Fruits are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for hedgehogs. However, there are some hazards when providing them with fruits. You will need to know if the fruits contain a high amount of sugar, are acidic, or are toxic to hedgehogs. There also some fruits which require you to peel them before serving. I’ve researched over 50 examples of fruits and berries and put together a resource to help you.
It’s important to know there can be a difference between fresh and dried fruit. Some can be served fresh but not dried. There’s a separate category below for dried fruits.
I hope you will enjoy this resource, and it will help you give the best food for your hedgehogs. If you want to make sure you are giving your hedgehogs everything they need, you might want to consider giving them some dry indoor cat food. I usually give the hedgehogs some Purina ONE since they are low in calories and include everything a hedgehog need. Chewy usually has good prices on them.
If you are interested in which 50+ vegetables you can give your hedgehogs, I made a similar resource that you might want to check out.
| Fruit | Can hedgehogs eat it? |
| Apples | Yes |
| Apricots | No |
| Bananas | Yes |
| Banana peels | No |
| Blackberries | Yes |
| Blueberries | Yes |
| Cherries | Yes |
| Currants | No |
| Dates | Yes |
| Dried apples | No |
| Dried apricots | No |
| Dried bananas | No |
| Dried cranberries | No |
| Dried fruit | No |
| Dried grapes | No |
| Dried guava | No |
| Dried jackfruit | No |
| Dried kiwi-peels | No |
| Dried kiwi fruit | No |
| Dried lemons | No |
| Dried mango | No |
| Dried nectarines | No |
| Dried papaya | No |
| Dried raisins | No |
| Dried raspberries | No |
| Dried strawberries | No |
| Dried tangerines | No |
| Dried vera | No |
| Fruits | Yes |
| Fruits and vegetables | Yes |
| Grapes | No |
| Honeydew | Yes |
| Jackfruit | No |
| Kiwi | Yes |
| Lemons | No |
| Mango | No |
| Melon | Yes |
| Nectarines | No |
| Oranges | No |
| Orange peels | No |
| Peaches | No |
| Pears | Yes |
| Pineapple | No |
| Plums | No |
| Raisins | No |
| Raspberries | Yes |
| Strawberries | Yes |
| Tangerines | No |
| Watermelon | Yes |
| Watermelon rinds | Yes |
Can hedgehogs eat apples?
Hedgehogs can eat apples. Apples are very nutritious for them and help them with a nutrient-rich diet. However, there might be some implications of serving apples to hedgehogs. Firstly, you will need to cut the apples into smaller pieces. Hedgehog’s mouths are quite small, and the smaller pieces you cut-the better. Secondly, you will also help the hedgehog by peeling the skin from the apple. The skin is quite tough and is hard to digest for them.
Can hedgehogs eat apricots?
Even though apricots aren’t citrus fruits, they are quite acidic. Acidic fruits shouldn’t be offered to hedgehogs since it will be bad for their stomach. You shouldn’t feed hedgehogs apricots.
Can hedgehogs eat bananas?
Hedgehogs can eat bananas, yet the banana must be served in moderation. Bananas contain 12% sugar which a bit too high. Dried bananas contain 58%. Bananas in moderation is a good treat for hedgehogs once in a while, but not too often. If you plan on serving your hedgehog bananas, please cut them into smaller pieces or mash them with a fork.
Can hedgehogs eat banana peels?
Hedgehogs can’t eat banana peels. When bananas are grown, they are sprayed with pesticides and ethylene gas. The ethylene gas helps the bananas to grow quicker. If the hedgehogs consume the peels, they would also consume pesticides and ethylene gas.
Can hedgehogs eat blackberries?
Hedgehogs can eat blackberries. Blackberries have a good amount of Calcium in them, which is great for hedgehogs. They also have a low amount of calories. For 100 grams, it’s only 43 calories. 100 grams of blackberries are almost two handfuls of berries. Your hedgehog needs much less than that to be full. However, the blackberries can be somewhat tough to break for them, especially the skin. You can mush the blackberries and serve your hedgehog. I usually take half a hand full of berries in a bowl and mash them with a fork. It will look like the hedgehog’s face is covered in blood but will soon be cleaned off.
Can hedgehogs eat blueberries?
The hedgehogs in my yard love to eat blueberries. I think it’s one of their favorite treats. Not only has blueberries a good variety of minerals and vitamins, but it also has a great number of antioxidants. However, blueberries shouldn’t be the main food in the hedgehog’s diet, and it could be a great treat for them from time to time. Blueberries are 10% sugars, which could explain why they are so sweet.
Can hedgehogs eat cherries?
Hedgehogs can eat cherries. Cherries are an alkaline fruit that is fine to serve hedgehogs. However, it’s crucial to serve it in smaller pieces. Cherries are both quite hard and big for the hedgehogs. Cherries also have a pit with a large seed within. You have to remove the seed before serving. Otherwise, the choking hazard will be too high. I find the hassle of doing all this too high and instead offer them some blueberries.
Can hedgehogs eat currants?
Never feed hedgehogs currants, raisins, or sultanas. They are highly toxic for them and are very lethal. A small number of currants can even be lethal for your dog; imagine how severe it would be for your hedgehog.
Can hedgehogs eat dates?
Hedgehogs can eat dates. It’s important to cut the date into smaller pieces, but also remove the seed. Dates comes packed with nutrition and is very sweet. One date is usually 67 calories and contains 63% sugar. This is really high in calories. I wouldn’t feed hedgehogs dates on a daily basis, but one date, once in a while before their hibernation in October I would say is fine. They will need the extra calories before hibernation.
Can hedgehogs eat dried apples?
Hedgehogs shouldn’t eat dried apples. The dried apples easily get stuck in their teeth. Are hard and is a major choking hazard. When fruits are dried, their water content is really low, and the amount of sugar is higher. Even if you cut the apple into smaller pieces, I still wouldn’t suggest you feeding it to your hedgehog. Instead, treat yourself with some apple chips.
Can hedgehogs eat dried apricots?
While dried apricots are delicious to chew on for humans, it isn’t good for hedgehogs. Dried apricots are really tough and require some jaw strength to pierce. When fruits are dried, the water is removed, and left is the sugars. I wouldn’t recommend feeding dried apricots to hedgehogs since it would take too much energy for them to chew and digest it. The risk of them choking on the pieces would also scare me. The high amount of calories is also a bit frightening.
Can hedgehogs eat dried bananas?
If you ever had dried bananas, you will know they are very hard, and it almost feels like eating a coin. Bananas are too hard for hedgehogs to eat. They are also too high in sugars and increase the risk of them choking. Do not feed hedgehogs dried bananas. You can instead feed them fresh bananas mushed into a bowl.
Can hedgehogs eat dried cranberries?
Dried berries, in general, is not good to feed hedgehog. The sugar content is too high, and they are very stiff, which makes it very hard for hedgehogs to eat. You can serve the hedgehogs some fresh cranberries instead. However, it’s important you serve them the cranberries either chopped into small pieces or mixed.
Can hedgehogs eat dried fruit?
Dried fruit, in general, is bad for hedgehogs. Dried fruits usually have a lot of preservatives which may be harmful to hedgehogs. Dried fruits have the water removed, which leaves a lot of sugars. A too high amount of sugar is bad for hedgehogs since they easily can develop obesity. Since the water is removed, the fruits are very stiff and require more jaw strength to break down. If it’s not broken down enough, the risk of the hedgehog choking is too high.
Do not feed any dried fruit to the hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat dried grapes?
You should never under any circumstances give dried or fresh grapes to hedgehogs. Grapes are highly toxic for hedgehogs and are very lethal. It doesn’t take many grapes to be lethal.
Can hedgehogs eat dried guava?
Dried guava shouldn’t be offered to hedgehogs. Fresh guava contains 9g of sugar that isn’t too bad, but the sugar content increases when drained from water. When water is removed, the guava becomes very hard and stiff, complicating the eating process for the hedgehog. Enjoy some dried guava yourself instead.
Can hedgehogs eat dried jackfruit?
Hedgehogs can’t eat dried jackfruit. Jackfruit is very stiff and stringy even fresh. When dried it’s even more stiffer. Your hedgehog would have a rough time both consuming it (unless you cut it into tiny pieces).
Can hedgehogs eat dried kiwi peels?
I couldn’t almost think up any scenario where I would like to give my garden hedgehogs dried kiwi peels, but people are asking out there. Kiwi peels aren’t a fun meal for anyone and imagine dried kiwi peels. Kiwi peels are already dry as they are. Imagine them drier. Not only dry and hard to chew, but they also come with a choking hazard. I wouldn’t suggest you feed a hedgehog any dried kiwi peels.
Can hedgehogs eat dried kiwi fruit?
Hedgehogs shouldn’t eat dried kiwi fruit. Fresh kiwi is a great feast for hedgehogs, but it is hard for them to chew as dried. Dried kiwi is very chewy and hard to digest. Please do not feed hedgehogs dry kiwi fruit.
Can hedgehogs eat dried lemons?
Lemons are highly acidic and upset the hedgehog stomach. Hedgehogs should never consume lemons in any format, neither fresh nor dry. Dried lemons are still acidic and are very stiff, which would be a choking hazard.
Can hedgehogs eat dried mango?
While dried mango is a good treat for us humans and comes with a good amount of flavor, it isn’t that good for hedgehogs to consume. Fresh mango has a lot of sugars (14%), and dried it increases. Avoid feeding hedgehogs dried mango.
Can hedgehogs eat dried nectarines?
Nectarines are acidic fruits and shouldn’t be offered to hedgehogs—neither fresh or dried. Enjoy the nectarines yourself since they are packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
Can hedgehogs eat dried papaya?
Dried papaya usually comes in tiny cubes, which may look like a good treat for hedgehogs. Papaya is a low-acid fruit and shouldn’t be offered to hedgehogs. Not only does the dried papaya upsets the hedgehog’s stomach, but it also is too hard for them to eat. It will easily get stuck in their teeth and may also cause suffocation. Do not feed dried papaya to hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat dried raisins?
Fresh, dried grapes or raisins should never be offered to hedgehogs. They are highly toxic, and even the smallest bite could be lethal for them. The toxins will cause kidney failure. If you have some dried raisins you don’t know what to do with; you can offer them to the birds. Waxwings, starlings, robins, and many other birds love to eat dried raisins. If you feed them in your garden, make sure they don’t fall to the ground. Your local ants would also love the dried raisins. If you have an anthill nearby, you can drop some raisins outside of that.
Can hedgehogs eat dried raspberries?
Dried raspberries usually are freeze-dried and bring some crunchiness. The crunchiness isn’t good for hedgehogs since the jaw strength required to break down the berries are too high. If the hedgehog doesn’t break down the raspberries enough and tries the swallow it whole, the hedgehog may suffocate.
Can hedgehogs eat dried strawberries?
Dried strawberries are very tough and chewy for hedgehogs to eat. It would require a great amount of energy for them to eat it. Our goal is to provide the hedgehogs with energy, not drain it. Treat yourself or some birds the strawberries and give the hedgehogs something else instead.
Can hedgehogs eat dried tangerines?
Tangerines are the most acidic fruit of all. Acidic fruits should never be offered to hedgehogs since they would cause problems with their stomachs. Dried tangerines are even worse since the water is drained and left are acid and sugar.
Can hedgehogs eat dried vera?
Hedgehogs shouldn’t consume either fresh or dried aloe vera. The liquids in aloe vera are poisonous to hedgehogs; albeit it’s dried, I wouldn’t risk serving it to the hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat fruits?
Fruits are great to offer your hedgehogs. Blueberries and bananas are the most popular in my garden. However, it’s important to serve fruits in moderation since it usually contains a lot of sugars. There’s also the acidic factor. You should never feed hedgehogs acidic fruits like lemon, tangerines, or oranges since it will upset their stomach. Be aware fruits should only be complementary to their natural diet. Hedgehog’s diet should consist of a variety of meat, fruits, seeds, and vegetables.
If you are interested in which 25+ herbs, nuts, and seeds you can give your hedgehog, there is a resource available for that.
Can hedgehogs eat fruits and vegetables?
Hedgehogs can and will eat both fruits and vegetables. Not only is it important in their natural diet, but it also provides them with a good variety of vitamins and minerals. A hedgehog’s diet should consist of different types of meat sources. For example, insects, beetles, slugs, and worms. It should also consist of different fruits (none acidic and in moderation) and some vegetables.
Can hedgehogs eat grapes?
Never feed grapes to your hedgehog. Grapes are toxic and may cause kidney failure. Grapes in any shape or form will hurt the hedgehogs. Fresh grapes or dried as raisins may be lethal for them. It’s usually said one grape could kill a cat. Imagine a tiny hedgehog.
Can hedgehogs eat honeydew?
Hedgehogs can eat honeydew and any other melon. The hedgehogs in my garden enjoy watermelon the most. Hedgehogs even like to eat on the rind of the melon. Make sure to remove the seeds before serving, though.
Can hedgehogs eat jackfruit?
Jackfruits have 31% sugar in them is too sweet for hedgehogs. However, it contains a lot of protein and fiber. It doesn’t compensate for almost a third of it is sugar. Offer the hedgehog something else instead. You can instead use the jackfruit yourself to make a dish called “Fooled Pork.” In conclusion: Hedgehogs shouldn’t eat jackfruit.
Can hedgehogs eat kiwi?
Hedgehogs can eat kiwi since it comes with a good amount of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and good taste. Kiwi consists 9% of sugar and should be offered in moderation. Ensure to peel the kiwi before serving since the skin is a bit hard to pierce for their teeth. Cut the kiwi up into small tiny pieces and make it as easy for them as possible to eat.
Can hedgehogs eat lemons?
Lemons are highly acidic and shouldn’t be offered to your hedgehog. Acidic food upsets their stomach and causes them harm. Adding lemon to their water is also a bad idea and will have the same outcome.
Can hedgehogs eat mango?
There’s a risk your hedgehog doesn’t want to eat the mango. Mango has a pH level of 5.8, which is on the acidic side of the scale. While mango also has some sugar (14%), it should, if served, be in moderation. I wouldn’t serve the hedgehogs mango due to its acidic levels.
Can hedgehogs eat melon?
Hedgehogs can and love to eat melon. I usually feed the hedgehogs in my garden with some watermelon where the seeds are removed. Hedgehogs like to cool down during the warmer days just like us, and there’s not much beating a freshly cut melon.
Can hedgehogs eat nectarines?
Nectarines are acidic and shouldn’t be offered to hedgehogs. They might like it due to its high sugar content. However, it will hurt their stomachs during digestion. Don’t feed hedgehogs nectarines and give them something else instead. Blueberries and mashed bananas are usually popular.
Can hedgehogs eat oranges?
Oranges taste great, have a lot of sugars, and will be eaten by hedgehogs, but you shouldn’t feed oranges to them. Oranges are very low on the pH scale, which makes them very acidic. Acidic foods easily upset the hedgehog’s stomachs and cause them much pain.
Can hedgehogs eat orange peels?
Orange peels are even worse than oranges to serve hedgehogs. They aren’t toxic, but yet very acidic which will cause the hedgehogs harm. Peels are also very hard and hard to pierce through, and not breaking them enough may cause a choking hazard. Do not feed orange peels to hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat peaches?
There isn’t much that says you should offer peaches to hedgehogs. Peaches are low on the pH scale, making them acidic, high in sugar, hard to bite, thick skin to pierce, and have a big seed inside. Hedgehog’s jaws aren’t as powerful as ours, and they will both have a hard time eating the peaches and afterward when the foods digest in their stomachs. The acidic levels will cause them pain. Please, do not let hedgehogs eat peaches and eat them yourself instead.
Can hedgehogs eat pears?
Pears can be good for hedgehogs to eat. Although it’s low on the pH scale, making them a bit acidic, you might give them a tiny amount. Make sure to peel and remove the skin first. Remove the seeds. Chop up the pear into small pieces, or even better – grate it. Ensure not to give a whole pear to the hedgehog since the acidic levels can hurt them afterward.
Can hedgehogs eat pineapple?
Pineapples are very low on the pH scale (3.2-4), making the fruit non-servable to hedgehogs. The low pH will cause the hedgehog’s severe stomach pain. Hedgehogs can not eat pineapple.
Can hedgehogs eat plums?
It would be best if you didn’t offer plums to the hedgehog since plums are very low on the pH scale, making them acidic (2.8-3). The skin is also a health risk for them since they easily can choke if it’s not broken down enough in their mouth. Another risk is the seed inside with its sharp edges. Plums are also known to be a form of laxative, which may cause dehydration for the hedgehogs. There is no reason to serve plums to hedgehogs. Give them something else instead.
Can hedgehogs eat raisins?
Raisins and grapes should never be offered to hedgehogs since they are toxic and may cause kidney failure. You can feed birds in your local area with raisins instead. However, make sure the raisins don’t fall to the ground and can be eaten by hedgehogs, cats, or dogs. Eat the raisins yourself or place them in the woods where birds, squirrels, and ants can have a treat.
Can hedgehogs eat raspberries?
Raspberries make an excellent treat to hedgehogs. They are very soft and easy to break down for them. They are also very low in sugar. However, they are on the lower side of the pH scale, making them acidic. If you are to give your hedgehogs raspberries, do it in moderation. It would also be good if the raspberries were organic since pesticides and other chemicals wouldn’t be good for them. However, dried raspberries are not a good treat for hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat strawberries?
Strawberries can be given to hedgehogs in moderation. Strawberries are acidic and shouldn’t be a part of the hedgehog’s daily diet since acidic foods may cause stomach pain. If you are to feed hedgehogs some strawberries, cut them into smaller pieces. However, dried strawberries are not a good treat for hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat tangerines?
Tangerines are the most acidic fruit out there and should never be given to hedgehogs. Not even dried tangerines are good for them. Acidic fruit will cause stomach ache for your hedgehogs. If you wish to give hedgehogs a treat, you might want to give them a mashed banana.
Can hedgehogs eat watermelon?
Watermelon is great for hedgehogs, as long as you remember to remove the seeds. Watermelon is great to serve on hot days since it provides the hedgehogs with a cooling treat. Hedgehogs even eat the rind of the watermelon. Make sure to provide them with other foods as well. Hedgehogs need various insects, slugs, and worms in their diet and some vegetables. There is also some good dry cat food that works perfectly for hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs eat watermelon rinds?
Hedgehogs can eat watermelon rinds. However, they much more prefer the actual watermelon. But the rinds are neither toxic nor bad for them. Make sure to remove any seeds.