Food and water: what does my hedgehog or tenrec eat and drink?

Feeding captive hedgehogs and tenrecs can be surprisingly complex. In the wild, both groups rely heavily on invertebrates and small prey, but captivity changes what is available and what is safe. A good diet not only meets basic nutritional needs but also provides variety, enrichment, and long-term health. Because hedgehogs and tenrecs are often confused with rodents, caretakers sometimes offer the wrong foods (cereals, seeds, or nuts) which are not appropriate for insectivorous mammals.

Hedgehog Diet in Captivity

Captive hedgehogs (most often the African Pygmy Hedgehog) thrive on a diet built around:

• High-quality insectivore diet or cat food: Many keepers use grain-free, high-protein, low-fat cat kibble as the base. Ideally, a specialised insectivore pellet is used if available.
• Insects: Mealworms, crickets, cockroaches, waxworms, and silkworms are excellent protein sources and provide enrichment when offered live. They should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium before feeding.
• Meat: Cooked lean poultry or beef can be offered occasionally, though not as a staple.
• Fruits and vegetables: Safe in small amounts. Examples: apple, melon, carrot, courgette. These should be treats only, as too much plant matter can cause digestive upset.
• upplements: Calcium powder can be used on insects to balance calcium–phosphorus ratio. Vitamin supplements may be necessary in poorly varied diets but should not be overused.

Foods to avoid include dairy (hedgehogs are lactose intolerant), nuts and seeds (risk of choking and poor digestion), and highly processed foods.

Tenrec Diet in Captivity

Tenrecs are far more diverse as a family, and their dietary needs depend on the species. For example, the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi), the most common in captivity, has a diet similar to insectivorous hedgehogs but with some important distinctions.

• Insects: Form the main part of the diet. Mealworms, crickets, locusts, cockroaches, and earthworms are excellent staples. As with hedgehogs, gut-loading and calcium dusting are essential.
• Fruits: Many tenrecs accept small amounts of fruit such as banana, papaya, or berries. These should be given sparingly to avoid diarrhoea.
• Meat and egg: Small amounts of cooked poultry, egg, or fish can supplement the diet.
• Pelleted diets: No perfect commercial pellet exists for tenrecs; some keepers use insectivore diets or mix high-protein cat food with insects.
• Supplements: Calcium is especially important for females during breeding and lactation.

Unlike hedgehogs, tenrecs are more opportunistic eaters and may accept a wider variety of foods, but their digestion still depends heavily on insects and animal protein.

Key Differences Between Hedgehogs and Tenrecs

• Staple diet: Hedgehogs can thrive on quality cat kibble plus insects; tenrecs require insects as the dominant food source.
• Fruits and vegetables: Hedgehogs tolerate only very small amounts; tenrecs accept slightly more, though still as treats.
• Commercial options: Hedgehogs have more formulated diets available; tenrecs often require custom mixes.
• Breeding females: Both need increased calcium and protein, but tenrecs (with larger litters) often require higher supplementation.

Analytical Components

When choosing pellets (cat food, insectivore diets, or a custom mix) for hedgehogs and tenrecs, the most important thing is not just the ingredients but the analytical components listed on the packaging. These values determine whether the food meets their nutritional needs.

Hedgehogs (e.g. African Pygmy Hedgehog in captivity)

• Crude protein: 28–35%
  Protein should come mainly from animal sources. Too low → poor growth, weak condition.
• Crude fat: 10–15%
  Hedgehogs are prone to obesity, so fat should be moderate. Up to 15% is acceptable for juveniles, sick, or breeding females.
• Crude fibre: 3–8%
  Supports digestion but should not be too high since hedgehogs are not herbivores.
• Calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P): about 1.2 : 1
  Critical for healthy bones and to prevent metabolic bone disease. Insects alone have an inverted ratio, which is why dusting them with calcium is important.
• Moisture: Dry kibbles usually contain ~8–10%; extra hydration comes from insects and fresh water.

Tenrecs (e.g. Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec and related species)

Tenrecs are more diverse, but for insectivorous tenrecs commonly kept in captivity, their requirements are similar to hedgehogs, with a stronger reliance on insect protein.

• Crude protein: 25–35%
  Must come primarily from animal sources; plant protein is poorly utilised.
• Crude fat: 8–15%
  Lower ranges are better outside breeding season. Breeding or lactating females can tolerate higher fat levels.
• Crude fibre: 3–6%
  Too much fibre can cause diarrhoea or poor nutrient absorption.
• Ca:P ratio: also ~1.2 : 1, with extra calcium essential for breeding females and growing juveniles.

What to Check on the Label

• Look for foods with animal protein (chicken, poultry, insect meal, fish) listed first.
• Avoid foods dominated by grains, corn gluten, or soy as main ingredients, poorly digested by insectivores.
• Always check the fat content: many cat foods exceed 20% fat, which is too rich for hedgehogs and tenrecs.
• Watch for added calcium and taurine. Taurine (present in cat food) is also useful for insectivores.

Rule of thumb

• For hedgehogs → a good cat kibble plus live insects makes a practical base diet.
• For tenrecs → insects should form the core of the diet, with pellets only as a supplement for balance and variety.

Water: The Forgotten Essential

Both hedgehogs and tenrecs must have fresh, clean water available at all times.

Bowls vs bottles:

• Bowls are more natural and easier for animals to drink from, but they tip easily and must be cleaned daily.
• Bottles keep water cleaner but can malfunction or encourage awkward drinking posture. If used, check daily to ensure they are working.
• Hygiene: Replace water daily, scrub bowls or bottles with hot water, and disinfect weekly. Bacteria build up quickly in warm enclosures.
• Never offer milk: Despite common myths, milk causes diarrhoea and dehydration.

In Summary

Captive hedgehogs and tenrecs need diets that reflect their natural insectivorous habits. Hedgehogs thrive on high-quality cat food or insectivore pellets supplemented with insects, while tenrecs require insects as their primary food, with fruit and meat only in small amounts. Both need calcium supplementation, careful use of treats, and strict water hygiene. A varied, balanced diet not only supports physical health but also enriches their lives in captivity.