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Original poster

Hedgehogs what do they eat?

42 replies

MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:04

We have a very weird enclosed garden but I've cut some hedgehog sized holes in the fence. I've got a hedge hog house and tonight there's someone in the border!!

I gave him/her some dog food and they had a big drink of water then wandered off and ate a slug im honestly so happy but what kind of food can I buy to support them?

I found an old can of cesar in the cupboard and it was very happy chomping on that for a bit but it can't live on that surely?

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 20/08/2022 00:06

You can buy hedgehog food from Pets at Home.
Dog food is ok, but I read that cat food is better.

5zeds · 20/08/2022 00:07

I think cat food and NOT bread and milk

Hotchick1972 · 20/08/2022 00:07

cat biscuits are best - chicken flavour (no fish)
and water 😊

CanaryShoulderedThorn · 20/08/2022 00:09

Yes, I read that cat food has a higher protein content and is better for them. We have badgers so hedgehogs would be badger food here.

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:09

Going to go to pets at home tomorrow Smile
Thanks! Isn't he / she sweet?

OP posts:
lovelychops · 20/08/2022 00:10

I have been giving our hedgehog visitor cat food - which he eats noisily! Hope he has some of the many snails in the garden too ..!

ChuckItBucket · 20/08/2022 00:10

Cat food is better. Put out plenty of water in a shallow dish. they only eat slugs as a last resort

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:10

@lovelychops yes they're so loud!!

OP posts:
Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:11

@ChuckItBucket there is a pasta dish of water and a little saucer in case they couldn't reach because im clearly a massive soft touch 😂

OP posts:
hoglethotel · 20/08/2022 00:12

My hedgehogs love Spikes Semi moist hedgehog food that you buy at Pets at Home. I now have 3-5 hedgehogs that visit most nights since we found our first one a few weeks back. We used to put out cat food, but now they turn their noses up at it, bless them!

These are two of mine.

PepsiMaxandPringleStacks · 20/08/2022 00:12

Dry Cat food where protein is the highest ingredients and not wheat. They can eat fish flavour despite the rumours. Head over to Hedgehog Cabin on twitter, great resource!

The hedgehog specific foods usually aren't great.

XenoBitch · 20/08/2022 00:13

I used to have a regular hog visitor. They came through the cat flap, made it up the stairs and I found them under my bed!

They had loads of ticks. We brushed Frontline on the ticks and they dropped off. Hog kept coming back for ages. Such lovely critters.

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:14

@hoglethotel awww look at them! I've just been out and there is another really fat one so that's good. Ah I'm so happy!

OP posts:
MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 20/08/2022 00:16

What is the difference between cat food and dog food? I have often wondered.

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:16

@XenoBitch no way!! When we used to live in our old house the dog was doing something in the garden and I couldn't be arsed as it was 2 am so I told him to bring it in (thinking it was a ball) well he did and then he dropped it in the kitchen! Never realised they could run that fast! Spent a long time trying to catch it!

Another time I dropped a load of shopping by the back door and just picked it all up it one go and it grunted at me! I'd accidentally gathered up a hedgehog too 😂

OP posts:
MisterT373 · 20/08/2022 00:16

Avoiding wet food at the moment due to flies but the sure fire winner is Tesco dry kitten food. Don't bother with special food for them - some food branded as for hedgehogs includes things that aren't good for them

Do not give them mealworms or calci worms.

Pixiedust1234 · 20/08/2022 00:17

Oh congrats!! I have had piggies visiting me for years and I now have 5 feed8ng stations ahaha.

Most hedgehog rescues suggest kitten biscuits. Dont put out wet food as it will attract all the neighbourhood cats. Make sure there is plenty of water as they get extremely thirsty!

No peanuts (as they get stuck in roof of mouth) and definitely no mealworm. Simplified - if its for birds then its NOT for hedgehogs.

The best suggestion i can give you is get a large plastic storage box, cut out a hole the size of a cd, and put the biscuits in there. Stops cats getting in and keeps the food dry!

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:19

@Pixiedust1234 @MisterT373 thank you both that's so helpful

OP posts:
MoistBandana · 20/08/2022 00:31

Beside any point that has been made... But...

Don't Hedgehogs have the cutest wee face on them? That little black nose and keen shiny eyes, they're beyond cute...

As you were. 🤪

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:35

@MoistBandana yes they do!! The sweetest!

OP posts:
CherryBlossomAutumn · 20/08/2022 00:38

We have a hedgehog too, they eat snails? Anyway, in a way I do think it’s important that they eat what is wild, as that is their natural way. They need to live somewhere long term that has enough food supply, so if you unnaturally top it up, it might not be great in the long run. Hedgehogs like to return to the same place, and so do their kids. My hedgehog does just fine in our garden!

Original poster
MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:42

@CherryBlossomAutumn the woodland trust suggest always having food out because so many people use slug repellent and they need to be a certain weight to hibernate properly so to always have a top up of food in your garden so they know where a definite meal is.

If they're too skinny they either won't hibernate or won't survive it and they're so scarce nowadays. You're advised to try and weigh them in autumn to see if they're big enough to hibernate and if they're not then contact a hedgehog rescue and they'll feed them up for hibernation or keep them alive during winter and then release in spring.

I just couldn't remember what the best food is :)

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 20/08/2022 00:43

MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:16

@XenoBitch no way!! When we used to live in our old house the dog was doing something in the garden and I couldn't be arsed as it was 2 am so I told him to bring it in (thinking it was a ball) well he did and then he dropped it in the kitchen! Never realised they could run that fast! Spent a long time trying to catch it!

Another time I dropped a load of shopping by the back door and just picked it all up it one go and it grunted at me! I'd accidentally gathered up a hedgehog too 😂

They are surprisingly fast. I have seen some out and about on the street and they belt along the path.
They do make little grunty sounds. Is how I found the hog under my bed. Freaked me out!

Sarahzb · 20/08/2022 01:53

Yes Cat food They are omnivores and love a slug. Good. No-one else does...

Sarahzb · 20/08/2022 01:56

More protein in cat food - mind you, filled with sugars and wheat. That's wht a lot of cates get diabetes. Like my poor ex-cat😢