Hedgehogs love to munch on sweet treats. Corn makes a great snack for us, but what about our Hedgehogs? Can Hedgehogs eat corn? Do Hedgehogs like to eat corn? Is it safe for them? Let’s find out!
Hedgehogs can eat corn in small quantities. They are packed with vital nutrients that have a lot of health benefits. On the flip side, corn is rich in natural sugar, making them a limiting choice. Plain-boiled corn is the best choice for our Hedgehogs. Consumption of raw corn can be a choking hazard for Hedgehogs.
Owning a Hedgehog, you should be aware that the staple diet consists of kibble and insects/worms. Therefore, everything else must be served in moderation.
With that in mind, let’s learn more about the benefits and hazards of serving corn to our Hedgehogs. Also, we shall learn about other corn-based food items that our pets can/cannot eat.
Nutrition In Corn
Let us look in detail what are the nutritional values of 100 grams of corn holds.
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 6.8 mg |
| Vitamin A | 9 µg |
| Carotene | 47 µg |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin | 644 µg |
| Calcium | 2 mg |
| Phosphorous | 89 mg |
| Potassium | 270 mg |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6.26 g |
| Magnesium | 37 mg |
| Carbs | 18.7 g |
| Calories | 86 Kcal |
| Fat | 1.35 g |
| Water | 76.05 g |
Corn is an excellent source of carbohydrates. They are also packed with fiber and minerals. Besides these, corn is also relatively low in protein and fat.
Corn also contains traces of fiber, which is vital for the proper functioning of the Hedgehog’s digestive system. The presence of calcium and phosphorus in corn plays an important role in forming our Hedgehogs’ bones.
The two most essential minerals, iron, and copper are found in corn. Iron and copper always make sure the organism has a healthy immune system to make the blood healthy and robust.
Also, corn is a moderate source of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in corn include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and carotenoids.
Is Corn Good For Hedgehogs?
Corn is good for our Hedgehogs if served in moderation. It contains a lot of nutrients. However, Hedgehogs prefer the husk and silk more than the corn itself.
Here are some of the benefits of serving corn to our Hedgehogs in a moderate quantity:
- It Makes The Immune System More Robust: Antioxidants present in corns are essential for the immune system of our Hedgehogs. It includes Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Carotenoids as well. These nutrients make the immune system stronger and prevent diseases.
- Gives More Energy: Corn has some carbohydrates that provide energy and power to our Hedgehogs for a long time. It also helps with the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
- Healthier Blood: Corn contains iron and copper, which is essential for the blood of our Hedgehogs. These make the immune system stronger and make the blood more healthy and robust.
Is Corn Bad For Hedgehogs?
Corn is not bad for our Hedgehogs if served in moderation. Although, it can be terrible for their health if overfed. This is because of the high calorie and carbohydrate count, making which can lead to several problems.
Here are some of the problems of overfeeding corn to your Hedgehogs:
- Diabetes: Corn contains a decent amount of carbohydrates and sugar, leading to diabetes, which is unsuitable for your Hedgehogs.
- Obesity: The calorie content in corn is high. This often leads to obesity if overfed. It is a widespread problem in Hedgehogs.
- Urinary problems: Corn has a lot of calcium and phosphorus, leading to making bladder stones and some urinary problems if overfed.
- Digestive Problems: Sugar in corn can lead to several digestive problems if overfed. There should not be problems if you feed corn in a moderate quantity since it contains just a tiny, leading amount of sugar.
How Much Corn Can Hedgehogs Eat At A Time?
Hedgehogs should not be served any more than one-two at a time. It is like a treat for your Hedgehogs. Avoid canned corn since it contains a lot of sugar which is not suitable for the health of our Hedgehogs.
Also, it is essential to monitor the serving size to avoid any health problems.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn?
You should not add corn to your Hedgehogs daily diet. You can serve them a small amount once in a while. Also, it would be best if you did not feed the raw kernels to your Hedgehogs at all.
Correct Way To Feed Corn To My Hedgehogs!
It is a straightforward process to prepare corn for your Hedgehogs.
Try feeding the husk the first time you provide corn to your Hedgehogs. Not only do they enjoy it, but it also does not harm them and can be served regularly. Make sure the inner leaves are not sprayed over with pesticides.
The best option is to serve our Hedgehogs with plain boiled corn. Any other form of corn is unfit for consumption by our pets.
Cook the corn kernels in plain water without using oil, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. You can mix the corn with your Hedgehog’s kibble as well. However, please do not end up overfeeding them.
Related Queries:
Can Hedgehogs Eat Baby Corn?
Hedgehogs can eat baby corn in moderation. You can serve it once or twice a week. Baby corn is eaten whole, including the cob as well. You can serve it as a treat to your Hedgehogs, considering that it is fresh.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Sweet Corn?
Hedgehogs can eat sweet corn. It is a great treat for them. They will love it. It contains a decent amount of acids, making sure that you serve it just like a treat and not add it to their daily diets.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn On The Cob?
Hedgehogs can eat corn on the cob in moderation. It can be a treat for your Hedgehogs, and they might love it. It has a high starch content and does not have many nutrients. So, make sure that you feed it to them in a moderate quantity.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Cooked Corn?
Hedgehogs can surely eat cooked corns once in a while. In fact, we should never serve our pets with raw corn. Raw corn is a choking hazard for our Hedgehogs.
It also depends on the way you cook the corn for your Hedgehogs. Boiled corn without any additives makes the best choice for Hedgehogs.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn Flakes?
Corn flakes, or cornflakes, are basically a type of cereal made by toasting flakes of corn. Corn flakes are not suitable for our Hedgehogs to consume. It can be hard for them to digest and even lead to choking hazards.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Popcorn?
Popcorn is a variety of corn kernel which enlarges and puffs up when heated. Hedgehogs can surely eat popcorn once in a while. However, we need to make sure the popcorn we serve our pet does not have oil, butter, or added salt.
Also, overconsumption of popcorn can lead to severe health complications. It can also make our Hedgehogs obese.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Canned Corn?
We should not feed canned corn to our Hedgehogs. Any kind of canned food consists of chemicals and preservatives, which can prove to be terrible for our Hedgehog’s health.
Although a small serving won’t affect their health, I advise you to avoid them as much as possible.
