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What Do Hedgehogs Eat?

In This Article, We Will Know About What Do Hedgehogs Eat?

By TrendingFastIndiaPublished 4 years ago 3 min read

What do hedgehogs eat? We know that they eat the leaves of the plant we call the hedgehog, but we have no idea what that plant looks like. What do hedgehogs eat? And what do they eat that we don’t? Hedgehogs are an animal with long, thin bodies and long legs which is part of the hedgehog family. They eat insects, small fruits, and carrion. They are often found in the leaf litter or seeds around dead animals. They live in large groups and normally feed in pairs and are not territorial.

Any sort of fruit and berries are on the menu when a hedgehog is in search of food. They are particularly fond of blackberries and cherries. What they eat will depend on where they live and the time of year. In the spring, they eat young shoots and leaves, but as summer approaches their diet becomes more succulent. They will then eat caterpillars, earthworms, beetles, and other insects.

In autumn, they are more likely to eat apples, pears, plums, and other fruits. Throughout the winter, they will eat roots, nuts, and berries. They do not require water, as they get most of their moisture from the food they eat.

What Do Hedgehogs Like To Eat?

Insects

Worms

Berries

Fruits

Vegetables

Eggs

Mushrooms

Roots

Small animals

Beetles

Earwigs

Caterpillars

Earthworms

Millipedes

Fly larvae

What Do Do Baby Hedgehogs Eat?

Hedgehogs eat meat, insects, and plants. They are carnivores, meaning that their diet is mainly meat. That being said, baby hedgehogs must eat vegetables and fruits along with meat to develop vitamin B6, which is important for healthy brain development. Baby hedgehogs must be fed with baby food (e.g. Gerber) that contains animal protein and vegetables. Insects, such as crickets, are also a popular food item for baby hedgehogs, as are mealworms.

Hedgehog food is made specifically for them. Hedgehog food is available on the market in pouches, for easy use. Hedgehogs are omnivores, eating both insects and plants. You can feed your pet hedgehog fresh fruits, vegetables, and insects. As a general rule, the food should be a combination of proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, as well as carbohydrates, fiber, water, and other vitamins and minerals. Insects are a good source of protein. Since they come in all shapes and sizes, you will have to select those that are suitable for the hedgehog.

What To Feed Hedgehogs

There are certain foods that hedgehogs should never eat. These include alcohol, chocolate, and garlic. On the other hand, hedgehogs shouldn’t be fed too many fruits and vegetables. The reason for this is that fruits and vegetables contain minerals such as iron. The thing is that hedgehogs can’t process iron. They have a metabolic disorder called hemochromatosis. When they consume too much iron, they can develop a build-up of iron in their organs. A hedgehog shouldn’t be overfed either. Doing so can lead to obesity.

Not all kinds of food that we can feed, can be fed to a hedgehog. Feeding hedgehogs with the wrong sort of food could cause serious problems, so you have to pay special attention to it. You should know that hedgehog’s stomach is too small to digest larger food pieces. Crushed cat food is the best food for a hedgehog. You can feed your hedgehog with crushed dog food as well.

Don’t feed your hedgehog with dog food, as it could give your hedgehog indigestion. You should also avoid feeding your hedgehog with dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and other food that has high moisture content. Your hedgehog can get diarrhea and other digestive problems if it eats the above-mentioned food. Even though a hedgehog is an insectivore and it doesn’t need any other food, you can give your hedgehog mealworms, crickets, earthworms, small cockroaches, fruits, vegetables, and fish. You should give your hedgehog fresh water every day.

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