Diet
Hedgehogs are insectivors in the wild. In captivity they require a diet with a variety of things for them to live long healthy lives.
StaplesHedgehog’s staple diet should consist of a mix of 2-3 high quality cat food. They should be free fed when it comes to kibble. Any leftover food needs to be thrown out daily, but over time you will leave over time how much your hedgehog eats. Kibble should be counted or weighed to keep track of how much is usually eaten. This will allow you to easily determine if your hedgehog is not eating and if something is wrong. Live insects such as; Mealworms, crickets, butter worms, and wax worms should be part of a daily diet. Insects should be live and not freeze dried, freeze dried insects cause constipation and blockages. The Kibble should be of high quality, have 28-32 % proteins. The fat should be 9-12% for the average hog, and up to 15-18% for babies, nursing mothers and marathon runners. There should be no fillers, corn, added dies or sugars, meat by product meals or bone meals in the mix.
Fruits and VeggiesHedgehogs require a variety in their diet. Fruits and vetables can do this and give them a wider range of nutrients and vitamins. Below is a list of acceptable food, and also a list of foods which should never be given and are toxic to hedgehogs.
Good
FRUIT
Cherry, Apple, watermelon, Bannanna, Pears, Strawberry, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Mango, Peaches, Pumpkin, Squash, Honeydew, Cranberries, Rasberry, Blackberry, Plum, Blueberry (remove the skin it can be a choking hazard.)
VEGGIES
Carrots, Sweet Potato, Raddish, Turnip, Bell Peppers(not spicy), Asparagus, Corn , Broccoli, Peas,Cauliflower, squash,
Don't Feed
FRUITS
Grapes, Raisins, Avocados, Oranges, Lemons, Lime, Grapefruit,
tea tree oil or anything with it
VEGGIES
Onions, Lettuce, Garlic, Chives, Mushrooms
Meats
Hedgehogs can have meat of almost any kind. Chicken, turkey, pork, beef, fish. However some are better then others and lean meats are better. Beef can be to high in fat and should be used sparingly as a treat. Also fish can make a hedgehogs poop very smelly. Patte and uncooked deli meat should be avoided because of the risk of salmonella, ecoli and other bacteria. All meat should be cooked through. Baking or steaming is the best way to cook meat as it doesnt ad any exrta fats.
Dairy and Other Foods
Hedgehogs are lactosentolerant so dairy products should be a minimum. The exception is small amounts of cottage cheese as a treat. Hedgehogs should not be fed things such as bread and crackers. Proccessed food should also not be fed.
Commercial cat foods:
Two Meat Source as Primary Ingredient
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Light
Innova Reduced Fat Cat
Two Meats and One Meat Meal as Primary IngredientChicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Senior
Innova Senior Cat Food Dry
One Meat and Two Meat Meals as Primary IngredientBlue Buffalo Longevity for Mature Cats
Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Indoor
One Meat and One Meat Meal as Primary Ingredient
Artemis Fresh Mix Senior Formula
Authority Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food
Authority Adult Weight Management Dry Cat Food
Authority Hairball Control/Weight Management Formula Cat Food
Blue Spa Select Weight Control Formula
Blue Longevity for Mature Cats
by Nature Organics Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food
Diamond Naturals Indoor Cat Formula Dry Cat Food
Evolve Senior/Lite Formula
Fromm Mature Gold Dry Cat Food
Natural Planet Organics Dry Cat Food
Newman's Own Organics Advanced Active or Senior Formula
Performatrin Ultra Salmon and Olive Oil
Premium Edge Adult Cat Chicken, Salmon & Vegetables Hairball Management
Premium Edge Adult Cat "Healthy Weight" Weight Reduction & Control Formula
Professional Light Cat Hairball Control Formula
Professional Adult Cat Complete Formula Dry Cat Food
Solid Gold Katz-N-Flocken
Wellness Healthy Weight Feline Recipe
Wellness Indoor Health
One Meat source as Primary Ingredient:
California Natural Herring & Sweet Potato
Castor and Pollux Organix Feline Adult Indoor formula
Now! Grain Free Turkey With Duck Senior & Weight Management
PetGuard Organic Mature Cat Food
Pet Promise Daily Health
Pet Promise Healthy Weight and Aging
Purina ONE Natural Blends Adult Cat Chicken & Oat Meal Formula
Purina ONE Natural Blends Adult Cat Salmon & Brown Rice Formula
Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor 27
Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Oral Sensitive 30
Wysong Anergen Canine/Feline Diet with Lamb & Rice Dry Food
One Meat Meal as Primary IngredientEagle Pack Indoor Multi Cat
Eagle Pack Adult Cat Hairball Formula
Felidae Platinum Diet Formula
Lick Your Chops Senior Dry Cat Maintenance Formula
Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Formula
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Indoor Adult
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Indoor Senior Cat
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Senior Cat Food
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Weight Management
Natural Life Feline Adult Formula
Regal Lean Bites Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Fit 32
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Intense Hairball 34
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Beauty 35
Royal Canin Feline Selective 35/30
Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor Light 37
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Siamese 38
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Light 40
Sensible Choice Reduced Calorie Chicken Meal & Rice Cat Food
Popular with Hedgehogs
Natural Balance Green Pea and Duck
Natural Balance Green Pea and Chicken
Natural Balance Green Pea and Salmon
Commercial Hedgehog Food:
1. Spike's Delight Hedgehog foods (all formulas)
2. Sunseed Hedgehog food
3. Brisky's Hedgehog foods
4. 8in1 Ultra Hedgehog food
5. L'Avian Hedgehog food
6. Hedgehog Complete by Exotic Nutrition
7. Viva exotics
The rest on this list, are horrid and they should not be fed.
8. Pretty Pets hedgehog food
9. Zoofare insectavore
10. Mazuri insectavore
11. Brown's Zoo Vital
12. Vitakraft
Insects/insect nutrition:
MEALWORMS
FAT: 12.70%
PROTIEN: 20.30%
FIBRE: 1.70%
WATER: 62 %
CRICKETS
FAT: 6%
PROTIEN: 21.30%
FIBRE: 3.20%
WATER: 70%
BUTTERWORMS
FAT: 5.20%
PROTIEN: 16.20%
FIBRE: unknown%
WATER: 59 %
WAX WORMS
FAT: 22.20%
PROTIEN: 15.50%
FIBRE: 7.70%
WATER:62%
SILK WORMS
FAT: 10.60%
PROTIEN: 63.80%
FIBRE: unknown%
WATER: 76 %
Hedgehogs are insectivors in the wild. In captivity they require a diet with a variety of things for them to live long healthy lives.
StaplesHedgehog’s staple diet should consist of a mix of 2-3 high quality cat food. They should be free fed when it comes to kibble. Any leftover food needs to be thrown out daily, but over time you will leave over time how much your hedgehog eats. Kibble should be counted or weighed to keep track of how much is usually eaten. This will allow you to easily determine if your hedgehog is not eating and if something is wrong. Live insects such as; Mealworms, crickets, butter worms, and wax worms should be part of a daily diet. Insects should be live and not freeze dried, freeze dried insects cause constipation and blockages. The Kibble should be of high quality, have 28-32 % proteins. The fat should be 9-12% for the average hog, and up to 15-18% for babies, nursing mothers and marathon runners. There should be no fillers, corn, added dies or sugars, meat by product meals or bone meals in the mix.
Fruits and VeggiesHedgehogs require a variety in their diet. Fruits and vetables can do this and give them a wider range of nutrients and vitamins. Below is a list of acceptable food, and also a list of foods which should never be given and are toxic to hedgehogs.
Good
FRUIT
Cherry, Apple, watermelon, Bannanna, Pears, Strawberry, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Mango, Peaches, Pumpkin, Squash, Honeydew, Cranberries, Rasberry, Blackberry, Plum, Blueberry (remove the skin it can be a choking hazard.)
VEGGIES
Carrots, Sweet Potato, Raddish, Turnip, Bell Peppers(not spicy), Asparagus, Corn , Broccoli, Peas,Cauliflower, squash,
Don't Feed
FRUITS
Grapes, Raisins, Avocados, Oranges, Lemons, Lime, Grapefruit,
tea tree oil or anything with it
VEGGIES
Onions, Lettuce, Garlic, Chives, Mushrooms
Meats
Hedgehogs can have meat of almost any kind. Chicken, turkey, pork, beef, fish. However some are better then others and lean meats are better. Beef can be to high in fat and should be used sparingly as a treat. Also fish can make a hedgehogs poop very smelly. Patte and uncooked deli meat should be avoided because of the risk of salmonella, ecoli and other bacteria. All meat should be cooked through. Baking or steaming is the best way to cook meat as it doesnt ad any exrta fats.
Dairy and Other Foods
Hedgehogs are lactosentolerant so dairy products should be a minimum. The exception is small amounts of cottage cheese as a treat. Hedgehogs should not be fed things such as bread and crackers. Proccessed food should also not be fed.
Commercial cat foods:
Two Meat Source as Primary Ingredient
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Light
Innova Reduced Fat Cat
Two Meats and One Meat Meal as Primary IngredientChicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Senior
Innova Senior Cat Food Dry
One Meat and Two Meat Meals as Primary IngredientBlue Buffalo Longevity for Mature Cats
Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Indoor
One Meat and One Meat Meal as Primary Ingredient
Artemis Fresh Mix Senior Formula
Authority Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food
Authority Adult Weight Management Dry Cat Food
Authority Hairball Control/Weight Management Formula Cat Food
Blue Spa Select Weight Control Formula
Blue Longevity for Mature Cats
by Nature Organics Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food
Diamond Naturals Indoor Cat Formula Dry Cat Food
Evolve Senior/Lite Formula
Fromm Mature Gold Dry Cat Food
Natural Planet Organics Dry Cat Food
Newman's Own Organics Advanced Active or Senior Formula
Performatrin Ultra Salmon and Olive Oil
Premium Edge Adult Cat Chicken, Salmon & Vegetables Hairball Management
Premium Edge Adult Cat "Healthy Weight" Weight Reduction & Control Formula
Professional Light Cat Hairball Control Formula
Professional Adult Cat Complete Formula Dry Cat Food
Solid Gold Katz-N-Flocken
Wellness Healthy Weight Feline Recipe
Wellness Indoor Health
One Meat source as Primary Ingredient:
California Natural Herring & Sweet Potato
Castor and Pollux Organix Feline Adult Indoor formula
Now! Grain Free Turkey With Duck Senior & Weight Management
PetGuard Organic Mature Cat Food
Pet Promise Daily Health
Pet Promise Healthy Weight and Aging
Purina ONE Natural Blends Adult Cat Chicken & Oat Meal Formula
Purina ONE Natural Blends Adult Cat Salmon & Brown Rice Formula
Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor 27
Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Oral Sensitive 30
Wysong Anergen Canine/Feline Diet with Lamb & Rice Dry Food
One Meat Meal as Primary IngredientEagle Pack Indoor Multi Cat
Eagle Pack Adult Cat Hairball Formula
Felidae Platinum Diet Formula
Lick Your Chops Senior Dry Cat Maintenance Formula
Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Formula
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Indoor Adult
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Indoor Senior Cat
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Senior Cat Food
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Weight Management
Natural Life Feline Adult Formula
Regal Lean Bites Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Fit 32
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Intense Hairball 34
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Beauty 35
Royal Canin Feline Selective 35/30
Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor Light 37
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Siamese 38
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Light 40
Sensible Choice Reduced Calorie Chicken Meal & Rice Cat Food
Popular with Hedgehogs
Natural Balance Green Pea and Duck
Natural Balance Green Pea and Chicken
Natural Balance Green Pea and Salmon
Commercial Hedgehog Food:
1. Spike's Delight Hedgehog foods (all formulas)
2. Sunseed Hedgehog food
3. Brisky's Hedgehog foods
4. 8in1 Ultra Hedgehog food
5. L'Avian Hedgehog food
6. Hedgehog Complete by Exotic Nutrition
7. Viva exotics
The rest on this list, are horrid and they should not be fed.
8. Pretty Pets hedgehog food
9. Zoofare insectavore
10. Mazuri insectavore
11. Brown's Zoo Vital
12. Vitakraft
Insects/insect nutrition:
MEALWORMS
FAT: 12.70%
PROTIEN: 20.30%
FIBRE: 1.70%
WATER: 62 %
CRICKETS
FAT: 6%
PROTIEN: 21.30%
FIBRE: 3.20%
WATER: 70%
BUTTERWORMS
FAT: 5.20%
PROTIEN: 16.20%
FIBRE: unknown%
WATER: 59 %
WAX WORMS
FAT: 22.20%
PROTIEN: 15.50%
FIBRE: 7.70%
WATER:62%
SILK WORMS
FAT: 10.60%
PROTIEN: 63.80%
FIBRE: unknown%
WATER: 76 %