Commercial Hedgehog Foods

81074 Views 105 Replies 53 Participants Last post by coopdavillage, May 24, 2013

Reaper

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2008

I decided it might be a good idea to talk about commercially prepared Hedgehog foods. Why some are ok choices for African Hedgehogs and some are not.
If you walk into a pet store and ask for "bird food" you will probably be shown a lot of packages that say "Bird Food" on them. The problem then arises if your bird is a Minah, a Toucan, a falcon, etc.etc. Even a Robin Redbreast cannot live off of seeds. So just because it says "Hedgehog Food" on the package does not neccesarily mean it is appropriate for African Hedgehogs.
Here is a list of most of the commercially prepared "Hedgehog Foods":
1. Spike's Delight Hedgehog foods (all formulas)
2. Sunseed Hedgehog food
3. Brisky's Hedgehog foods
4. 8in1 Ultra Hedgehog food
5. L'Avian Hedgehog food
6. Hedgehog Complete by Exotic Nutrition

7. Pretty Pets hedgehog food
8. Zoofare insectavore
9. Mazuri insectavore
10. Brown's Zoo Vital
11. Vitakraft

Now the first six on the list are ok to feed an African Hedgehog. Most experts agree
to mix several types of high quality, high protein, low fat cat foods / Hedgehog foods. It is also recommended to feed a variety of treats such as live insects, lean cooked meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables. So let's discuss why the last five products on the list should be avoided in African Hedgehog diets. These products may be great for other types of hedgehog but for African Hedgehogs they are not a good choice. Pretty Pet's hedgehog food contains very little nutritional content. It may be ok as a treat but should be considered "junk food". Zoofare and Mazuri contain artificial preservatives and/or softening agents which have been linked to all kinds of health problems. Brown's Zoo Vital and Vitakraft actually may be very good for European Hedgehogs but contain ingredients which are extreme health
risks to African Hedgehogs. Things like seeds and raisins are choking hazards and have resulted in African Hedgehog deaths. The best way to insure you are choosing a healthy African Hedgehog diet is to learn the nutritional requirements of the African Hedgehog. And then READ THE LABEL of the food you are considering feeding your hedgie. Knowledge is the key when choosing a food to add to your
African Hedgehog's diet.

See less See more

Status: Not open for further replies.

21 - 40 of 106 Posts

MoonHedgie

· #21 · Feb 7, 2009

Thank you Zalea and Nancy! You're quite right of course, she's eating the good kibbles and ignoring the Pretty Pets. We've given her two meal worms a night (we got her on Monday) and she acts like those are crack! Unfortunately I had already opened the bag of Pretty Pets. Thanks so much for you help!

sarahomnia

· #22 · Feb 11, 2009

Where can you buy these hedgie food mixes?
And if I can't find them around here, what is a good way to make my own hedgie food (if it's possible)?

Zalea

· #23 · Feb 11, 2009

Do you mean food mixes as in the commercial foods? Or food mixes as in the cat kibble mix?
Hedgehog food is usually terrible and has to be supplemented with high quality cat food to meet nutritional requirements. You're better off not getting the hedgehog food, and just going to a pet store to buy a bag or two of good cat food and mixing them together.

TheGargoyle

· #24 · Feb 19, 2009

drpepperheather said:
Reaper said:

I see you use Spike's Delight Premium, but I'm not sure if that would be easy to find in my area.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure if it violates the posting regulations here, but you can order Spike's Delight direct from the manufacturer, Pet-Pro Products of Middletown, Missouri. They can take your order by phone. http://www.pet-pro.com/

animal<3er

· #25 · Apr 12, 2009

I am confused

! I am going to get a hedgehog in a month or so

and want to get Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Indoor Feline dry cat food and it is on both lists but I was wondering how much of everything are they suppose to get(fat, protein, and everything else). I want to make sure I have everything ready for my hedgehog including food.

Lilysmommy

· #26 · Apr 12, 2009

The main guidelines for food are 28-32% protein, 15% or less fat, has a meat or meat meal as the first ingredient, and doesn't have lots of corn or corn products in the first couple of ingredients. You also don't want to see BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin in the ingredients list.

animal<3er

· #27 · Apr 12, 2009

So does that mean it is ok but not great to feed Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Indoor Feline
to a hedgehog since there is 36% protein or should I pick something else?

dorasdaddy

· #28 · Apr 12, 2009

Castor & Pollux is on Reapers list as an approved food, so I would say it is perfectly fine. We feed it to our girls, but neither of them care much for it. The big hits around here are Natural Balance Green Pea & Duck, Halo Spots Stew Sensitive Stomach Turkey, Halo Spots Stew Indoor Chicken, Diamond Indoor, & Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover Soul Light.

Lilysmommy

· #29 · Apr 12, 2009

Hey Dora, what shape are the Halo Spots kibble? Lily doesn't seem to like her Solid Gold stuff, I was thinking if they have Halo Spots or another food she might like, I might try one of those instead, when she's done with the bag of SG. I think it might be the shape she doesn't like, the SG is an x shape, like the CSCLS, which she didn't like much either. :roll:

hogletlover2009

· #30 · Apr 15, 2009

Hmmmm im not too sure about the commercial hedgehog food ... i would just stick to a good make of dried cat bistuites along with some vegies and fruites and sometimes cooked beef , chicken or mince for the protien .. or wet cat food with the meat already inside but read the ingrediants carefully because you dont want any more than 10% fat in side

Also as a treat.. and as a treat only (no more than 2 a day or 3 a day for the big hedgies.. MEAL WORMS they love them

Hope i helped Good luck with you and you hedgehog

dorasdaddy

· #31 · Apr 15, 2009

hogletlover2009 said:
Hmmmm im not too sure about the commercial hedgehog food ... i would just stick to a good make of dried cat bistuites along with some vegies and fruites and sometimes cooked beef , chicken or mince for the protien .. or wet cat food with the meat already inside but read the ingrediants carefully because you dont want any more than 10% fat in side

Also as a treat.. and as a treat only (no more than 2 a day or 3 a day for the big hedgies.. MEAL WORMS they love them

Hope i helped Good luck with you and you hedgehog

as far as i know you shouldn't feed beef due to the fat and stay away from mince since it has raisins in it which are toxic to hedgehogs. As for meal worms there are several runner type hedgies that can handle 5 or more mealies a day since they cant keep weight on any other way.

sprinklesmom

· #32 · May 8, 2009

I'm new to being a hedgie mommy. My mother bought some pretty pets hedgehog food for my little sprinkles when she was at the store buying food for our cats. (My little guy is currently eating a mix of wellness indoor and performatrin ultra). I know it's not a recommended food, but with the other two would it be ok to mix a little of the pretty pets in the mix as a 'junk' food for him...i can't bring myself to throw away something my mom paid 35 dollars for.

Reaper

Discussion Starter · #33 · May 8, 2009

Sure but he may not eat it.

LarryT

· #34 · May 19, 2009

smhufflepuff said:
HedgeMom said:

I feed only organic, holistic, "Human Grade Ingredient" kibbles.

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359

Click to expand...

Interesting read. May we take further advantage of your research... specifically, could you fill us in on what brands of hedgie-appropriate kibble are out there that fall into the "organic, holistic, 'Human Grade Ingredient'" category?

I would also like to know please share hedgemom.
Thanks LarryT

Reactions: 1

gyaku

· #35 · Jul 10, 2009

My hedgehog (bought at PJs Pet Store) was giving him something for "fat" hedgehogs (even says right on the bag.) Right now I am feeding him Pretty Pets since its all I can afford till next week. So does any one know where I could find Spikes Delight in Edmonton,AB sadly PJs doesn't have it nor can they get it... Though I have been told to check Pets Mart...

Shelbys Mom

· #36 · Jul 11, 2009

gyaku said:
My hedgehog (bought at PJs Pet Store) was giving him something for "fat" hedgehogs (even says right on the bag.) Right now I am feeding him Pretty Pets since its all I can afford till next week. So does any one know where I could find Spikes Delight in Edmonton,AB sadly PJs doesn't have it nor can they get it... Though I have been told to check Pets Mart...

Does PJ's have quality cat food?
If so the high quality cat food is better for your Hedgie then the Spikes Delight Hedgehog food.
Reaper has made a great list for good Hedgie cat food's you can find it here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15
It would probably be easier to find the cat food's then the hedgehog foods.

Good luck!

gyaku

· #37 · Jul 11, 2009

I think I should check into that (I know save on foods has kibbles and many other good cat foods, the main problem right now is that I just have $12 and last I checked the smallest bag of cat food is $12 before taxes [gst only at 5%] so I am pretty much stuck till payday. I have tried giving him apple shavings to try and make his diet better, first day its gone in 30seconds, second day he dumps his treat bowl then goes to sleep in his house.)

Immortalia

· #38 · Jul 12, 2009

Careful with giving too many treats when he's still new and adjusting to his new home.

Later on, for fiber, GrapeNuts cereal or infant rice cereal are popular choices here. (infant rice more so because it can be sprinkled on like a powder)

Also, when you buy the new cat kibble, you'll find that your hedgie will completely ignore the PP and eat only the cat food. During that time frame, stock up on a can of pumpkin(scoop them into ice cube rack and freeze, then bag, so the entire can doesn't go to waste and you always have it on hand), or squash baby food. And also stay away from giving treats during the switch, and give the pumpkin or squash when you notice the poop is not as firm as it should be. You might also get some very soft, greenish poop. It's usually from the change in food.

Last I checked(In Toronto Ontario), PJ's carried Wellness, and PetSmart carried Blue Spa and Authority. This is from remembering off the top of my head, they DO have others, but the Wellness and Blue Spa are two of the better ones they carry.

Also, check the smaller non-chain stores. They're usually the ones that carry just about all of them, like Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Frommes, etc etc. And the "depo's" are also cheaper usually.

See less See more

gyaku

· #39 · Jul 13, 2009

Ok thanks for the info, though I have found the 8 in 1, is that any good? I found it at PJs pets for 7.95 from what it looks it meets all the requirements except for fat which it has a little bit more than suggested.

Reaper

Discussion Starter · #40 · Jul 13, 2009

It is garbage but some hedgies like it. You are better off with a mix of several cat foods.

21 - 40 of 106 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.