Foods and Treats
Kibble
Assuming that you purchased your hedgehog from a reputable breeder the first thing that should be considered is the information that was given to you by the breeder.
The AHC does not wish to cause conflict with any breeder/buyer relationship. The information being offered is merely to provide alternative options for those who may need them. The information is based on advice from collective breeders.
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Many breeders recommend a mix of 2 - 5 different dry cat foods that do not contain soy, peas, or artificial preservatives and that do not have grains in the first 5 ingredients.
Evidence suggests that large amounts of soy, peas, and legumes can have an estrogenic effect on animals, meaning it could interfere with the natural hormone processes and possibly lead to serious and life-threatening health issues.
There is strong evidence to suggest that artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors in pet foods can cause various types of benign and malignant tumors. - Some breeders recommend certain types of commercially available hedgehog food.
- Some breeders recommend a raw diet.
ALL breeders should recommend that you offer insects no less than 2 days a week to supplement the daily diet.
We are currently working on a new chart that defines the nutritional value of various live feeder insects. We hope to share it soon.
Chart: Insect Nutritional Value
Treats
Offering treats to hedgehogs should be infrequent and in moderation. Infrequent meaning, not more than once a week. Moderation meaning, about 1/2 teaspoon which is approximately the size of an acorn. The reason you need to keep treats infrequent and in moderation is that you do not want your hedgehog to begin to expect the treat as this could cause them to start refusing their kibble.
* When offering produce please consider that it is likely to cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Only offer very small portions and always wash it thoroughly before feeding it to your hedgehog.
* When offering food that your hedgehog has never eaten before, only offer 1 new food item per 24-hour period. If there is an allergic reaction you need to know which food the hedgehog had a reaction to and if you've offered more than 1 new food, you won't be able to offer any of the new foods again.
Providing a list of foods that are safe for hedgehogs would be rather complex and lengthy.
THESE ARE TOXIC, UNSAFE, OR UNHEALTHY FOR HEDGEHOGS Meats, Fish, Poultry, Egg Produce Other |