African Pygmy Hedgehog
Mammal
African pygmy hedgehogs are insectivorous mammals that thrive on a diet built around a commercial hedgehog food or high-quality low-fat cat food, supplemented with gut-loaded feeder insects. Unlike reptiles, hedgehogs need no UVB or calcium dusting — insects here serve as a protein and enrichment supplement to a kibble-based staple, not the foundation of the diet. Captive hedgehogs are notably prone to obesity, so portion control matters more than variety.
What to Feed
- Staple: commercial hedgehog food or high-quality low-fat cat/insectivore kibble — roughly 3–4 tsp (15–20 mL) daily
- Dubia roaches: excellent feeder — soft-bodied, high protein, lower fat than mealworms
- Mealworms: fine in moderation, but higher in fat than dubia, so limit frequency
- Superworms: occasional treat only — similar fat/impaction considerations as mealworms
- Waxworms: avoid as a regular offering — high fat, should not be a regular part of the diet
Feeding Schedule
- Daily: commercial kibble as the primary meal, offered in the evening (hedgehogs are crepuscular/nocturnal)
- Insects: roughly 3–4 Small dubia roach nymphs (or 1 earthworm) daily — a 50-count bag covers roughly two weeks — or gut-loaded insects 2–3x/week; either cadence is fine as long as the total insect/moist-food supplement stays around 1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) a day
- Gut-load insects 24–48 hours before feeding
Balancing the Diet
A nutritionally complete commercial diet needs no additional vitamin/mineral supplementation. Gut-loading 24–48 hours before feeding is the main way to boost what insects contribute — hedgehogs have no calcium-dusting protocol the way reptiles do. Growing hedgehogs and breeding females may need less-restricted feeding and more calcium-rich foods; adult pet hedgehogs should have food rationed instead.
Common Mistakes
- Overfeeding insects/treats — captive hedgehogs are very prone to obesity since they don't have to hunt for food
- Making waxworms a dietary habit instead of an occasional item
- Feeding raw meat or raw egg (salmonella risk), or dairy beyond a little low-fat cottage cheese
- Offering insects that weren't gut-loaded