Yes, hedgehogs can eat dry dog food as a supplementary food, especially small-breed kibble, but it should be meat-based and offered alongside fresh water, not as their sole diet, as they naturally eat insects and worms; ensure the kibble is small enough for their mouths and avoid fish flavors, milk, and bread.
What not to feed hedgehogs The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs:-
How much food should I leave out? Around 50–100g (a handful) per hedgehog per night. This amount is usually enough for one hog per night.
Provide some fruits, such as apples, plums or pears, and nuts, such as unsalted peanuts or brazils. Leave out root vegetables like carrots, along with some cooked potato. If food isn't eaten overnight, remove anything that will go off and replace it with fresh offerings in the evening.
The British Hedgehog Society recommends that in captivity adults should be fed a meat- based tinned dog or cat food mixed with unsweetened cereal (Weetabix, oats or bran). Complete dry cat biscuits are good for the teeth.
What can I feed hedgehogs? Hedgehogs relish any combination of meat-based wet dog or cat foods, or dry cat/kitten food. Specially made hedgehog food is also widely available. Those resembling pet food with a high meat content are most suitable.
Avoid lettuce and celery, which are low in nutritional value. Do not feed avocados, as they are toxic to your hedgehog. Do not feed raw meats or raw eggs to your hedgehog. Hedgehogs are not able to digest milk.
The most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes. 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.
Besides pet food, hedgehogs enjoy eating insects and fresh fruits and vegetables, so their diet can have a good amount of variety.
Hedgehogs can be wonderful pets, and when they bond with you, the connection can feel truly wonderful. Unlike many small animals, hedgehogs can form meaningful bonds with their owners—but it's important to understand that this process takes time and patience. Hedgehogs are not domesticated animals.
It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help them build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the colder months.
Make sure that these foods contain almost exclusively meat and, above all, no flour. Hedgehogs also eat minced meat, boiled eggs or scrambled eggs. In any case, avoid seasoning these foods. You can also feed oatmeal and bran.
Food should be kitten biscuits (not treats such as Dreamies) or meaty cat/dog food in clean dishes. Always provide plenty of fresh clean water in clean shallow dishes every day. Meaty food can be in jelly or gravy and fish flavours are fine (see the diagram below on Fish Flavours), they just might not enjoy it as much.
Hedgehog - Threats to the Hedgehog
Only solid bottom cages are suitable for hedgehogs, any wire bottom cages could trap their legs or rip off toenails. Provide a soft bedding free of dust, such as recycled paper pellets or if you use wood shavings use only kiln dried pine or aspen. Do not use cedar shavings as they could irritate your hedgehog's lungs.
If you see a hedgehog out in the day, it may be unwell and in need of urgent first aid advice.
Here's what to feed hedgehogs in the garden to help them thrive: Tinned cat or dog food: Preferably meat-based. Crushed cat or dog biscuits: And try not to let your cat or dog pinch them! Fresh water in a shallow dish: This helps them to stay hydrated, especially in the warmer weather.
Hedgehogs typically eat once a day, preferably in the evening or at night when they are most active. It's important to provide a balanced diet and fresh water daily to maintain their health.
Hedgehogs will not usually eat and sleep in the same place so it's best not to offer food inside the home (except perhaps to tempt them in initially). Once there is a resident, move food away from the box so as not to attract predators or rival hedgehogs to the site.
Making Friends With a Hedgehog
The intelligence of a hedgehog is to that of a hamster, they may learn certain behaviors through positive reinforcement or conditioning but only at a very basic level. Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.
What should I never feed a hedgehog? Foods that are toxic to hedgehogs...
Hedgehogs can occasionally eat human foods, such as cooked lean meat, fruits, and vegetables. Always check with a veterinarian before feeding anything new to your hedgehog, and remember that human food should not make up the majority of their diet.
What treats do hedgehogs like?