Can Hedgehogs Eat Peanuts: Everything You Should Know

As any responsible hog parent will know, one of the most important parts of caring for your hedgehog is feeding them. A balanced, healthy diet is just as important for hedgehogs as it is for humans, so it is very important that you plan your meals carefully.

This is also incredibly important as there are lots of different foods that are harmful, and even poisonous to your hedgehog. So meal prep and planning are incredibly important. 

You probably have cat food that your pet hedgehog enjoys eating, and so you might choose to stick to this. However, it is very important that you switch this up now and then.

One of the best ways to switch your hedgehog’s food is to give them a treat.

One treat that a lot of people like to give their hedgehogs is peanuts, but is this actually safe? Should hedgehogs be eating peanuts? In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at these questions, so to find out more, keep on reading. 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Peanuts?

In short, yes, hedgehogs can eat peanuts. Peanuts are not poisonous to hedgehogs, so it is perfectly safe to feed them to your hedgehog. But, this doesn’t mean that you should start feeding your hedgehog peanuts constantly, let’s take a look at why. 

So, hedgehogs can eat peanuts. But, peanuts tend to be very high in fat. So while they are safe for hedgehogs, they aren’t really that healthy. But, as we have said, one of the most important things for your hedgehog is a balanced diet, so fat should be included in it.

Foods that are high in fat are only bad for you, and your hedgehog, if they are eaten in excess. So, if you were to feed your hedgehog peanuts every day for the rest of their lives, it would likely significantly reduce their life expectancy because this isn’t a healthy diet. 

But, if peanuts are fed in moderation, then they can help provide your hedgehog with a healthy, balanced diet. The best way to introduce peanuts into your hedgehog’s diet is to give them as a treat.

So, if your hedgehog is being particularly good, give them some peanuts as a reward. Alternatively, you could choose to give your hedgehog some peanuts mixed in with their regular food if they seem to be off their food. 

While not eating can be a sign of dental problems, your hedgehog might also refuse to eat their food if they have grown bored by it. As humans, we have the luxury of eating different food for every meal, but most pets are fed the same food for every meal they eat.

Due to this, it is very easy for them to get fed up with it. So if your hedgehog isn’t eating their food, but does not show any signs of dental problems, add some peanuts to their meal to encourage them to eat. 

Are Peanuts Safe for Hedgehogs?

As we have said, yes, peanuts are safe for hedgehogs. From a dietary perspective, they are high in fat, but as long as they are only given in moderation, no negative health effects will result from feeding your hedgehog peanuts. 

However, before you feed your hedgehog a whole peanut, you might want to stop and think for a second.

Hedgehogs only have very small mouths, and they have even smaller teeth. In comparison, peanuts are massive, so while they are not unhealthy for your hedgehog, they could be harmful if you feed peanuts to them whole.

Hedgehogs are only small animals, and peanuts can often be very large. Due to this, they pose a very big choking threat to your hedgehog when they are fed whole. To avoid peanuts becoming lodged in your hedgehog’s throat, you should never feed them whole. 

Instead, you should first chop up, or crush, the peanut before giving it to your hedgehog. Personally, we think crushing is the better option, as the peanut pieces will be so small that they will have an extremely low risk of being a choking hazard.

Additionally, even when feeding chopped-up peanuts, you should monitor your hedgehog while they eat to see if they get into any signs of bother. 

But, yes, peanuts are safe for hedgehogs to eat. As long as they are chopped up or crushed before, and are only fed in moderation, then peanuts can be a safe and healthy treat for your hedgehog. 

Summary

In short, yes, hedgehogs can eat peanuts. In this quick guide, we’ve taken a look at how you should introduce peanuts into your hedgehog’s diet to ensure that they remain a safe option for your pet.

So, if you want to find out more about feeding your hedgehog peanuts, check out the guide above.