hedgehog diet (kind of)?

I am sorry, but I think that if your parent's are behind your decision then you probably could take care of a hedgehog.

Angelicat does not know you or how responsible you are. I got my first hedgehog at age 13 and still have them now, almost eight years later. If you were not going to be a capable "hedgie-parent", then you would not be on here asking about proper diet and nutrition. You seem to be doing everything you can to make sure you are ready to bring your pet home which is quite admirable for a person of any age.

I have been raising African Hedgehogs for a number of years now and have sold to young persons before, provided that their parents are supporting them and willing to offer financial assistance if need be. Hedgehogs live upwards of four years, so as long as you can be able to willingly give them the devoted care they need, I say go for it :)

As for the turkey, my guys LOVE turkey and chicken and get it about once a week. I would advise against the pre-packaged lunch meat turkey because it has really high sodium and isn't really the best thing for them.

Some brands of food I would suggest as a staple would be Wellness, Eagle Pac, Blue Buffalo, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, Royal Canin, etc... All of these come in Light variety cat foods which are perfectly suitable for African Hedgehogs. You should also find some freeze-fried mealworms to through into the mix a few times a week.

Best of Luck!

Didn't I already say that a hedgehog isnt a suitable pet for you? Why are you going to bother posting if you dont listen to the answers? The base of a hedgehogs diet should be high protein, low fat HIGH QUALITY chicken-based cat food NOT FISH, two brands mixed with a good hedgehog food like Spike's Dinner. Cottage cheese, boiled egg, mealworms, crickets, and chicken baby food. They can have a little cooked turkey. not that I expect you to listen to this advice, seeing as you seem hell bent on getting a hedgehog whether you are suitable for one or not. Are you aware they will keep you up all night?? That their poos are stinky, squishy and numerous and will end up all over you, especially when you are taming the hog? That being spiked by an untame hedgehog really hurts quite a bit? And that they need a good hour of handling each and EVERY day to remain tame, even a few days with no handling will revert them to their former, wild selves?

Insects per say are not vital but protein they provide is. My hedgehog refused mealworms also but I found that she loved crickets and ladybugs. Guess they like the crunch. Make sure you freeze they bugs for at least 12 hours before feeding to kill bacteria. As far as fruits I like to give freeze dried fruit any kind but only once in a great while due to high sugar content.

i wouldn't, they shouldn't recieve strange stuff that they wouldn't really get naturally, like turkey, or milk