Blueberries are edible fruits rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Blueberries make a delicious snack for us, but can Hedgehogs eat blueberries? Is it safe for them? I did some research, and here is what I have found out.
Blueberries make an excellent snack for Hedgehogs. It contains certain antioxidants and vitamins required by our Hedgehogs. On the flip side, blueberries contain traces of acid and sugar, which can lead to several digestive complications. Therefore, it is important to serve in limited quantities.
Now the first question that came to my mind is, what is the nutritional value of blueberries? Also, does it have health benefits for our pets? How many blueberries should I serve me Hedgehog at a time?
I know you have many doubts in your mind, so I have researched everything thoroughly and answered everything for you. Just keep following till the end, and we will cover all the doubts you have in your mind.
Nutritional Value Of Blueberries!
Let us look in detail the nutritional values of 100 grams of blueberries.
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 9.7 mg |
| Vitamin A | 54 IU |
| Vitamin K | 19.3 ug |
| Calcium | 6 mg |
| Phosphorous | 12 mg |
| Potassium | 77 mg |
| Fiber | 2.4 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Protein | 0.74 g |
| Carbs | 14.49 g |
| Calories | 57 Kcal |
| Water | 84.21 g |
Blueberries contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for our Hedgehogs. It helps with their overall body growth. It is packed with vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, calcium, and potassium.
Vitamin C and Vitamin A in blueberries help in the overall development of our Hedgehogs. It also makes the immune system stronger, which prevents various diseases in our Hedgehogs.
It also contains a decent amount of phosphorus and calcium, which is important for teeth growth, bone development, and other nervous system requirements.
Blueberries contain some antioxidants too which boosts the invulnerable framework.
Are Blueberries Good For Hedgehogs?
Blueberries are good for our Hedgehogs if served in moderation. It contains a decent amount of nutrients for them. These nutrients are essential for our Hedgehogs.
Here are some of the benefits of serving blueberries to your Hedgehogs in moderation:
- Makes The Immune System Stronger: Vitamin A and Vitamin C present in blueberries make the immune system of our Hedgehogs stronger. It prevents various diseases.
- Helps The Digestive System: Blueberries contain a small amount of dietary fiber, which helps digestion. It can be useful for our Hedgehogs.
- Bone And Teeth Growth: Calcium and phosphorus help in the development of bones and teeth in our Hedgehogs.
Are Blueberries Bad For Hedgehogs?
If overfed, blueberries can be harmful to our Hedgehogs. They are rich in sugar, which can be terrible for their health. Sugar is the major cause of many diseases in Hedgehogs.
Some of these diseases include obesity, diarrhea, and digestive problems. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor your pet’s sugar intake.
Blueberries also contain natural acid, which can be harmful in large amounts. Too much natural acid can lead to diarrhea, urinary tract infection, and lip sores.
How Many Blueberries Can Hedgehogs Eat At A Time?
You can feed one or two small blueberries to your Hedgehogs at a time. Overfeeding blueberries can lead to several problems.
Blueberries are a treat for our Hedgehogs, and we should serve them like one. This is because of the high amount of sugar in it.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Blueberries?
You can serve blueberries to your Hedgehogs once a week. Serving them more often leads to the problems mentioned above.
Your Hedgehogs might love its taste and ask you for more, but you should not overfeed it at all. You have to control your emotions and serve them in the suggested feeding quantity.
Correct Way To Serve Blueberries To My Hedgehogs!
It is essential to serve blueberries to your Hedgehogs in the correct way. Not doing so might lead to your Hedgehogs not enjoying its benefits.
Follow these simple steps to prepare blueberries:
- The first step is to choose the correct blueberries for your Hedgehogs. You should try to serve fresh and crisp berries to your Hedgehog. Serving unripe blueberries might lead to several problems in our pets.
- Wash the blueberries properly before serving them to them. This will get rid of any dust particles present in it.
- Serve the blueberries to your Hedgehogs either by hand or in a little bowl.
- The last step is to remove any uneaten parts after your Hedgehogs have enjoyed eating their blueberries. This prevents the attraction of rats and flies and. It also helps to avoid the build-up of bacteria.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Frozen Blueberries?
Do not serve your Hedgehogs with blueberries directly from the refrigerator. You can serve them the berries once they are thawed down to room temperature.
However, most Hedgehogs prefer to munch on frozen berries only. Also, frozen berries do not add any extra nutritional value to their diet. Therefore, the best option is to serve your pet with fresh berries only.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Dried Blueberries?
We should never serve our Hedgehogs with dried blueberries. In fact, any kind of fruit in its dried form is not an ideal choice for our Hedgehog.
Dried blueberries are packed with an excess amount of sugar, which might hurt our hedgehogs’ health. It might even lead to choking hazards in them. Therefore, I would advise you not to avoid serve dried blueberries to your Hedgehogs.
Conclusion
- Can Hedgehogs Eat Blueberries? Yes, Hedgehogs can surely eat blueberries.
- Blueberries are packed with certain essential vitamins and minerals required by our pet.
- Blueberries also contain a decent amount of sugar and acid, which makes them a limiting factor for our Hedgehogs.
- Overfeeding can lead to several health problems such as diarrhea, obesity, and diabetes in Hedgehogs.
- A small berry once in a week or so is ideal for them.
- Do not serve them with frozen or dried berries. It might have a negative impact on their health.
- Serve these berries as treats only. Do not make them a part of their regular diet.
