3 girls in one cage- eating and drinking more?

[Helen]

I recently, in the last few days, got my three girls to get along well enough to be caged together, and have me not worry. :D

I know that when the girls were in seperate cages, they drank only a little, and they each ate a little under 1 "scoop", my scoop is about 2 tablespoons. They would each get 1 scoop, and a dab of babyfood, or something similar, and some egg or ground turkey or chicken. Just a little bit, since I noticed they all ate that first, and I wanted to be sure they ate their cat food too. They all usually had at least 4-5 kibbles left over every morning, sometimes more.

Since they have been together; I have 2 water bottles on their cage, and I put 3- 1/2 scoops of cat food, and the usual babyfood and egg. I noticed, that they ate it ALL. And they emptied BOTH water bottles in 3 nights! It's more than just allowing for 3 hedgies in one cage; they really are eating and drinking quite a bit more.

Is this something to worry about? Should I increase their food more, or leave the amounts alone? Could they be eating more, because they think there's competition now? They seem to get along well, I never hear them fighting, and they all sleep together. :D

[SherAlana]

I have a similar situation -- I give 3 Tablespoons of my catfood mix, and the sprinkle of treats. This is what I have noticed each night, Nozomi comes out of hiding first and starts chowing down, then Juji joins her, eventually climbing into the bowl and blocking Nozomi out, which she doesn't seem to mind. I never see Annie eat from the bowl. Never. But I assume she must eat something or she would be dead, right? Anyways, no suprise that when I do Wed. Weigh In Juji is almost 400g, Nozomi is 340g, and Annie is the light weight at like 330g. Everyone's weight is pretty steady, so I don't worry too much about the food.

[hedgehog69]

it sounds like they are eating a little more cause they have others in the cage and afrad they wont hav e any left lol

[barton]

IF one of your babies were to eat all the treats then the others might eat more kibble each to make up for it ...just a thought or they are holding eating contests with prizes for the winner.

[Ododad]

JMO but if the food bowl is completly empty in the mornings, then there is not enough food to go around. I always like to see a little bit of food left over that way I know my hedgie got enough during the night and that they have a little bit left over for a midday snack should they want one. Each of my hedgies WILL get up and eat a bit during the daytime.
Maybe try having more than one food bowl. Try giving each their own bowl. Even though they may seem to be getting along really well right now, you wouldn't want a food competition to turn ugly late at night when your asleep and are not present to interfear. Hedgehogs, just like any other animal, may begin fighting for food if there is not enough to go around.

[Steph]

I agree with Ododad. You'll probably see a drop in the amount they eat after a while of being together but for now increase both food and water.

I free feed my hedgies, I don't measure out food, I have a few bigger hedgies but most of them are bigger from pregnancy, etc... I find my hedgies don't really over eat and the more they run in their wheel or in their cage the more the eat and drink so I just don't believe in measuring out food personally.

[Helen]

I only measure out food so I can watch their intake; if someone suddenly stops eating, I want to know about it ASAP.

Over the last couple days, they started leaving a bit more and more until they seem to be back at about their normal intake. :-) I suppose they were just worried about competition, but it seems to be over now. :-)

[Ododad]

I only measure out food so I can watch their intake; if someone suddenly stops eating, I want to know about it ASAP.

Over the last couple days, they started leaving a bit more and more until they seem to be back at about their normal intake. :-) I suppose they were just worried about competition, but it seems to be over now. :-)
Very good, very good indeed.
Keep an eye on them, there may still be an adjustment period for them to go through. Hedgies are solitary animals in the wild and are used to being by themselfs. That's not to say that several females can't share the same home. Many people house their females together with great success. It sounds as if your doing everything right so kudo's to you.
Best of luck to ya!
Billy