African Pygmy Hedgehog

African Pygmy Hedgehogs

African Pygmy Hedgehog Diet

African Pygmy Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and so should not be given diary products. They should also not be given advocado, chocolate, citrus fruits, garlic, fish, grape or grape products, onion, or nuts and seeds. If it doubt, please check with a reputable vet or ask good breeders or keepers such as those found on good African Pygmy Hedgehog forums.

A varied diet is important although some African Pygmy Hedgehogs can be picky eaters.

Your breeder should supply you with some of your hedgehogs existing food, so this will enable you to make any changes to diet gradually to avoid a stomach upset.

Water

Fresh water should be available constantly, tap water is fine offered in a shallow dish or bottle. If the latter, it is important to supply a bowl as well until you are certain your African Pygmy Hedgehog is accustomed to the bottle.

Cat foods

These need to be non-fish based, dry cat food biscuits. It should have a minimum of 30% protein and no more than 10% fat. This should be constantly available.

Food marketed at European hedgehogs is not suitable for African Pygmy Hedgehogs.

Insects

African Pygmy Hedgehogs are insectivorous and so should be offered items such as mealworms, crickets, locusts and cockroaches. These are available live which provides the most environmental enrichment but can also be purchased dried or canned.

Cooked and fresh

Your African Pygmy Hedgehogs diet can be supplemented with cooked foods such chicken, beef or lamb mince, boiled rice, or scrambled egg (without milk). They may also appreciate fresh vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mashed potato, peas, sweetcorn, mashed swede.

Some fruits are also suitable such as apple, apricot, banana, mango, melon, and strawberries.