food question

[HedgieHaven]

For years I have been useing a mix of Purina Cat and Brown's zoo vital. As with all the hedgehogs I have own this was the only mix I could get them to eat. Could someone tell me why not to use the Brown's? :dunno: I have read posts and lots of websites but it does not say why not to use this brand.

I did pick up Chicken Soup for Adult cats today and tommorow when I pick up the new hedgehog from Sarah she is going to give me some of her mix.

[PrettyHate]

Give me an ingredient listing for the type of zoo vital- and ill be able to help you out.

[PrettyHate]

Alright, I think I found it-

INGREDIENTS IN THE ORDER OF CONTENT:
Corn, Wheat Flour, Soy Flour, corn gluten meal, Poultry Meal, Soybean Oil, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Steamed Flake Corn, Green Split Peas, Lentils, Bananas, Carrots, Raisins, Sugar, Cheese Meal, Propylene Glycol, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Brewer's Yeast Fermentation Product, Vitamin A Palmitate, Animal Sterol (Source of Vitamin D3), Alpha Tocopherol (Source of Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Thiamin Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate (Source of Vitamin K), Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Chloride, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Iron, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Product, Dried Lactobacillus bulgaricus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus lactis Fermentation Product, Lecithin, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Carmel Color.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (min): 15%
Crude Fat (min): 4%
Crude Fiber (max): 6%
Moisture (max): 12%

Here is why it shouldnt be a food (short version)- there isnt a protien source until the 4th ingredient. There is corn, and then some more corn- corn isnt digestable. All the junk before that is fillers-it goes in and they poop it out. Its a waste. There is only 15% protien- there should be at least 34% protien in hedgehog food.

Hope that answered your question :)

[Melody]

I just got my baby hedgie a week ago. They had her on ferret food, which I understand is fine for babies, just not for adults. The ferret pellets are a little "softer" than cat food, meaning they seem easier for her to chew. But based on the info I read here, I went out and bought CSFLCLS-Lite and Royal Canin Lite 37, both cat foods. I fed her a few (2-3) pieces by hand and she loved them, tho I find since they are so hard it's better if I break them up a little so she doesn't have to shove the whole thing in her mouth. I just add two or three of these pellets to her ferret pellets to transition her over. But she likes them so much she picks them out and eats them first. Her poopies have gotten softer & squishier (but not "runny") since this, instead of firm like before. Is this just a transitional thing or should I take away the cat pellets for awhile? She is very calm and not stressed, so I think it is the food change. She also sleeps ALOT (ok I know she is awake when I'm not, but she really is a sleepy head). Is this a normal baby thing? She is eating, drinking and pooping fine, and has gained 12 gm in the last 3 days alone (she weighs 144). Any suggestions or should I just keep this up?

[FiaSpice]

MelodyLavrich, I think it's good you swtich your hedgie to RC and CSFLCLS, I don't know about feerret food, but I,ve never heard someone giving it to baby hedgie. Maybe the switch of food can ocasionate softer or greener poop or it can just be a normal thing for youngster. How old is your hedgie? I was told to cage babycat/kitten food for a couple of months. They are supposed to gain around 35 grams a week. And it's normal for youngs to sleep a lot.

[HedgieHaven]

I got Pooples on CSFLCLS and Purina Kitten Chow ~ has to wing off kitten chow will look into what mix he likes.