You can determine if your hedgehog is hungry by observing its behavior and physical condition. Key indicators include increased activity, eagerly approaching food, vocalizations, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Main Food. Domesticated hedgehogs should be fed a hedgehog pelleted diet every day. Depending on your hedgehog's weight and activity level, feed 3–4 teaspoons of hedgehog pellets per day. Since hedgehogs are nocturnal it's best to feed them at night.
However if you find a hedgehog staggering around, lying still (not in a nest), with flies around it or obviously sick or injured be it day or night, it needs urgent help. Sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs are very susceptible to hypothermia.
Avoid feeding too many treats or foods that are high in fat or sugar. Measure food portions: It can be easy to overfeed a hedgehog, especially if you're not sure how much food they need. Measure out food portions to make sure your pet is getting the right amount.
They reduce their body functions to a minimum. With the energy reserves they have piled up by eating, they can survive for up to half a year without food.
Badgers are hedgehogs' main predators in the UK. They are the only animals strong enough to tackle a hedgehog's spiny defences. Hedgehogs and badgers share what's known as an asymmetric intraguild predation relationship.
They do sometimes return several times to feed during the night, especially if your garden is in the middle of a run of several gardens that they routinely visit.
What not to feed hedgehogs The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs:-
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.”
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.
If your hedgehog is unusually still in the evening—sleeping in short, restless bursts, waking and dozing repeatedly, or staying sluggish when they would normally explore—it can be a sign of unhappiness or even illness.
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.
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.
Hedgehogs tend to bond with their owners. They will remember your voice, your smell, and even your appearance.
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.
Be patient, some hedgehogs will visit the same gardens every night whilst others, especially males will roam further. So there will be some occasions when no Hedgehogs visit.
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.
This decline is partly due to a loss of natural habitat, which provides both shelter and food for hedgehogs. Fencing, pesticides, garden hazards (like ponds, strimmers and netting) and development and construction also have an impact. And of course, cars are a major threat to hedgehogs, killing thousands each year.
Symptoms of stress
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.
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.
As opportunistic eaters, hedgehogs will readily consume food left out in your garden. The best foods to provide are: meat-based cat or dog food. specially-made hedgehog food.
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.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and will typically sleep during the day and come out to feed at night, so it's best to put hedgehog food out in the evening, around dusk. In addition to putting out hedgehog food, we recommend leaving a small bowl of water out for them too.
The more the attachment develops between you and your hedgehog the more you will grow to love and enjoy your pet. Bonding does require effort, persistence, and an understanding of hedgehogs for the strongest attachment bonds. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight so using its other senses will increase bonding effectiveness.