Hedgehogs cannot eat a wide variety of foods because they may be poisonous or only add calories to their nutritional base without tangible benefits. Knowing what not to feed your hedgehog is not only beneficial for keeping them alive but can also ensure weight management and enhanced overall well-being.

This article answers “what can hedgehogs not eat?” by listing a couple of popular but potentially harmful foods that should never appear in your hedgehog’s food bowl. We also look into a few popular foods they can eat with beneficial opportunities for their health. Let’s get started.

What Can Hedgehogs Not Eat?

Hedgehogs cannot eat citrus foods like oranges, lemons, limes, and tangerines as well as vegetables such as garlic, rhubarb, onions, and unripe tomatoes. Dairy products like milk and cheese should never be fed in addition to uncooked protein sources such as meat and eggs.

Hedgehogs primarily live on dry and wet cat kibble in domestication although some owners are increasingly opting for specially formulated hedgehog diets. These diets typically provide enough to meet the nutritional needs of hedgehogs without ever having to add supplements.

However, many of us opt for supplementary diets to provide variety for the hedgehog and improve its appetite. Feeding the same food day in and day out can be quite boring for these creatures and rightly so because even animals enjoy eating different foods sometimes.

Note that not all foods and drinks humans eat are good for hedgehogs. For instance, there are numerous drinks hedgehogs cannot consume but may be healthy for humans.

Vegetables Hedgehogs Cannot Eat

Hedgehogs are forbidden from eating numerous vegetables and a few are listed below with information on what makes them unsuitable for your beloved quill baby.

Avocado

Hedgehogs should abstain from consuming avocadoes in any form. The pit and seeds typically contain the fungicidal poisonous substance Persin which could be dangerous when consumed by animals. Eating the flesh may also trigger diarrhea due to the high fiber and water content.

Carrots

Avoid offering carrots, especially in high quantities because the sugar content can be excessive. Eating carrots may lead to stomachs upsets and discomfort, especially in elderly hedgehogs with weaker internal organs.

Corn

Corn contains vital carbs but the starch quantities could be excessive for hedgehogs making digestion extremely difficult. Do not feed corn to hedgehogs to be on the safer side even if they’re not toxic or poisonous.

Onions

Diarrhea and strange-colored poop are common in hedgehogs that have just consumed onions because the popular vegetable can cause gastrointestinal problems. Hedgehogs may also suffer irritated eyes after consuming onions.

Do not panic if your hedgehogs accidentally eat onions especially if they’re not showing signs of unbearable distress.

Garlic

Garlic is another member of the onion family that should be eliminated from the hedgehog’s diet. Like regular onions, they can trigger gastrointestinal issues and hedgehogs may find the scent a little bit irritating.

Hedgehogs could be in discomfort for a day or two after eating garlic but the symptoms should cease afterward.

Rhubarb

Many animals in the wild avoid rhubarbs because the stalks, leaves, and other areas contain oxalic acid, a powerful poison that can cause distressing symptoms. Hedgehogs may suffer kidney poisoning and even death when exposed to rhubarb leaves and should be completely avoided.

Signs of rhubarb poisoning in animals include diarrhea, depression, stomachaches, and trembling. It is no coincidence that many insects and bugs shun rhubarb plants in the wild.

Mushrooms

Several mushroom varieties are toxic for hedgehogs and since separating them from the non-toxic options could be impossible, it is best to let pet hedgehogs stay away completely.

Peas

Peas should be banned from your hedgehog’s food plate because they may stimulate nutritional imbalances that can cause problems for hedgehogs. The excessive phosphorus content compared to calcium forces the latter to leech out of the hedgehog’s bones and teeth into the bloodstream.

The result is calcium deficiency resulting in weak bones and teeth. In severe cases, walking difficulties can arise and the hedgehog could become susceptible to broken legs and other physical problems.

Potatoes

Potatoes contain excessive starch making them unsuitable for hedgehogs to consume. The high-calorie content and low nutritional base make potatoes a waste of time for hedgehogs to eat especially in the absence of high quantities of cat food.

Raw potatoes may also contain toxic substances that can jeopardize your hedgehog’s health by inhibiting enzyme functionality and by extension, nutrient absorption.

Tomatoes

Unripe Tomatoes are extremely acidic making them unsuitable for your hedgehog’s digestive tract and the high water content may also expose hedgehogs to diarrhea and other stomach troubles. Besides, tomatoes could also contain tomatine, a toxic substance prevalent in the animal poisoning industry.

Tomatine is typically present in unripe tomatoes but there’s always a chance of some leftover amounts in fruits that may look ripe. Fully ripe tomatoes may be eaten once in a while in small quantities no more than once a month.

What Fruits Can Hedgehogs Not Eat?

Hedgehogs enjoy the majority of fruits popular among humans resulting in the reliable supply of Vitamins A, C, and E. However, a few fruits may cause harm and are best eliminated from their diets.

Apple Seeds

Avoid serving apple seeds to hedgehogs due to their high toxicity levels. Apple seeds feature Amygdalin, a compound that converts to cyanide, one of the most potent poisons available today. Cyanide could pose multiple side effects on the health of your hedgehog including death. (Source)

Citrus

Hedgehogs suffer health complications like diarrhea and stomachache when exposed to citrus fruits as a result of their high acidic content. Oranges, tangerines, lemons, and lime should be kept out of your hedgehog’s reach because the effects can be too devastating.

Citrus fruits also contain high fiber content and water which often triggers diarrhea and related side effects.

Grapes

Grapes usually feature toxic substances that may put the life of your hedgehogs at risk. Accidentally offering grapes to your hedgehogs could result in potential side effects like stomach trouble and lethargy.

Do not be surprised if your hedgehog displays signs of appetite loss and disinterest in staying hydrated because they are common side effects of eating grapes.

Pineapples

If you’ve ever tasted pineapples, the high acidity content can be pretty obvious. Even though the sweet taste can make them attractive to hedgehogs, stomach trouble could be inevitable due to the component acidity levels.

Pineapples are also rich in fiber so they could loosen up blockages in the digestive tract of your hedgehog resulting in diarrhea.

Raisins

Raisins are terrible for hedgehogs and do not only contain high amounts of toxins that may cause poisoning but can also act as a choking hazard. Additional side effects of raisins include damage to the hedgehog’s internal organs.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are highly acidic fruits that could upset the digestive system of your hedgehogs. They’re best avoided from your hedgehog’s food plate.

Everyday Foods Hedgehogs Cannot Eat

Here is a list of snacks and everyday foods humans can enjoy but not hedgehogs due to the presence of potentially toxic substances.

Chocolate

We all love chocolates but can’t share them with our beloved hedgehogs because of the presence of theobromine, a toxic chemical that could result in multiple side effects including death.

The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine content but no type should be entertained in your hedgehog’s food bowl. An immediate visit to your local vet should be arranged if your hedgehog accidentally eats chocolates.

Cheese

Cheese is another common food hedgehogs should never eat due to the milk content. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and consuming dairy products can have significant effects on their health. Potential problems associated with cheese consumption include stomach distress and diarrhea.

Milk

Hedgehogs may love the taste of milk but they should never consume it in the first place. As stated earlier, they are lactose intolerant and milk typically causes significant problems in their digestive tracts resulting in discomfort.

Hedgehogs’ digestive organs are also not able to absorb nutrients from milk consumption making it a needless venture.

Popcorn

Popcorn is one of the surest ways to encourage obesity and send your hedhog to an early grave. It contains high amounts of calories resulting in health problems ranging from diabetes to heart diseases.

Hedgehogs may need to be put on a diet to get their weights back to normal levels after feeding popcorn regularly.

Bread

Hedgehogs cannot eat bread because the sugar and butter content may be harmful to their health. Besides, bread provides no beneficial nutrients to hedgehogs and only stimulates weight gain when consumed.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter does not only contain significant fat quantities but also exposes hedgehogs to excessive sodium content. Avoid offering peanut butter to hedgehogs because the side effects can be terrible.

What Animal Proteins Can Hedgehogs Not Eat?

Hedgehogs require sufficient supplies of animal-based protein to enjoy good health and overall well-being. Here are a few animal proteins they should stay clear of.

Bacon

Avoid feeding bacon to hedgehogs because of the extensive processing that results in the addition of high amounts of sodium and other potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives. The digestive systems of hedgehogs are extremely fragile and bacon may lead to severe health problems.

Besides, bacon also contains high amounts of calories which can trigger obesity.

Fish

Fish may be a healthy protein source for humans but they should not be fed to hedgehogs because it is unnatural. Wild hedgehogs have no history of fish consumption and the effects on their health could be negative.

Fish can stimulate pungent-smelling poop in your hedgehogs after consumption.

Ham

Ham is a popular processed meat that may contain excessive amounts of sodium and other toxic chemicals. Avoid feeding it to your hedgehogs to preserve their health and limit exposure to potential problems in their digestive organs.

Raw Eggs

Hedgehogs should not eat raw eggs because it can expose them to disease-causing micro-organisms like salmonella. They are likely to show repulsion to raw eggs because the taste is obviously terrible.

Raw Meat

While hedgehogs may eat many lean types of meat like poultry without problems, it should be well-cooked first. Raw meats can expose them to bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms that may cause diseases and infections.

Sausages

Like bacon and ham, sausages are another source of processed meats hedgehogs are better off staying away from. Besides, sausages typically contain high amounts of fat which could increase the risk of obesity and related effects.

Conclusion: What Can Hedgehogs Not Eat?

Hedgehogs may get exposed to toxins and unhealthy chemicals from many of the fruits, vegetables, and everyday foods humans enjoy. Avoiding such foods could be critical to preserving the comfort and well-being of pet hedgehogs.

Always monitor your hedgehog’s demeanor after eating any food for signs of distress. Do not hesitate to visit your vet if you have reason to believe that your hedgehog may have consumed potentially harmful food.