Can Hedgehogs Eat Strawberries?

Hedgehogs are known as opportunistic eaters and roam the meadows at night looking for food to eat. Mostly their diet consists of smaller animals like insects, slugs, and snails. But from time to time they can eat some vegetables and fruits as well.

Hedgehogs can eat strawberries as an occasional treat. The low amount of sugar makes strawberries an excellent addition to their already balanced diet. However, the calcium to potassium ratio is not balanced in strawberries. You can give ½-1 strawberries per week to your hedgehog.

When you are feeding strawberries to your hedgehog, you need to know the calcium to potassium ratio is a bit off where there is ten times more potassium than calcium. Hedgehogs need a 2:1 ratio between these two.

However, the more important calcium to phosphorus ratio is better. With 16mg of calcium and 24mg of phosphorus gives it is almost a 1:1 ratio. But a 3:4 instead.

Can hedgehogs eat strawberries?

Hedgehogs can eat strawberries as long as they are given as an occasional treat and in moderation. While there aren’t too many calories in strawberries, and they carry many nutrients, there are some things to be aware of when feeding strawberries to your hedgehog.

When feeding strawberries or other fruits, the first issue is the hedgehog’s lack of cecum, a pouch holding symbiotic bacteria that break down cellulose. (Plant matter).

The other thing is the space it takes up in their stomach. A hedgehog usually eats 1 – 1½ tablespoons of cat kibble, which in volume is less than two strawberries. If they fill their stomach with a strawberry-they aren’t able to eat other, more nutritious foods.

The third thing is the calcium to potassium ratio. In strawberries, there is ten times more potassium than calcium. Hedgehogs need more calcium than potassium in their diet – a 2:1 ratio.

The fourth thing is to only feed organic strawberries. Hedgehogs are extremely sensitive to pesticides, and it can be lethal for them if ingested too much. Always feed organic fruits and vegetables to your hedgehog.

However, there are some benefits from feeding strawberries to hedgehogs. Strawberries are extremely rich in vitamin c, which keeps the cells in their body healthy, maintaining healthy skin and bones, and repairing body tissues. Unless the hedgehog doesn’t receive vitamin c from their other foods, it’s great to occasionally add strawberries to their diet.

Do hedgehogs like to eat strawberries?

Hedgehogs love the taste of strawberries, and you can almost see a tiny smile when they are chewing on the red berry. Of course, not all hedgehogs like the same thing, and some are even picky eaters. If your hedgehog is a bit discouraged by the strawberry, it might be too big for them to eat. Try giving it in a tiny piece or together with their other food. Never feed them strawberries before or after their regular meal. It’s a treat, not a substitute.

Can hoglets eat strawberries?

Hoglets can eat strawberries if it’s given in careful moderation. A hoglet requires a lot of protein when growing up, and strawberries contain only 1%. In the hoglet’s first six weeks of age, it isn’t advised to feed your hoglet strawberries. Please consult with a veterinarian after they’ve turned six weeks before adding or removing food from a hoglet’s diet.

🍌 Hedgehogs benefit from eating fruits everyday. Do you know what fruits you can give to hedgehogs? Hint: One is bananas.

Can hedgehogs eat raw strawberries?

Hedgehogs can eat raw strawberries. When feeding raw strawberries to hedgehogs, the important thing is moderation, size, and the strawberry is organic.

Can hedgehogs eat cooked strawberries?

Hedgehogs can eat cooked strawberries as long as they cooled down, aren’t coated with something else (like sugar), and are given in moderation.

Can hedgehogs eat the top of the strawberry?

Neither the top nor the leaves are suitable for the hedgehog to eat. They aren’t toxic to the hedgie, but they aren’t providing them with any benefits. The leaves and top are mostly made from fibers. Too high fiber content can be hard for a hedgehog’s stomach, but in moderation, it’s fine. However, the leaves from a strawberry aren’t good as a fiber source. Better sources of fiber are broccoli or kale.

🥦 Hedgehogs love to eat vegetables and are specially fond of some. Do you know what vegetables hedgehogs love to eat?

Can hedgehogs eat frozen strawberries?

Hedgehogs can eat frozen strawberries as long as they are defrosted and given in small amounts. You can blend the strawberry in a mixer until smooth to make it easier for them to eat. However, you will still need to apply a maximum of ½ to 1 strawberry per week, but since frozen fruits contain more sugar than fresh, you might want to limit it even more. Don’t add dairy to the blend since they are lactose intolerant.

How do you cut strawberries for hedgehogs?

The most important thing when feeding strawberries to hedgehogs is to ensure the pieces aren’t too big for them to eat—otherwise, the risk of asphyxiation increases.

Thankfully, hedgehogs shouldn’t eat more than one strawberry at a time, and cutting multiple strawberries into tiny pieces would require enormous patience.

How do you cut a strawberry for hedgehogs?

1. Remove the green top.
2. Split the strawberry in half – from top to bottom.
3. Lay the two halfs flat against the surface.
4. Cut thin pieces vertically.
5. Cut thin pieces horizontally.

Now you have tiny, small strawberry cubes not bigger than half .2 inches.

🍏 Did you know hedgehogs like to eat apples? Learn more about feeding apples to hedgehogs here

Safe ways to feed strawberries to hedgehogs

Some ways to be aware of when feeding strawberries to hedgehogs are.

Limit the amount of plant matter

Since hedgehogs don’t have a cecum, they aren’t able to digest plant matter as well as humans, and other animals do. However, a limited amount of vegetables and fruits is fine for hedgehogs to eat. Here are two links to what vegetables hedgehogs can eat, as well as what fruits hedgehogs can eat.

Not fill the stomach with fruits

Although there’s plenty of vitamins in strawberries, hedgehogs shouldn’t fill their stomachs with it. It’s better to fill it with kibble, insects, and other protein-rich sources.

Organic strawberries is important

Regular strawberries are heavily sprayed with pesticides. Hedgehogs are pretty brittle against pesticides, and a small amount can be harmful to them. Always choose pesticide-free strawberries and other fruits not only for your hedgehog’s health but also for yours.

Treat it as a treat

Fruits shouldn’t be a daily staple for hedgehogs since their limitations digesting them. Stomach aches and other painful symptoms aren’t something you want to expose your hedgie to. Their feed isn’t their choice, and they solely rely on you to make the best choices for them. Only feed them fruits rarely and as an occasional treat in small portions.

🦔 Do you want help to encourage hedgehogs to your garden? Here are 9 ways to encourage hedgehogs to your garden.

How many strawberries can I feed my hedgehogs?

You can feed as many strawberries as you would like. However, the recommendations are to limit the intake to ½ to 1 small or medium-sized strawberry. You shouldn’t feed them if they already are full or exchange their regular feed with strawberries. The number of strawberries is determined by the other foods in the hedgehog’s diet as well as their activity level. If you are unsure about your hedgehog’s diet and activity level, you should contact a veterinarian before you start feeding your hedgehog strawberries.

How often can I feed strawberries to my hedgehogs?

Strawberries and other fruits shouldn’t be part of the hedgehog’s daily diet but instead, be given as an occasional treat. The recommendations differ greatly on how often you should feed your hedgehogs strawberries and other fruits. For me, I feed them strawberries once a week. If you are uncertain what’s right for your hedgie, consult with a veterinarian first.

🥜 You can give hedgehogs nuts and seeds from time to time. But there are some nuts you shouldn’t feed hedgehogs. Check out which here.

Health benefits for hedgehogs from eating strawberries

As long as you give your hedgehog a well-balanced diet, they will receive all the nutrients they need. However, some foods don’t have the vitamins and minerals found in strawberries. Strawberries contain vitamin c, potassium, folate, iron, and magnesium.

Vitamin C in strawberries for hedgehogs

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the hedgehog’s defense system. Vitamin C may also help to lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. 

Potassium in strawberries for hedgehogs

Potassium is important in the hedgehog’s diet. Potassium helps to regulate the fluid balance and keeping the cells healthy.

Folate in strawberries for hedgehogs

Folate is essential for digestion, brain and nerve function, proper cell function, and much more.

Iron in strawberries for hedgehogs

Iron is found in strawberries and is important for hemoglobin formation, brain function, muscle function, and much more.

Magnesium in strawberries for hedgehogs

Magnesium is often known to ensure brain, nerve, digestive and reproductive health. Without magnesium, the hedgehog’s legs and nerve impulses suffer greatly. Try to incorporate some magnesium in the hedgehog’s diet.

Nutrients in 100 grams of strawberries

Nutrient (unit)	Strawberries	Frozen strawberries
Weight standard (g)	100	100
Energy (kcal)	41	33
Energy (kJ)	172	140
Carbohydrates (g)	8.29	6.4
Fat (g)	0.21	0.3
Protein (g)	0.49	0.5
Fiber (g)	1.9	1.4
Water (g)	88.73	91
Alcohol (g)	0	0
Ashes (g)	0.37	0.4
Monosaccharides (g)	7.3	4.3
Disaccharides (g)	0.6	0.4
Sucrose (g)	0.6	0.4
Sugars (g)	7.9	4.7
Total saturated fatty acids (g)	0.04	0.02
Fatty acid 4: 0-10: 0 (g)	0	0
Lauric acid C12: 0 (g)	0	0
Myristic acid C14: 0 (g)	0	0
Palmitic acid C16: 0 (g)	0.04	0.02
Stearic acid C18: 0 (g)	0.01	0
Arachidic acid C20: 0 (g)	0	0
Total monounsaturated fatty acids (g)	0.02	0.06
Palmitic acid C16: 1 (g)	0	0
Oleic acid C18: 1 (g)	0.02	0.05
Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (g)	0.11	0.15
Linoleic acid C18: 2 (g)	0.07	0.09
Linolenic acid C18: 3 (g)	0.04	0.06
Arachidonic acid C20: 4 (g)	0	0
EPA (C20:5) (g)	0	0
DPA (C22:5) (g)	0	0
DHA (C22:6) (g)	0	0
Tiamin (mg)	0.01	0.03
Riboflavin (mg)	0.02	0.05
Vitamin C (mg)	60.8	35
Niacin (mg)	0.44	0.3
Niacin equivalents (NE / mg)	0.5	0.38
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.07	0.03
Vitamin B12 (µg)	0	0
Folate (µg)	85.7	98.5
Retinol (µg)	0	0
Vitamin A (RE/µg)	0.8	1.5
β-Karoten (µg)	10	18
Vitamin D (µg)	0	0
Vitamin E (mg)	0.55	0.04
Vitamin K (µg)	5	N/A
Phosphorus (mg)	20	28
Iodine (µg)	1	1
Iron (mg)	0.34	0.5
Calcium (mg)	18.1	21
Potassium (mg)	129.5	190
Magnesium (mg)	11	15
Sodium (mg)	1	2
Salt (g)	0	0.01
Selenium (µg)	0	0
Zinc (mg)	0.2	0.2
Cholesterol (mg)	0	0
Whole grains total (g)	0	0
Waste (shell etc.) (%)	3	0

🥣 Leftovers from last dinner? Check out what human foods you can give hedgehogs here. Hint: One of them is oatmeal.

Conclusion

Hedgehogs can eat strawberries as an occasional treat. Hoglets can also eat strawberries, but not until they are at least six weeks of age. Hoglets require more protein at an early age since they are still growing.

Most hedgehogs like to eat strawberries, but some aren’t fans of the red berry. However, they might be discouraged by the portion size or already full from other foods. Try multiple times.

Hedgehogs shouldn’t eat the top of the leaves of the strawberry. The risk of being contaminated by pesticides and not providing any beneficial nutrients from eating it isn’t worth it.

Always try to give your hedgehogs organic fruits – otherwise, the risk of pesticides is high. Hedgehogs are pretty

easily affected by pesticides. That’s one of the reasons the hedgehog population is decreasing.

When feeding strawberries, the most important is to feed them in small portions. You will need to cut it into fine pieces. Try to cut it into tiny cubes.

Safe ways to feed strawberries to hedgehogs

• Limit the amount of plant matter
• Not fill the stomach with fruits
• Organic strawberries is important
• Treat it as a treat

You can feed as many strawberries as you would like. However, the recommendations are to limit the intake to ½ to 1 small or medium-sized strawberry. Strawberries and other fruits shouldn’t be part of the hedgehog’s daily diet but instead, be given as an occasional treat. You should contact a veterinarian before you add strawberries to your hedgehog’s diet.

Strawberries contain vitamin c, potassium, folate, iron, and magnesium.