Carrots are highly nutritious and have a lot of health benefits for us humans. So, it is common for owners to wonder if their Hedgehogs can eat carrots? Are carrots safe for Hedgehogs? I did some research, and here is what I found out.
Hedgehogs can surely eat carrots in small quantities. Carrot contains a decent amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber, and Beta-carotene, essential for healthy growth and development. Plain-boiled carrot is the best choice for Hedgehogs. Consumption of raw carrots can be a choking hazard for our pets.
It is important to know a little bit about the different types of foods you want to feed your Hedgehogs. Some human food is fine for Hedgehogs, while others can prove dangerous and make them sick.
By reading below, you will learn the benefits and hazards of feeding carrots to your Hedgehog. Also, it is crucial to learn about the number of vegetables to be served to your Hedgehog to avoid any health issues in the future.
Nutrition In Carrots
Let us look in detail what are the nutritional values of 100 grams of carrot holds.
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 5.9 mg |
| Vitamin A | 16,706 IU |
| Vitamin K | 13.2 mcg |
| Calcium | 33 mg |
| Phosphorous | 35 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Fiber | 2.8 g |
| Sugar | 4.74 g |
| Protein | 0.93 g |
| Carbs | 9.58 g |
| Calories | 41 Kcal |
| Fat | 0.24 g |
| Water | 88.29 g |
Carrots are packed with several essential nutrients that are required for our Hedgehogs. Vitamin C present in carrots is a fundamental vitamin for our Hedgehog’s body.
Also, Vitamin A in carrots, is essential for normal vision and bone development of Hedgehogs. Vitamin K in carrots is a major requirement for good reproductive health in Hedgehogs.
Potassium maintains the healthy heart of our Hedgehogs. It also helps in the development of the muscles.
A little bit of fiber present in carrot is also essential for the proper functioning of the Hedgehogs’ digestive system.
Overall, carrots help strengthen the immune system, boost overall health, and prevent various diseases like cancer, tumors, e.t.c.
Are Carrots Good For Hedgehogs?
Carrots are extremely beneficial for our Hedgehogs. It has a lot of nutritional benefits for them.
It is packed with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which are essential for healthy body growth. Vitamin A improves their eyesight, and Vitamin C makes their immune system stronger, preventing many diseases.
Carrots also contain a decent amount of dietary fiber, which helps their digestive system. However, too much of it can lead to the opposite and harm their digestive system. If you feed it to them in the right quantity, then you should not be worried.
It also has antioxidants which helps in maintaining your Hedgehog’s healthy body .
Are Carrots Bad For Hedgehogs?
Carrots are not bad for our Hedgehogs at all if served in a moderate quantity. Although it can lead to several problems if overfed.
It contains a decent amount of sugar which can lead to several problems if served too much. These include diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Sugar is one of the most common causes of several problems in our Hedgehogs. Hence, only feed carrots to your Hedgehogs in a small quantity.
Hedgehogs are not usually allergic to carrots, but yours might be. The symptoms are swollen mouth and an itch in the stomach. If you see any of these symptoms, then immediately stop feeding carrots to your Hedgehogs and visit a vet as soon as possible.
Not only does it contain sugar, but it also contains a decent amount of calcium which is bad for our Hedgehogs if overfed. Overfeeding food rich in calcium can often lead to problems like the formation of bladder stones and urinary problems.
You can avoid these problems by serving carrots in the right amount and mixing it with vegetables that contain less calcium.
How Many Carrots Can Hedgehogs Eat At A Time?
You can feed one or two baby carrots or two halves of 2-inch slices of medium-sized carrots to your Hedgehogs at a time. You must keep in mind that cooked carrots are the best option for our Hedgehogs.
You should serve a cup of vegetables to your Hedgehogs daily which should usually consist of 3 to 4 veggies.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Carrots?
Hedgehogs can eat carrots up to 2-3 times a month. Although it has many benefits for our Hedgehogs, it also contains sugar which can lead to several problems if overfed.
Your Hedgehogs might love it and crave for it, but you cannot serve it to them everyday.
Correct Way Of Preparing Carrots For My Hedgehogs!
Preparing carrots to your Hedgehogs is a very simple process.
Follow these simple steps to serve carrots to your Hedgehogs:
- Choose the correct carrot for your Hedgehogs. Medium-sized carrots or baby carrots are perfect for them.
- Wash the carrots properly. This gets rid of any chemicals and dust presents on it. Also, I advise you to serve your pets with organically grown vegetables only. Vegetables available in the local market are often sprayed with chemicals, which can harm our Hedgehogs.
- You can peel the carrot for your Hedgehogs. This step is optional; you do not need to do it unnecessarily.
- Now, boil the carrots before serving them to your Hedgehogs. Do not add any additives, sugar, salt, or any other thing. They cannot eat raw carrots at all.
- Slice it into smaller pieces so that your Hedgehogs can eat it easily. This removes any risk of choking in Hedgehogs.
- Now you are ready to serve the vegetable to your Hedgehog.
After your Hedgehogs have enjoyed eating their carrots, make sure that you remove any uneaten parts as it prevents bacteria build-up and the attraction of rats and flies.
Related Queries:
Can Hedgehogs Eat Raw/Uncooked Carrots?
Hedgehogs cannot eat raw carrots at all. It can easily lead to choking in our Hedgehogs.
It is essential to boil carrots before serving them to your Hedgehogs. This makes it much easier for our Hedgehogs to eat carrots.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Grated Carrots?
You can surely serve your Hedgehog with some grated carrot. Grated some carrot and mix it with their kibble. It will make a tasty meal for your pet. However, do not end up overfeeding them.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Carrot Tops?
Hedgehogs can eat carrot tops without much problem. Hedgehogs love green tops. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and also potassium.
Do not overfeed it to them as it contains a decent amount of calcium, leading to problems like the formation of bladder stones and urinary problems.
You can serve carrot tops to your Hedgehogs 3 or 4 times a week.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Carrot Skin?
Hedgehogs can eat carrot skin too. Some Hedgehogs do not like carrot skin at all while some cannot stop munching on it.
Make sure that you remove any part of it which is decaying. It can be extremely bad for their health.
