kumquat37
User
| Posts: 118 |   |
|
picky eater - 2006/03/21 07:24
I have a question about Kumquat's picky eating. I give him a mixture of three different foods on a daily basis, but he just picks out the pieces of the kitten food I started him out on. I'm assuming this is because the kitten food is higher in fat and therefore tastier. But the other two foods are by far healthier for him, and I'd like to get him to eat those exclusively. I'm afraid that he won't be eating enough by just picking out the kitten kibble from the mix, but I don't want him to think that if he does that I'll just give him exclusively the unhealthy food. Any ideas? If he's hungry enough, will he learn to like the healthy food? More than anything, I just don't want him to starve from being a picky eater!
Thanks,
Gina
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
dzmeadows
Admin
| Posts: 976 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/21 15:43
I think I would start reducing the amount of kitten chow that you are putting into the mix. Hedgehogs are kinda like kids... if they can get away with something, they will try it. If he has less kitten chow to pick out, he may still be hungry when it is gone, and start eating some of his other food. Once he tries it, he may realize it isn't as nasty as he thought it was.
Becca
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
HamorHollow
Admin
| Posts: 2173 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/21 18:04
Throw it all in the blender and chop it up real good. Then he can't pick out only one kind. BWAHAhahahahahaa!
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
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
kumquat37
User
| Posts: 118 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/23 06:19
I've tried putting less kitten food into the mix, but he still just picks it out and leaves the rest. Should I give in and just give it to him? He's got to still be hungry, and I don't want him to starve! Also, it's getting expensive trying to find a healthy food that he likes. I don't want him to turn into a chubby little hedgie from kitten chow though! (although he does run marathons on his wheel)
Haha, the blender thing isn't a bad idea... just trick the little bugger. 
~Gina
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
HamorHollow
Admin
| Posts: 2173 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/23 18:19
What are the other foods in your mix? I've found that they don't like Science Diet and Eukanuba very much. If you have a Walmart near you, 'Special Kitty' is a big hit.
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
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
kumquat37
User
| Posts: 118 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/24 07:26
Right now the mix includes the Iams kitten chow, Purina One Healthy Weight, and Authority Adult (from Petsmart). There is a Wal-Mart nearby, I'll try the Special Kitty, as he's still not very big on pretty much anything else. I did give him a couple mealworms for the first time today, so for the time being, he's a happy camper. 
Gina
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
HamorHollow
Admin
| Posts: 2173 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/24 08:24
ah, Iams is another one that isn't too popular with a lot of hedgehogs. Purina usually goes over well..... my crew loves it.
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
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kiwisoo
User
| Posts: 162 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/24 14:31
Do you feel a mix with kitten chow is necessary if the hedgie is already eating well with Spike's Delight?
Linda
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
HamorHollow
Admin
| Posts: 2173 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/24 22:04
Kiwisoo wrote:
Do you feel a mix with kitten chow is necessary if the hedgie is already eating well with Spike's Delight?
Linda
I'd throw in the kitten chow and phase out the Spike's. Kitten Chow has higher protein, but I think it may break down better then the regular so it doesn't seem to cause the same rates of obesity.
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
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
kumquat37
User
| Posts: 118 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/26 04:22
That's funny that hedgehogs normally dont like Iams, cuz that's all he'll eat! He isn't a fan of the Purnia One either. But I'm going to Wal-Mart tonight so I'll pick up some of that stuff.
I've never tried Spike's Delight, but I think I'm just gonna stick with the cat food.
Gina
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Tavimh
User
| Posts: 68 | |
|
Re:picky eater - 2006/03/26 06:07
Try chicken soup for the cat lover's soul (adult light) if you can find it. Gidgit will refuse treats and eat her kibble instead if it is that kind. It's great for them too.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
Hedgehog Forums 