Best Food For Hedgehogs
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Hedgehogs make great pets. They are cute and friendly, but you have to be careful about what you feed a hedgehog.
They have dietary standards that need to be adhered to, so you don’t want to just trust product packaging.
Keep in mind that a lot of that packaging is just meant to sell merchandise and not necessarily provide balanced nutrition for your pet.
What To Know About Hedgehog Nutrition?
While hedgehogs can often eat some of the same food you give to cats or dogs, their nutritional needs have to be met, and they won’t be met by every kind of cat or dog food. Let’s look at what a hedgehog needs for balanced nutrition:
- They are omnivores– They need a lot of meat, but they also need some veggies and other types of food for a balanced diet
- They need very little fat– Hedgehogs don’t move very fast, so you need to keep their fat intake to a minimum
- They have to have protein- Hedgehogs need about 30% of their food to be protein
- They need their fiber– Hedgehogs also have to have a lot of fiber, which they usually get from insects and vegetables
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Food For Hedgehogs
|
Overall Best
1. Suncoast Sugar Gliders Spike's Delite Hedgehog Premium Diet Food |
Best For African Pygmy Hedgehog
4. Wysong Dream Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dog & Cat Treats |
||
|
Protein
32% Min |
Protein
35.01% Min |
Protein
38% Min |
Protein
48% Min |
|
Fat
12% Min |
Fat
7.07% Min |
Fat
8% Min |
Fat
21% Min |
|
Fiber
6% Max |
Fiber
8.0% Max |
Fiber
9% Max |
Fiber
0.5% Max |
|
Type
Food Supplement |
Type
Grains, Mealworms |
Type
All-In-One Pellet Diet |
Type
Treats, Freeze-Dried |
|
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Our Top Picks For The Best Food For Hedgehogs
Let’s look at a few foods that you can give your hedgehog to provide them with optimum nutrition. Some of these are designed not only for hedgehogs, but also for cats and dogs, so they aren’t that hard to find.
Suncoast Sugar Gliders Spike's Delite Hedgehog Premium Diet Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Type: Food Supplement
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Plenty of protein for a healthy hedgehog diet
- Packed with vitamins and minerals
- Made with high quality ingredients
- More expensive than most treats
This has a lot of meat-based protein, so your hedgehog should be able to get all the protein it needs for its diet here, but you need to be careful about the sugar and fat levels and be sure to supplement this food with something that has more veggies, fruits and fiber.
Exotic Nutrition Hedgehog Complete Hedgehog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 35.01% Min
- Fat: 7.07% Min
- Fiber: 8.0% Max
- Type: Grains, Mealworms
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains ample fiber
- Packed with protein
- Complete nutrition for your hedgehog
- Contains grains, which some hedgehogs may be allergic or sensitive to
There is also a lot of protein packed into this hedgehog food, which is excellent for your pet. You’ll find plenty of fiber too, as insect parts have been incorporated into the formula to give it the authentic feel of a wild hedgehog’s diet.
Sunseed Vita Prima Wholesome Nutrition Hedgehog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 38% Min
- Fat: 8% Min
- Fiber: 9% Max
- Type: All-In-One Pellet Diet
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Packed with fiber and protein for a balanced hedgehog diet
- Ideal for most hedgehog’s dietary needs
- Just the right amount of fat to keep your pet healthy
- Not agreeable to every hedgehog
- May contain too much fish for your pet’s diet
The ample fish that serves as the primary protein in this food, however, can give some hedgehogs with sensitive stomach indigestion, so you may just want to test it out and see how it goes for your own pet. Most of them will eat it just fine, but it’s worth noting that some people have had their hedgehogs turn up their nose at the formula.
Wysong Dream Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dog & Cat Treats
Product Info
- Protein: 48% Min
- Fat: 21% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Type: Treats, Freeze-Dried
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Full of nutrients for your pet
- Has plenty of protein
- Most hedgehogs love it
- Not usually something you can use as your hedgehog’s primary food source
It is also packed with tons of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other nutrients that help your hedgehog have a healthy immune system and stay energized and happy. It also doesn’t have any manmade additives, such as artificial flavorings or artificial coloring. That’s going to cut down on any risk that your hedgehog will suffer an allergic reaction or experience food intolerance with these treats.
Because they are treats, they are meant to supplement a varied and balanced diet They can be the primary food source for your hedgehog, but it won’t always be the best thing to base your pet’s diet on. Still, these healthy snacks are a great way to get your hedgehog eating and ensure it gets the nutrition it needs.
Overview
Those were our top picks for hedgehog foods that are widely available and of decent quality. Your hedgehog may have specific needs that these products may not meet, and you need to consult with your veterinarian before you make any major changes to your pet’s diet.
If you are changing out your hedgehog’s food for something new, then be sure to introduce it slowly, including some of their old food every so often to wean them off of it and onto something different in a way that is gentle on their stomach.
Keep in mind that not all hedgehogs have the same dietary requirements. According to Hedgehog Care, you need to watch your pet’s weight and cut back on or add some things into their diet to get their weight where it needs to be and meet their energy requirements.
Hopefully, one of these will be perfect for your hedgehog and provide the nutrition it needs while making sure your hedgehog is happy and eating well.
