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The hedgehog is an increasingly popular pet in the United States, but people still have many questions about their diet. Most owners know that their pets love fruit, but a common question is this: Can hedgehogs eat cherries?
The short answer is yes, hedgehogs can eat cherries and will probably enjoy them. However, before you make this fruit a regular part of your pet’s diet, there are a few things to consider. Keep reading as we look at the benefits and potential hazards of cherries so you can be better informed.
Are Cherries Bad for Hedgehogs?
Let’s take a look at the components that make up this fruit that we humans enjoy so much but that may pose a few risks to your pet.
Pits
Cherry pits contain the potentially deadly toxin cyanide. This toxin is not only harmful to hedgehogs and other animals, but it’s also poisonous to humans. Most people don’t realize that cherry pits are dangerous because we don’t tend to eat them. Always remove any pits from the cherries that you provide to your pet.
Skin
The skin of cherries is not toxic to your hedgehog, but it does present a choking hazard. The hedgehog has a tiny mouth and throat. The skin of a cherry can get lodged in it, so it’s better to remove it before serving when possible, to minimize risk.
Sugar
Cherries, like many other fruits, contain quite a bit of sugar. One cup of cherries contains more than 13 grams of sugar.1 While you will only be serving a fraction of this amount, cherries can still lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems for your hedgehog.
Are Cherries Good for Hedgehogs?
Water
Cherries contain plenty of water, which can help your pet stay hydrated, especially if they haven’t been drinking enough, since your hedgehog will likely be more attracted to the fruit than their water bottle. However, too much water at one time can lead to diarrhea.
Protein
Cherries contain protein that can help provide your hedgehog with energy and the building blocks for strong muscles.
Vitamin A
Cherries contain vitamin A, which can help the blood transport oxygen better.
Vitamin C
Like many fruits, cherries are extremely high in vitamin C. This important nutrient is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system. It also helps prevent scurvy, build strong bones, and relieve allergy signs. Vitamin C is vital in collagen production, which is an important tissue in animals that supports bone and joint health.
Fiber
Another benefit to feeding cherries to your pet hedgehog is that they provide fiber. Fiber is important because it can help balance your pet’s digestive system, reducing the frequency of constipation and diarrhea.
How Can I Feed My Hedgehog Cherries?
- Wash them carefully to remove pesticides and other chemicals.
- Cut the cherry in half to remove the seed.
- Remove the skin from the cherry, and cut or chop it into small pieces.
- Give your hedgehog only small portions of no more than one or two cherries every 2 to 3 days as part of a varied diet.
- Start with tiny potions until you see how your pet reacts. If they enjoy cherries and don’t suffer from diarrhea, you can slowly increase the portion size to the maximum amount laid out here.
What Other Fruits Do Hedgehogs Eat?
Your hedgehog can eat a wide variety of other fruits, including apples, bananas, kiwi, melons, and pears. Other berries that they are likely to enjoy include blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. With these, you can provide your pet with a versatile diet that has plenty of different vitamins and minerals. You will also serve most of them the same way: after cleaning and removing the skin and seeds and cutting the flesh into small pieces that your pet can manage.
What Fruits Should Hedgehogs Avoid?
While many fruits are safe to give your hedgehog, there are several that you should avoid.
- You should not serve citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons, and others. These are too acidic and can lead to digestive issues and discomfort if your pet eats them.
- Grapes are toxic to hedgehogs and can damage their livers and kidneys. Raisins, which are dried grapes, are also unsafe for these animals to eat.
- Hedgehogs should not eat dried fruits because they have a higher sugar concentration, and manufacturers often add a preservative that can cause health problems in your pet.
- Be careful when feeding your hedgehog fruit that grows on trees, including cherries, because these foods often have plenty of pesticides on them.
What Other Foods Do Hedgehogs Eat?
- In the wild, hedgehogs are primarily insectivores. They will eat several different types, including crickets and worms, but you should never feed them free-caught insects because these can carry bacteria that make your pet sick. However, commercially bought insects can be great treats.
- Hedgehogs can also eat baby mice, frogs, snakes, and eggs.
- If you are in a pinch, you can feed your pet hedgehog a small amount of dog or cat food. Dry dog food is best, and chicken should be listed as the first ingredient.
- Wet cat and dog food can help add moisture to your pet’s diet if they’re not getting enough water.
- There are several brands of commercial hedgehog food available that will provide your pet with a healthy diet.
Summary
Hedgehogs can eat cherries. They are healthy and provide numerous benefits, and there is a good chance your pet will enjoy eating them. You’ll need to wash them well to remove any pesticides, remove the skin and pits, and chop the flesh into smaller pieces so your pet can eat them. You can only serve a small amount at a time, but it can add a lot of variety to an ordinary diet.
