Hi as far as food i was told cat food can be given as a treat i have been looking into them for months now will be getting one after xmas. I know their diet is simular to an iguana "which i own" but was told its a little more diffucult. They need the greens veggies and fruits like an iguana. along with meal worms and different kinds of animal protien. I know the sell hedge hog food at pet stores and they should be given that along with the other things i mentioned. I have heard good stories of people owning them and also heard horror stories. That goes with any pet tho, if taken care of right and loved on alot they can be wonderful pets, "same with an iggy" I know if fed the right food and housed just right they can live very long, i am 90% sure i will be getting one. They are just to cute, also will be rescuing it. as i did all my animals, good luck check out thihttp://netvet.wustl.edu/species/exotic/hedgehog.htms page