The bags labeled “Hedgehog Food” at pet stores are mostly a scam. Most exotic vets will tell you to leave them on the shelf. My hedgehog Spike taught me this the hard way — he turns his nose up at anything under 30% protein. Walk into any pet store and you’ll see those bags, packed with cheap fillers and hidden sugars, marketed to well-meaning owners.
So what do hedgehogs actually need? They’re insectivores. As pets, their staple diet should be a high-quality, high-protein/low-fat dry cat kibble, supplemented daily with gut-loaded live insects like mealworms, crickets, and black soldier fly larvae. Because pet hedgehogs are prone to severe obesity and dental issues, getting their diet right is the most important part of their care.
The base of their diet: good kibble
Hedgehogs need a diet that’s high in protein (30% - 35%) and very low in fat (under 15%).
Ironically, most commercial “hedgehog foods” are packed with cheap fillers, low-quality ingredients, and hidden sugars. Instead, the top choice in the hedgehog community is feeding a premium, grain-free dry cat food.
Why cat food? Because cats are carnivores, their high-quality kibbles contain the exact meat-based proteins hedgehogs need. The crunchiness of the kibble also helps scrape plaque off their tiny teeth, preventing dental disease. Look for a brand where the first ingredient is a named meat (like chicken or turkey), not “meat meal” or “by-product.”
Live insects and why chitin matters
While cat food provides the base nutrients, a hedgehog is biologically an insectivore. Their digestive tract requires chitin (the tough, fibrous exoskeleton of insects) to maintain a healthy gut and firm stool. Without chitin, hedgehogs often develop loose stools and poor digestion.
You should offer 1 to 3 live or freeze-dried insects daily.
- Mealworms: They love them, but mealworms are the “fast food” of the insect world. They’re very high in fat and can cause obesity. Feed sparingly—no more than 3-4 mealworms per day.
- Crickets: Excellent for enrichment. Watching a hedgehog hunt a live cricket in their cage is fantastic exercise and stimulates their natural hunting instincts. Dust crickets with calcium powder before feeding for an extra nutritional boost.
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL): The holy grail of insects. They’re naturally incredibly high in calcium, which prevents metabolic bone disease—a common problem in captive hedgehogs.
- Waxworms: Very high in fat. Use only as an occasional treat, like once a week.
Treats they can have and foods to avoid
Hedgehogs can occasionally enjoy small treats, but they have sensitive stomachs.
- Safe Treats: Plain unseasoned scrambled eggs, plain boiled chicken, or a tiny piece of watermelon or apple (skinless).
- Toxic Foods (NEVER Feed): Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, citrus fruits, and dairy. Hedgehogs are highly lactose intolerant; feeding them milk or cheese will cause severe, life-threatening diarrhea. Also avoid all processed human foods, bread, chips, and candy.
How much and how often
Obesity is the #1 health problem in pet hedgehogs. Because they’re small and sleep most of the day, they burn very few calories.
- Daily kibble: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day, offered in a heavy ceramic bowl.
- Insects: Offered separately from kibble, usually in the evening when they wake up.
- Treats: No more than once or twice a week.
- Fresh water: Always available in a heavy water bowl (not a bottle; hedgehogs prefer bowls).
Weigh your hedgehog weekly. A healthy adult should weigh between 350 and 600 grams. Sudden weight gain or loss is a sign to adjust their diet immediately.
Signs of dietary problems
Watch for these warning signs that your hedgehog’s diet needs adjustment:
- Loose or runny stool: Too much fruit, vegetables, or moisture in the diet. Cut back to kibble only for a few days.
- Weight gain: Your hedgehog looks rounder and has difficulty rolling into a ball. Reduce kibble portion and increase exercise time.
- Weight loss: Hedgehog feels light and their spine is prominent. Increase portion size and check for underlying health issues.
- Bad breath or difficulty eating: Could indicate dental disease. Check with an exotic vet.
- Not eating: Refusing food for more than 24 hours is a medical emergency. Hedgehogs can develop fatty liver disease quickly when they stop eating.
Water: bottle vs bowl
Hedgehogs need constant access to fresh water. There’s debate about whether to use a water bottle or bowl:
- Bowls: More natural drinking position. Hedgehogs can drink more easily. Downside: they can tip them over, soil them with bedding, or step in them.
- Bottles: Cleaner and less mess. Downside: the sipper tube can get stuck, and some hedgehogs struggle to use them. Test the bottle daily.
Many owners use both: a heavy ceramic bowl as the primary water source and a bottle as backup. Change the water daily regardless of which method you choose.
For the kibble, I personally like mixing an insectivore diet with a low-fat cat kibble like Blue Buffalo Indoor Health. For insects, I grab a bag of freeze-dried black soldier fly larvae; they’re packed with calcium and Spike loves them.