An omnivore consumes both plant and animal matter to obtain energy and nutrients. While often primarily associated with insects, hedgehogs are classified as omnivores due to their varied diet.
Natural Hedgehog Diet
In their natural habitats, hedgehogs primarily forage for insects and other invertebrates. Common prey includes beetles, earwigs, caterpillars, earthworms, millipedes, and various fly larvae. Earthworms are a favored and calorie-rich food source, though their availability can shift with environmental conditions like drought.
Hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters, adapting their diet to what is available. Beyond insects, they may consume carrion, fallen fruit, bird eggs, and small vertebrates such as frogs, snakes, or even baby mice. Some plant matter, including mushrooms, grass roots, and berries, also forms a small part of their natural intake. The chitin found in the hard exoskeletons of insects provides essential protein and fiber for their digestive system. As nocturnal animals, hedgehogs rely on their keen senses of smell and hearing to locate prey.
Feeding Pet Hedgehogs
For pet hedgehogs, a balanced diet typically centers around a high-quality commercial hedgehog kibble. If specialized hedgehog food is unavailable, a high-protein, low-fat cat food (specifically poultry-based) can serve as a suitable alternative, ideally containing around 30-34% protein and less than 20% fat. This dry kibble should form the main component of their daily intake, providing necessary nutrients and promoting dental health through chewing.
Supplemental foods can be offered in small amounts a few times per week to provide variety and additional nutrients. Safe insect options include live or freeze-dried mealworms, crickets, and dubia roaches, which should ideally be “gut-loaded” with nutritious food before being given to your hedgehog. Cooked, unseasoned lean meats like chicken, turkey, or salmon, as well as cooked eggs (scrambled or hard-boiled), are also suitable protein sources. Small pieces of fresh fruits, such as apples, bananas, berries, and melons, along with vegetables like green beans, cooked squash, and cooked carrots, can be offered as treats.
Certain foods should be avoided due to potential toxicity or digestive issues. These include avocados, grapes, raisins, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, and any dairy products like milk, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. Raw meat or eggs, onions, garlic, chives, and sugary or salty human snacks are harmful. Starchy vegetables, dried fruits, and foods with low nutritional value, such as celery or lettuce, should be limited or avoided. Monitoring your hedgehog’s food intake is important to prevent obesity, and fresh, clean water should always be available.