lee19
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Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/04 20:58
Hi all,
I just joined and am in line to get one of Kelly's babies! Yay! Anyways, just wondering about protein and fat percentages in the cat food brands... I've read that "good proteins" and "less fat" is what one wants but how much is preferred for hedgies in terms of %? How much fat is too much? Is it good to have pretty high amount of protein or mid-range...? I'm thinking in terms of %s here... 
Also for baby hedgie I noticed in some other posts that using kitten food is good maybe until like 6 mo? Should it be all kitten brands? Or like 1 kitten with some adult formula as well?
Thanks,
Emilee
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mschwindt
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/04 22:40
I will try to find the link for you but from what i can remember you want a protein over 25% with fat lowger then 18%.
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mschwindt
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/04 22:44
I decided not to use a lot of kitten formula's beacause they all had a lot of fat. For a short period I don't think it's a problem bu you don't want to let them eat high fat foods as a general rule. I would see what stasi or one of the other breeders on this site have to say about it.
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HamorHollow
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/05 00:20
mschwindt wrote:
I decided not to use a lot of kitten formula's beacause they all had a lot of fat. For a short period I don't think it's a problem bu you don't want to let them eat high fat foods as a general rule. I would see what stasi or one of the other breeders on this site have to say about it.
Actually, hedgies do really well with kitten food; Purina Kitten to be specific. I don't know if it's the way the kitten food breaks down, but my herd has been thinner and healthier since I added it to my mix and took out some of those 'top quality' foods.
-K
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
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mschwindt
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/06 12:35
That's good to know it wil give me quitw a few more options for what to buy. The thing is I purhase food that my hedgie and my cats can eat. Being that I only have one hedgie the cats are great cause i can switch up her feed more frequently and every one benefits. It also helps use the food befor it goes bad.
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aislinsadia
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/06 12:51
That's what I've been doing recently too  . The cats eat up the rest of the hedgie food, so in general the cats are getting a great varied diet because of the hedgie mix. Finally everyone is up to size/age where they can eat adult, and now I'm waiting for another little hedgie to start it all over again  Luckily the cats are not picky eaters lol.
As far as age goes, I've heard/read/been told that unless your hedgehog is young and already obese, six months is the age when you want to wean them to adult food. Although there is some debate about this... On another hedgehog forum, it seems there are people who advocate not using much kitten food at all, and just wean babies to adult straight off because they are so worried about giving the hedgehogs fatty liver disease. To be frank though, you'd think you'd know your hedgehog was overweight and needed a diet change before it died of fatty liver... Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in
Post edited by: aislinsadia, at: 2008/01/06 12:55
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittehs), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), and Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs). |
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CThogs
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/06 14:01
Whether it is cat or kitten food you really have to go by the percentages for protein, fat, etc. That is more important than whether it is labeled kitten or adult.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
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lee19
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/07 14:30
Thanks for the tips all. So, only 1 poster indicated actual percentages though..  Higher than 25% protein and lower than 18% fat... Is that correct for baby hedgies? Or adult? Any more feedback on the %s for protein/fat is welcome..
Emilee
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jick
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/07 19:15
I'm not too certain but I was under the impression that 18% would be too high and thought more towards 10% was the correct fat content. I'm still using the food I purchased from my breeder so I'm not exactly certain. 
I am interested to know because I'll need to switch over to my own mix within the next few months. I do remember seeing a guideline WITH %'s somewhere but I can't seem to find it now. 
Check out Ham's Blog ! |
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jick
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/07 19:25
I did happen to find an outline of a presentation that someone did on hedgehogs. Once again, I'm not sure of the accuracy but it seems about right. Here is the website outline. And here is the suggested requirements...
Commercial Diets Nutrition Suggested Requirement
Protein - 22%
Fat - 5%
Fiber - 15%
Calcium - 0.9%
Phosphorus - 0.9%
Keep in mind that those were suggested minimums. I imagine that finding the right amount of fat content largely depends on your hedgehog and it's amount of activity.
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CThogs
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/08 06:53
Thanks for the tips all. So, only 1 poster indicated actual percentages though.. Higher than 25% protein and lower than 18% fat... Is that correct for baby hedgies? Or adult? Any more feedback on the %s for protein/fat is welcome..
I tend to go with protein between 30 and 40 % and fat no higher than 12 or 13%. A lot of us feed mixes of a bunch of different foods so each foods percentages are not quite as important as if you are only feeding one or 2 foods.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
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omelette
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/21 19:22
so it is okay to feed hedgehogs kitten formula regardless of age, (mine is almost about a year old) as long as the percentages are correct? i've got two kittens and i'd love to be able to only buy one food and let everyone just share it. right now i'm feeding my hedgie a weight control formula with a protein of 30% and fat at 10%. but if i could just switch her over to the food i feed my kittens that would be great.
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Basil - Guinea Pig
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CandJ327
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/22 20:36
Omelette,
Did you get your hedgie from a breeder?
We got our hedgie from Julie and she sells the mix she feeds. Your breeder might too.
It was inexpensive and our last bag lasted us almost six months. I like getting it from Julie because I know it's going to be balanced.
Ava's mom!
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omelette
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/23 19:13
what's in the mix? i actually got my hedgie from a family who didn't want her anymore.
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Basil - Guinea Pig
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CandJ327
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/23 21:23
You'd have to ask the wonderful and fabulous Julie Pierce
I believe it is five different kinds of cat food?... Maybe Julie or one of the other breeders that feed mixes will weigh in.
Ava's mom!
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Julie Pierce
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/25 11:31
CandJ327 wrote:
You'd have to ask the wonderful and fabulous Julie Pierce
I believe it is five different kinds of cat food?... Maybe Julie or one of the other breeders that feed mixes will weigh in.
Oh Jeanette you flatter me!!!! hahahah Let see the mix has Special Kitty, Purina Kitten, Innova Light, CSFCLS light, Sunscript and sometimes Felidae light if I can find it.
Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
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HamorHollow
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Re:Protein and Fat %? - 2008/01/25 23:48
I would recommend staying away from the Felidae. That was in my mix when I was having all the obesity issues.
-K
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
Join us for Hedgehog Fest 2008
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