Lots of things, including cereal, are a source of protein. But you need to be able to digest that source, to absorb the protein. There's 28% protein in grass, but we can't digest grass so can't access that protein, or any of the other nutriments it contains.
They're also pretty keen on cooked potato, small pieces of fruit (not citrus) or even unsweetened muesli or Weetabix. If you have a problem with cats eating the food, place it under a brick shelter with a gap only big enough for the hedgehog to get through.
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.
Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits. Supply good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife food suppliers. Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread - milk can cause diarrhoea and bread isn't very nutritious.
Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy. Starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes, and carrots should be avoided as well as dried vegetables.
Mealworms and crickets are among their favourites. They can also eat beetles, waxworms, millipedes, grasshoppers, hornworms and maggots. You have three options when feeding pygmy hedgehogs insects: live insects, freeze-dried insects and canned insects.
The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs: Bread and milk: hogs are lactose intolerant so milk can make them ill and bread has little nutritional value.
For the most part no, hedgehogs cannot eat cheese. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant so dairy products aren't good for them. However, some hedgehogs have been said to like cottage cheese in very small amounts. If your hedgehog is in this group then you'll want to make this a rare special occasion just to play it safe.
Hedgehogs mostly eat invertebrates at ground level that are inactive. They are opportunistic omnivores though and will sometimes eat eggs, small mammals, chicks, frogs, flies and carrion.
Most Recommended Dry Food To Feed Your Hedgehog
Protein is dangerous if it is too high, so we recommend American Journey Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food cat food.
Hedgehogs are sensitive to temperature changes. The ideal range is between 75°F and 85°F. However, they will tolerate temperatures between 72°F and 90°F. Hedgehogs can go into a hibernation-like state of inactivity when temperatures are too hot or too cold.
Hedgehogs are lactose-intolerant and will have stomach problems after consuming most dairy products, though occasional plain lowfat yogurt (yogurt contains bacteria that naturally process lactose) or cottage cheese seem to be well tolerated. Sugar intake should be restricted to fruits, avoid any treat with added sugar.
The worst foods are mealworms, sunflower hearts, peanuts and oats. Eating these foods forces the hedgehogs body to make up for the lack of calcium in it's bloodstream by taking it from the bones. The bones will become weak and painful, and prone to breaks.
Hedgehogs can eat good quality proprietary hedgehog biscuits, dog biscuits and cat biscuits, which are best in that order. Along with plenty of fresh drinking water offered in a shallow sided dish or feeding station for hedgehogs. Cooked meaty dog and cat food are also good alternatives.
Can hedgehogs eat tuna? Yes, only if the tuna is freshed, unseasoned and no oil drizzled on it. Canned tuna that is usually drenched in oil is a strict NO for your hedgehogs. As canned tuna is being preserved with a high salt content, it might not be ideal for your hedgehog in terms of its health.
Only put out small amounts of food, as this is supplementary to their natural diet. Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread as they can't digest it and it upsets their stomachs. Be aware that putting any food out will attract all sorts of wildlife including predators, not just hedgehogs.
If an animal is low on chitin, it will eat food containing chitin like eggshells (chitin is the material claws and fur is made of). Eggshells are not dangerous for hedgehogs; if the amount of eggshell eaten is higher than the hedgehog needs, then it is not absorbed and is removed from the body in the natural way.
Bread: no, hedgehogs can't digest it. No large chunks of meat either, especially not red meat: their tiny teeth can't tear or chew large pieces. No bacon or corned beef: too salty.
What about peanuts and sunflower seeds? High in energy, protein and other nutrients, nuts and seeds are safe for hedgehogs when – like mealworms – they're part of a mixture with an acceptable calcium/phosphorus ratio overall. Again, we only recommend giving them as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.
Yes, Hedgehogs Can Eat Broccoli
The thicker stalks of the broccoli plant are also safe for hedgehogs to eat, although they're a little tougher and may not appeal as much to your pet. Petkeen.com recommends you avoid feeding your hedgehog raw broccoli, but boiled and steamed vegetables are completely okay.
Essential Oils: I have been advised that oils that are considered "hot" are toxic to hedgehogs. Oils that are considered hot: Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Hyssop, Lemongrass, Ocotea, Oregano, Peppermint, Thieves, and Thyme. These are often contained in blends.
Cat and dog food has been scientifically balanced to be safe and nutritious, and contains no ingredients that are harmful to hedgehogs. Although both dog and cat food are perfect supplementary foods for hedgehogs, because they have small mouths the tiny size of kitten biscuits is ideal.
¿Never feed hedgehogs bread or milk - cow's milk can cause diarrhoea and bread is very low in nutrients. Our scientific officer, Evie Button, said: Hunger hits hedgehogs hard in the winter. But the public can play a vital role in helping them get through these colder months by putting food out for them.