Post by Lilith on Nov 24, 2016 19:17:19 GMT
Hedgehog Food list
Despite the african pygmy hedgehogs growing popularity as a house pet it can be incredibly challenging to find accurate information about a diet best suited to their needs. That being said, most owners and breeders stand by high quality cat kibble as a main source for their spiky companions. Below you will find general nutritional information for hedgehogs, as well as some quality food suggestions for both the United States and Canada.
Dietary restrictions
Hedgehogs have a fairly sensitive digestive system so it is always good to have some knowledge on what might not be the best options.
Lactose - Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. This means any dairy based meals can cause them stomach trouble. If you wish to feed your hog dairy it should only be done in very small amounts as a treat.
Citrus - Anything acidic can cause an upset stomach, and in extreme cases may lead to stomach ulcers and mouth sores. It isn't recommended to feed your hedgehog any fruit or vegetable that falls under this category.
Dried fruit / nuts & seeds - Both provide a major choking hazard for your APH. We do not recommend feeding your hog anything like this.
Seasoned foods - Seasoned foods are not recommended. Many seasonings are potentially dangerous for your pet so it is suggested to avoid them entirely.
Onions, garlic, avocado, grapes, raisins & chocolate - Avoid anything under this category. These particular items have shown to be toxic, or a potential toxin.
Safe foods
Meat - Hedgehogs can eat a wide variety of meats. Chicken, pork, beef, and turkey are all acceptable treats for your APH. Just remember that red meats are more fatty and should be consumed sparingly. Make sure all meats are well cooked and unseasoned.
Bugs - A staple of the hedgeghog diet, bugs are a required source of nutrition. Meal worms, super worms, wax worms, dubai beetles, and crickets are all wonderful snacks for your APH. Although you can feed your pet freeze dried bugs we suggest live ones. When you freeze dry anything it tends to remove a lot of the nutritional value. You do not have to cut the heads off of the bugs you feed your hog. That is an old myth that has been debunked many times.
Fruits - Apples, banana, raspberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, strawberries, pears, and peach all make good fruit snacks.
Vegetables - Sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, squash, bell peppers, peas, cucumber, and spinach are all good vegetable treats.
Eggs - scrambled and hard boiled are great treats for your hog. Just be sure to leave them unseasoned.
Wet cat food - Wet cat food is often high in fat, so it should only be provided as an occasional treat.
Pinkies - Day old feeder mice often provided for snakes. Some hedgehogs love them! They have a high fat content so be sure to save these for a special treat.
Why shouldn't I use store bought hedgehog specific food?
Despite being labeled as proper nutrition, it is widely known throughout the APH community that most store brand hedgehog foods are actually pretty much garbage. Most of the time they are packed full of fillers and are seen as the equivalent of feeding your hog McDonalds every day. Most owners and breeders will tell you that a high quality cat kibble is going to provide a much better nutritional value for your pet, and often at a more reasonable price.
Approved kibble list
Below you will find a list of approved kibbles that many of our members feed their own hedgehogs. Keep in mind many owners prefer to buy multiple brands of cat kibble and mix them. Hedgehogs can be quite picky when they want to be and have been known to turn their nose up at different foods regardless of how long they've been eating it without problems. Most foods should fall pretty close to the 30% protein, 8% fiber and 15% fat ratios. Also be mindful of proper ingredients. A good indication of decent quality food is the first few ingredients. Watch out for filler products (grain products with the word meal following them; cornmeal, ricemeal, ect) and keep an eye on the meat. If you have a kibble that isn't listed here that you think should be, PM myself or another staff member with the full name of the product as well as what country you were able to purchase it in. Keep in mind each brand of food will vary based on geographical differences. This list is likely to grow and be altered as other safe options are presented and previous foods are reformulated. This is not a complete list so don't be concerned if your particular brand of food isn't listed. If you are concerned with a product we do not have listed here feel free to PM myself or another informed member about it.
Fully meets nutritional requirements
Dietary restrictions
Hedgehogs have a fairly sensitive digestive system so it is always good to have some knowledge on what might not be the best options.
Lactose - Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. This means any dairy based meals can cause them stomach trouble. If you wish to feed your hog dairy it should only be done in very small amounts as a treat.
Citrus - Anything acidic can cause an upset stomach, and in extreme cases may lead to stomach ulcers and mouth sores. It isn't recommended to feed your hedgehog any fruit or vegetable that falls under this category.
Dried fruit / nuts & seeds - Both provide a major choking hazard for your APH. We do not recommend feeding your hog anything like this.
Seasoned foods - Seasoned foods are not recommended. Many seasonings are potentially dangerous for your pet so it is suggested to avoid them entirely.
Onions, garlic, avocado, grapes, raisins & chocolate - Avoid anything under this category. These particular items have shown to be toxic, or a potential toxin.
Safe foods
Meat - Hedgehogs can eat a wide variety of meats. Chicken, pork, beef, and turkey are all acceptable treats for your APH. Just remember that red meats are more fatty and should be consumed sparingly. Make sure all meats are well cooked and unseasoned.
Bugs - A staple of the hedgeghog diet, bugs are a required source of nutrition. Meal worms, super worms, wax worms, dubai beetles, and crickets are all wonderful snacks for your APH. Although you can feed your pet freeze dried bugs we suggest live ones. When you freeze dry anything it tends to remove a lot of the nutritional value. You do not have to cut the heads off of the bugs you feed your hog. That is an old myth that has been debunked many times.
Fruits - Apples, banana, raspberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, strawberries, pears, and peach all make good fruit snacks.
Vegetables - Sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, squash, bell peppers, peas, cucumber, and spinach are all good vegetable treats.
Eggs - scrambled and hard boiled are great treats for your hog. Just be sure to leave them unseasoned.
Wet cat food - Wet cat food is often high in fat, so it should only be provided as an occasional treat.
Pinkies - Day old feeder mice often provided for snakes. Some hedgehogs love them! They have a high fat content so be sure to save these for a special treat.
Why shouldn't I use store bought hedgehog specific food?
Despite being labeled as proper nutrition, it is widely known throughout the APH community that most store brand hedgehog foods are actually pretty much garbage. Most of the time they are packed full of fillers and are seen as the equivalent of feeding your hog McDonalds every day. Most owners and breeders will tell you that a high quality cat kibble is going to provide a much better nutritional value for your pet, and often at a more reasonable price.
Approved kibble list
Below you will find a list of approved kibbles that many of our members feed their own hedgehogs. Keep in mind many owners prefer to buy multiple brands of cat kibble and mix them. Hedgehogs can be quite picky when they want to be and have been known to turn their nose up at different foods regardless of how long they've been eating it without problems. Most foods should fall pretty close to the 30% protein, 8% fiber and 15% fat ratios. Also be mindful of proper ingredients. A good indication of decent quality food is the first few ingredients. Watch out for filler products (grain products with the word meal following them; cornmeal, ricemeal, ect) and keep an eye on the meat. If you have a kibble that isn't listed here that you think should be, PM myself or another staff member with the full name of the product as well as what country you were able to purchase it in. Keep in mind each brand of food will vary based on geographical differences. This list is likely to grow and be altered as other safe options are presented and previous foods are reformulated. This is not a complete list so don't be concerned if your particular brand of food isn't listed. If you are concerned with a product we do not have listed here feel free to PM myself or another informed member about it.
Fully meets nutritional requirements
Blue Buffalo basics potato & duck
Blue Buffalo basics fish & potato
Natural Balance green pea & chicken
Natural Balance green pea & duck
Purina one chicken & rice
Purina one chicken & oatmeal
Nutro natural source indoor chicken & brown rice
Great for mixes
Blue Buffalo basics fish & potato
Natural Balance green pea & chicken
Natural Balance green pea & duck
Purina one chicken & rice
Purina one chicken & oatmeal
Nutro natural source indoor chicken & brown rice
Great for mixes
Last edit: 12/28/16
Made by Time Lapse of Adoxgraphy.
