Brenda Khan
Hedgehogs are insectivores, with insects and invertebrates making up their main natural food source. Wild hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters and will also eat carrion, fallen fruit, birds' eggs, and small animals if they come across them. Pet hedgehogs have slightly different dietary requirements, with their diet consisting of high-quality kibble, insects, and a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is important to monitor a hedgehog's food intake to prevent obesity, and they should be given access to water 24 hours a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main food source | Insects and other invertebrates |
| Typical diet | Worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, millipedes, earwigs, waxworms, crickets, grubs |
| Fruits | Apples, bananas, berries, melons, peaches, watermelon, papaya, kiwi, plums, pears, cherries |
| Vegetables | Tomatoes, green beans, squash, carrots, potatoes |
| Other foods | Meat, eggs, specialist hedgehog food, cat or dog food, nuts, seeds |
| Liquids | Water |
| Things to avoid | Bread, milk, lettuce, celery, avocados, dried fruit, starchy vegetables, raisins |
| Prone to | Obesity |
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What You'll Learn
Hedgehogs are insectivores and require insects in their diet
Hedgehogs are insectivores, which means their natural diet consists of insects and small invertebrates. In the wild, hedgehogs hunt and eat a variety of insects and invertebrates such as worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, millipedes, and earwigs. They also occasionally eat fallen fruit, birds' eggs, and carrion.
Hedgehogs require a well-balanced diet that includes insects, high-quality kibble, and a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. Insects provide essential nutrients like protein, fat, and fibre. For example, mealworms are an excellent source of chitin, a protein found in the exoskeletons of insects, which is essential for a hedgehog's diet. Live mealworms are particularly beneficial as they stimulate the hedgehog's natural hunting instincts, but they should be fed in moderation due to their low fat content. Other insects that hedgehogs can eat include crickets and waxworms.
It is important to note that hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters, so they may also eat some fruits, vegetables, and other protein sources in the wild or in captivity. Fresh fruits that hedgehogs can eat include apples, bananas, berries, and melons. Hedgehogs can also eat fresh tomatoes, green beans, and cooked squash, but starchy vegetables like corn, potatoes, and carrots should be avoided.
While hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, it is not recommended to feed them only insects in captivity. This is because they can be very fatty, and in captivity, they do not have to scavenge and hunt for them. Therefore, it is best to feed insects as treats to avoid obesity. Instead, the bulk of a pet hedgehog's diet should be high-quality cat or hedgehog kibble, which should contain at least 30% protein and less than 20% fat.
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They also eat invertebrates, such as worms and beetles
Hedgehogs are insectivores, and insects and other invertebrates are their main natural food source. In fact, invertebrates make up around 75% of a wild hedgehog's diet. Beetles are a favourite food, along with caterpillars and earthworms. Other invertebrates eaten include slugs, snails, earwigs, millipedes, and even bees and grasshoppers. Worms are an important food source for hedgehogs, and they use their sense of smell and hearing to hunt their prey.
Hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters and will also eat carrion, fallen fruit, birds' eggs, and other insects. They are quite happy to take food from a feeding station and rummage through human food waste. They are also known to eat cooked meat, such as chicken, in small amounts.
Hedgehogs need a balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients and chitin for their health. While they can get some chitin from insects, it is also important to feed them high-quality kibble designed for hedgehogs or cats. This kibble should make up the bulk of their diet and be supplemented with insects and a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is important to monitor a hedgehog's food intake to prevent obesity, as they are prone to weight gain. In addition, it is crucial to provide a shallow dish of water, especially during hot, dry weather when natural resources can become scarce.
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Fresh fruit is a good treat, but dried fruit should be avoided
Hedgehogs are insectivores and their diet primarily consists of insects and invertebrates, such as worms, beetles, slugs, and caterpillars. They also require nutrients like chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of insects.
While their diet should be mostly made up of insects, hedgehogs can also eat a small amount of fresh fruit as a treat. Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices. Fresh fruit provides hedgehogs with a good variety of vitamins and minerals. However, it's important to remember that fruit should only be a complementary part of their diet and not a large component. This is because hedgehogs have a simple stomach and a short digestive tract, which makes it difficult for them to digest large amounts of fruit or plant matter.
Dried fruit, on the other hand, should be avoided in a hedgehog's diet. Dried fruits often contain a high amount of sugar, which is not good for hedgehogs. Additionally, some dried fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to hedgehogs and may cause kidney failure. It's also important to avoid feeding hedgehogs any citrus fruits, as they can easily upset their stomachs.
It's crucial to monitor a hedgehog's food intake to prevent obesity, as they are prone to weight gain. Their diet should be carefully managed, and they should be provided with a variety of nutritious options from their natural diet.
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Vegetables should be a last resort for treats
Hedgehogs are insectivores, and their diet primarily consists of high-quality kibble, insects, and a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. While vegetables can be included in their diet, they should be a last resort for treats for several reasons.
Firstly, hedgehogs do not break down cellulose in plant and vegetable matter as efficiently as other animals. This means that vegetables can be harder for them to digest, and there is a risk of choking if they are not diced into small enough pieces.
Secondly, some vegetables are starchy and should be avoided in a hedgehog's diet. These include corn, potatoes, and carrots, as well as dried vegetables. These starchy vegetables can be difficult for hedgehogs to digest and may not provide the same nutritional benefits as other food sources.
Thirdly, it is important to prioritise treats that provide nutrition over those that offer empty calories. While vegetables can provide some nutritional value, they may not be the most efficient way to supplement a hedgehog's diet. Instead, treats such as scrambled, hard-boiled, or mashed eggs, or a small amount of fresh fruit, can provide variety and additional nutrients.
Finally, the main source of nutrition for hedgehogs comes from insects and invertebrates, such as worms, beetles, earwigs, and caterpillars. By focusing on providing a variety of these food sources, you can ensure your hedgehog is getting the necessary nutrients, fibre, and mental stimulation they need.
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Obesity is common in hedgehogs, so monitor food intake
Obesity is common in hedgehogs, so it's important to monitor their food intake. Their diet should be carefully controlled to include the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and minerals. As with all animals, exercise is also extremely important for weight control.
Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, but they are opportunistic eaters and will also consume carrion, fallen fruit, and small animals if the opportunity arises. In the wild, their diet consists of insects and invertebrates, such as worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, millipedes, and earwigs. They may also eat birds' eggs, fruit, and vegetables if they come across them.
For pet hedgehogs, a balanced diet of high-quality kibble, insects, and a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables is recommended. It is important to ensure that the kibble contains at least 30% protein and less than 20% fat. Each day, 1-2 tablespoons of kibble should be offered to an adult hedgehog, along with 1 teaspoon of fruit and vegetables and some insects. It is important to avoid feeding hedgehogs toxic or hard-to-digest foods, such as avocados, dairy, nuts, seeds, and processed snacks.
Some specific foods that can be offered to pet hedgehogs include live or freeze-dried mealworms, crickets, apples, bananas, berries, melons, fresh tomatoes, green beans, cooked squash, lean meats, and hard-boiled eggs. It is important to cut food into small pieces to prevent choking.
In addition to a healthy diet, providing a source of exercise, such as a wheel or a large cage, is crucial for weight control in hedgehogs.
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Frequently asked questions
High-quality cat or hedgehog kibble with at least 30% protein and less than 20% fat.
Insects, worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs, millipedes, lean meats, eggs, and small amounts of fruit and vegetables.
Avocados, dairy, nuts, seeds, processed human snacks, and vegetables (unless there are no other options).
1-2 tablespoons of kibble, 1 teaspoon of fruits and vegetables, and some insects. Monitor their weight and cut back if there is more than a 10% weight gain.
Studies suggest that wild hedgehogs only use food in gardens as a supplement to their natural diet, so it is not necessary to provide food for them.
