Choking Incident

[EryBee]

Tonight was the second choking incident I've had with Phinneus, and much scarier. I had put him back after cuddles and gone over to do something else. When I came back he was hunched over, making pathetic noises, and struggling with some kibble. I rushed and got a q-tip, which I used to try and dislodge the kibble with. I got one good poke in before Phin balled up. The q-tip had pinkish slime on it which I'm worried might have been blood. Phinneus wouldn't let me help him anymore and I just had to watch and *try* to intervene. Luckily he coughed up the rest of the kibble and everything returned to normal.

Do hedgehogs often choke on their food? Should I try to check his mouth for trauma?

[smg323]

You could try chopping the kibble into smaller pieces.
I used to do that, it's somewhat annoying but if there's choking, you can't be too careful!

[fracturedcircle]

scary.

you could even crush the kibble in a coffee grinder.

[Nancy]

What shape is the food? Sometimes breaking the kibble up helps. Some hedgehogs are prone to getting certain shapes stuck.

I've not had much luck using a grinder or anything like that to break up the kibble as it makes too many crumbs and irregular shaped pieces and many hedgehogs are too fussy for that. I usually break by hand. Sometimes breaking by hand until they are used to pieces and then you can use a grinder.

[EryBee]

His kibble come in x's, y's, and round lumps. I will try breaking then up, but he might be too picky to want them

[fracturedcircle]

Originally Posted by EryBee

His kibble come in x's, y's, and round lumps. I will try breaking then up, but he might be too picky to want them

i know someone who's been putting crushed kibble into baby food and leaving it overnight. i haven't tried it myself, but i'm just thinking of some ways to make crushed kibble more attractive.