No, it will make them unwell. Hedgehogs should not drink milk or any other dairy product such as cheese or yogurt.
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.
Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread – they're lactose intolerant, so milk and bread can disrupt their digestive system and cause diarrhoea. Check the hedgehog food and water bowls each day to top them up with fresh water and food, and remove any food that hasn't been eaten.
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.
What do hedgehogs drink? Don't forget to put out a shallow dish of water which can be a lifeline for hedgehogs, especially during a hot, dry summer. Contrary to popular belief, hogs are lactose intolerant and milk can make them ill, so please only offer them water.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
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.
Hoglets should be fed with a milk substitute such as Esbilac which contains all the fats, vitamins and minerals they need. Under no circumstances should you give them cow's formula which will kill them. Goat's milk with Goat's colostrum may be used for a short period of time if nothing else is available.
Hedgehog Treat Tips at Olympia Veterinary Hospital
Insects are a favorite for hedgehogs. You can offer live bugs, which will also give your tiny buddy the chance to 'hunt' his dinner. Frozen ones are fine as well. Mealworms, wax worms, silk worms and crickets are all good options.
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.
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.
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.
Hedgehog - Threats to the 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...
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.
The best food that you can leave out for hedgehogs is meat-based cat or dog food, specially made hedgehog food from a wildlife retailer, or crushed up cat biscuits. 'Human food' will upset their tummies and make a mess in your garden.
Hedgehogs love mealworms, but they're addictive and nutritionally unbalanced. Their high phosphorous and low calcium ratio leads to bone weakening (metabolic bone disease) if fed regularly. Many hedgehogs will gorge on mealworms and ignore healthier foods, causing rapid health decline.
Hedgehogs drink water. They will drink naturally from ponds with sloping sides, or from bird baths placed on the ground. They also benefit from additional water placed in water bowls near a source of food. It was once thought that hedgehogs enjoyed milk.
One final thing to mention is the danger of overfeeding. Hedgehogs vary greatly in size and weight, but can become overweight if they eat too much food (even cat or hedgehog biscuits!). When hedgehogs become too overweight, they are unable to fully curl up into a ball – one of their most important defence mechanisms.
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
Hedgehogs love to play in mazes. You can make your own out of PVC pipe. Make sure to get a size that is large enough for your hedgehog to turn around in, so your little pet doesn't get stuck. You can make the tunnels extra fun by hiding treats in them.
As pets, hedgehogs can recognize and remember their owners' scent and voice, making them a loyal and affectionate companion. They can also quickly learn routines and habits, such as when it's time to eat or play.
Not usually no. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they shouldn't really be seen out in daylight hours. Some of the exceptions to this are pregnant females gathering nesting materials just before she gives birth, or a new 'Mum' taking a break from the nest to get food and water while her young sleep.
Treats. Mealworms, crickets, earthworms, and waxworms can be fed up to three times per week. Offer fresh fruit and vegetables weekly.