The Best Cat Food for Hedgehogs

Introduction

Due to their quiet nature and pretty low maintenance costs, hedgehogs have become more and more popular as pets in recent times, but due to a lack of awareness and knowledge about their food and nutrition, people generally don't know what the best cat food is for them. and how to give them enough nutrition to keep them healthy.

Well, here's the important thing: hedgehogs are naturally insectivores. It means they feed insects to meet their required nutrition in the wild, and cat food also includes all the required nutrition in which insects consist. Hedgehogs need cat food that is high in protein but low in fat to stay healthy. The protein gives them enough energy, while the low fat matches what they eat in nature while meeting their required nutrition.

In this article, I'll share with you crucial tips for choosing the best cat food to feed your lovely pet. So keep reading for the whole guide to get full information about the right cat food for your new pet hedgehog!

Premium dry cat food is the best for hedgehogs.

A premium-quality dry cat food is the best for hedgehogs when it comes to choosing the best cat food for these lovely pets. The main ingredients for hedgehogs are protein and fat, and dry cat food has the right balance of protein and fat to match their natural hedgehog diet, which they get from insects. Look for a cat kibble (food) that has a high protein content of around 30–35%  and contains only 10–15% fat. The protein should come from quality animal sources like chicken, salmon, or duck. Avoid using cat foods with corn, wheat, or other by-products.

The kibble shape works well with the hedgehog's mouth and teeth for crunching. It also helps keep teeth clean. Dry food is also more affordable than wet food and less messy in the hedgehog cage. Use only fresh and premium brands found at the pet store. 

Kitten food is a good choice.

Many hedgehog owners choose high-quality kitten food to feed their prickly pets. Kitten food has extra protein and fat levels that are closer to the needs of hedgehogs. Growing kittens require a similar calorie-dense diet to fuel rapid growth and development. Just check that the first ingredient is a meat protein like chicken.

Wet Cat Food for Supplementation

While dry cat kibble should make up the majority of their diet, wet cat food can be given occasionally as a supplement because wet food adds extra moisture and variety, but it should be given in a smaller amount. Don't overfeed the wet food, as it can cause loose stools and deteriorate their health. Consider limiting wet food to 1-2 times per week at most.

List of best cat food for hedgehogs

1.     Hedgehog Precision

·       First 4 Ingredients: Chicken, ground white rice, ground brown rice, chicken fat

·       Best For: All stages of life

·       Specialty: Higher protein and lesser fat for hedgehogs, which is best ingredients for them

·       Availability: Pet stores, online

2.     Sunseed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food

·       First 5 Ingredients: Poultry meal, chicken fat, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, ground corn

·       Best For: Assist body maintenance

·       Specialty: Tasty and affordable

·       Availability: Pet smart, Pecto

3.     Pet-Pro Products Spike's Delite Premium Diet

·       First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, chicken meal, animal fat

·       Best For:  For Adult

·       Specialty: Popular among hedgehog owners

·       Availability: Vet offices, online 

4.     Hedgehogs and Friends

·       First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, peas

·       Best For:  Provide nutrition for all life stages 

·       Specialty:  Specifically designed for hedgehogs

·       Availability: Online only

5.     Mazuri Hedgehog Diet

·       First 5 Ingredients: Alfalfa meal, ground corn, soybean hulls, middling of grains, soybean meal,

·       Best For: Best for breeding and pregnant hedgehogs

·       Specialty: Best for breeding hedgehogs

·       Availability: Pet stores, online

Important vitamins and nutrients

To stay healthy, hedgehogs need cat food containing certain vitamins and nutrients. Taurine promotes heart health. Vitamin E and zinc support skin and quill health. Omega-3 fatty acids keep the skin and coat conditioned. Probiotics and prebiotics encourage good gut bacteria. When shopping, inspect the cat food labels to ensure they contain these hedgehog essentials. 

How Much to Feed Your Hedgehog

You should free-feed hedgehogs, meaning leave dry food available at all times. Hedgehogs are most active at night, so let them eat as much as they desire. As a guideline, most hedgehogs will eat 1-2 tablespoons of dry cat food per night. Weigh your hedgehog weekly and adjust the amount if you gain or lose weight. Leave fresh, clean water in the cage 24/7.

Supplemental Treats for Hedgehogs nutrition

While cat food makes up the majority of a balanced hedgehog diet, there are healthy treats you can offer. Live insects like mealworms or crickets provide natural protein. A small piece of boiled egg or plain chicken can be given occasionally. Some fruits and veggies can be treats, like berries, peas, or sweet potatoes. Remove fresh foods if they are uneaten within 24 hours.

Signs of poor nutrition 

Monitor your hedgehog's health and watch for signs of nutritional issues. Weight loss, low energy, and poor skin conditions may indicate poor nutrition. Green or loose stool or constipation can also signify dietary issues. Take expert advice if your hedgehog displays any nutritional deficiencies. Switch to a higher-quality cat food that may resolve their health problems, and don't compromise their health with your low-budget food.

Things to Avoid in Hedgehog Cat Food

Avoid some ingredients while choosing cat food for hedgehogs. Stay away from artificial colorings, flavours, and preservatives. Always choose chicken or duck, and restrict filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy. Do not feed them cat foods that contain fish oils or added fats or oils. Excess vitamin D can also be toxic to hedgehogs, so read labels carefully before purchasing cat food.

Transitioning Your Hedgehog to New Food

When shifting your hedgehog to a new cat food, take things slowly and report their growth and health regularly. Mix a small amount of the new food in with the current food. After around 2 weeks, slowly increase the ratio of new food to old food. This gradual transition reduces health-related risks and upset stomachs, and hedgehogs will get used to that new food. Don't forget to take expert advice if the hedgehog has any issues with new food.

Conclusion

By feeding your hedgehog a high-quality dry cat kibble with moderate fat and high protein levels, you can promote good health. Choose a reputable brand with natural ingredients. Wet food should be given occasionally. Provide them with fresh water with their diet. Read labels and all information carefully to provide balanced nutrition. With the proper diet, your hedgehog will live a healthy and happy life for years to come.

FAQs 

 

1. Why is cat food the best choice for domesticated hedgehogs?

Ans. Their diet generally includes insects in their habitat, which gives them the high protein and low fat they need for their nutrition. Cat food also provides similar nutrition as insects, so it makes a great food to replace insects from their diet and keep it as nutritional as natural insects provide.

2. What type of cat food works best? 

Ans. The best foo is high-quality dry cat foods with real salmon or chicken as the main ingredients. Avoid cat foods with fillers like corn or wheat. The protein percentage should be 30–35% and the fat percentage around 10–15% from animal sources. High-protein kitten foods are a smart choice since kittens need similar nutrition as rapidly growing hedgehogs. 

3. How much cat food should I give my hedgehog per day?

Ans. Start by giving your domesticated hedgehog about 1-2 tablespoons of cat food each night. You can adjust the amount based on their weight and activity levels. Just monitor that they won't get overweight. Always provide fresh, clean water with their food.

4. Can I supplement cat food with other foods?

Ans. While quality cat food should be 80–90% of their diet, you can add minimum amounts of cooked plain meat, live insects, fruits, or vegetables. Scrambled eggs make a nutritious diet for hedgehogs. Just be sure to remove any uneaten fresh foods in the morning.

5. Things I should know about feeding hedgehogs at home?

Ans. Hedgehogs's food should comprise a better quality of cat food with natural ingredients and, of course, the right balance of protein and fat in their diet. This will keep your hedgehog healthy while fulfilling their nutrition.