treats for hedgies

[spikeymom]

I have tried to give Spikey different treats and he doesn't seem to like anything but his food. I've tried apples, chicken, crickets, worms, blueberries, cheese...he doesn't eat any of it. Should I just put it in his cage and let him get it when he wants? I've been trying to hand feed it to him and he is just not interested. Is he just the world's pickiest hedgie?

Cheryl

[paris26]

How many times have you offered the different treats? Sometimes it takes a few offerings before they realize they like it or not. I had one hedgie who I tried feeding sweet potato baby food too, and he turned his nose up at 5 times. On my last try he decided he loved it! Also, are what kind of insects are you offering? Dried or live? Sometimes you have to break a live mealie and let it lick the guts (yuck!). I found the best time to try new foods with a better success rate was in the playpen after they've walked around for a while. Exercise works up a good appetite!

[spikeymom]

That is a good idea. I usually offer it in the evening after a foot bath or something. Not after play time. I think I'll pass on the gut thing though. :)

Cheryl

[Badger]

I haven't had much luck with treats either. Even after multiple offers I can't get my hedgie to eat anything other than kibble, mealies and crickets. Maybe sometimes they are just picky?

[Ododad]

I haven't had much luck with treats either. Even after multiple offers I can't get my hedgie to eat anything other than kibble, mealies and crickets. Maybe sometimes they are just picky?
Mealies and Crickets are treats. :)
What other things are you offering?

[Badger]

Mealies and Crickets are treats. :)
What other things are you offering?

I've tried lots of things, but after multiple attempts at each thing with no success I've pretty much given up. Things we tried were:

Banana, baby food banana, peaches, plums, mango, strawberries, blueberries, melon, pasta, rice, spinach (which she ate once), cooked carrots, cooked squash, beets, sweet potato (which was a huge mess), broccoli, baby food turkey sticks, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, yougurt.

[razzle]

Have you placed the treats in a "treat bowl" and left it there overnight? Sometimes hedgies are shy eaters, and if you are only hand-feeding the treats, it may be why Spikey isn't partaking. You can try leaving the treats in his cage overnight so Spikey can explore the food when he is ready. Sometimes they just need a little privacy when they eat. :p