Kamil Perry
Hedgehogs are curious creatures with a varied diet, but there is much misinformation about what they can and cannot eat. They are lactose intolerant, so cheese is not a good choice of food for them. However, some hedgehogs are said to like cottage cheese in small amounts, and owners may want to give their hedgehog a treat or a snack outside of their normal routine. So, do hedgehogs like cheese? And if so, is it good for them?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Hedgehogs are omnivores and eat a wide variety of things, including insects, fruits, and vegetables. |
| Lactose intolerance | Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and cannot digest cheese or other dairy products. |
| Safe cheese options | A small amount of cottage cheese is unlikely to harm hedgehogs and is considered a rare treat by some owners. |
| Alternative treats | Hedgehogs can be given treats like blueberries, watermelon, and other fruits and vegetables to add variety to their diet. |
| Primary food | The main course for hedgehogs is insects and other small critters like slugs, frogs, and worms, which are high in protein and low in fat. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so cheese can upset their stomachs
- A small amount of cheese is unlikely to be harmful to hedgehogs
- Hedgehogs are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet
- Hedgehogs enjoy eating insects, fruits, and vegetables
- Treats can be a great way to strengthen the bond between a hedgehog and its owner
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so cheese can upset their stomachs
Hedgehogs are naturally curious and enjoy a varied diet, but as lactose-intolerant animals, cheese and other dairy products can upset their stomachs. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, and while it provides lots of energy to growing mammals, most mammal species, including hedgehogs, cannot digest it as adults.
Lactose intolerance in hedgehogs can cause tummy troubles, but it is not life-threatening. A small amount of cheese is unlikely to cause problems, but larger amounts are likely to cause gas and an upset stomach. Owners should allow their hedgehog plenty of rest, and their stomachs should return to normal within a few hours.
Hedgehogs thrive on a high-protein, low-fat diet, and their primary food source is insects. They also snack on other small animals, including slugs, frogs, fish, and worms. They can also eat eggs, fruits, and vegetables, but harder vegetables should be cooked first.
While cheese is not a suitable food for hedgehogs, there are plenty of other human foods that they can enjoy as treats, including cottage cheese and other lactose-free options. It is important for owners to be aware of the dietary needs of their hedgehogs and to provide a balanced and nutritious diet to keep them happy and healthy.
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A small amount of cheese is unlikely to be harmful to hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are naturally curious about new tastes and will eat a wide variety of human foods. They are omnivores and their main course is insects, but they also snack on other small critters like slugs, frogs, fish, and worms. They can also eat most fruits and vegetables, though some fruits like grapes and raisins are poisonous to them and should be avoided.
Like most mammals, hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and cannot break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This means that cheese, being a dairy product, is not the best choice of food for hedgehogs. However, a small amount of cheese is unlikely to be harmful. If a hedgehog consumes more than a few nibbles, it may experience tummy troubles and have gas or an upset stomach. But lactose intolerance is not life-threatening, and the hedgehog should recover in a few hours.
Some sources suggest that cottage cheese is better tolerated by hedgehogs and can be given as a rare treat. However, this is controversial, as cottage cheese is high in lactose, and the lack of noticeable adverse effects may be due to owners not observing digestion issues. Overall, it is recommended to avoid feeding hedgehogs cheese and choose from the many other great food options that can be shared with them.
It is important to provide hedgehogs with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Their diet should be geared towards providing them with enough protein and vitamins, while also ensuring that they do not consume too much fat or sugar. While treats can be given occasionally to strengthen the bond with your hedgehog and provide enrichment, it is crucial to prioritize their health and well-being by offering a variety of safe and nutritious food options.
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Hedgehogs are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet
While they can eat many kinds of human food and are often curious about new tastes, some foods should be avoided. Hedgehogs, like most adult animals, are lactose intolerant, so dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt are not suitable for them and can cause an upset stomach. Even a small amount of cheese is likely to cause gas and tummy troubles.
Some sources suggest that cottage cheese is a suitable treat for hedgehogs in very small amounts, but this is controversial, as cottage cheese is high in lactose, and it is likely that owners do not notice the digestion issues it may cause. Overall, it is best to avoid feeding hedgehogs cheese and other dairy products.
Instead, hedgehogs can enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables as part of their varied diet. They can eat berries, apples, bananas, kiwis, corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cucumber. Blueberries, in particular, are a fantastic food for hedgehogs but should be given in moderation, about three to four times a week, to avoid providing too much sugar. Watermelon is another treat that hedgehogs can enjoy, but again, it should be fed in moderation for the same reason.
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Hedgehogs enjoy eating insects, fruits, and vegetables
Hedgehogs are curious creatures with varied diets. They are omnivores and can eat many kinds of human food. However, it is important to note that they are lactose intolerant, so cheese, despite being a favourite for many hedgehogs, is not a suitable food for them. It can cause an upset stomach and digestive issues.
Hedgehogs have a simple stomach and a short digestive tract, which means they are better suited to a high-protein diet with insects. They can utilise the chitin in insect exoskeletons as fibre but struggle to digest cellulose in plant matter. Their wide-spaced, blunt incisors are perfect for hooking onto insects, and they are better adapted to eating dry food.
So, what do hedgehogs enjoy eating? Well, they love insects! Black soldier flies, dubia roaches, crickets, hornworms, superworms, wax worms, and mealworms are all tasty treats for hedgehogs. These insects can be fed a special diet, or 'gut-loaded', with fruits and vegetables to increase their nutritional value.
Hedgehogs also enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables. Apples, bananas, berries, kiwis, corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cucumber are all tasty and healthy treats for hedgehogs. However, it is important to ensure that any fruit or vegetable is washed thoroughly and offered in moderation, as their digestive system is primarily like that of an insectivore, and they are not well-suited to processing large amounts of plant matter.
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Treats can be a great way to strengthen the bond between a hedgehog and its owner
So, what treats can you give your hedgehog? Well, their main course is insects, but they will also snack on other small creatures like slugs, frogs, fish, and worms. These are all high in protein and low in fat, which is essential for a hedgehog's health. Some owners like to feed their hedgehogs cat food, but this should be low in fat and high in protein.
Fruits and vegetables are also a great option for treats. Hedgehogs like berries, apples, bananas, and kiwis. They can also eat most vegetables, although harder veggies might need to be cooked first. Good options include corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cucumber. Just be sure to give them in moderation, as too much sugar can be bad for hedgehogs.
It is important to remember that not all human foods are safe for hedgehogs. Some foods, like grapes, raisins, citrus fruits, avocado, and chocolate, can be poisonous to hedgehogs. It is always best to do your research before offering your hedgehog any new treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so cheese can cause an upset stomach. However, some hedgehogs have been known to eat small amounts of cottage cheese without their owner's knowledge. A small amount of cheese is unlikely to be harmful, but it is best to avoid it.
Hedgehogs enjoy eating a variety of fruits, including berries, apples, bananas, and kiwis. They can also eat most vegetables, although harder vegetables might need to be cooked first. Good vegetables to try include corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cucumber. Hedgehogs also like insects, and their main course should be high-protein, low-fat insects such as slugs, frogs, fish, and worms.
Hedgehogs eat a wide variety of things in the wild, so their diet should be varied to match their nutritional needs. Including treats in their diet is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your hedgehog and provide enrichment.
Foods that can be poisonous or harmful to hedgehogs include grapes, raisins, citrus fruits, avocado, pineapple, onion, garlic, potato, tomato, mushroom, processed and canned meat, raw meat, seasoned or fried meat, chocolate, and all nuts and seeds.
