Feeding a pet hedgehog: diet basics, insects as treats, foods to avoid and obesity

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Pet African pygmy hedgehogs are insectivores at heart, but most of what they eat in captivity comes from prepared food, with insects added for variety. Getting the balance right matters because hedgehogs put on weight very easily, and an overweight hedgehog is at risk of serious health problems. This guide covers the basics; your exotics vet can tailor them to your hedgehog.

The base of the diet

Most vets and care guides recommend a good quality commercial diet formulated for hedgehogs as the main food. Look for one that lists animal protein high in the ingredients and is not packed with fruit, seeds or colourful fillers. You will see advice online to use cat food instead. Some keepers do, but cat and dog foods are generally richer than a hedgehog needs and are often linked to obesity. If you are unsure what to feed, or your hedgehog is on a cat food mix, ask your vet to look at the ingredients and quantities with you. Practical points:

Feed in the evening, when your hedgehog wakes up, rather than leaving a full bowl down all day.
Measure portions instead of free-feeding.
Remove uneaten food in the morning, especially anything fresh.
Fresh water must always be available, in a heavy bowl or a bottle. Many hedgehogs drink more easily from a shallow bowl.

Insects as a supplement

Live insects add variety, exercise and natural foraging behaviour. Commonly offered options include crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches and other feeder insects bred for pets.

Offer insects a few times a week rather than as the main diet.
Many common feeder insects are high in fat, mealworms and waxworms in particular, so treat them as occasional extras.
Buy feeder insects from a pet supplier. Never collect wild insects from the garden, which may carry parasites or have been exposed to pesticides.
Scatter insects or put them in a dish they cannot climb out of, and remove any that are not eaten.

Fruit and vegetables

Some hedgehogs enjoy tiny amounts of soft, safe fruit and cooked vegetables, but these should be small, occasional extras. Offer one new food at a time in a tiny quantity and watch for upset tummies.

Foods to avoid

Do not feed:

Grapes and raisins
Avocado
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives
Chocolate, sweets and anything sugary
Milk and dairy products; hedgehogs are generally lactose intolerant
Nuts and seeds, which are fatty and a choking risk
Raw meat or eggs
Dried fruit and hard, sticky or stringy foods that can lodge in the mouth
Anything salty, spicy or processed made for people

If you are not sure whether something is safe, leave it out and check with your vet.

Obesity: the most common diet problem

Pet hedgehogs often get far less exercise than wild ones and are frequently fed rich food. Signs of a hedgehog carrying too much weight include:

Fat rolls, especially under the arms and around the legs
Difficulty rolling fully into a ball
Reluctance to run on the wheel
A steadily rising weight on the scales

Obesity is linked to fatty liver disease, heart problems and reduced mobility. To prevent it:

Weigh your hedgehog once a week on kitchen scales and keep a record.
Measure food rather than estimating.
Cut back on fatty insects and treats.
Make sure the wheel is suitable and used every night.
Encourage foraging by hiding food around the enclosure.

Do not put a hedgehog on a sudden crash diet. Ask your vet for a target weight and a gradual plan.

Underweight or not eating

A hedgehog that stops eating, loses weight or produces few or abnormal droppings needs a vet promptly. Sudden loss of appetite can also be an early sign of a hibernation attempt if the enclosure has got cold, so check the temperature at the same time. What does your hedgehog love to eat, and how do you keep its weight in check? Share your tips or questions in the comments.