Food

[lacey]

Hi there,
Ive done lots and lots of complete research but the only thing I cannot get a handle on is the best food to feed. I know cat food, not higher than 35% protein and relatively low in fat. Which brands would be best recommended? I am purchasing a hedge hog from a breeder and I will bringing home the new addition mid December. I want to have everything prepared!
Thank you in advance

[DesireeM81]

For starters, don't buy new food just yet. You will want to get the same food the breeder was using, either from the breeder or ask her for what food she is using and be sure to use that. If it's a decent food, use it for about a month before switching, if it's not the greatest, then you can start switching her after about two weeks. Make sure to take your time and go slowly when switching her food, take a few weeks to do it. 1/4 new, 3/4 old for the first week, 1/2 new, 1/2 old, for the second week and then 3/4 new, 1/4 old, for the third week. By the fourth week, she will be fully on the new food.

Now I am incredibly interested in hedgehog diet and there are many forums to look at for the information you are looking for.

https://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forum...oods-list.html - This thread has a list of great foods to feed. I would add Canidae to this list too. I am using Canidae in my new mix.

https://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forum...nutrition.html - This thread is a little more involved but it gives you an idea of what to look for on a bag of food.

https://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forum...ble-sizes.html - If you need to know kibble sizes here is a good place to start. Some hedgehogs need smaller foods.

A lot of information and I'm sorry about that. Another thing is that hedgehogs are picky. If you buy from PetCo, they allow you to return at least half of bag within thirty days. A few places in my town have the same policy.

It can be overwhelming to figure it all out. That is what we are here for.

[lacey]

Thank you for your information. Have you heard anything about Fromm brand cat food if it is a good diet for hedge hogs?

[lacey]

Also, sorry I just thought of this question as well. What about mixing. I hear alot of people mixing different kinds. Is this needed? and why?

[gracefulchaos01]

I mix for 2 reasons. First is in case of a formula change in one if the foods so my hedgies don't get stuck on just one flavor and then go on hunger strike. 2nd is to make sure they get a combination of both food they like and food they need. For instance a small portion of my food is high fat, and they love it. But a much bigger part of my mix is low fat and higher fiber. They won't eat it by itself. But that portion mingling with the higher fat food makes it more appealing.