| 05-02-2019 10:45 PM |
| Aj.t |
That’s a good point I did fail to mention! Free feeding is perfectly fine as they’re growing because- well- they’re growing! Once they reach a mature size it’s best to watch their weight
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| 05-02-2019 10:29 PM |
| Mecki |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aj.t
Some people will recommend leaving a bit more in the dish so that they do have the option of snacking during the day, but I personally don’t like the idea simply because it’s wasteful to end up throwing out the kibble that could have been eaten the next day if it was kept in a container.
If you can tell how much he’s eating, give that to him each night. Offer some treats BEFORE giving him the kibble so he’s still hungry for the yummy bonding/training snacks. Every so often I add an extra small scoop of kibble to see if she wants to eat more. If she ends up eating it all, I keep that portion steady until the next time she doesn’t eat it all.
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That all makes sense.
Since my hedgehog is still young (under 3 months) and a bit on the small side, I don't mind having some waste. Better that, for now, then him being hungry. 
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| 05-02-2019 10:23 PM |
| Aj.t |
Some people will recommend leaving a bit more in the dish so that they do have the option of snacking during the day, but I personally don’t like the idea simply because it’s wasteful to end up throwing out the kibble that could have been eaten the next day if it was kept in a container.
If you can tell how much he’s eating, give that to him each night. Offer some treats BEFORE giving him the kibble so he’s still hungry for the yummy bonding/training snacks. Every so often I add an extra small scoop of kibble to see if she wants to eat more. If she ends up eating it all, I keep that portion steady until the next time she doesn’t eat it all.
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| 05-02-2019 09:57 PM |
| Mecki |
I have a dish that holds 2 measuring tablespoons. I fill it each day. Sometimes he eats a little during the day (don't know when since I don't see him doing so) and then more at night. By morning I will see that one half to 1 tbsp is left in the dish. So from that I see he eats 1 to 1.5 tbsp each day.
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| 05-02-2019 07:25 AM |
| Aj.t |
It depends on how active your hedgehog is and if you’re using other foods as part of his base diet (insects,veggies). I give Christina one big tablespoon of kibble along with insects, some dried chicken, some treats of other kibbles. I’ve found that she won’t eat much more than a tablespoon of kibble nightly and I hate waste, so that’s why I give her a tablespoon. She’s also very active and pretty skinny so I don’t worry too much about what she’s eating. With a heavier hog though, you’d want to take fat consumption into consideration.
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| 05-02-2019 12:54 AM |
| Buddysmom |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mecki
I too had a hard time finding ones from the list that were available locally. I was able to find some eventually.
I use a mix of Pure Balance chicken & brown rice formula and Wellness Core grain free deboned chicken, turkey. The Wellness is a little high in protein but since mine is still young (like yours), they can handle the higher protein.
If you do find something, remember to transition by mixing old with the new.
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How much do you feed your hog per day? Cat food doesn’t have recommended amount for a hog! Lol the food I’m feeding him now says 1-2oz a day. It equals to 4 tablespoons.
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| 04-29-2019 10:26 PM |
| Mecki |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddysmom
I see you’re in the states as I am as well, so do you get your food from a pet supply store or big box store?
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Both. One kind was available at Wal-Mart and the other at Petsmart (or was it Petco?).
I bought the smallest bag of each and keep them in my refridge. A hedgehog eats so little, it seems like it will take forever to use up the bags. Figured they'd stay fresher this way.
I have a small container near the cage in which I have an equal mix of both foods that I refill as needed.
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| 04-29-2019 08:08 PM |
| Buddysmom |
Ok thanks!
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| 04-29-2019 08:04 PM |
| Emc |
You don't have to mix kibbles - but mixing does have it's benefits. Unfortunately, despite pet food companies being well ware that many animals are picky and don't take kindly to change, they change food recipes - not frequently, but it happens. Having (at least) two different brands of food gives you something to 'fall back on' should one brand change their recipe and your hog refuse to eat it, because at least you have the other one. Additionally, recalls are another unfortunate thing - hedgehogs are often like having a picky toddler, and they do not take kindly to sudden change. So having (again, at least) two different brands is kind of like a saviour should one brand disappear from store shelves for a couple weeks.
It's also just nice to mix kibbles to offer more variety to your hogs diet. But no, it's technically not necessary, but it is recommended.
Live insects also aren't viewed as 'treats'; they should be a regular inclusion of your animals daily diet.
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| 04-29-2019 07:58 PM |
| Buddysmom |
Do I need to mix kibbles or is it ok to just go with one? Then give treats of fruit mill worms and veggies?
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