Can Hedgehogs Eat Peas: What You Need To Know

Hedgehogs love to snack. They are omnivores and will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. If you have a hedgehog, you need to be aware of what your pet is eating because it isn’t always good for them. 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Peas: What You Need To Know

Hedgehogs are omnivorous animals that like to eat insects, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and grains.

Hedgehogs are omnivores and enjoy eating almost everything they come across. They do not require much in the way of nutrition, but they do need fresh water and dry food.

They also like to snuggle up with other animals such as cats or dogs if they live with them. But they also have a habit of stealing their food if given the opportunity.  

During the summer, you might be tempted to start feeding your hedgehog more fruits and vegetables – but this might not always be good for them. 

Today, we are going to look at whether hedgehogs can eat peas. 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Peas? 

The answer is yes! 

Hedgehogs can eat peas and many other vegetables – like carrots, broccoli, leafy greens, green peppers, and cucumber. 

These vegetables can be a great source of water in your hedgehog’s diet, especially during the summer. 

If you feed your hedgehog a diet rich in protein, then it should be fine. But if you give them too many carbohydrates, then they could develop diabetes. 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Frozen Peas? 

You should not feed your hedgehog frozen peas because they are harder to break apart and you do not want your hedgehog to choke on them. 

However, you should also avoid serving your hedgehog hot peas – they wouldn’t eat anything like this in the wild so they may burn themselves. 

If you cannot get them fresh peas then boil your peas and then leave them to cool, your hedgehog will have no problem eating them then. 

Keep an eye on the ingredients of the frozen peas, if they contain sweeteners, then you will want to avoid feeding them these peas.

Sugars (both natural and artificial) can cause health problems for your hedgehog later down the line. 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Fresh Peas? 

Fresh peas are the best options for hedgehogs when it comes to peas. They are the most similar to something your hedgehog might eat in the wild. 

However, they are quite difficult to get hold of outside of their season and can be very expensive. You may want to consider growing your own if you are looking to save money. 

Should You Talk To Your Vet Before Feeding Your Hedgehog Peas? 

Can Hedgehogs Eat Peas: What You Need To Know

We recommend that you should always talk to your vet if you are considering changing your hedgehog’s diet. 

Your vet will know what is best for your hedgehog – in both the short and the long term. 

How Many Peas Should You Feed Your Hedgehog? 

Peas are not bad for your hedgehog, so theoretically, you can’t feed them too many peas. 

However, you don’t want them to fill up on peas and not eat the rest of their food. You should try adding 10-25 peas to your hedgehog’s meals.

Or if they love the taste of peas, you could give them to your hog one at a time throughout the day as a treat. 

How Do You Know What Food Your Hedgehog Wants To Eat?

It seems like every hedgehog has a different taste pallet and loves different food. Even if you have had a hedgehog before, finding food that they want to eat can be a challenge. 

So, now we are going to look at the best way to work out the kind of food that your hedgehog likes to eat. 

Well, the first thing to consider is the age of your hedgehog. 

Younger hedgehogs tend to prefer sweet foods, while older ones may prefer savory meals. So, don’t be shocked if their tastes change over time or they stop eating something they used to love. 

Next, you need to think about how much energy your hedgehog needs. 

The amount of energy needed by each individual varies depending on its size, weight, and activity level. 

A smaller hedgehog with a lower activity level may only require around 1/3rd of the calories that a larger hedgehog would need. 

Finally, you need to consider your hedgehog’s lifestyle. 

Are they spending lots of time outdoors, or are they kept indoors all day? If they spend most of their days inside, they may eat less food than those who live mostly outside. 

You will find that in the winter your hedgehog will want to eat less food and sleep a lot more. 

Summary

Peas can be a great addition to your hedgehog’s diet – especially in the hot summer months. 

Make sure that you only serve your hedgehog room temperature peas and try to avoid any kind of food that has added sugar or sweeteners.