Britain’s hedgehogs have declined in number by between 30 – 75% since 2000. As one of our treasured national species, you might be thrilled to see a hedgehog nestled in your hedgerows. After all, they are bundles of spiky cuteness!
Before you reach for the hedgehog food, you should wonder, can hedgehogs eat cat food?
If you own a cat, this might seem like the easiest choice of food for hedgehogs. But we should take a look at the optimal hedgehog diet before you dish out the goodies.
What’s In a Typical Hedgehog Diet?
Hedgehogs munch on insects most of the day. This makes them insectivores, but they will eat most kinds of animal protein, from fish and chicken to tiny snakes and worms. Given the chance, hedgehogs have been known to eat berries, roots, and even mushrooms.
A hedgehog’s mouth has 36 teeth, 22 of which are adapted to tear and grind meat. In short, they need protein and fat to stay healthy. Cat food pellets often come with artificial bulking agents, so while pellets have protein, your pet hedgehog will turn its nose up at the rest.
Pork and beef are too tough for hedgehogs’ bellies to digest. Chicken or fish is best if you go the cat food route. Some foods are toxic to small mammals: citrus, grapes, chocolate, and most processed foods.
Slug pellets are toxic to hedgehogs, too. It is a better solution to let your pet hedgehog hunt for slugs instead – keep your garden free from chemicals.
Keep Your Pet Hedgehog Healthy
Hedgehogs are wild animals, so you should avoid keeping them as housebound pets. However, having a cute hedgehog in your garden adds a pattering of British nature to your home. So how do you keep them happy?
First off, overfeeding is an issue. They may look small and slow, but hedgehogs have voracious appetites. They wander all night munching on things, so if you offer them a heaping plate of food, they will eat it.
Keep a balance of protein and nutrients in your hedgehog diet. A bulk of protein, like chicken-based cat food or mealworm-based pellets, will be snatched up. Add a few berries, greens, crickets, and a plate of water to round the meal.
Where to Find Hedgehog Food
You can find things like crickets and mealworms at most pet shops. Fishing shops stock worms too, but check the labels to make sure there are no fishy additives. Cat food, the right kind, is easy to find.
Today, quality pet stores offer hedgehog-tailored pellets. These have the right mix of protein and nutrition for your spiky friends. You will keep them healthy while they visit your garden.
The best policy is to give a hedgehog diet closest to their natural food. As we’ve seen, this is mostly insects, so crickets, earwigs, worms, slugs, and beetles are all fair game. Try to encourage natural foraging, but if you feel like treating your new guest, you have a menu at hand.
So, Can Hedgehogs Eat Cat Food?
The short answer to ‘can hedgehogs eat cat food?’ is a yes. That said, there are far better options that will keep your wild or pet hedgehog happier.
If you’re in need of help taking care of a hedgehog, we have all the info and advice you need.
Check out the rest of our site for advice on how to keep your prickly pals and other friends happy.
