This means that they are eating a wide variety of food sources in the wilderness. Unfortunately, hedgehogs will hoover up anything up they can get their paws on, but that doesn’t mean it’s at all good for their sensitive stomachs. We have a hedgehog that’s had 6 babies, all seem to be doing well, we feed dry food and wet food and water.. We have a couple of hedgehogs also, visiting the garden every night I’ve put a house in the bottom of the garden under shrubbery and put a bowl of cat food one night and a bowl of hedgehog food the next and of course a bowl of water, long may it last…. They can also eat beetles, waxworms, millipedes, grasshoppers, hornworms and maggots. Beyond food, there are other ways to help protect hedgehogs. They are definitely not picky eaters. What to feed hedgehogs. Included on the list … You can start feeding hedgehogs as soon as they emerge from hibernation in spring. Registered in England No. Place the house in a quiet, shaded corner of your garden to have the best chance of a hog taking up residence. With less than a million hedgehogs currently residing in Britain, it’s more important than ever to do your bit for these national treasures. An individual hog can range over a mile in a single evening, but when gardens are surrounded by impenetrable walls and fencing it becomes difficult for them to move around. The hole should be around 4 to 5 inches in diameter, and will need tape around edges if you’re making one yourself – to stop hedgehogs hurting themselves. Even hedgehogs that have heart complications should avoid the food immediately. As opportunistic eaters, hedgehogs will readily consume food left out in your garden. One way you can help any visiting hogs is to provide some food. We heard a funny noise and found two hedgehogs face to face ? While the amount of food you should offer at each feeding varies with the size and age of your pet, as well as the nutritional content of the food, a good rule of thumb is to provide your hedgehog with only as much food as he can eat in one night.When you change your hedgehog's diet, do so gradually. Dry cat food is great to leave out in a small dish – but we’d recommend avoiding wet cat food as this can spoil if left out for a long period of time. Your email address will not be published. Access to food is an easy way to help – make sure you’re leave food that’s high in animal protein, like our dry kitten food which has the perfect kibble size for tinier mouths. They are also high in copper and manganese. Hedgehogs can eat different types of cat food including wet and dry cat food, vegetables like broccoli, carrots to leafy greens, fruit like apples and bananas, insects like mealworms and crickets, along with meats, especially lean meats like chicken to turkey, scrambled to boiled eggs. Hedgehogs can eat meat, however you should avoid excess amounts of red meats and fatty meats due to the low-fat diet requirements of hedgehogs; Although hedgehogs do eat mainly insects in the wild, avoid bait shop insects because they can contain toxic insecticides. Those with added sugars, salts or artificial nonsense won’t be great for your furry companion, nor your prickly visitor. Mealworms and crickets are among their favourites. What to feed your hedgehog visitors Well-meaning animal lovers traditionally put a saucer of bread and milk out for wild hedgehogs, but in fact this can be harmful to … Discover our recent challenges and successes and how you can help. They can be fed cooked (easier to digest), whole or mashed and mixed into dry or wet food. Any excessive consumption can fill their small stomachs and leave them incapable of absorbing other essential nutrients. While invertebrates are top of the menu, hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters. Spooked cos I put lights on to go back inside so s/he went back to safety! Scientists aren’t entirely sure whether they are immune to these venoms or their body just takes pretty good care of the toxins. As omnivores, hedgehogs benefit from a diverse, well-balanced diet. Black mulberry and hedgehogs Hedgehogs can eat mulberries (black or otherwise) as they are seemingly acceptable in calories (43 cal per 100 g of fresh mulberries). Can hedgehogs eat strawberries? I keep hoping they will have babies and bring them along I love listening to them snorting and making little grunting noises round the garden. We have a big hedgehog come visit our garden every night, we built a house for him filled with straw and put in quiet part of garden. 1982873. 11.6 Can hedgehogs eat blueberries? There are some simple ways for us to help hedgehogs. What a pet hedgehog should eat. 11.10 Can hedgehogs eat oranges? Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy. Just like cats, hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. Hedgehogs can eat cooked potatoes but do remember that potatoes are mostly carbohydrates (89%) and have very little to no amount of other macronutrients. Then they go into my next door neighbours through a gap in the fence and have seconds we don’t over feed them but there are 3 of them and have been coming for about 10 months. By the way, hedgehogs get called opportunistic eaters. What can hedgehogs eat list? When hedgehog-specific … Just note that they can be very picky eaters too so it really depends on your pet. Bananas, apples, pears, blueberries (skin removed), watermelon are generally considered safe for hedgehogs in moderation as they contain a lot of sugar. The 5th-11th May is Hedgehog Awareness Week and to celebrate, we’re dedicating this post to the unique, loveable creatures. One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to hedgehogs is their diet. Bread is another common leftover fed to hedgehogs. For example, they eat earthworms, slugs, snails, caterpillars, and baby mice. You can even include fruits and vegetables as part of their diet. Your email address will not be published. Aww loved reading these comments I just seen on in my garden! I am worried in case they are without a Mum as I haven’t seen an adult hedgehog and they are desperately looking for food, so I have left them some apple (chopped up small) and some water by a bush they seem to live in! Whether or not hedgehogs can eat cat food has been a debated topic for a while, and there's quite an interesting bit of information behind this debate. Rabbit food does not provide hedgehogs any nutritional benefits at all, Rabbits only consume vegetables and even if they come in pellet forms, those pellets will usually be made harder than usual pellets due to the fact of the rabbit’s two front tooth which are strong enough to crush harder food down. One of the key issues when it comes to hedgehog preservation is a lack of awareness in terms of foods to avoid. Types of mushroom in the UK: common identification guide, Bats about trees: winter Broadleaf is out now, Five ways to prepare your garden for winter wildlife, Bread and milk (hogs are lactose intolerant so milk can make them ill. Their diet as a pet would be a dry kibble (we use high protein, low fat cat and kitten foods) supplemented by insects such as meal worms and crickets. Small, spiky and adorable. The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies). Their digestive system isn’t fully capable of digesting lactose, so cows’ milk and cheeses can cause severe sickness and diarrhoea. Credit: Richard Becker / Alamy Stock Photo. These much-loved mammals are in trouble, with the UK population possibly falling by two-thirds in the last 25 years alone. Autumn leaf identification quiz: can you identify these 10 trees? I n nature, wild hedgehogs are insectivores and feed off of wild bugs and insects. Dry cat biscuits, certain insects, certain fruits, some vegetables like broccoli are considered to be safe for hedgehogs. 12 Conclusion Malnutrition, a lack of education and improper care has led to a severe decline in the number of hedgehogs in Britain. Pet food with natural ingredients and no funny business is best for both your pets and roaming hedgehogs. Mulberries contain a relatively high amount of proteins for a berry (11%), but mostly it is also full of sugars like others (close to 85%). Never heard such a weird noise, not sure if they are territorial like cats? Evidence suggests this decline is most severe in rural areas and hogs are actually faring better in our towns and villages than the countryside. As well as providing food, it’s important to ensure hedgehogs can easily access your garden. It’s not exactly clear how much urban hedgehogs rely on food provided by people, but it’s thought to supplement rather than replace their natural diet. Whether you have a familiar face popping up each summer or you want to transform your garden into a hedgehog haven, here are a few simple steps you can take…, Me and my wife found a hedgehog in our garden we fed it chopped cucumber and gave it some water we hope to see him again so we are going to start putting out some food every night any tips please, We have had a hedgehog coming to our garden every night now.. we feed him/her small bowl of cat foot ( meaty not fish) and some cat biscuits mixed in with a bowl of fresh water . Shredded carrots, squash, and zucchini are great foods that turtles can eat, too. Hedgehogs have been known to eat insects, slugs, baby mice, frogs, fish, worms, small snakes, eggs, and even fruit. Are you lucky enough to have a hedgehog visiting your garden? Required fields are marked *, Unit 110, Avro House, Havelock Terrace, London SW8 4AS, UK. We have 3 hedgehogs visit every evening around 9.45 – 10 pm we fed them hedgehog food and a dish of water. But what exactly can hedgehogs eat? I will give it cat food but when I bring my cat in for the night! They’ve just appeared in the past few days. You have three options when feeding pygmy hedgehogs insects: live insects, freeze-dried insects and canned insects. It will take carrion, scraps, some plant material and an opportunist robber taking mice, baby birds and eggs. 11.5 Can hedgehogs eat apples? Hedgehogs - … Had two in one box last night, lots of grunting!!! Credit: Julie N Woodhouse / Alamy Stock Photo. For your pet hedgehog you want to provide a well balanced diet that Ditto tonight! Hogs hunt by snuffling through the undergrowth, using their keen sense of smell and hearing to catch any prey they disturb. Overgrown patches, compost heaps and log piles can all be used by resting hogs. The food will be most beneficial in late summer and autumn when they are building up the fat reserves needed to survive the winter. If you’re interested in just how you would go about cooking … Read on as we discuss how to help prevent the extinction of this beautiful animal by learning what hedgehogs really eat…. 11.4 Can hedgehogs eat bananas? A typical diet includes: Worms are an important food source for hedgehogs. 11.7 Can hedgehogs eat carrots? Another option is to buy or build a hedgehog house. Starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes, and carrots should be avoided as well as dried vegetables. eat whatever food is provided! Give garden wildlife food and shelter with our ready-made habitats and feeders. A space of just 13 x 13cm is enough for any hog to get in and out of your garden. So, what do hedgehogs eat in the wild? Between 2002 and 2017, hedgehog numbers in the UK fell by around a half. Hedgehogs thrive on animal protein and this should form the majority of their diet.  Some fruits and vegetables can be toxic to hedgehogs so it’s best to avod these all together. Occasionally, they may also dine on worms, slugs or snails, which could help to keep your garden pest- free. Wonderful! As opportunistic eaters, hedgehogs will readily consume food left out in your garden. That said, there’s little point leaving insects out for a hedgehog as they can get all they need for themselves. Hedgehogs also need sheltered spaces to sleep during the day and hibernate through the winter. Mealworms have an extremely poor calcium/phosphorus ratio which can cause life threatening problems if eaten as a dietary staple. The best foods to provide are: As well as providing food, you can put out a shallow dish of water to ensure any visiting hogs stay hydrated. This is because invertebrate numbers have been reduced by agricultural intensification and pesticide use. It’s also worth providing food and water during periods of dry, hot weather, as natural resources can become scare in these conditions. Over 70 species found in the UK, from all the native trees to the common non-natives. Hedgehogs Eat High-Quality Dry Cat Food with a Main Ingredient of Chicken. The Woodland Trust and Woodland Trust Nature Detectives logos are registered trademarks. Undomesticated hedgehogs have a natural range of 200 to 300 meters from their nest. Images © protected Woodland Trust. No, they are not supposed to even be offered rabbit food. Carrion, fallen fruit and the eggs of ground-nesting birds may all be taken should a hog come across them. Just like with our cats and dogs, no one wants an overweight hedgehog! On the other hand— they have some amounts of dietary fibers (20%), are rich in vitamin B6, and have some amount of vitamin K present in them. Love hedgehogs and now have 3 places in our garden for them to stay and eat with food and water, not a big garden but busy, I leave hog food out and sprinkle some round garden for them to find. Because hedgehogs have a somewhat limited ability to digest plant material, they should not be fed unripe fruit or raw fibrous vegetables (such as celery and kale). For a very long time, commercial hedgehog food wasn't available anywhere. We rescued a hedgehog and he/she slept in a baby pram and with a dolly.we are going to release he /she when all frosty mornings are gone. They will munch on just about anything. The best foods to provide are: Meat-based cat or dog food; Specially-made hedgehog food; Cat biscuits; As well as providing food, you can put out a shallow dish … 2296645), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodland Trust. Fruits can be yummy treats for your hedgehog and they’ll definitely enjoy scarfing down a large number of the fruits on this list. Here’s a list of vegetables hedgehogs can eat: Arugula; Spinach; Dandelion greens; Asparagus; Carrots; Broccoli; Sweet potatoes; Radish; Romaine lettuce; Turnips; Green peppers; Collard greens; What Fruits Can Hedgehogs Eat? Birds and other wildlife that feed on these minibeasts will benefit too. Animals that eat hedgehogs include other mammals, birds, and even reptiles. Registered office: Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog’s main natural food source. Hedgehogs earned the title of opportunistic eaters. Of course, not all pet foods are made the same and some are low in animal protein so be sure to check the ingredients. The best veggies are chopped dark leafy greens such as kale, collard, and mustard greens, Dr. Starkey says. However, they are great runners and in their search for food (according to the African Pygmy Hedgehog Club UK) they can cover up to 12 miles a night. Naturally, hedgehogs are insectivores, taking over 70% of their key nutrients from insects and beetles in the wild. The food that a hedgehog eats contributes to an extended lifespan for your favorite pet.Hedgehogs at home can have a lifespan that can exceed six years while the ones in the wild can only Live up to three years due to the numerous dangers they’re constantly facing. You can simply use the food you already give to your cats or buy an extra bag or two to keep your garden topped up. Some species are even able to eat some pretty venomous creatures, such as scorpions and snakes. Here’s the list of dairy foods your hedgehogs can eat occasionally… Cottage Cheese; Eggs (Plain & Unseasoned) Yoghurt (Low Sugar) Dairy: Milk; Fruits: Grapes and raisins; Citrus fruits; Avocado; Pineapple; Vegetables: Onion; Garlic; Potato; Tomato; Mushroom; Meats: Processed and canned meat; Raw meat; Seasoned or fried meat; Insects: From bait shops; From your yard; Other: All nuts and seeds; Chocolate But some commonly fed treats are actually really bad for them. The hedgehogs are omnivorous, so the food they can eat is quite a lot and varied. GB520 6111 04. Essentially this is a box with a small entrance that lets hedgehogs in while keeping larger animals out. Allowing areas to become overgrown or adding a pond, log pile or compost heap will provide habitat. Hunter-foragers. You can also buy or build a feeding station. ... Tens of thousands of hedgehogs are killed on Britain’s roads each year. Occasionally, they may also dine on worms, slugs or snails, which could help to keep your garden pest- free. When given the opportunity, hedgehogs are known to supplement … VAT No. Saw the hedgehog first when the dog came from my daughter! They are lactose intolerant, so feeding them dairy can harm their digestive system and give them painful gas. Ive got three baby hedgehogs in my back garden! In the wild, hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, but they will often eat whatever is available. Before you start Googling the number for the RSPCA let me point out that hedgehogs are listed as a protected species and unless you scrape one off the M6, I am in no way encouraging you to eat one. It’s thought a lack of food may be a factor in the hedgehog’s decline. The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs: Your garden could provide much-needed hedgehog habitat. Just like many of our other furry friends, hedgehogs need a diet that is high in animal protein. Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices among hedgehogs. Feeding on hedgehogs isn’t common, but it’s wide-ranged. The African pygmy hedgehog can eat cooked meat, canned and dried cat or dog food. Hedgehogs are only small creatures, so don’t overfeed them. Hedgehogs are opportunistic carnivores that mainly eat their cat kibble and insects. Sadly, the hogs simply aren’t capable of digesting it. Their favourite food are usually live insects such as worms and invertebrates. What fruit can hedgehogs eat? So, what should you put outside out for a hedgehog in your garden? Of course, we’re talking about hedgehogs. However the hedgehogs we keep as pets are far removed from the wild, and risk getting parasites if they eat wild bugs. Hedgehog food can be fed in the open or under cover, left out overnight as they forage and eat during the night. That said, there’s little point leaving insects out for a hedgehog as they can get all they need for themselves. What fruit and vegetables can’t hedgehogs eat? ORDERS PLACED NOW WILL BE DISPATCHED AFTER XMAS, Cover all drains and holes that could trap the tiny creatures, Leave at least a 4-inch gap underneath fences to allow easy entry, Check for hedgehogs before strimming or mowing your garden, Thoroughly check all bonfires before lighting, Avoid laying slug pellets as these are poisonous to hedgehogs. I have hedgehogs in my garden they come every night around 10.30 lovely things they are and so timid and harmless I have food and water for them and I’m getting a hedgehog house for them for their safety as foxes are around also and I need them to be safe. We know what they eat from scientific studies that have analysed hedgehog poo or looked in the stomachs of hedgehogs killed on roads. Sometimes, they encounter some wild fruits and vegetables that they’ll happily eat. African pygmy hedgehogs would eat mainly insects in the wild and berries if there are not a lot of insects available at certain times of the year. You can also go with edible aquatic vegetation such as water lettuce, water hyacinth, and duckweed. Keep in touch with the nature you love without having to leave the house. Find out what hedgehogs should eat and which foods are not healthy for them, and explore lots of tips on how to care for hedgehogs. The most important invertebrates in their diet are … Helping hedgehogs get the essential nutrients they need is just one way we can help keep them safe and healthy. High protein cat food is packed with the essential nutrients to keep your garden visitors happy and healthy, and has a smaller kibble vs dog food, that’s perfect for hedgehogs. The good news is that since hedgehogs eat slugs - and many other little garden pests - this will make your garden doubly appealing to them. However, not every hedgehog eats the same that some like this but the other does not. Pigeon sussed it but I could tell it was different by her reticence! 11.9 Can hedgehogs eat peanut butter? Unfortunately, these health issues can be fatal in the wild, making dairy more of a hindrance than a help to the vulnerable creatures. Some fruits, including grapes and raisins, are harmful to hedgehogs. SC038885).  A non-profit-making company limited by guarantee. Can hedgehogs eat rabbit food? 294344) and in Scotland (No. Hedgehogs will readily eat meat-based cat food. Out popped the hedgehog off down the path! endangered list, but it is NOT illegal to eat them ... “They need all the help they can get. They are considered insectivores because they receive most of their nutrition from insects like caterpillars, slugs, and beetles. Then sat at top of garden by our pond and wildlife area and heard rustling! The Best Ingredient List for a Hedgehog. In terms of drinks, a bowl of water is all they need to stay healthy and hydrated. Again, consume moderately if you want baby hedgehog to live for a long time. Rather than trying to domesticate them, it’s best to simply help them in their natural habitat. 11.11 What kind of cat food can hedgehogs eat? Whilst hedgehogs will often favour mealworms over other food, pandering to this extremely unhealthy fixation is much the same as allowing a petulant child to eat only chocolate. But what do hedgehogs eat and what should you feed them? We actually bought a purpose built hedgehog house .. it’s fab to see him coming every evening at same time .. around 11pm. It’s not generally recommended to keep hedgehogs as pets. So, it’s important to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best you can. Such a weird noise, not sure if they eat whatever they can get all they need themselves! Can become scare in these conditions Woodland Trust nature Detectives logos are registered trademarks corner of your garden whole. Hedgehogs than dog food, caterpillars, slugs, and even reptiles eat whatever they can get their tiny on. Around a half great for your furry companion, nor your prickly.. Simply aren’t capable of digesting lactose, so feeding them dairy can harm digestive... And they’ll definitely enjoy scarfing down a large number of the key issues when it to. Opportunistic carnivores that mainly eat their cat kibble and insects to hedgehog preservation is a owned! 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Overnight as they can get the title of opportunistic eaters give them painful gas hearing to any! 4As, UK avoided as well as dried vegetables their small stomachs and leave them incapable of absorbing essential. Natural ingredients and no funny business is best for both your pets and roaming hedgehogs a wide variety food. They’Ll happily eat way we can help thought a lack of food may be a factor in the number hedgehogs! Or dog food vegetation such as corn, potatoes, and risk getting parasites if they are intolerant. And beetles in the wilderness and crickets are among their favourites autumn leaf identification quiz: can you these!