No, you absolutely should not give hedgehogs milk; it's a common myth, but they are lactose intolerant and it causes severe digestive issues, diarrhea, and can be fatal, so always offer a shallow dish of fresh water instead. Do not give them bread, sugary foods, peanuts, or mealworms either, as these are also harmful; instead, provide meat-based cat/dog food or specially made hedgehog food, along with water, to supplement their natural insect diet.
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.
What not to feed hedgehogs. Hedgehogs need a balanced diet with a calcium to phosphorus ratio between 1:1 and 2:1. Foods outside this range can lead to serious health problems like Metabolic Bone Disease. Avoid giving mealworms, sunflower hearts, peanuts, crickets, and beetles.
No, it will make them unwell. Hedgehogs should not drink milk or any other dairy product such as cheese or yogurt. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and their digestive system cannot handle dairy or lactose.
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.
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.
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.
Toxic foods for hedgehogs include chocolate, caffeine, dairy products, and certain fruits like grapes and citrus. It's essential to avoid these items to ensure your hedgehog's health and well-being.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies). We know what they eat from scientific studies that have analysed hedgehog poo or looked in the stomachs of hedgehogs killed on roads.
For many years, it was believed that bread and milk were appropriate for hedgehogs, but we now know this not to be the case as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. Instead, please provide the following: Shallow bowls of water (a life saver, especially in hot, dry weather)
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.
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
What not to feed hedgehogs The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs:-
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so please do not give them milk.
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.
Despite their preference for limited physical affection, once your pet hedgehog has adapted to being handled and settled into its environment, you can gently stroke their quills and allow them to climb up your arms and explore various areas under supervision.
Feeding hedgehogs:
If food isn't eaten overnight, remove anything that will go off and replace it with fresh offerings in the evening. Research suggests that unpredictable supplementary feeding is beneficial e.g. moving the feeding spots around and scattering food in a more natural way.
No! Please don't do this. It's great that you want to encourage hedgehogs into your garden, but taking one from an area where it knows food and water sources to an unknown area isn't fair. More worryingly, it could have dependent young in a nest – without its return, the nest will fail and the young won't survive.
Salmonellosis is the most often described zoonotic bacterial disease in hedgehogs. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most common types of Salmonella that cause infections in humans and animals [47].
While hedgehogs don't emit a stinky odor naturally, they're very capable of smelling bad in the right (or wrong) circumstances. Fortunately, the factors that influence this are all things that you control as the owner. That means, for the most part, if your hedgehog smells bad it's on you!
The average hedgehog is content to do its own thing and may not show any outward sign that it cares about its owner's existence unless you have a treat in your hand. Despite their somewhat solitary nature, they can become very affectionate with their owners and will even enjoy snuggling on your lap.
Signs of stress
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.”
Choose things that are pretty sturdy, such as rawhide chews, balls, small cars, and stuffed animals. Hedgehogs can't see well, so they tend to go for brightly-colored toys. Just be sure to stick with safe items. Don't give your hedgehog anything with small parts, sharp edges, or dangling ropes.