[Reiko711]

So we took reiko to the vet for a general check up since we just got her a month ago and wanted to make sure everything was in good shape....they told us that she was in perfect condition and had one of the best temparments they had seen which was great....but they also said a few things i was confused about and had questions about..
1) hedgehogs can have any fruits or vegetables as long as you take seeds out? i thought some were not good for them from seeing the list on the forum..
2) that hedgies love june bugs and that you can catch them outside and feed them? thought you were only suppose to feed farm raised bugs so you knew what they were raised on and eating?
3) cat food is bad for them and makes there kidneys go out because it is not designed for a hedgehog and we should switch her to a hedgehog food? right now we are feeding her a mix of meow mix wholesome goodness...purina one...and purina one natural goodness....the 2 hedgehog foods he suggested were pretty pets and eight and one...was wondering if i could get some feedback on if this would be good for reiko or not..
Ingredients
Pretty Pets
Ground Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry Meal, Ground Oats, Beet Pulp Fiber, Potato Protein, Wheat Isolate, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Corn Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Product, Dried Streptococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract Product, Choline Chloride, Casein, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ferric Sulfate, D-Biotin, Yucca schidigera Extract, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Oxide, Niacinamide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, BHT (as a preservative), Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of Vitamin K3), Vitamin D3 Supplement, and Cobalt Sulfate.

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein
32.0% (Min)
Crude Fat
5.0% (Min)
Crude Fiber
6.0% (Max)
Moisture
10.0% (Max)
Ash
4.0% (Max)

could not find nutrition facts for 8 in 1 Ultra Blend Select hedgehog foods....any info or tips anyone has is greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Immortalia]

1) Fruits like grapes/raisins can cause renal failure. I know my vet has pinups with that info and how it cause renal failure in dogs. I wouldn't risk it with any other animal. Personally, I'd stick to the list here, and if you wish to try new fruits, make sure it's not acidic.

2) Unless you want your hedgehog ingesting pesticides, stay away from wild caught bugs.

3) Cat food is actually better, especially if you get the brands that are into using human grade products. Just stay within the ranges that Reaper gives (30% protein, <15% fat). The cat foods off of Reaper's list are best.

Feeding Pretty Pets is the equivalent to feeding cardboard. There is no nutritional value.
BHT can cause cancer as well(? I think I read that on here somewhere)

8 in 1 is "ok" to feed, but again, not the most nutritional.
You can check Reaper's list of commercial hedgehog food if you are set to feeding hedgehog food. Though most people here will prefer to feed cat food over hedgehog food any day, until they actually make hedgehog food that is just as nutritional and made with good ingredients.

You will find that most vets will suggest "hedgehog food". Some just don't treat hedgehogs enough to know that cat food is better.

 

[dorasdaddy]

99% Of vets will get into the great food debate with you, our former vet was so argumentative about it the we switched vets. They see"hedgehog food" and gravitate towards that, but hey its not all their fault....most of them think science diet is the best thing since sliced bread and it is utter crap. and high priced crap at that. And most hedgies wont even touch hedgehog food, they no it is no good for them...lol

 

[Reiko711]

yea i definately got into a food debate with him from what i've learned from this forum...and he was trying to justify hedgehog food by saying that cat food caused kidney failure because it was too much for them to process and caused their kidneys to work over time?.....he "supposedly" bred hedgies for 6 years...he was a really nice guy i just know that things i read on here contradicted what he was trying to tell me

 

[hedgielover]

IF it's a low quality cat food or to high in protien I can believe that it would result in kidney disease. The problem with vets is that it is not a requirement for them to know about nutrition in order to get their certification. Also because they treat so many different animals it's harder for them to stay up to date about the best things. It really bothers me that they claim to know about it and give bad advice.

If a vet tells me something I know is wrong I state my case. If they are persitant I smile and nod and do my own thing.

 

[sonicthehedgehog]

just like hedgie lover said...it cant be low quality cat food or anything like that because its bad for the hedgehog and makes it sick.and the seeds can make the hedgie choke,so,its better to take them out.