Last Updated on 06/29/2021 by Veronica Jones
Hedgehogs are wonderful pets. They are friendly and cute. The popularity of hedgehogs as pets has increased significantly over the past 20 years. These tiny creatures are loveable and they have a huge personality for their small body.
As a result of this, it is crucial that hedgehog owners ensure that their pet is as healthy and happy as possible. One of the best ways to ensure your hedgehog remains happy all the time is to provide it with good and healthy food.
The food your pet eats has an impact on its growth, health, and happiness. To make sure your hedgehog remains healthy, happy, and grows normally, you have to settle for the best hedgehog food. However, there are many hedgehog foods out there. There are different products, brands, and nutrition content. How do you know which is the best and most suitable food for your pet?
In this article, we will expose you to some of the vital things you need to look out for when looking for the best food for your hedgehog. We would also provide you with some of the best hedgehog foods in the market, as well as their nutritional benefits.
Reviews of the Best Foods for Hedgehog
1. Sun Seed Sunscription Vita Hedgehog Adult Food
The Sun Seed Sunscription Vita Hedgehog Adult food comes with everything your hedgehog needs for a nutritional and wholesome diet.
This food source is rich in fiber, comes with a decent amount of fat, and a lot of meat-sourced protein. Sun Seed specifically made this food to meet the nutritional needs of your pet. This food is suitable for almost all kinds of hedgehogs.
This hedge dog food is fortified with omega-3, vitamins, calcium, and probiotics. This product also has several sources of protein such as shrimp, tuna, crab, and freeze dried mealworms. It is delicious and it is one food many hedgehogs do not resist.
If your hedgehog has dietary needs, this hedgehog food is ideal for it. However, not every hedgehog likes this food. The fish content in this food might also be too much for the diet of some hedgehogs. Another selling point of this food is that it does not smell as bad as cat food. It is also very affordable.
2. Nitro Indoor Adult Cat Food
This food states that it is for cats; however, it is a fantastic food for hedgehogs. This is one of the best meals for hedgehogs in the market. The major selling point of this hedgehog food is that its number one ingredient is farm-raised chicken.
This farm-raised chicken provides a great taste in a nourishing and wholesome way. The calorie content of all the ingredients used in this food is fairly low and the fat content is just 14 percent.
The protein content in this food is 33 percent. It also boasts of good fiber content of 7 percent to enhance healthy digestion. It has omega-6 fatty acids to provide your pet with healthy skin. This food does not contain any GMO ingredients.
Many pet owners love this food because of its natural ingredients. The pellets of this food are easy for hedgehogs to eat, and it tastes great also. You do not need many supplements when using this food, as it meets the requirements of a dietary hedgehog.
3. VitaKraft VitaSmart Fortified Nutrition Hedgehog Food
This hedgehog food from VitaKraft is another great hedgehog food out there. This is the preferred choice of many pet owners over the past years.
The VitaSmart Fortified Nutrition Hedgehog food from VitaKraft will make your hedgehog healthy and happy.
This hedgehog food is made with high protein insect-based formula. It also contains natural oils such as omega 3 fatty acids. These acids come in very handy in keeping the skin of your pet strong and healthy.
It also contains acids that improve the health and activeness of their brain. This food also has beneficial flax seeds. The taste of this food is awesome and many hedgehogs love to eat it. This seafood, poultry, and insect pelleted food is very easy to eat.
This food is made with ingredients that are specifically formulated to keep your hedgehog satisfied and healthy. It is also inexpensive, which is why many hedgehog owners love it.
4. Tasty Worms Freeze Dried Mealworms
The Tasty Worms Freeze is a great hedgehog food that caters to the needs of many hedgehogs. Many users have testified that this food is of great quality and it is well priced. Some people might be a bit troubled that this product contains frozen worms.
However, the worms do not have any distinct, particular smell. Hence, you can keep the food close to the cage of your hedgehog without any worry. These dry worms are more nutritionally dense than live mealworms.
The process used in drying this product retains more nutrients in the food than when an oven is used to dry the ingredients. You can also store this food for later just like other hedgehog foods.
This food contains 53 percent protein, 5 percent moisture, 6 percent fiber, and 28 percent fat. It also contains a recipe that is optimal for different types of pets. You do not need to rehydrate this food for your pet.
5. Wysong Dream Treats for Dogs/Cats/Ferrets
The Wysong Dream Treats provides exactly what hedgehogs need. This food contains a lot of protein and it comes with the right amount of fat. It also contains a lot of minerals, vitamins, probiotics, and other vital nutrients that would enhance the health of your hedgehog.
It is also packed with many recipes that would promote a healthy immune system and enough energy for your pet to continue playing around.
The food does not contain any manmade additives such as artificial coloring and flavorings. This would reduce the chances of your pet suffering from any allergic reaction.
These treats are made to supplement a balanced and varied diet. This food also contains nutraceuticals, meats, plant nutrients, and many micronutrients.
The heating process of this meal also ensures that all the nutrients and vitamins of the ingredients remain intact. Many hedgehogs love this food and it has been the number one choice of many pet owners.
Key Considerations When Looking for the Best for Your Hedgehog
The process of buying food for your hedgehog is not as easy as getting snacks for yourself. When buying food for your little friend, there are many things you need to put into consideration. You also have to know that not all hedgehog foods are great for all hedgehogs.
Some hedgehog would simply reject the food if they do not like it. Hence, it is crucial that you try out a smaller quantity whenever you are trying new food.
However, hedgehogs are versatile eaters. They can eat food made for dogs and cats. Though, you need to make sure the food they eat meets their nutritional requirements. To buy the best hedgehog food, you need to know about their nutritional requirement.
What You Need to Know about Hedgehog Nutrition
- Hedgehogs Are Omnivores: Hedgehogs need a lot of meat. Nonetheless, they also need a balance of vegetables and other types of food to make their food cycle balanced.
- Hedgehogs Need Fiber: These pets need a lot of fiber. They usually get this from veggies and insects.
- They Do Not Need Fatty Food: Hedgehogs do not need much fat. They are a little bit slow in nature. Hence, you should provide them with food with very little fat.
- They Need Protein: This is one of the major components of their meal. They need a lot of protein. You should make sure that the protein content of the food you provide your hedgehog with is at least 30 percent.
Moist or Dry Food
Hedgehogs are known to be vegetable and insect eaters. As such, it is sometimes difficult to decide the best type of food to settle for, dry or moist. However, many pet specialists said that it is crucial that the fundamental source of protein in the diet of your pet comes from dry food, especially foods that contain chicken or other types of meat.
Nevertheless, moist food is also vital in the diet of your pet, as moist foods are easier to eat.
The Well-Being and Safety of the Pet
The safety and comfort of your pet are the most vital things you should always consider. When looking for the best food for your pet, it is important that you opt for a product that is reliable, safe, and healthy. You should check the ingredients of the food and see if there is any that might cause harm to your pet. Make sure you know the background of the product before paying for it.
You should also go for a type of food that many hedgehogs like. You can know more about this in the users’ comments and review section. Hedgehogs receive certain food formulas than others. Make sure you choose food that the majority of hedgehogs receive well.
Representation of Food
This is one thing you need to look out for before you buy food for your hedgehog. You need to check the food’s representation. You can find this on the box, packs, or labels of the food. You need to check this to know the percentage of protein, fat, moisture, and fiber added to the food.
Make sure the food provides all the required vitamins and nutrients that your pet needs, especially when your pet is on diet.
Feeding Instruction
Some of these foods are made for a variety of pets such as cats and dogs. Hence, they come with feeding instructions based on the appetite of the pet. Do not adhere to these feeding instructions.
Hedgehogs do not eat a lot, as they are small in size. Put their food in portion, and try to balance their food with veggies and dry fruit.
Storage and Smell
It is recommended that you opt for a hedgehog food that you can store for a considerable period of time. You should also go for a hedgehog food with little or no smell; this would allow you to store the food without worrying about a bad smell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Do You Feed a Hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are predisposed to obesity, and the chances of obesity doubles for domesticated hedgehogs. One tablespoon of food two times a day is enough to keep your pet nourished. You should only serve veggies, fruits, and insects as occasional treats.
When Should I Feed My Hedgehog?
The best time to feed your little friend is around twilight, which is the wake-up time of a hedgehog. However, if you have nursing, pregnant, or baby hedgehog, then their food bowl should be full at all time. You should always provide an unlimited supply of food for hoglets. You can start regulating their food consumption when they start putting on too much weight.
What Veggies and Fruit Can I Give to My Hedgehog?
Hedgehogs consume a wide range of veggies and fruits, practically innumerable. Some of the fruits and veggies they consume include papaya, mangoes, carrots, and broccoli. Nevertheless, these pets do not digest veggies very well.
Therefore, if you are giving them vegetables, you need to ensure they are diced and cooked. Do not feed them with starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. These foods are very difficult for hedgehogs to digest. You should also not give them raisins and grapes, as they are toxic to hedgehogs. Seeds, nuts, and dried foods could also choke them, so you should avoid giving them these.
Final Thoughts
Hedgehogs are very loving and amazing creatures. They are tiny and cute-looking, which is why many love to have them as a pet. If you these little creatures as a pet, then their food is something you should take seriously, as it plays a major role in their health and overall well-being.
These pets eat many things. However, you should watch what they eat. It is crucial that you choose the best food for hedgehogs in the market when looking for what to feed them with. In this article are some of the best foods for hedgehogs as well as a guide on how to choose the best food for your hedgehog.
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