips to Ensure Their Nutritional Requirements are Met
After going through the overview of the best foods to feed your hedgie, here are a few tips to guide you on fulfilling the nutritional requirements of your hedgehog.
- Use a commercial hedgehog or insectivore food as the base. A high-quality, high-protein cat food can stand in if a good hedgehog food is not available, but check with your vet.
- Aim for a diet high in protein and moderate in fat. Obesity is common; a hedgehog that can no longer roll into a ball is overweight.
- Add live or freeze-dried insects such as crickets and mealworms several times a week. Keep waxworms as an occasional treat because they are fatty.
- Offer small portions of the vegetables and fruits listed above for variety, not as the main diet.
- Choose dry food over wet for most meals; the crunch helps keep teeth cleaner.
- Skip milk. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, though a small amount of plain low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese is usually tolerated.
- Weigh your hedgehog weekly and adjust portions if it gains or loses weight.
Foods You Shouldn’t Give Pet Hedgehogs
As exhaustive as the list above is, there are specific foods you shouldn’t give hedgehogs. Here’s a list of the most common foods to avoid;
- Grapes and raisins – widely listed as unsafe for small pets, so skip them.
- Acidic fruits such as citrus and pineapple
- Dairy products – foods such as cheese should also be avoided as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and the foods could upset their tummies.
- Insects from bait shops – these have already been exposed to harsh chemicals that could harm them.
- Meat – red, over-processed, seasoned, and fried.
- Specific treats – raisins, chocolates, nuts, and other edible seeds.
- Fatty foods
- Garlic and onions
- Potatoes
- Dried vegetables
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
These are just but a few of the foods you should avoid. The list may change from time to time as preference also plays a role in this.
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