Hedgehogs eat a wide variety of foods including dry and wet canned cat food as well as fruits and vegetables. The biggest contemplation for many hedgehog owners is deciding whether water is enough or if they could add other liquid beverages to the mix.

This article answers the question “What Can Hedgehogs Drink?” by revealing healthy sources of hydration for hedgehogs in domesticated settings and in the wild. We reveal whether they can drink water from different sources as well as alternative hydration options that could be healthy if any.

What Can Hedgehogs Drink?

Hedgehogs can drink water from dews, puddles, streams, and ponds in the wild after eating or physical activity when thirst kicks in. Bottled, distilled, or tap water via bowls and water bottles can be a good source of hydration for domesticated hedgehogs. Hoglets may drink goat milk as a substitute for their mother’s milk for short periods when weaned off early for some reason.

Hedgehogs require constant hydration to enjoy healthy lives. Whether they’re eating consistently or not, hydration is vital to their chances of staying alive. While many of us would love to share various liquid snacks with our beloved hedgehogs, the majority of them could be unhealthy and may pose dire consequences for their health.

Hedgehogs should not eat many popular human foods because they may be unhealthy for them even if they’re a source of healthy nutrients for us.

Main Sources of Drinking Water For Caged Hedgehogs

Here are the main sources of drinking water for hedgehogs in domesticated environments. Caged animals have limited resistance to infections compared to their cousins in the wild and serving them anything less than clean water can cause trouble for their digestive organs and overall well-being.

Here are the main sources of drinking water for caged hedgehogs regardless of their age, breed, and other individual circumstances.

Tap Water

The majority of caged hedgehogs live off tap water and unless you live in a city with no access to clean tap water, you need to look no further. Tap water is often healthy and does not require any form of distillation or filtration.

You simply have to fill the hedgehog’s water bowl or bottle with tap water to quench their thirst. Always make sure the tap water provided is at room temperature because chilled water can cause problems like shivering, common cold, and hypothermia which may turn fatal.

Also, their drinking water could get hot during the summer when temperatures often soar making consistent refills every few hours necessary. This could be critical to the hedgehog’s comfort, especially on hot afternoons.

Bottled Water

Hedgehogs may be offered bottled water by their owners when tap water is not ideal or unavailable. Many cities are saddled with undrinkable tap water and a hedgehog owner could decide on alternative sources of hydration.

If you decide to go down this route, choose plain bottled water containing minimal amounts of minerals like calcium and phosphorus because excess quantities may pose another set of health problems for hedgehogs.

Also, avoid serving bottled water that has been opened for several days because there’s a high probability of contamination from bacteria. The taste of the water could also go stale making it unattractive for the hedgehog to drink.

Distilled Water

Distilled water is one of the best sources of hydration for pet hedgehogs. The distillation process involves boiling water into vapor and condensing it back into liquid form. Impurities in the water are eliminated at the point of vaporization guaranteeing the resultant liquid is purified.

Distilled water is healthy for hedgehogs and could be enjoyed without problems. If you’re unsure of the quality of the tap water in your city and would rather not purchase bottled water daily, distilled water could be the way to go.

It is a simple process anyone could undertake at absolutely no cost and watching a couple of Youtube videos could come in handy. (Source)

How Do Wild Hedgehogs Get Water To Drink?

Unlike caged hedgehogs that enjoy a constant supply of drinking water from their owners without having to lift a claw, hedgehogs in the wild are consistently on the move in search of water. This typically happens at night when they scavenge for food and engage in other physically demanding activities.

Here are the main sources of drinking water for wild hedgehogs.

Dews and Puddles

Dews and puddles are a reliable source of hydration for hedgehogs in the wild. They typically search for these sources after finding food during the night. Not only do they offer hydration but also serve as bathing water for hedgehogs which can calm their nerves, especially after close encounters with predators.

Dews and puddles are common in the woods and forests and once a hedgehog finds one close to its habitat, it can serve as a long-term source of drinking water until it dries up or the hedgehog moves to another area.

The hedgehog is forced to find alternative drinking water sources immediately after or risk dying from dehydration.

Ponds

Ponds can serve as a haven for hedgehogs in the wild whether artificially or naturally created. The demand for ponds among wildlife is high and gardens featuring ponds are a favorite for hedgehogs and other wildlife because their hydration needs are taken care of.

Pond water may be muddy or clear depending on factors like the nature of the land and what time of year it is. But, wild hedgehogs should be able to drink it with minimal effects on their health. If you’re desperate to attract hedgehogs to your garden, creating a pond could be the way to go.

Prey

Hedgehogs in the wild consume live insects ranging from grasshoppers to crickets. They also feed on the larvae of numerous bugs to gain the required amounts of animal protein. An additional benefit of eating insects is that their bodies contain liquids that can serve as a source of hydration.

Fruits and Vegetables

Wild hedgehogs enjoy a wide range of fruits and vegetables in the wild which shore up their nutritional base by providing vitamins and minerals. Many fruits and vegetables also contain high amounts of water which keeps hedgehogs hydrated.

In the absence of ponds, dews, and puddles, fruits and vegetables may keep hedgehogs hydrated for long periods in the wild.

Is Tap water OK For Hedgehogs?

Hedgehogs can drink clean tap water devoid of impurities that may cause stomach upsets and other forms of distress. If tap water is the main source of hydration, feel free to fill your hedgehog’s water bottle or bowl without hesitation.

You can always distill tap water to eliminate potential impurities if you’re unsure of its cleanliness for your hedgehogs. It is a simple process anyone can undertake at home without sophisticated equipment.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Sugar Water?

Hedgehogs do just fine with plain water so avoid adding sugar or salt. Even those that have been starved of water for long periods do not need sugar water to rehydrate. If the hedgehog seems severely dehydrated, oral rehydration salts dissolved in water could be fed via a syringe.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Rain Water?

Hedgehogs can drink rainwater without problems because it is cleaner than tap water. It contains fewer salts, minerals, and potentially harmful treatment chemicals unlike tap water in many cities. Most water bodies in the wild such as dews and puddles are constantly refilled with rainwater.

Rainwater may be contaminated with pollen and other particulates from the atmosphere such as dust but should be safe for hedgehogs to drink.

Can Hedgehogs Drink From Streams?

Streams can be a good source of drinking water for hedgehogs in the wild. If you have to offer stream water to domesticated breeds for any reason, distilling it first could be a great idea to eliminate potential toxins that may jeopardize their health.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Milk?

Hedgehogs should never drink milk because they’re lactose intolerant and dairy products may cause severe digestion problems. Stomach upsets and other forms of distress are common when hedgehogs are exposed to milk.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Juice?

Avoid offering fruit juice to hedgehogs because they typically contain excessive amounts of sugar. Natural fruit juices made at home with no artificial sugars may be offered as an occasional treat but watch out for signs of diarrhea.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Almond Milk?

Hedgehogs can drink sugar-free almond milk as an occasional treat. Unlike cow milk, almond milk is a healthy source of plant-based milk. There should be no signs of stomach upsets when they drink it sparingly.

Can Baby Hedgehogs Drink Cow Milk?

Hoglets should never be allowed to drink cow milk because of their lactose intolerance and susceptibility to severe side effects. Diarrhea, stomach upsets, and other forms of discomfort are common in hedgehogs of all ages after consuming cow milk and the symptoms could be more pronounced in hoglets than adults.

What Milk Can Hedgehogs Drink?

Goat milk could be a better option for hedgehogs especially babies that have been weaned off their mothers. But transition them to solid diets immediately they grow baby teeth when they are around 9 weeks old.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Coffee?

Hedgehogs cannot drink coffee because it could upset their digestive systems. Coffee is a stimulant that may cause dehydration in hedgehogs which could force them to drink excessive amounts of water. Side effects like stomachache and diarrhea are common when hedgehogs ingest coffee.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Cranberry Juice?

Sugar-free cranberry juice may be consumed by hedgehogs without problems. It is one of the most common home remedies for treating Urinary Tract Infections. Making cranberry juice at home from crushed fresh fruits may be the best option but you can also pick unsweetened brands from the local Walmart for hedgehogs.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Gatorade?

Hedgehogs may drink Gatorade diluted with 50 percent water to minimize the sugar content. We recommend using clean water to eliminate the risk of contamination. Make sure the solution is served at room temperature to protect the hedgehog from colds and potential hypothermia.

Can Hedgehogs Drink Alcohol?

Hedgehogs should never be exposed to alcoholic beverages because their stomachs are too fragile to synthesize them. Alcohol poisoning with signs ranging from disorientation to digestive problems may pop up when hedgehogs are exposed to alcoholic beverages.

Conclusion: What Can Hedgehogs Drink?

Hedgehogs rely on clean, plain drinking water to stay hydrated because the majority of liquid beverages are unsuitable for their health. Tap water and bottled water are popular options for hedgehogs but rainwater may also be served.

Wild hedgehogs stay hydrated by drinking water from dews and puddles as well as ponds, streams, and other shallow water bodies.

Unsweetened fruit juices could be an occasional treat for hedgehogs but avoid offering cow milk, coffee, or alcoholic beverages because the effects on their health could be extremely troubling.