Can Hedgehog Eat Apples? (Pet Hedgehog FAQ)

Can hedgehogs eat applesauce?

Yes, but only the usual applesauce that is unsweetened or get it organic applesauce. You do not want to feed them those with added preservatives or added sugar as it might be harmful for your hedgehogs. It is reported that some hedgehogs has taken a liking to applesauce and it has became one of the more popular food given by most hedgehog owners around the world.
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Can hedgehogs eat baby food?

Yes, you are able to feed your hedgehogs baby food. As baby food would be gentle to the stomach and if possible organic baby food would be the best as their ingredients are safe to offer to your hedgehogs. You should generally avoid any dairy products as it might give your hedgehog diarrhea. Do avoid fish flavoured baby food as some hedgehogs might be allergic and some might have problems ingesting it. If organic baby food is not available or out of your budget, you may consider any meat flavoured baby food, though it might get messy if served to your hedgehogs as they are messy eaters and sometimes they would take or drag their leftovers back to their shelter.
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Can hedgehogs eat bacon?

No, bacon should not be served to hedgehogs at any given time. Because bacon simply consists of too much sodium and they are packed with preservatives which is not beneficial to them at all. Bacon is salty food that any hedgehog keepers should avoid besides, it’s quite hard to tear apart and their mouths are not built to tear hard meat like bacon.
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Can hedgehogs eat boiled eggs?

Yes, hedgehogs can eat boiled eggs. Before boiling eggs, it should be kept fresh prior to boiling it. Serve the boiled eggs by peeling off the hard shell and do not add any special or extra condiments, oil, or seasoning to it. It is ideal to only serve the egg white and have it cut into small mouthfuls for the ease of your hedgehogs. It is recommended to not feed your hedgehogs whole boiled eggs more than 1 time a week due to its cholesterol contents if you intend to serve them with the egg yolk as well. Monitor their stools to check how adaptable they are with the food.
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Can hedgehogs eat bread?

No, they are not able to eat bread at all. Bread does not belong to part of their natural diet, furthermore, it is low in energy and does not provide any nutritional value to the hedgehogs. There have been instances where hedgehogs die of indigestion of bread or because bread has become a staple diet, which resulted in their death as they lack the nutrients they should be getting from other sources of food.
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Can hedgehogs eat cheese?

No, hedgehogs are not supposed to be fed cheese at all, as most of them are known to be lactose intolerant to dairy products. But in some cases, a certain type of cheese such as yogurt and cottage cheese are known to be easily digestible for hedgehogs. Yogurt and cottage cheese just to name a few, have additional calcium that offers beneficial bacteria to your hedgehogs as well.
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Can hedgehogs eat chicken?

Yes, if the chicken is fully cooked with no seasoning or oil. Lean chicken, turkey, beef and pork SHOULD be fed to your hedgehog after cooking it without any seasoning or oil, and in small portions to balance its overall diet and control its fat content. Cooked chickens are to be chopped or sliced into bite size for them to consume it with ease.
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Can hedgehogs eat corn?

No, hedgehogs are not able to take corn. Because of the fact that corns are harder for them to ingest which may cause indigestion to happen. Corn does not bring any sort of nutritional value to the table as it is considered as a source of carbohydrate for energy. Corn is arguably one of the most controversial foods debated online where some see it only as a filler, whereas others see it as a staple depending on the quality and type of corn used, the amount of corn used, whether is it frozen, fresh, microwaved. However, if you still wish to introduce corn into your hedgehog’s diet, make sure that it is not the main ingredient and have other food mixed for a well-balanced diet.
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Can hedgehogs eat eggs?

Yes, you can feed your hedgehogs with eggs IF they are being prepared in the right way. Hard-boiled or scramble your eggs with NO seasoning or oil at all. Cooked eggs have to be left aside to cool down and served when it is not that hot as it might burn the hedgehog’s delicate mouth. Eggs are a good source of protein and nutrients for your pet hedgehogs, but it is highly recommended to serve them cooked eggs as raw ones might upset their stomach.
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Can hedgehogs eat fish?

No, hedgehogs are not able to consume fish. Even in the wild, they do not have the opportunity to come across fishes that they are able to fit into their mouth. Besides that, unless you are confident and able to determine the freshness of the fish meat, which has to be fed to the hedgehog without any seasoning and oil, do not take the risk at all as your hedgehog might suffer the severe consequences if the fish meat is not fresh.
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Can hedgehogs eat grass?

No, hedgehogs are not able to consume grass. Because we do not know what other foreign chemicals or substances contains in the grass and most areas are being sprayed with pesticides or fertilizers which would harm and upset your hedgehog’s stomach, worst case scenario kill it. Hedgehogs are insectivores mainly, it is a rare sight to see them eating vegetables as it is quite hard or rare for your to find untreated, fresh grass these days.
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Can hedgehogs eat ham?

Yes, you can feed your hedgehogs ham, that is if there are no seasonings and oil added to it. Reason being that salt, seasoning, oil is foreign substances that may harm its health, cause heart-related issues, kidney and liver problems. Ham has to be boiled tender and soft, before cutting down into bite size for your hedgehog to consume. If you want to take an extra precaution step further, after boiling, drain the meat of any excess liquid that it is producing.
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Can hedgehogs eat nuts?

No, you are not able to offer your hedgehogs nuts. Because of the fact that nuts are quite fibrous, and it does not have the same digestion rate as compared to fruits, meat, or insects. It is not recommended to integrate unsalted nuts into their daily staple diet. Although It can be offered once in a while as a treat or snack, but to play on the safer side, do not even offer them nuts at all to avoid any digestion related issues.
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Can hedgehogs eat peanut butter?

No, do not feed your pet hedgehogs peanut butter as it is not part of their natural diet. Peanut butter is heavy and sticky, and if fed to hedgehogs with small mouths and no beak or tongue to further help break the nuts, they might be prone to choking as there are several instances where hedgehog deaths are due to the feeding of peanut butter.
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Can hedgehogs eat peanuts?

No, do not offer your hedgehogs peanuts to eat at all, not even unsalted peanuts. They are simply not safe as a whole, and in some severe cases where it got stuck at the roof of its mouth, some almost died, whereas some hedgehogs sustained gum infection because it was stuck there for a prolonged period of time. Hedgehogs may be prone to choking if they were being fed peanuts as well. Some might consider to crunch and mash it up into tiny pieces, but why take the chances?
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Can hedgehogs eat popcorn?

Yes, you can feed your hedgehogs with popcorn. Except that it should only be given to them if it is unsalted, unsweetened, unbuttered, or if there is totally no external seasonings added to it. Be sure to remove the hull before offering them to your hedgehogs. Popcorns are deemed to be junk food for hedgehogs, hence it should only be given occasionally. There are some rare occurrences that it may get stuck in their teeth which may render the owner difficulty to dislodge the popcorn from its teeth especially if it is causing discomfort to the hedgehog, and having a smaller mouth simply does not help at all.
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Can hedgehogs eat rice?

Yes, you can only feed your hedgehogs cooked rice, with no salt, no seasoning, no oil. Hedgehogs enjoy eating rice with a good mixture of cat or dog food, or cooked lean meat without any seasoning at all. Rice has to be served in small portions and make sure that the rice has to be cooked till soft. You are also able to offer your hedgehogs with bits of chickens too.
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Can hedgehogs eat scrambled eggs?

Yes, you are able to feed your hedgehogs with scrambled eggs. They are considered a popular food or snack to hedgehogs. But it is recommended that the optimal way any eggs should be cooked is to microwave the eggs and scramble it, without any seasoning or oil added, and to serve them after allowing it to cool down for awhile as it might burn your hedgehog’s tongue or mouth if it is served piping hot.
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Can hedgehogs eat tuna?

Yes, only if the tuna is freshed, unseasoned and no oil drizzled on it. Canned tuna that is usually drenched in oil is a strict NO for your hedgehogs. As canned tuna is being preserved with a high salt content, it might not be ideal for your hedgehog in terms of its health. Serve the tuna meat in small, bite size portions and do not feed them too often as it is said that it might contain high mercury contents which is harmful to your pet hedgehog.
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Fruits

Can Hedgehog eat apples?

Yes, hedgehogs are able to eat apples. Despite that, they should not be fed on a daily basis as apples are not part of their main diet even in the wild. Their primary food source comprises of dried food such as insects and mealworms mainly. Apples should be given moderately in small amounts just like any treats you will give your pet dogs or cats.
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Can hedgehogs eat bananas?

Yes, you are able to feed your pet hedgehogs bananas. It is totally safe for them to consume bananas, but only as an occasional snack in moderation, due to the fact that banana is a fruit that contains too much natural sugar content, which may result in diabetes. That being said, bananas cannot be included as a staple diet for your pet hedgehogs.
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Can hedgehogs eat blueberries?

Yes, you are able to feed your pet hedgehogs blueberries. Blueberries make good treats for them, but be sure to cut them further into bite size for them to easily be consumed. Ensure to wash your blueberries thoroughly before serving your hedgehogs in small portions. Blueberries should be considered as a treat instead of permanently having it as a part of a meal.
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Can hedgehogs eat cherries?

Yes, hedgehogs are able to be fed cherries. Cherries are considered to be safe food for hedgehogs as it contains a great source of vitamin C and A, protein, iron and calcium to help strengthen your hedgehog’s antibodies and bones. Though it should only be fed to your hedgehogs in small amounts around 2 – 3 times weekly. Do not feed cherries to them on a daily basis as it is not everyday a hedgehog would stumble upon cherries in the wild.
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Can hedgehogs eat grapes?

No, they are not able to eat grapes at all. Although it is said that hedgehogs are able to eat a variety of food, never attempt to feed them grapes as they are rumored to be poisonous to these little mammals. Some have reported that the skin of the grapes are toxic, and there are even hedgehogs that die of renal failure after consuming grapes.
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Can hedgehogs eat mango?

Yes, you can feed mangos to your hedgehogs. As the mango flesh is soft and juicy, it is easily digestible by your hedgehog. This is one of the more popular fruits that most hedgehog keepers are feeding to their hedgehogs, but do note that it is high in sugar content and the mango should be cut into small bite sizes and fed sparingly a few times a week.
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Can hedgehogs eat oranges?

No, not at all, as orange are citrus fruits, which are highly poisonous to hedgehogs. Besides orange, you should avoid feeding your pet hedgehogs ANY sort of citrus fruits as they will definitely provoke their tiny stomachs and prompt digestive issues which is bad for them. DO NOT FEED them oranges, though there are some rare cases where it appeals to them, do it at your own risks.
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Can hedgehogs eat peaches?

Yes, you can go ahead to feed your hedgehog peaches. Fruits supply them with vitamins that are essential for its growth besides needing protein, fat, and fibers. Cut the peaches into bite sizes and offer a tablespoon full of peaches to your pet hedgehog. If it shows no interest in it, remove it shortly and not have them consume fruits that turn bad. Feed them 2-3 times weekly, do not overfeed them with peaches.
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Can hedgehogs eat pineapple?

No, do not feed your hedgehogs pineapple as they are highly acidic, and they also contain high sugar content which does more harm long term. Some hedgehog keepers do feed their pet hedgehogs with pineapples, but in small portions where they do not get any side effects. But those hedgehogs who have a weaker stomach might be susceptible and experience stomach irritation as a result.
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Can hedgehogs eat raisins?

No, do not feed any hedgehogs raisins as it is poisonous to them. They are considered to be toxic and high in sugar content. Raisins might even cause your hedgehog’s tooth to decay and rot. It is still an unknown fact as to why hedgehogs would be affected by renal failure through the ingestion of raisins and grapes almost immediately, but it is not advisable to serve your hedgehogs with raisins at all. Feed it at your own risks as some people have tried feeding them raisins as treats.
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Can hedgehogs eat raspberries?

Yes, hedgehogs are able to eat raspberries. In fact, most of the berries that are available as fruits are able to be fed to your hedgehogs. If the raspberries are bigger than its mouth, be sure to further reduce the size to make it easily consumed by your pet hedgehogs as you do not want them to be gobbling down raspberries and choking as a result. Raspberries should be fed in moderation as a treat and never introduced as a permanent addition to any of its meal or after a meal.
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Can hedgehogs eat strawberries?

Yes, you are allowed to feed your pet hedgehogs strawberries. But keep in mind that they should be given as a light snack twice or thrice weekly. Strawberries should be cut up to bite sizes and washed before serving in small portions. Do not leave the strawberries in the cage for too long as it may turn bad and upset your hedgehog’s tummy.
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Can hedgehogs eat watermelon?

Yes, you are able to feed your pet hedgehogs watermelon. But nevertheless, watermelon should not be fed on a regular daily basis even though it is quite popular among hedgehog keepers. Hedgehog owners should bear in mind that watermelon is high in water and sugar content, which is not ideal for them to be eating it all the time. Feed watermelons to your hedgehogs sparingly.
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Vegetables

Can hedgehogs eat carrots?

Sadly, no. You cannot feed your pet hedgehogs carrots at all as it is considered a starched based vegetable which may bring about indigestion and other related issues. Do refrain and avoid starch-based vegetables such as corn, potatoes, or even sweet potatoes as they are not part of their natural diet and they do not contain any nutritional value your hedgehogs would require.
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Can hedgehogs eat celery?

No, hedgehogs cannot eat celery at all. Celery does not contain any nutritional value and is high in sodium for hedgehogs and there is simply no reason for owners to feed them to their hedgehogs. Some might even mention that celeries are toxic and might be harmful to these little creatures. Before feeding celeries, ensure that it is unseasoned, washed and kept fresh at all times.
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Can hedgehogs eat lettuce?

Yes, hedgehogs are able to ingest the generic leafy lettuce. Veterinarians highly recommend greens that have the nutritional value such as kale, romaine, leafy lettuces, and collard greens. However, you should avoid lettuces such as iceberg lettuce as they do not yield high nutrients and it only contains water for the most part of it. Do note that your lettuce should be washed clean before offering them to your hedgehogs.
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Can hedgehogs eat pumpkin?

Yes, pumpkin can be fed to your hedgehogs as they are considered to be safe foods for them. Be sure to steam or cook it in a way where it is soft and easily consumable by your hedgehogs. Feed only cooked pumpkins instead of the raw ones. Do not leave it in the enclosure for too long as it might turn bad and moldy which does not seem like a good idea to have it still kept there. No seasoning or oil should be added to the pumpkin.
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Can hedgehogs eat spinach?

Yes, they are able to feed on spinach. Spinach has to be bought and fed fresh and it has to be thoroughly washed before feeding it to your hedgehogs. Although it is reported that hedgehogs do not typically consume any greens at all, you may give it a go as it varies differently when it comes to the diet of each hedgehog individually. Do note that spinach served should not contain any oil or seasoning which may be harmful to the hedgehog.
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Can hedgehogs eat tomatoes?

No, tomatoes cannot be fed to them at all. There are some keepers who highly recommend NOT feeding tomatoes as they are known to fall under the acidic list of vegetables and hedgehogs do not need them introduced to their diet at all. Certain side effects may lead them to having a bad tummy ache or diarrhea.
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Insects

Can hedgehogs eat ants?

No, hedgehogs should not be fed with ants at all. Although they are insectivore by nature, any wild caught ants might have caught on certain parasites, chemicals, or pesticides just to name a few. Despite the fact that ants are a good carrier host of such stuff, your pet hedgehog might be prone to ant bites if the ants are not properly killed during the process of your hedgehog consuming it.
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Can hedgehogs eat crickets?

Yes, you are able to feed your hedgehogs, crickets. As we all know that hedgehogs are insectivores by nature, it means that by and large, a hedgehog’s diet in the wild mainly consists of a wide array of insects. Feed your hedgehogs with live crickets to replicate and stimulate the hunting process in the wild. Make sure those crickets are well-fed in order for your hedgehogs to get the sufficient nutrients it needs.
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Can hedgehogs eat dried mealworms?

Yes, they are able to eat dried mealworms as treats. Dried mealworm should be given to your hedgehogs on a controlled moderation as an occasional snack. It has sufficient nutrients a hedgehog would need though some would not even bother attempting to eat it as it does not seem appetizing at all. Observe and keep a close eye on their poop as there are some scenarios where they poop would change and this would be a clear indication that dried mealworms do not work for them. As dried mealworms may sometimes cause indigestion, do not offer plenty to them, and make sure they are kept hydrated at all times.
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Can hedgehogs eat earthworms?

Yes, hedgehogs are able to eat earthworms. As they are insectivores by nature, Hedgehogs are opportunistic eaters, as soon as they were to come across any sort of worms, they will consume almost anything they can find, be it dead or alive. But it is important to note that earthworms served to them has to be cleaned and rid of any soil in case of choking issues coming from the hedgehogs.
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Can hedgehogs eat mealworms?

Yes, they are able to consume mealworms. Live mealworms should be fed to your hedgehogs as they are insectivores and they have a huge love for mealworms. But if the mealworm is a little too big in size for the hedgehog’s mouth, you should dissect the mealworm’s head before serving the worm to your hedgehog as some mealworms might decide to bite or attack the hedgehog. Mealworms SHOULD NOT be the main highlight of the meal but rather served as a snack and served in moderation as it may strip your hedgehog of its calcium if it consumes too many.
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Can hedgehogs eat super worms?

Yes, they are able to consume super worms but note that you should cut off the super worm’s head before feeding them to your hedgehog. Even though it may look quite similar to a mealworm, but a super worm is twice as big as the mealworm and they are known to attack hedgehogs even after being eaten, if it does not get killed in the process, it may bite the stomach of the hedgehog internally, hurting it as a result.
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Can hedgehogs eat wax worms?

Yes, you are able to feed your hedgehogs wax worms as they are high in fat (approximately 21% in fat). But it should not be fed on a daily basis but rather a treat like once or twice weekly as a typical hedgehog should do well with a diet that consists of fats that are 15% and below. It differs between individual hedgehogs as not all hedgehogs have a liking when it comes to wax worms. Serve them to your pet hedgehogs if you want them to put on some weight and do not overfeed them with wax worms.
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Pet food

Can hedgehogs eat cat food?

Yes, hedgehogs love cat food! But only dried cat food in particular, as their natural diet revolves around dried food. Besides the vitamins and nutritional value they will be getting, dried cat food does not attract unwanted flies, it helps their teeth and does not freeze during winter seasons. It can be served immediately and are considered cost-effective to many hedgehog keepers.
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Can hedgehogs eat dog food?

No, you are not allowed to feed your hedgehogs dog food. Most dog foods are corn-based as they are high in fat and low in protein as compared to cat food. By feeding your hedgehogs dog food, it would be harder for your hedgehogs to eat as they are generally larger in size, and it may also trigger indigestions and other related health issues as corn-based food are harder to digest. There is totally no nutritional value when it comes to feeding your pet hedgehogs dog food.

There are however a few brands of dog food for small dogs that are suitable for hedgehogs. Do check them out in our dog food section of our diet guide here.

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Can hedgehogs eat ferret food?

No, hedgehogs are not supposed to be eating ferret food at all. As ferret food is high in protein and fat contents, they also contain BHA which is known to cause cancer and is harmful to hedgehogs. It will not kill the hedgehogs off instantly, but if fed for a prolonged period of time, it might increase the risks of cancer. Hedgehogs have the need for 1 – 2 small feedings daily, but for a ferret, they can go for many small meals daily due to the fact that they metabolize the food faster than that of a hedgehog.
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Can hedgehogs eat guinea pig food?

No, they are NOT able to consume guinea pig food. As guinea pigs are deemed to be herbivores, feeding an insectivore with a herbivore diet doesn’t seem quite right. You are able to feed them, and they might take guinea pig food, but ultimately, it does not supplement your pet hedgehog with the kind of nutrition it should be getting. By constantly feeding them guinea pig food, they will fall sick and suffer from malnutrition.
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Can hedgehogs eat hamster food?

No, do not feed your hedgehogs hamster food. Most hamster food or treats that are available in pet stores are not suitable for your hedgehogs as they do not produce any added benefits or nutrients at all. Furthermore, they are just full of sugar and designed to wear the rodent’s teeth down. When it comes to hedgehogs especially, their teeth are not able to constantly grow, resulting only in a premature wear and tear of your hedgehog’s teeth.
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Can hedgehogs eat rabbit food?

No, they are not supposed to even be offered rabbit food. 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. Hence it is not ideal for hedgehogs to consume rabbit food at all.
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Can hedgehogs eat wet cat food?

Yes, hedgehogs can be fed wet cat food. As it is known that wet food generally have higher protein contents to it and it can help offset fruits and vegetables if it is fed adequately in a controlled moderation. But do note that your pet hedgehog might make a mess out of the whole wet cat food around your enclosure. Certain hedgehogs would be susceptible and be into wet cat food, and again it should not be the main diet of your hedgehog but served with a mixture of other food.
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