Hedgehogs are natural pest controllers, and their small, concentrated droppings and stinky urine can contribute to a less-than-pleasant smell if their habitats aren’t cleaned regularly. They can devour over 100 insects in a single night, making them a natural pest controller. However, they don’t survive solely on bugs, as they don’t have scent glands like skunks or cats, so they are generally clean and odorless.
Hedgehogs eat a wide variety of foods, including beetles, caterpillars, worms, snails, and slugs. They also snack on other small critters like slugs, frogs, fish, worms, and eggs. While they are not going to die if you don’t feed them insects, they are not going to die if you don’t feed them. Their main natural food source is insects and other invertebrates, such as beetles, earwigs, and other bugs.
Wild hedgehogs eat beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, slugs, birds eggs, and other bugs and insects. Roughly 75 of the hedgehog’s diet is invertebrates, and they enjoy a natural diet of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, slugs, earthworms, and snails. They don’t bite people or pets, but will release a foul-smelling order if threatened or squished.
The nutritional values of each insect will vary depending on where you purchase them and how you store your hedgehog’s bug cuisine. Hedgehogs are generally clean and odorless, so it’s important to consider which insects can benefit your pet and how to find them.
📹 Samurai Wasps Say ‘Smell Ya Later, Stink Bugs’ Deep Look
Yep, brown marmorated stink bugs are stinky, but that’s not the worst thing about them. They’re imported agricultural pests eating …
What Is Poisonous To Hedgehogs?
Tea Tree oil, Eucalyptus, and Thieves products pose a significant threat to hedgehogs, as they can lead to renal, liver, and complete organ failure even after a single application. This includes items such as tea tree shampoo, sprays, and even candles. Additionally, various common foods and substances are toxic to hedgehogs. For example, apple and pear seeds contain cyanide, while avocados have persin, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Grapes and raisins are particularly harmful, potentially causing kidney failure. Common symptoms of poisoning include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures, necessitating urgent veterinary care if ingestion occurs.
It's crucial to avoid feeding hedgehogs certain foods, including chocolate (which contains theobromine), onions, garlic, dairy products, and raw meats, all of which can be harmful. Essential oils classified as "hot," like cinnamon and peppermint, are also toxic. Each year, numerous hedgehogs die from being run over, highlighting the necessity for awareness and protection of these animals.
Other hazards include slug pellets containing metaldehyde, which are fatal if consumed by hedgehogs. If a hedgehog ingests rotten food or spoiled substances, it may suffer from severe health issues like food poisoning. To maintain their well-being and safety, keep them away from a wide range of toxic foods and substances including grapefruits, avocados, cucumbers, and processed meats.
Lastly, while hedgehogs can suffer from various health issues such as hypothermia, mites, and fleas, it is essential to provide them with high-quality poultry-based cat food as their main nutrition source and seek natural alternatives for pest control to protect their fragile health.
Are Stink Bugs Toxic To Pets?
Many cats and dogs are naturally inclined to chase and consume stink bugs, leading pet owners to worry about potential dangers to their furry companions. Fortunately, stink bugs are not poisonous or toxic to dogs and cats. Unlike pests such as spiders or scorpions, stink bugs do not carry venom or toxins that can cause severe harm through bites or stings. However, ingestion of stink bugs can still pose some health concerns for pets.
When a pet eats a stink bug, the primary risk comes from the insect's foul-smelling secretions and bodily fluids. These substances can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. While these reactions are generally mild and temporary, ingesting a large number of stink bugs may exacerbate these symptoms, causing more significant gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, the smelly fluids released when stink bugs are crushed or eaten might irritate a pet's eyes or mouth, causing discomfort.
Veterinarians note that while stink bugs do not cause long-term health effects, the immediate symptoms following ingestion can be distressing for both pets and their owners. In most cases, managing these symptoms involves withholding food for 4-6 hours to allow the stomach to settle, followed by reintroducing a bland diet as recommended by a veterinarian. Ensuring that pets do not have access to large numbers of stink bugs can help minimize the risk of gastrointestinal irritation.
Stink bugs themselves are harmless in the sense that they do not bite or sting pets. Their presence indoors, especially during certain seasons when they become more prevalent, can lead to increased interactions with pets. Pet owners concerned about stink bugs can take preventive measures to reduce their presence in the home, thereby decreasing the likelihood of pets ingesting them.
In summary, while stink bugs are not toxic or poisonous to dogs and cats, their ingestion can cause temporary gastrointestinal irritation and discomfort. Pet owners should monitor their pets for any adverse symptoms following the consumption of stink bugs and consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen. Preventative measures can also help reduce the chances of pets encountering and eating these insects, ensuring their safety and well-being.
What Kills Stink Bugs Instantly?
To manage stink bugs effectively, several DIY strategies and preventive measures can be employed. One effective method involves creating a trap using soapy water. Stink bugs instinctively drop when threatened; by placing a wide-mouth jar filled with a mixture of soapy water (and optionally vinegar for added effectiveness) beneath them, they will often fall in and drown. Alternatively, a spray solution can be applied directly to the bugs by combining liquid dish soap with water in a spray bottle. For the trap, fill a jar with approximately half warm water and a bottom layer of dish soap.
To prevent stink bugs from infiltrating your home, it's essential to seal potential entry points. Inspect your house for cracks and gaps around windows and doors, and use caulk to fill them. If stink bugs are already present indoors, they can be vacuumed up with a regular or wet/dry vacuum, ensuring that only the hose attachment is used to avoid crushing them.
Additionally, commercial insecticides like Avesta CS, Bifen IT, and products with deltamethrin can effectively eliminate stink bugs. Home remedies may also prove useful, such as sprays made from mixtures of water, dish soap, vinegar, or pyrethrin-based insecticides that kill on contact. Diatomaceous earth can also be used as it damages the bug's exoskeleton.
In cases where you encounter a stink bug, gently transferring it outside is a humane option. Remember, stink bugs release a foul odor when threatened. Therefore, by employing these tips, you can both eliminate stink bugs and keep your home smelling fresh.
What Animals Can Eat Stink Bugs?
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) faces various natural predators, including birds, bats, and spiders. These predators can help control stink bug populations, which are not toxic to humans or pets and do not cause structural damage. Researchers at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station have been investigating which native species can consume stink bugs and debating the potential need to import Asian predators. Stink bugs commonly migrate to orchards, fields, and residential areas, feeding mostly on crops and decorative plants.
However, their bitter compounds often lead to unpleasant reactions in animals that consume them. Birds like cardinals and bluebirds may include stink bugs in their diet, though many birds find them unpalatable. Other natural enemies include assassin bugs, predatory stink bugs, and parasitic flies. The stink bug's ability to emit a strong odor via thoracic openings is a defense mechanism against predation. Studies have identified various egg predators, such as crickets and ground beetles, which target stink bug eggs.
Generalist insect predators like lady beetles and lacewings also contribute to the control of BMSB populations. The complex interplay of these predators is crucial for managing stink bug populations in agricultural settings.
Do Hedgehogs Eat Bugs?
To properly feed your hedgehog, invest in a separate feeder bin with a breathable lid to prevent insects from escaping. Insects are crucial for hedgehogs as they provide essential nutrients like chitin, calcium, taurine, and phosphorus. Despite hedgehogs' fondness for bugs, they cannot thrive on an all-insect diet; a balanced diet is necessary, much like humans needing varied food beyond just one type.
Hedgehogs are generally classified as omnivores or insectivores. Observing their natural behavior reveals that they consume various foods, not solely insects, with wild hedgehogs typically eating 5-20 insects daily depending on their size and activity level.
Common insects in a hedgehog's diet include beetles, caterpillars, and earthworms. In the wild, they also consume slugs, snails, and small invertebrates while occasionally nibbling on fruits and vegetables, although this is less frequent. Nutritionally, insects are a primary food source, especially insect larvae which are nutrient-rich. Hedgehogs are adept hunters and scavengers, potentially also preying on small animals. A diverse range of insects should feature prominently in their diet, ideally live ones, reflecting their natural foraging behavior.
Suitable insect options include black soldier flies, dubia roaches, crickets, and superworms, complemented by a selection of fruits and vegetables alongside specialized pet food. In summary, while insects form the bulk of their diet—about 75% of it—hedgehogs thrive with a varied nutritional intake that includes both animal proteins and plant-based foods.
What Is A Natural Predator Of Stink Bugs?
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) faces predation from a variety of natural enemies, which include insects, spiders, birds, and mammals. Notably, birds such as blue jays, sparrows, and finches commonly feed on BMSB adults, while small mammals like rats may consume their eggs. A diverse range of insects like the spined soldier bug, green stink bug, praying mantises, ladybugs, and various spiders also prey on BMSB at different life stages. Entomologists emphasize the importance of understanding these predators to enhance their role in controlling stink bug populations, particularly in gardens and agricultural settings.
Additionally, specific wasps from the Trissolcus genus are known to parasitize and kill stink bug eggs, providing an important natural control mechanism. Research highlights that providing nectar-producing plants, such as buckwheat, can attract beneficial wasps and enhance their effectiveness in managing stink bug populations. Effective pest management strategies involve recognizing and fostering these natural enemies.
Other natural predators include bats, katydids, crickets, ground beetles, and jumping spiders, with the Joro spider, an invasive species, identified in Georgia as a potent threat to stink bug numbers. Overall, promoting and protecting these diverse predators is crucial in strategies to mitigate the impact of BMSB on crops and gardens.
What Can I Feed A Stink Bug?
Stink bugs predominantly feed on a variety of plants, making them primarily herbivores. Their diet includes fruits like apples, peaches, berries, and pears, as well as vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, beans, and corn. In addition to these, they also target ornamental plants around homes and feed on field crops like sorghum and cotton. Their unique feeding method involves a needle-like mouthpart that pierces plant tissues to extract juices, which can lead to significant damage and severe infestations, particularly in crops.
The brown marmorated stink bug is known to particularly favor tree fruits like peaches, apples, and hazelnuts, along with various raw crops such as soybeans and corn. They have been observed feeding on other pests as well, which contributes to some people considering predatory stink bugs beneficial.
Typically, stink bugs are not picky eaters, consuming a broad range of plants including grasses, weeds, grains, and nuts. Their first generation in spring often feeds on weeds or grasses, while subsequent generations may migrate into fields and orchards as adults, further expanding their dietary preferences in residential landscapes.
Feeding behavior is critical to understanding stink bugs, as they actively seek out fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s best to feed them twice daily—with fruits and vegetables in the morning and proteins like insects or larvae in the evening. Notably, they are also mobile insects, frequently moving to different plant parts including leaves, flowers, and seedpods as they feed.
Common signs of their feeding include discoloration on fruits, particularly blueberries, at the feeding site. Effective insecticides, particularly in the pyrethroid class, have been noted to manage brown stink bug populations, emphasizing the need for control measures due to their agricultural impact. Overall, the feeding habits of stink bugs reflect their diverse dietary scope and potential agricultural challenges.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Mealworms?
Hedgehog owners considering mealworms as part of their pet’s diet should approach with caution. Mealworms can be gut-loaded using products like Repashy Superfood Insect Feeder 24 hours before feeding, supplemented with moist fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and apple slices to provide necessary hydration. However, it is crucial to avoid placing water bowls inside the insect enclosures.
While mealworms are high in protein and nutrients, they should only be offered as an occasional treat rather than a staple diet. The recommended limit is about four mealworms per week for pet hedgehogs. Overfeeding mealworms or feeding them improperly can lead to significant health issues, including Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). Mealworms are high in phosphorus and low in calcium, causing the hedgehog’s body to draw calcium from bones to balance phosphorus levels, resulting in brittle bones, fractures, and splaying.
Some hedgehog foods contain wheat as a filler with no nutritional benefits, as hedgehogs cannot digest wheat effectively. Additionally, ingredients like nuts and sunflower hearts may not be suitable. Although mealworms are a favorite snack for many hedgehogs, there is substantial evidence suggesting they are harmful when consumed in large quantities. Owners should be mindful of the risks associated with mealworms and consider alternatives to ensure a balanced diet. Alternatives should focus on providing a varied diet that balances calcium and phosphorus levels, avoiding harmful foods, and ensuring overall nutritional adequacy.
In summary, while mealworms can be a tasty and enriching treat for hedgehogs when given sparingly and prepared correctly, they pose significant health risks if overfed or used inappropriately. Owners are generally advised against feeding mealworms regularly and should prioritize a balanced diet to maintain their pet’s health and well-being.
What Insects Are Safe For Hedgehogs?
Black and brown crickets, locusts, dubia roaches, calciworms, silkworms, isopods (woodlice), and earthworms are suitable insects for hedgehogs. Mealworms should be considered treat insects only, as they may not be favored by all hedgehogs. When collecting insects, focus on known safe options like mealworms, crickets, and waxworms; avoid wild insects such as flies, moths, and ants due to potential risks. Hedgehogs require a natural diet of insects, including beetles and slugs, especially as their populations decline due to habitat loss and food shortages.
Providing gut-loaded insects—fed nutritious fruits and vegetables for at least 24 hours—ensures they offer maximum benefits. Safe insects include crickets and superworms, the latter being preferred due to their better shell-to-meat ratio.
Nuts and seeds can supplement hedgehogs’ diets when provided in moderation, ensuring correct calcium/phosphorus ratios. Dried mealworms from trusted sources like Exotic Nutrition can offer veterinary-approved nourishment. To supplement hedgehogs' diets in gardens, ensure a variety of natural food sources like beetles and caterpillars exist. Mealworms should be fed sparingly due to potential impaction issues, and crickets can be purchased live or prepped for easier feeding. Overall, offering a combination of insects and appropriate nutritional support enhances hedgehogs' health and well-being while acknowledging the decline in their wild populations.
📹 Hedgehog Diet: Treats & Dangerous Foods
Read More ❤️ Hey everyone! Thanks for watching! All kinds of information is down below so keep reading! TREAT LIST: …
Long ago, from a distant land… I, Stinku, the foul smelling insect of rottenness spread my unbreathable evil. But some foolish Samurai wasps, born from my very own eggs, stepped forth to oppose me. Before my species was finally doomed i bore into a shipment and traveled to another continent, where my evil is law! Now the fools seek to come to this land and undo the plague that is Stinku… Gotta end that End with this pest Samurai Wasp
*Goes to a ship* Stink bug “Finally we’re free from those pesky samurais!” Samurai wasp: “You thought we’re flies, but it’s us! The samurais! Stink Bug: “HAHA, pathetic, get close and smell the aroma of death!” Samurai wasp: “Looks like it’s my turn. OMAE WA MO SHINDEIRU!!” Stink Bug: NANIIII??
Ewww, I remember accidentally finding these stinkbugs in our yard, living on our pink santan flowering plants. I can distinctly remember how utterly mortified I was when they came out from the bushes, swarming around the leaves and flowers, and then releasing that indescribably awful smell. I hated it soooo much. It was almost traumatizing, hahahahahah!
Reminds me of that Simpsons episode with the lizards: – But isn’t that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we’re overrun by lizards? – No problem. We simply unleash wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They’ll wipe out the lizards. – But aren’t the snakes even worse? – Yes, but we’re prepared for that. We’ve lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat. – But then we’re stuck with gorillas! – No, that’s the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death. I sincerely hope those researchers are being extra careful, history showed us how bad it was to release more exotic species in the wild to “control” another one. But if the wasps only go for the Stink Bugs I guess it’s the best way to deal with that invasive species. Humans are still the source of all that shitshow.
Free range chickens under your fruit trees do a lot to help control stink bugs. I have a small orchard of apples and have seen a marked reduction in stink bugs in the areas where my hens range under the trees. Not enough to stop them cold, but with the wasps able to take 60% to 90% maybe it will be enough to stop them in the future without bee killing pesticides.
I suspect there would be little downside to introducing the wasps. They are likely adapted prominently for dealing with stink bugs only. Looking at the adults their size is obviously constrained by the size of the stink bug eggs and there are probably a lot of subtle chemical cues specific to the species it targets. Still worth a good study though. It’s always a good policy.
I’ve literally never had any problems with stink bugs. They don’t stink when I pick them up and I’ve never noticed any problems with my food. I mean, we only get one or two every now and then so. When I get one in my house I pick it up and release it outside but I’ve never noticed a smell. I don’t see the hype.
I live in an old, poorly sealed house and these stinkbugs are a real nightmare. They get in easily and there is nothing worse than having one fly in your hair and freak out and stink up everything. Or fall into your shower and stink, or your food, or ANYTHING. Seriously, I will throw money at those researchers to help, or steal a jar of wasps. I’m desperate.
We have them in Maine.. see them toward the end of the summer when it starts to get cold.. then they start to head inside. (They smell like old bananas) Thank God for central vacuums…thwoop! And they’re gone. And thank God for Extremely cold winters which finishes off large numbers of them. It may take some time and science, but we will win.. we always do.
I’ve never seen these things until I moved to a house that serounded by woods. So I stated seeing them everywhere in my house.. I thought I took care of the problem..but evadently not because like a couple of months later I started seeing baby stink bugs. So I moved there was nothing else I could do I tried I guess there was some hiding somewhere in my home… But yes I moved to a area where there’s no woods around my home .So now bug free…. #CREEPY
My dog, Bailey, got hold of one late one night recently. And, let me tell you, the smell, was beyond description and was way beyond what was described here. It was just before midnight when this all happened and I had to bring her in with me because she sleeps in the house. And with her came the smell. She had just been groomed and the smell was entirely concentrated on her face and head, so I shampooed her there and hoped for the best. It left an order sort of like a skunk, which still hasn’t gone away even a week later! Don’t mess with these things; I’m pretty sure Bailey won’t ever again!
3:34 Oohhhh my god it crawled in her sweater. I don’t feel that comfortable around insects to begin with but the thought of one getting into my clothes is the absolute worst! Luckily that lady seemed okay with it.. considering the fact that she voluntarily had it on her hand and didn’t freak out the exact moment it got near her wrist haha
I’m so glad I have no sense of smell, or at least a very poor one. My house gets invaded by stink bugs every fall, and I squish them like there is no tomorrow. Usually just use Febreeze or something once I kill them, so no visitors get an unpleasant smell. But also found out the mint and eucalyptus essential oils, when sprayed with water around entry points of the house, will keep stink bugs away (for the most part) Since they don’t like the smell/taste of mint and eucalyptus. Just have to remember to spray the areas where they seem to come in from about once a week or every other week (depending on how strong the essential oils to water mix is)
I have bitten into SO many apples only to find them disfigured by these stinkbugs. Can you please tell me what is causing a similar issue in apples?: Portions of the flesh inside the apple become mushy soupy blobs surrounded by a membrane. When I drop one of these apples, the yuck may pour out onto the ground, leaving a large scoop missing from the apple. Initially I thought it was a fungus, because I saw mold growing in one of the mushy pockets. But now I am wondering if it could be an insect. Most of the affected apples look and feel fine, only to reveal nasty wet pockets after I break into them. Any ideas?
we had a stink bug infestation last year where i lived.. the things were everywhere. they would fall into our halogen lights and burn up so i was constantly smelling that smell. one time i was boiling a roast and one fell in.. i tried to see if i could scoop it out really quick and it wouldn’t taint the whole thing..but no, we had to throw the whole thing out because it had that stinkbug flavor in the background.
Omg. I live in mass. We took our window air conditioners out yesterday. When we did.. there were about 40 stink bugs in the folds of the curtains and on the side of the curtain facing outside .. there were soooo many of them . It was like a colony. We vacuumed them up.. but now my Dyson stinks and im trying to get the smell out… Ugh
I live in KY and have always had a stink bug….I won’t call it a problem because I like them, but there’s too many of them. It seems this year I’ve noticed these little wasps more and more. They’re cute little things and don’t sting I guess, so I just observe them. Never thought this was the reason I’d seen so many of them and maybe why I’m seeing less and less stinkers. Hmmm, interesting.
Allot of people are fully against bringing additional species over to battle invasive pests. Citing Kane Toads as an example. I would say it depends on how specialized the species is. Kane toads are a huge problem because they are opportunistic predators. Yeah, they’ll eat your pests, but they’ll eat basically any creature that can fit into its mouth and reproduce as long as it can eat. Leading to explosions in toad population and destruction of harmless species who are capable of being eaten. Parasitic Wasps are a perfect example of targeted pest control. Many species are specifically specialized to parasitize one species of insect or plant. Therefor populations rise and fall with the population of the pest and effectively control the problem.
My hedgehog is 8 months and she has a mass in her mouth that’s stopping her from eating. I have carnivore care for her but she is in bad shape for surgery. The vet said we should think about the quality of life for her. I’m devastated. I just wanted to say that because i know you guys get how im feeling.
We couldn’t figure out what kept on eating my strawberries every year, Gilbert the hedgehog was found nibbling my strawberries last night. My best friend named him Gilbert and he is adorable, I hope to see him again in the future. I’ve wanted a hedgehog for a few years and I’m researching hedgehogs because they are absolutely adorable and I would love another pet since my snake died :’)
So I recently had to adopt my sister’s hog and it’s been tough trying to get her set up. She is currently 3 years old. I have no clue what cat food she was eating before (the blue bag…apparently -.- ) but we ended up buying her Purina One Beyond chicken and whole oatmeal recipe because that was the most talked about on hog forums. She had been eating it and loves it, but recently she’s had digestive issues. Her poop has been tan and like 20% solid. I DID take her to the vet and she told me it was probably diet. We hadn’t been feeding her any meal worms because yuck, but the vet insisted on a mostly insect diet so we bought the dried stuff today and I hope it works. Also want to thank you because we just ordered all the heating stuff you suggested on a past article because where I’m at the temperature suddenly took a turn for winter and I’m pretty sure she tried hibernating tonight so we had to change her set up to be less open than it was. Again, this whole “adoption” has been one huge experiment of uncertainty with a huge helping of adorableness. Right now your articles are a godsend…
I just got a hedgehog yesterday, today my mom was showing him to one of her friends and suggested we go give him a grape so I went upstairs and got one… I had it in my hand and everything and then suddenly I decided to look it up to make sure it was ok for him to eat thinking I’m being stupid because its just one tiny grape. as soon as I found out it was toxic I almost broke down in tears. I’ve wanted a hedgehog for the past 3 years, have done plenty of research on it but never heard of any toxic foods before. And what makes matters worse is that I had a dream last night, his first night with me, that he had died that night while I slept. I woke up sweating and crying it was horrible. I just feel like the most unfit hedgehog mom ever right now and I wanted to jus thank you for making this article because it really did help me. so thank you Tori so much
I just got a hedgehog and she came with a food called precision ?? Its from the website hedgehogprecision.com it’s the standard formula.. Maybe you could check it out read what it is made out of and give me your input in thoughts please Have you ever heard of them or their food? Question being should I keep her on this food or switcher her to a cat food .. also she came with dried black soldier fly larvae?? Is that safe?? What all insects do you feed ? And how do you keep them and store them are they Refrigerated or not? Also what do you feed you feed you Insects so they have a good nutrition value ?
My hedgehog Shaymin loves his butter worms so much those and Horned worms like it will wake him out of a sleep instantly. meal and super worms he enjoys to and silk. I avoid crickets because they smell and are noisy. I do give him an all natural cat food for the most part chicken that uses real chicken in it. his wheel is another thing he loves being on at night especially.
So my dad said that I can get one, but first I need to train him. Also my parents are divorced, is it okay if I bring the cage house to house, and if I can’t, can my Hedgie go on trips in a plane every once in a while, because if it can’t, I’m okay with that and I can bring it over to my mothers. (p.s. I’ll be bringing it over on a 30 min drive probably like 4 times a year, is that okay? Is it okay if I bring the whole cage?)
I’m absolutely loving your articles! So informative! I’m planning on getting a hedgehog as a graduation present to myself, so I’ve been perusal a lot of articles and reading up so I’m a good hedgie momma. I was wondering how your hedgies and dogs do together? Did you have any sort of introduction between the two or do you try to keep them separate?
Hey! Any suggestions for someone with a picky hog? I’ve tried giving Quillamina all kinds of stuff on the Safe list, and she never touches it. I’ve tried mealworms, (twice) and she won’t eat them. I always cut veggies or fruits (but fruits like apples in EXTREME moderation and without the skin) up into teeny tiny pieces so that theyre easier to chew, but she always leaves it alone and just eats her kibble. I’m using a high quality cat food that the store owner recommended, and it’s not as if she’s lost weight, her weight is healthy. I’m just not sure what to offer as a treat.
I used to own a hedgehog, her name was Zelda, but she passed away in 2017. For christmas, I might be getting a hedgehog, there are 3 black masked hedgehogs who were born in August, there are 2 boys and 1 girl left, I’ve seen pictures of the girl, and if I get her, she will be named… Prickily Pepper, because she’s prickily, and is black masked with black and white quils.
I am really surprised to hear avocado on the no list. My hedgie LOVES avocado. Like, she goes nuts for it . We have rodents in the house and they all enjoy avocado as a treat. I am pretty nervous now because she has eaten a lot in the past. If she has a toxic reaction, how might that look? Sluggishness? Vomiting? Loose stool? Because she has never had any of that. Can you cite some reasons as to why they are considered toxic? Thank you so much, always.
Can you buy like powdered chitin (the exo skeleton stuff, I can never remember how to spell it). One of my girls doesnt have a lot of teeth anymore. She’s older and had a couple pulled over time so she gets wet cat food with ground up fromm gold mature. I’d like to add the variety of insects but I worry about giving her things that involve a lot of chewing.
Are canned insects safe for hedgehogs? I recently purchased several cans of grasshoppers and snails with the intent to give them to my water dragon who has absolutely no interest in consuming them but could be perfect for my little Rue who might appreciate the variety since he normally only gets live mealworms (along with his kibble mix).
My dad and I go fishing alot and I recently moved in to his house with my little buddy hedgie (my pet hedgehog) my dad was wondering earth worms from stores that sell them for bait are okay for him to eat? I’m very hesitant of that due to earthworms can have parasites 🙁 Can someone help me will earthworms be safe for him as a snack or is it to risky getting them from those bait stores
Hii how much worms do u give ? And how offen. I adopted half year hedgehog and he eats just kibble and worms sometimes apple or melon and chicken (cooked ) . Do u think its ok i will go to vet but before i just wanted to ask what u think. If it Necessary ( she Weights 493g in 7months) thank you your articles helped me a lot Edit: do u feed just jn evenings? I heard it best
This is very helpful. I have a hamster and he eats avocado. So now I know to keep it away from my hedgehog. Also question, does food with sodium count as bad for them, because my hamster can not have sodium. And I was wondering if my hedgehog could not have sodium as well. Also what would be best meal worms/ eggs/ crickets?
Have you done articles on the best insects for hedgies, or gut loading them using veggies? Mine Loves larvae, not so much crickets or beetles(whatever mealworms turn into). I’m trying to do 1/2 kibble and 1/2 insects with occasional treats. I haven’t tried meat yet, she sometimes eats scrambled eggs. Thanks for all the articles.
Hello, my hedgehog is not an african pygmy. I found her near my house and it was a baby.. i have her for like 2 months and i wanted to ask you two questions! 1) how many times a bath should i bath her? 2) it started to like me until she got hurt and i have to put her octenicept and some eye drops in her eyes because they were closed. And now she doesn’t want me she makes this sound and i don’t know how to describe it the correct word, she does this move like she is afraid of me. But before i had to put her eye drops and octenicept she was okey she wasn’t afraid at all! @PugPibbleHedgie
Hi, tori. GREAT article, I have question I use pads for my hedgehog in her cage and want to switch to bedding, recently we bought teklan bedding and I have researched but I couldn’t find whether or not it was safe it is fluffy and gray and I know someone hedgehogs like to burrow mine definitely does, and I don’t want give it to her if it’ll will cause problems as she actually is starting to bleed when she poops and we think it is a Uti so if u could also make a article on that. I know it is a lot but I have learned soo much from u… much love 🤗
Thank you for all of the informative articles you post! I have a question regarding wheels for hedgehogs. I currently own a very nice wheel with a flat surface, but I’m nervous it will be too small for a hedgie. It’s certainly tall enough, but it is about 3.25 inches wide. A carolina storm bucket wheel is 1.75 inches wider. Would this be too small for a hedgehog? The front does not have any cover or anything like that, so I’m hoping it will be able to work. I just don’t want to spend money on a bucket wheel if I don’t need to. Thank you! ☺️☺️
This is a great article cuz ill be getting my 1st hedgie on the 1st of the month…im trading my crested gecko for him…hes only 7 to 8 months but im doing the trade cuz the other lady is better with cresties and im more knowledgeable in small animals…any other basic info ill need…ive heen reaserch since sept of last year and i feel like i kno absolutely nothing so ANY ADVICE WILL HELP..and i LOVE ur articles tori keep up the great job of informing us..
I KNOW this sounds like a dumb question butttt….. Is there a kind of recipe that is healthy for a hedgehog to eat a birthday cake?? I have always wanted to make a small little cake for my hedgehog for her birthday (her name is Luna) ALSO if your up to it she has an Instagram 😂 @Luna_thee_hedgehog P.S love your website! It’s super helpful!💞
I’ve just found a hedgehog in my garden and he’s like the largest hedge I’ve ever seen … ( Okay honestly this is perhaps the second time I ever see a hedgehog in my life ) He seems so scared and won’t move or eat at all . I prepared some cat food and carrots for him … Oh god I’m really nervous cuz I don’t know anything about this kind of animal ! Anyway thank u for this article, it helps me a lot . I hope this little guy will be okay at least tonight 😢
I cant wait to possibly get a Hedgie! They are suppose to be a lot better for allergy sufferers. Animals are my life but unfortunately some of my favorites are also what Im allergic to! Im allergic to rat pee, paper and wood bedding, hay, and fluffy rabbits. Sucks! Im visiting a local breeders shop (they have a shop where you can interact and learn) just to make sure but so far so good!
Great article! I didn’t know about the avocado thing and fed some chunky cubes to my hog (2.5 years old) several times in the past years. She never had any problem with it, so i guess the toxicity is individually different. Actually that’s one of the very few fruits/vegs she would eat and not just anoint with. The other one is pears. I also tried to feed her grapes once, but she wasn’t interested at all, not even anointing. I’m using ‘odor control’ kibbles for indoor cats, so maybe I could risk some fish next time 😀
I dunno man, I had a hedgehog that once accidentally drank a bit of bleach… and she lived to 7 years old… I don’t think there is technically anything ‘actually’ dangerous for them. But that might be their ability to survive poisons. I mean there is a lot that might be upsetting (or not healthy) to them, but I doubt too much is actually ‘dangerous’. Being that they are insanely omnivorous. (though she’s right about choking hazards) That’s not to say I didn’t feed her mostly kibble anyways. — Now, our current hedgehog… eats… everything. I give her a tiny bit of literally anything I’m eating to see if she likes it, she has yet to nearly bite my fingers off in excitement over what I’m feeding her. Though in her case, it might be because we got her at about 3 weeks old from the breeder… so she’s still discovering the world.