Hedgehogs are growing in popularity as pets in the United States, and you recently brought home a cute and spiny hedgehog to join your pet family. You want to make sure that you’re taking proper care of this new and exotic member of your menagerie, so you’re looking for the best food to feed your hedgehog. During your searches, you’ve discovered that many people recommend cat food. Huh? Cat food? Really? Can hedgehogs eat cat food?
You may be surprised, but yes, hedgehogs can eat cat food, but there are better options. We’re here to help you make you’re feeding your hedgehog a diet to keep it healthy.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Cat Food?
For many years, hedgehogs had no commercial food options as they were not popular pets. Many owners fed their hedgehogs cat food as an acceptable substitute because it contained sufficient protein for a hedgehog’s diet and was small enough for them to chew. Due to their increased popularity as pets, however, there are now food pellets on the market that will better meet the specific dietary needs of hedgehogs. Many veterinarians recommend feeding your hog a pellet produced specifically for hedgehogs and supplementing it with various insects.
So, yes, hedgehogs can eat cat food, but the question is whether you should feed your hog cat food when hedgehog foods are now available on the market. It would be best to discuss your hog’s diet options with your veterinarian, so you know you’re feeding it the best diet for growth and health.
What Types of Food Do Hedgehogs Eat in the Wild?
Hedgehogs are insectivores, meaning they eat insects but will also eat various food in the wild. They eat snakes, fish, mollusks, such as worms (worms and snails), bird eggs, amphibians, carrion, roots, berries, mushrooms, and berries. This diverse diet can be replicated for domesticated hedgehogs using a food pellet formulated for hedgehogs and with supplemental feeding of insects.
What Pellets Should I Feed My Hedgehog?
The first item for a healthy diet for your hedgehog is a pellet food formulated for hedgehogs. Exotic Nutrition Hedgehog Complete Hedgehog Food is a veterinarian-recommended pellet containing 35% crude protein that contains dried mealworms to create a vitamin-rich food for your pet. If you’re looking for a pellet that has slightly less protein and a higher fat content, the Mazuri Hedgehog Diet offers a pellet that is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Hedgehogs that enjoy berries as part of a high-protein diet may enjoy Exotic Nutrition Berries & Bugs Sugar Glider & Hedgehog Food.
What Other Foods Should I Feed My Hedgehog?
Besides protein-rich pellet food, it is also important to feed your hedgehog insects and some fresh fruits and vegetables to make sure it has a well-rounded diet.
A Note About Insects
Insects are considered an important part of a hedgehog’s diet because chitin, the hard exoskeleton found on many insects, is an excellent protein source. Your hedgehog will need to be fed store-bought bugs as part of a regular diet. Do not feed your pet wild bugs as they may contain toxins, such as fertilizers. You can dust the bugs with a nutritional powder to help gut load the insects to provide your hedgehog with the best nutrition.
- Related read: Can Hedgehogs Eat Celery? What You Need To Know!
Conclusion
Hedgehogs can be fed cat food if there are no other options available, but many veterinarians are now recommending that owners feed their hedgehogs commercially available pellets that meet the exact nutritional needs of hogs. Pellets should be supplemented with live or freeze-dried insects, as well as some vegetables and fruits, to give your hedgehog a well-rounded diet. If you’re still unsure about the best foods to feed your hedgehog, reach out to your veterinarian to help you create a diet that works for you and your hog.
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