What Kind of Dog Food Is Best for Hedgehogs?

European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

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Can hedgehogs eat dog food? A Hedgehog is a tricky pet to feed. They eat various foods, but protein should be the primary nutrient. 

Hedgehogs can eat both wet and dry dog food. Kibble(dry food) contains fiber, is crunchy to clean teeth, and has a long shelf life. Besides feeding them, hedgehogs feed on insects they come across in the wild.

You may be wondering if you should feed your hedgehog dog food. Surprisingly. Dog food is a great option for your hedgehog, but which one, in particular, is good?

We’ll review some of the best dog foods you can give your hedgehog. 

A Quick Glance: Best Dog Food for Hedgehogs

 

Dog Food What Makes It Stand Out?
1. Purina High Protein Dry Dog Food With Probiotics Natural probiotics for sensitive stomachs
2. Nutro Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Natural ingredients
3. Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Dog Food Whole grain
4. Wellness High-Protein Reduced Fat Dog Food Low fat
5. Beneful IncrediBites Wet Dog Food Wet food to hydrate your hedgie
6. Ziwi Air-Dried, All-Natural Dog Food Low carb

 

Best Dog Food for Hedgehogs: Our Top 7 Picks

1. Best for Sensitive Stomach: Purina High Protein Dry Dog Food With Probiotics

If your hedgehog has a sensitive digestive system, Purina dry dog food is made with live natural probiotics for healthy immunity and digestion. The food is fortified with omega-six fatty acids and vitamin A for healthy skin and coat of your hedgie.

The dog food is in kibble form. You can break the kibbles into small pieces to feed your hedgehog. The kibbles are mixed with soft shredded pieces of real chicken and rice formula.

Purina dog food is a high-protein formulation to help your hedgie maintain good body weight. The food is checked for safety and quality, so you don’t have to worry when feeding your hedgehog.

2. Best for Natural Ingredients: Nutro Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

My hedgehog is a picky feeder, and I wanted dog food with natural flavors. Nutro dry dog food is made of salmon and lentils, with natural flavors, minerals, and vitamins. 

The food is grain-free, so I don’t have to worry about food sensitivity to your hedgie. Healthy food is made with non-GMO ingredients. The portion sizes are appropriate for my small hedgehog.

The salmon recipe is good for a shiny coat and nourishing my hedgie’s skin.

3. Best for Whole Grain: Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Dog Food

Honest Kitchen dog food is made from a whole-grain recipe of high-quality free-range chicken, organic bananas, carrots, and oats. Human-grade food is good for nutrient retention, digestion, and natural flavor.

If you love dog food that’s easy to serve, whole grain ensures balanced and complete nutrition to keep your hedgehog full. You can also choose the whole food as a topper to allow your hedgie to eat other foods.

The food contains no by-products, GMO ingredients, fillers, or preservatives.

4. Best for Low Fat: Wellness High-Protein Reduced Fat Dog Food

Most dog foods contain a lot of fat, which can make your hedgehog obese. Wellness dog food is a low-fat, high-protein balanced food you can feed your hedgehog without worrying about excess fat.

The high-protein dog food is made from fresh meat ingredients for your hedgehog’s lean muscle and body mass. If your hedgie has food sensitivities, you don’t have to worry since the Wellness food is grain-free and filler free.

The food is fortified with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, taurine, and probiotics for your hedgie’s healthy heart, coat, and skin. The food is made from non-GMO natural food recipes.

5. Best for Hydration: Beneful IncrediBites Wet Dog Food

Hedgehogs require a lot of water. They get the water from food or direct daily water intake. Beneful wet dog food is suitable to keep your hedgie hydrated.

The wet food bites are made from salmon, real chicken, and beef. The bites are small and tender for your hedgehog to savor without crushing them further.

Wellness bites are a high-protein dog food to support your hedgehog’s strong muscles and spine. It’s a complete, balanced food with 23 essential minerals and vitamins.

6. Best for Low Carb: Ziwi Air-Dried, All-Natural Dog Food

If your hedgehog is sensitive to high-carb foods, the Ziwi all-natural dog food would be your solution. The high protein, grain-free food has reduced carbs for your hedgie.

The food is a complete meal with healthy air-dried free-range lamb, bones, seafood, and organs for peak nutrition. The nutritious, filler-free food supports your hedgehog’s digestion, healthy coat, and skin, and reduces inflammation, joint,  brain, and heart health.

You can use the dog food as a topper or a complete meal for your hedgehog. The all-natural food is highly digestible.

Final Word

Many people say that hedgehogs can eat almost any food. However, some foods can be harmful, and it doesn’t mean you can feed your hedgie anything.

There are various speculations around dog food. Dog food is healthy and safe for your hedgehog. Ensure you choose a dog food with ingredients that match your hedgehog’s diet. 

Most dog foods are in the form of kibble and are big particles that your hedgehog cannot chew. If you choose kibble dog food, always crush it into smaller pieces to make it suitable for your hedgie.

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Alexandra Gros

Alexandra Gros

My name is Alexandra Gross, and I’m the proud owner of three pet hedgehogs.
Two of them are European hedgehogs, and one is a smaller African pygmy hedgehog.
In this blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about owning a hedgehog as a pet, whether you found one outside your home or are considering adopting one from a shelter!

About Me

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