What can hedgehogs not eat?

Hedgehogs have specific dietary needs, and it’s important to know what they should not be fed.

Among the foods that hedgehogs should avoid are:
1. Cheaper cat/dog food brands with poor calcium:phosphorus ratio and high sugar content.
2. Dairy products like cow’s milk and cheese due to lactose intolerance.
3. Raisins, sultanas, currants, and berries containing high sugar levels.
4. Bread, as it is difficult for hedgehogs to digest. Be cautious with their diet to ensure their health and well-being.

What Not To Feed Hedgehogs

What should I give a hedgehog in my garden?

Feed hedgehogs in your garden with plain kitten biscuits or meat-based wet dog or cat food. You can also opt for specialist hedgehog food, but quality can vary, so ensure to verify before feeding.

1. Avoid feeding hedgehogs milk or bread as they are harmful to them.
2. Provide a shallow dish of water for hedgehogs to drink.
3. Limit the use of pesticides in your garden to protect hedgehogs.
4. Create a safe shelter for hedgehogs to rest and hibernate.
5. Monitor their feeding habits regularly for any changes or concerns.

What do you feed hedgehogs in the garden?

Feed hedgehogs in the garden with fruits like apples, plums, or pears and nuts like unsalted peanuts or brazils. Avoid root vegetables and cooked potatoes. Remove uneaten food the next day and replace with fresh offerings each evening.

1. Offer hedgehogs a diet of fruits such as apples, plums, or pears.
2. Include nuts like unsalted peanuts or brazils in their food.
3. Avoid giving hedgehogs root vegetables like carrots or cooked potatoes.
4. Remove any uneaten food the next day and replace it with fresh offerings each evening.

What can pet hedgehogs not eat?

Pet hedgehogs should not eat cedar shavings. While cheap and commonly available, cedar shavings are toxic to hedgehogs. They can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and liver problems. It’s essential to choose safer bedding options for your hedgehog’s health and well-being. Consider alternatives like aspen shavings or fleece liners. Ensuring a safe environment for your pet is crucial for their overall health.

Are hedgehogs human friendly?

Hedgehogs can be friendly towards humans. Generally, when kept as pets, hedgehogs have a lifespan ranging from 4 to 6 years, with some living up to 8 years. However, they are susceptible to certain health issues such as mites, parasites, cancer, heart disease, and obesity, according to experts.

Can hedgehogs eat oatmeal?

Yes, hedgehogs can eat oatmeal. However, it is essential to introduce new foods gradually to monitor any adverse reactions.

1. Oatmeal should be given in small quantities as an occasional treat.
2. Ensure it is plain, cooked, and free from any added sugars or flavorings to avoid any digestive issues.
3. Always consult a vet or an expert before introducing new foods to ensure the hedgehog’s well-being.

What can I feed hedgehogs in my garden?

You can feed hedgehogs in your garden with cat food, dog food, or specialized hedgehog food. You can also offer them mealworms, fruit, vegetables, or unsalted nuts. Remember to provide fresh water for them to drink. Avoid giving them milk, bread, or any food high in salt and sugar. Be cautious of using pesticides in your garden as it can harm hedgehogs.

What bedding is toxic to hedgehogs?

Avoid using cedar shavings as bedding for hedgehogs as they are toxic and can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and liver complications. It’s important to prioritize the health of your hedgehog by opting for safer alternatives like aspen shavings, paper-based bedding, or fleece liners. Choose bedding materials that do not emit harmful fumes or dust to ensure a healthy environment for your pet.

Can hedgehogs eat grapes?

Hedgehogs cannot eat grapes. While grapes may provide some nutrients, hedgehogs lack the ability to digest certain foods, including grapes, which can be harmful to them.

Additional information:

1. Hedgehogs have sensitive digestive systems and should not be fed grapes as they can cause digestive issues.
2. Safe food options for hedgehogs include insects, lean meats, and commercially available hedgehog food.
3. It’s important to prioritize a balanced and species-appropriate diet for hedgehogs to ensure their health and well-being.

What can I leave out for hedgehogs to eat?

For hedgehogs to eat, you can provide fruits like apples, plums, or pears, as well as nuts such as unsalted peanuts or brazils. Avoid root vegetables such as carrots and consider leaving out some cooked potato. If the food is not eaten overnight, make sure to remove anything that may spoil and replace it with fresh food in the evening.

1. Offer fruits like apples, plums, or pears.
2. Provide nuts such as unsalted peanuts or brazils.
3. Avoid root vegetables like carrots.
4. Consider leaving some cooked potato.
5. Remove uneaten food to avoid spoilage.
6. Replace with fresh offerings in the evening.

Can hedgehogs eat cheerios?

Yes, hedgehogs can eat Cheerios. When feeding hedgehogs, it’s best to provide a combination of meat-based wet dog or cat foods, or dry cat/kitten food. However, remember that in the wild, hedgehogs primarily eat insects and worms, so these should still be their main food source. Cheerios can be an occasional treat but should not replace their main diet.

What should you never feed a hedgehog?

What Not To Feed Hedgehogs

What do hedgehogs not like to eat?

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.

Do hedgehogs like scrambled egg?

Food and fresh water laid out between February and October will encourage visiting hedgehogs to return regularly. You could try leaving out food such as minced meat, fresh liver, tinned dog food (not fish-based), or even scrambled eggs.

Do hedgehogs like mashed potatoes?

Crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms are some of their favorites. Other foods that can be given as occasional treats include scrambled or boiled eggs, peas, broccoli, apple, mashed potato, cooked lamb, chicken or mince, and dog food.

What diseases do hedgehogs carry to dogs?

One of the biggest examples of this with hedgehogs is the spread of a disease called salmonella. You can catch this, but also, your dog can, too. If he does, you can expect severe dehydration, sepsis, lethargy, dehydration, and depression.

Can hedgehogs eat scrambled eggs?

Hedgehogs love to eat eggs and you can feed them to them on a regular basis, or as an occasional treat! It is considered an alternative food to a commercially formulated diet. Unlike other domesticated animals, these pets can eat either scrambled or hard-boiled except raw eggs.”

What foods are poisonous to hedgehogs?

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.

In conclusion, being aware of what hedgehogs should not eat is crucial to their health and well-being. By avoiding harmful foods like dairy, citrus fruits, and processed snacks, we can help ensure that these adorable creatures thrive in captivity. It is important to provide a balanced and species-appropriate diet to hedgehogs, which consists mainly of high-quality cat food and mealworms. Remember to always consult with a veterinarian or exotic animal specialist for specific dietary recommendations tailored to your hedgehog’s individual needs. With proper care and attention to their dietary requirements, hedgehogs can live long, healthy lives as beloved pets.