[Shelbys Mom]

Ok I've had Shelby a little over 2 weeks now I was told she was a year and a half old.
She looks perfectly healthy to me (doesn't look under weight or over weight)
But I think she need her food changed.
She is on Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula. That's what she was on when I got her.
The previous owner said that she Rescued her and that she was on Purina Cat Chow Outdoor or something like that when she got her and she "changed her so the Poo would smell better"
Anyway I don't think it's as nutritious as she needs so my question is. (BTW I've read the cat food list on here just a little confused on where to start)

What would be the best kind to try her on that is not real expensive and that is easy to find and that is healthy and taste's good (to her) to try to change her to first? Then I can add another one later.
And what's the best way to change her over with out upsetting her little tummy?

Also I can't get her to eat ANY kind of treat!
She has ate 2 meal worms since I've had her (previous owner said she loved them) I've tried baby foods and fruit's and she just wants kibble.
Any suggestions?
Sorry it's a long post, Just want my little girl healthy

Thanks!!

 

[dorasdaddy]

sorry, but these foods arent cheap...lol if you are worries if she will eat them or not then i suggest going to petco to get the food. they have a return policy that allows you to return the unused portion within 30 days with reciept. Most of the foods on the list are $6-$10 for a 3# bag. You are right to try to get her off of the cat chow. just make sure to make the change very, very gradual and only introduce one new food at a time. that way if there is an adverse reaction then you know what is causing it. if you have any other questions you ca feel free to pm me.

As for treats, i would hold off on them until she is a little more adjusted to you.

 

[Quills]

I also noticed you said that you're a little overwhelmed on where to start. I know that feeling. I usually wander from cat food aisle to cat food aisle muttering under my breath about protein, fat content, and by products. The sales associates generally give me a wide berth lol Those three areas are a main focus btw. Read back over the list and maybe jot down a few and take those shopping with you. As far as cost, you can can catch some of those foods on sale at Petco and I found Diamond (they make Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul) at a near by Orschelin a farm supply store for a little less money.

Good luck shopping!

 

[Shelbys Mom]

Thanks a lot
Yeah I know they are not really cheap. But if she doesn't like it the dog will probably eat it...lol he loves her cat chow :shock: he will eat anything almost.
I'll make a list to take shopping.
I know you shouldn't have artificial stuff in it and should have a good amount of protein not to much fat should have REAL meat and so on but how much is enough and how much is too much?

 

[dorasdaddy]

protein 30%-33% fat 9%-15% meat as a first ingedient, no by product, no non human grade fillers (brewers rice, brewers yeast,etc) preferably has brown rice or oats as carbohydrate source, try to stay away from corn, corn gluten meal (some companies try to be clever and call corn by its native american name "maize") try to stay away from white rice.....we actually feed a couple of foods that are over the 15% thresh hold, but our girls are runners that have a hard time keeping weight on. with your girl not running well yet, you may want to stay closer to the lower end of the fat spectrum.

 

[Shelbys Mom]

That's very helpful!
Thanks a lot.
She like's to run in circles lol for like 2 or 3 hours but not every night.
Like tonight, she's having a lazy night. Been curled up next to me on the bed asleep.

 

[Quills]

With these foods you should find that you're able to pronounce the majority of the ingredients. There is one thing to make sure to avoid is the avocado based cat food. Avocado is toxic for hedgies

 

[Shelbys Mom]

I'm glad you said that!
Thanks!!
I will also make a "Toxic to Hedgies" list to take with me just to be on the safe side.

 

[dorasdaddy]

Already done for you here

http://hedgehogcentral.com/forums/viewt ... p?f=5&t=40

and here

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1978

 

[Shelbys Mom]

Thanks I will write those down.!
(need to get printer to working)
When I get my printer working I will make a book for me to keep so hopefully I won't have to ask as many questions

 

[Reaper]

Just remember the Dry Cat Food List changes periodically as manufacturers change formulas or new products are added to the list.

 

[Shelbys Mom]

I will keep that in mind and check it often!
Thanks Reaper, what would we do without you?

 

[hedgieluver]

probably go crazy, cuz we have no way of knowing what color mour hedgies are !!!!lol :lol:

 

[Shelbys Mom]

Ok I got her some Iam's Healthy Naturals.
It's the best thing the places around here had!
she seems to like it! so that's good and it smells better then that other stuff.
And the Dog love's it :shock:

 

[LizardGirl]

Actually, Iams is a very, very low quality food. What other brands were there? I'm sure there must have been something better...

 

[Shelbys Mom]

I don't remember all the other name's that were there.. I'll try to write them down next time I go.
But we read all the bags there and the Iams had more meat, less by product and the required protein and fat that I was told was good for her.
The first 2 ingredients are meat's almost all the others first 2 ingredients were corn or corn meal or some other kind of corn.
would the Iams be good for a mix?
if so what else should I mix with it? :|

 

[dorasdaddy]

NONE of the Iams Healthy Naturals have 2 meats as the first ingredient...Chicken-BY-Product is not chicken...it is beaks, feathers, feet, guts and everything else that is not meat...even the bones....this is not healthy at all... and corn as a 3rd ingredient is horrible too. It is just a filler...The foods on the list cant be found at a discount store or grocery store, you either have to get them from a pet store or order them online.

 

[Shelbys Mom]

Well it may not be the best but it's better then what she had.
At least the first ingredient is meat.
And the Pet store's in my town are small and don't have much to choose from. Unless you got a fish.
And getting them online right not is not an option at the moment.
And IMO it doesn't have to be on a list to be a good food.
I'm not saying it's a great food but it's the best we can find at the moment.
When I find a better one I will get it.
Is there a certain one I should look for to mix in?

 

[dorasdaddy]

look, we all just want what is best for hedgies. The foods that are on reapers list are there because they are all natural, no fillers, no by products, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. they are all human grade ingredients and give them the best chance at the longest life possible. You can also check farm supply stores, some of them carry chicken soup for the cat lovers soul and diamond.....

 

[Shelbys Mom]

I didn't mean to offend. I'm sorry if I did. :|
I know Reaper's list is great. and great for hedgie's. I just meant that there could be some that are good (not great) that may not be on the list for whatever reason.
It was the best that the stores I'v been to had.
I didn't even think about a farm supply store.!
I don't think about buying pet food from there.
I will try to get there in a day or so and see if it's got something good.
Shelby is liking the Iams though so is it ok to put in a mix?
maybe a small amount?