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Hedgehogs are cute, sweet, and low-maintenance animals despite their sharp quills. Generally, hedgehogs like to eat and are not picky eaters. But what about popcorn—can you give popcorn to hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs can eat popcorn. Popcorn is an okay snack to give hedgehogs occasionally, but it shouldn’t be their primary food source. However, the popcorn should be plain- meaning no butter, salt, or seasonings. The added ingredients can be harmful to hedgehogs and add no nutritional value.
The rest of this article will discuss if popcorn is good for hedgehogs, a hedgehog’s typical diet, and the good and bad treats to give them. I’ll also go over the best way to prepare popcorn as a treat for your hedgehog. Keep reading.
Is Popcorn Good for Hedgehogs?
We can eat many treats, but they aren’t necessarily good for us. The same goes for hedgehogs! Although hedgehogs can technically eat popcorn, is it good for them?
Popcorn is good for hedgehogs when given in moderation. While it’s not the most nutritious snack, it’s fine to eat. But it’s best to remove the hull of the popcorn before feeding it to your hedgehog. Fruits and vegetables are considered better, more nutritious hedgehog snacks.
Therefore, while popcorn might not be the most recommended snack, it’s suitable for hedgehogs in moderation—granted, it must be completely plain.
What Should Hedgehogs Eat Every Day?
Having a pet hedgehog is a responsibility. It’s best to research and learn about what a hedgehog’s diet consists of and the dos and don’ts of feeding them.
Hedgehogs should eat high-quality hedgehog food every day. Pet hedgehogs and wild hedgehogs have different diets, as hedgehogs in the wild eat various insects and small mammals. However, high-quality hedgehog food gives hedgehogs the nutrition they need every day they’d typically get in the wild.
An excellent, high-quality hedgehog food I recommend is the Exotic Nutrition Hedgehog Food (available on Amazon.com). This hedgehog food is entirely natural, high in protein, and even contains dried mealworms- giving your hedgehog the insects it craves.
Can I Give My Hedgehog Insects?
As hedgehogs in the wild eat various insects, you might want to give your pet hedgehog some of that same experience. Insects are great for hedgehogs, as they’re a good source of protein. However, can you feed your hedgehog insects yourself?
You can give your hedgehog insects caught from the garden, but it’s best to buy insects from a pet store. Garden insects could be exposed to fertilizers or pesticides—not good for your hedgehog’s health. Go on and feed your hedgehog slugs, caterpillars, beetles, worms, or millipedes.
Most people won’t want to feed their hedgehog insects, as the time and money it takes to purchase insects can be challenging. However, you can always raise insects at home and feed them to your hedgehog. A veterinarian may be able to give you advice on how to raise your own insects.
What Treats Are Good for Hedgehogs?
Many treats are good for hedgehogs, and you should incorporate them into your pet’s diet, such as fruits and vegetables.
Apples, bananas, berries, carrots, bell peppers, and asparagus are all treats that are good for hedgehogs. Giving live insects, such as worms or beetles, are acceptable treats that hedgehogs enjoy. However, you should give all treats in moderation.
Before giving your hedgehog any new treats, it’s best to consult a veterinarian beforehand. There are many fruits and veggies that are great for hedgehogs, but there are also many that aren’t. I’ll discuss the treats that are toxic or should be avoided next.
What Treats Are Toxic to Hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs need a specific diet. Since hedgehogs are small creatures, feeding them too much of something bad can cause stomach upsets or even death. So, which treats are toxic to hedgehogs?
Grapes, raisins, avocados, pits, and seeds are treats that are all toxic to hedgehogs. Other treats, such as dried fruits, peanuts, and other legumes, can be dangerous to hedgehogs as they’re a choking hazard to small animals. Therefore, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
If you ever have any questions about a specific hamster treat, it’s best to always contact a veterinarian before giving it to your hedgehog.
What Is the Best Way To Prepare Popcorn for My Hedgehog?
If you want to give your hedgehog popcorn, there’s a specific way you should prepare it so it’s not overly unhealthy for your pet. Many traditional methods to prepare popcorn include oil, butter, salt, and other seasonings—all of which should be avoided with hedgehogs.
The best way to prepare popcorn for your hedgehog is to use a popcorn maker. Using a popcorn maker can allow for little to no use of oil and butter, making the popcorn as plain as possible for your hedgehog. Oil, butter, and salt are all ingredients to avoid giving your hedgehog.
Microwave popcorn often has butter already included, and making popcorn on the stove without oil is challenging. Therefore, a popcorn machine, whether that’s one you can put in the microwave or plug in the wall, gives you a better chance at plain, unseasoned popcorn.
I recommend checking out the Ecolution Popcorn Popper (available on Amazon.com). This popcorn maker has a superb design, provides a way to measure kernels, is dishwasher safe, and is super easy to use. Simply add the kernels, put it in the microwave for a few minutes, and you’ll have popcorn.
Final Thoughts
Hedgehogs can eat popcorn in moderation. Popcorn is a good treat to give to your hedgehog occasionally, but it shouldn’t be the primary part of its diet. Hedgehogs need a balanced diet of protein (best fed through high-quality hedgehog food), fruits and veggies, and even insects (although this isn’t always necessary, depending on the food).
Although popcorn is a good treat for your hedgehog, fruits and veggies are recommended over popcorn. However, if you want to feed your hedgehog popcorn, it’s best to make it yourself in a popcorn maker without any oil or other add-ins.
Additional Information On Animals Eating Popcorn
Are you curious about what animals can eat popcorn? Click here for an animal overview or click on an animal below to find out specific details:
