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.
Feeding hedgehogs:
Use plain kitten biscuits or meat-based wet dog or cat food. You can also use specialist hedgehog food but keep in mind that this isn't regulated and can vary in quality so always make sure to check.
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.
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.
Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog's main natural food source. A typical diet includes: beetles.
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.
To encourage bonding with your hedgehog, use treats like mealworms or waxworms, which are both appealing and nutritious for them. Introduce these treats gradually, offering them by hand while speaking in a gentle, friendly tone.
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.
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 fruits that are safe for hedgehogs include small amounts of apples, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas. Always ensure to remove any seeds and introduce new fruits gradually to avoid digestive issues.
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 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.
Treats can include live, canned or freeze dried crickets, mealworms (only one or two per day), wax worms or other insects. We prefer to use pet-quality, farm raised insects to wild caught insects because of the risk of parasite infection, insecticide exposure or other toxins in wild caught bugs.
Hedgehogs should have constant access to clean, fresh drinking water. They will drink from a bowl, but many pet parents use a bottle on the side of the cage. Use water that is safe for human consumption. Pet parents typically offer bottled or filtered tap water, based on water quality.
Leaving food and fresh water out in the garden each night will encourage visiting hedgehogs to return regularly. Try tinned meaty cat or dog food and crushed cat or dog biscuits. Place the food and water in shallow bowls so they can access them easily. Refresh daily, disposing of food if it's not been eaten.
What not to feed hedgehogs The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs:-
Hedgehogs can't digest cereal.
So it doesn't matter what the listed protein percentage is, if the source can't be digested it means nothing. The hog can fill himself up every night and gain weight, but still suffer from malnutrition.
Live insects can be fed three to four times per week. Each serving should consist of one cricket or large mealworm or two to three medium sized mealworms. If you elect not to feed live, dry insect food can make up 15 to 25% of your hedgehog's daily meal.
Hedgehogs often eat creepy crawlies such as earwigs, earthworms, beetles, and caterpillars – snuffling through undergrowth and using their keen sense of smell to find their dinner.
In addition to the calcium issues, the high fat content of mealworms has obvious disadvantages. The tough exoskeleton of the mealworm can be difficult to digest and impactions of the gut from undigested mealworm skins is not uncommon.
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. Consumption of milk and milk-based foods may lead to diarrhea.
The more the attachment develops between you and your hedgehog, the more you will grow to love and enjoy your pet. Some hedgehogs will bond to their owners for life (HHC). Bonding does require effort, persistence, and an understanding of hedgehogs.
Best Toys for Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs have prickly quills along their back to protect them from predators. They are shy animals and will roll up into a tight ball and hide their face if they are frightened. Always approach a hedgehog slowly and handle them with a small towel so you don't prick yourself on one of their quills.