One of the best perks of having multiple pets is saving money on food. Many cat owners are not aware that most cat foods have a high nutritional value and can be fed to other pets that have similar dietary requirements. In today’s article, we will be explaining the diet of hedgehogs, and give our recommendation for the best brands of cat food for hedgehogs.
What type of diet do hedgehogs need?
Hedgehogs are omnivores, meaning they eat food that comes from both plant and animal sources. When it comes to plant sources, hedgehogs like to eat a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes and green beans. We recommend staying away from vegetables that are high in starch, such as chickpeas, corn, and black beans. Concerning animal sources, hedgehogs love small insects such as crickets and mealworms. You can buy these dried insects for cheap prices on amazon.
A hedgehog also requires a lot of protein and fiber in their diet. This is where cat food comes in, as cat’s have a similar dietary need of protein and fiber (just on a much larger scale). For this reason, there are plenty of cat foods that you can feed your hedgehog.
Best Cat Food for Hedgehogs
Below are our recommendations for the best cat food for hedgehogs. Although hedgehogs are able to eat small pieces of meat, we recommend only giving them cat food that comes in the form of kibbles. This is because kibble is much easier for hedgehogs to digest compared to wet cat food. The key is to look for cat food that has a high protein content.
Instinct High Protein Cat Food
As the name suggests, this Instinct cat food line is very high in protein which makes it a great option for your hedgehog. This kibble is grain free, which means it is easy to digest for your hedgehog. The food is also made from raw ingredients, which is much better than vegetable sources.
This high protein kibble is another great option for your hedgehog. The kibble has many probiotics & omegas which lead to healthy digestion. It also comes in a chicken flavor which hedgehogs naturally love.
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management is another great high protein option for your hedgehog. It is used for cat’s trying to gain muscle but also trying to lose weight. This kibble comes in a chicken and rice flavor that is high in digestive fibers.
How much cat food should you feed your hedgehog
You should be very careful when feeding your hedgehog cat food. Hedgehogs are very prone to obesity, so it is important that you feed them a healthy serving size. We recommend feeding a hedgehog once a day. You should give them around 2 tablespoons of cat kibble in each serving. We also suggest giving them an additional teaspoon of either insects or vegetables to ensure they have a balanced diet. Keep a close eye on your hedgehog’s weight, and if you notice they are becoming obese, cut back on the serving size. We also encourage you to play with your hedgehog daily to ensure they are getting enough exercise.
Make sure to always have fresh water available at all times. This is especially important since hedgehogs are consuming a lot of protein and fiber, which require a lot of water to be properly digested.
