Picky eater

[baller]

So I haven't posted in a while, but since the last time, I got my hedgehog! I named him Gomer (don't ask why... he named himself) and he's so much fun. He's still pretty shy and I'm pretty sure he'll stay that way, but I'm perfectly fine with that! He's warmed up to a few of my roommates, but I'm still wary about letting too many people hold him. My question is if anyone knows anything about CSFTCLSL changing their ingredients or anything... when I got Gomer, I bought Spikes and Select Diet from the breeder, but I'm pretty sure the stuff they gave me of the stuff he'd been raised on had some CS in it too... well I've been weaning him off that b/c it's almost up, to a mixture of the spikes and select plus a little more CS, but he leaves the CS. It's not a huge deal, I don't mind putting a little more spikes in there, but have they changed the ingredients? I know a ton of people feed their hedgies CS (which is why I bought it in the first place) but maybe I just have a picky guy on my hands.
Also... anyone have good ideas for snacks for picky eaters? He'll gobble up crickets (I can't bring myself to try mealworms just yet) but he won't touch carrots or bananas.
Thanks for the help!

[Vincent]

Mealworms aren't nearly as gross if you put them in the fridge. :) It's much easier to spoon them out when they're not wiggling. To tell the truth, I find them much easier and less creepy than crickets! They don't have big eyes that stare at you, and cricket legs make picking out one like a game of 'Monkeys in the Barrel'... their legs all stick together and once you get one, you get them all!
Some other people can give you the specifics, but from my understanding, Spikes has fillers in it and isn't recommended for hedgies. It's not TERRIBLE, but it's not great either. Some hedgies are very picky eaters, which is why a lot of people use several cat foods instead of just one. :) Try experimenting with some different brands, and find two or three that Gomer likes. Most popular brands will sell trial bags at a much lower price than big bags, which gives you an opportunity to 'test' them out on your hedgehog. Here's a helpful little link:
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93744&page=1&pp=15

[Nancy]

There was a change to CS but the formula is supposed to be the same, just they way it was processed is different. Before this change many of my gang would eat nothing but Chicken Soup and I mean NOTHING else. Since the change, those same hedgehogs will now eat the other foods that previously they would not touch. Also I'm going through more Royal Canin now and considerably less Chicken Soup.

[herbiesmom]

My boys have been on Spikes since they were babies and I added Royal canin light 37 as soon as I found some but I could not find a store in my area that sold any of the other mentioned cat foods. So my mix has been half spikes and half royal canin for 5 months. Last week, our Petsmart finally got some blue buffalo spa select so I bought the chicken and rice one. My boys love it. I am gradually adding it to their mix and they are eating those kibbles first. Perhaps you should try that.

[groovychic]

Herbie doesn't eat as much Chicken Soup For the Cat Lovers Soul Either Since they changed it. He's not a fan of the Royal Canine either since it changed. He mostly just eats the Wysong now and leaves the rest or spreads the rest around his cage. I am thinking I need to add a new food or change something. He's getting too darn picky!!!!