Hedgehog foods list – What to feed your pet hedgehog

Maybe you have just adopted your first hedgehog, or maybe you have owned an African pygmy hedgehog for years. Either way, one of the most important parts of taking care of the little pets is knowing what to feed them. In this article, we give you our recommended hedgehog foods list, as well as some snacks that you can treat them with on occasion.

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. These will most likely be more nutritious than budget alternatives. 

As with any pet, feeding your hedgehog quality food is essential. A nutritious diet leads to a healthier pet, living a long and happy life. For this reason, we have compiled a list of foods that are generally recommended:

• High-quality cat food with chicken or beef as the main ingredient. This site has compiled a great list of recommended brands.
• Insects, such as worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, etc
• Unseasoned meat, like chicken or beef
• Vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce
• Fruits such as bananas, apples, and pears

Of course, there are many other foods that can be safely consumed by hedgehogs. Some owners have reported that their little pets eat things like popcorn, watermelon, and carrots. Usually, if your hedgie will eat it, it is safe. However, if you are unsure about a specific food, always ask a veterinarian. They will be able to answer any questions on safe/unsafe foods for hedgehogs.

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.

So what snacks do hedgehogs like? While every hedgehog has different preferences, a large portion of owners report that their hedgehogs go absolutely crazy over one food: Mealworms. These can be bought at almost any pet store, live or dried. While some hedgies only seem to like the live ones, many owners go for dried mealworms, as they are cheaper and easier to deal with. One can of dried mealworms will last a very long time, too.

Other treats include hard cheese, vegetables, and fruits. Remember to feed fruits in moderation as hedgehogs lack the ability to fully digest them. But as long as you don’t feed too large quantities, there won’t be any problems.

While it is impossible to cover all treats that hedgehogs will eat and like, here are some of the most common ones. Many owners have had success feeding these to their hedgies, and we expect you would have too.

• Mealworms. As we’ve already covered, these are maybe the most universally loved treats. Almost certainly, your hedgehog will eat these. I’ve written an article on whether mealworms bite. Check it out!
• Apple
• Watermelon
• Hard cheese (should be hard since it contains little-to-no lactose
• fried or cooked eggs
• peas
• ham
• strawberries, raspberries, and other berries
• vegetables

Remember to avoid lactose. For example, feeding scrambled eggs is fine, but cook with water instead of milk.

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.

Wild hedgehogs can even feed on plants like grass, roots, and mushrooms if they have to. Their diet does depend on habitat and sub-species, though. For example, an African pygmy hedgehog’s diet largely consists of berries during parts of the year.

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? 

If your hedgehog isn’t fed a well-rounded and nutritious diet, it can develop mineral and vitamin deficiencies, which can lead to a lack of energy, depression, and illness. To avoid this, do your best to plan out a good diet in advance. 

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.

Some foods to avoid feeding your hedgehog are:

• Milk, or anything containing lactose as they are lactose intolerant
• Onions
• Avocado
• Chocolate
• Nuts
• Spicy foods
• Grapes and raisins
• Dried fruits (choking hazard)
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Citrus fruits
• Raw garlic (unlike rats who benefit from this food)

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. If that happens, it is often tough to make them accept a regular diet, so we recommend not taking any chances.

And as always with pets, make changes to their diet slowly. A sudden change in diet can cause upset bellies, with digestion problems and other unwanted consequences. 

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. Lastly, remember to steer clear of any toxic foods, and take it slow when changing up their diet.