When we own a Hedgehog, it is important to provide them with a balanced diet. This means we will need to provide a diverse range of food groups, to prevent them from getting bored. Due to this, owners are constantly looking for a way to add a variation to their little one’s diet, but can Hedgehogs eat superworms?
I did a thorough research about Hedgehogs and superworms, and here is what I have found out!
Hedgehogs can eat superworms, but not frequently and in small quantities. Superworms are high in fat content, and feeding these insects to your pet regularly could negatively affect their health. Your Hedgehog will gain considerable weight when it’s on a regular superworm diet. It is best to offer your pet superworms as treats.
If you plan to feed your Hedgehogs with superworms, this post has all the info you need. Make the most of what this post has to offer, and get your pet the nutrition it needs!
Can Hedgehogs Eat Superworms?
Hedgehogs can eat superworms. However, they should not be used as a staple food and should only be fed occasionally.
Superworms are high in protein and high fat, which is why they are such an attractive food for our Hedgehogs.
Superworms also contain calcium and vitamin B-12. The downside to feeding superworms to our Hedgehogs is that they can cause other problems like diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
Is It Safe For Hedgehogs To Eat Superworms?
It is completely safe for Hedgehogs to much on super worms. However, it is important that you do not serve them with live super worms.
Live worms are aggressive in nature and they can injure your Hedgehog. Therefore, the best option is to serve your pet with dead or freeze-dried super worms.
Whenever you plan to serve your pet with superworms, it is recommended to keep a close eye on them.
Furthermore, feed your Hedgehog with only one super worm at a time.
Is It Healthy For Hedgehogs To Eat Superworms?
Superworms are the largest of all the feeder insects.
Furthermore, super worms also happen to be one of the most nutritious insects that you can feed your pet Hedgehog.
When it comes to nutrition, superworms are a good choice for your pet because they provide an excellent balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals – specifically calcium, vitamin A, and B-complexes.
When fed to them in moderation, superworms make a healthy treat for our Hedgehogs.
Nutritional Facts
Superworms have the following nutritional content:
- Moisture: 59%
- Fat: 15%
- Carbohydrate: 6%
- Ash: 1%
- Protein: 19%
Superworms contain a good amount of protein, which is an essential nutrient for Hedgehogs.
Domesticated Hedgehogs need protein on a daily basis to help build, repair, and strengthen their muscles. Besides, protein is needed by other organs in the body to function properly.
Superworms are an excellent source of hydration as well. Superworms contain over 50% moisture, which makes them a great source of hydration for Hedgehogs.
Proper hydration is important for Hedgehogs to prevent dehydration, diarrhea, gut impaction, and other health issues.
Is Superworms Bad For Hedgehogs?
Superworms are not an ideal food choice for our Hedgehogs. Overeating superworms can result in severe health problems. Listed below are some of the health hazards that your Hedgehogs might have to face if you overfeed them with superworms:
- Fat Content: Superworms contain a decent amount of fat in them, which can be a problem for our Hedgehogs. Therefore, it is important to limit the service of superworms to our Hedgehogs. Overconsumption of superworms can easily make our little ones obese.
- Hedgehogs Might Get Addicted To The Superworms: Although it sounds crazy, the fact that Hedgehogs easily get addicted to superworms is pretty easy. Just like humans get addicted to fast food, Hedgehogs can get addicted to worms.
Can Baby Hedgehogs Eat Superworms?
Although baby Hedgehogs can eat superworms, the best option is to avoid it as much as possible.
Superworms are too big for baby Hedgehogs. Also, superworms can grow up to 3-4 inches in length and can harm baby Hedgehogs.
The best option for the pet owner is to feed their baby Hedgehogs with small insects.
In addition, the fat content in superworms is too much for baby Hedgehogs. The fats could them to be overweight and prevent them from growing properly.
How To Feed Superworms To Hedgehogs?
It is important to serve the superworms to our Hedgehogs in the correct manner.
To make sure that the process is safe, we need to take care of a few things before serving superworms to our Hedgehogs:
- The first thing you need to consider is the portion. Superworms should be served to our Hedgehogs as treats only. Overconsumption of superworms can lead to severe health problems. The staple portion of your Hedgehog’s diet should be kibble, followed by insects/worms.
- Also, you must always provide your Hedgehogs with fresh superworms only. However, do not serve them with live superworms.
- If the superworms are too big for your Hedgehogs to swallow, you can cut them in half so they are easier to eat.
- Now, it is recommended to serve the worms in your pet’s food bowl. However, you can also choose to hand feed them. The choice is yours.
- You can also serve the worms with your Hedgehogs kibble. This will make sure that your pets get all the essential nutrients. However, please do not end up serving them too much at a time.
- The last step is to remove any uneaten part of the worm from your Hedgehog’s enclosure. This is important to keep the flies away.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Superworms?
The age of your Hedgehog is the deciding factor, according to which you must decide the frequency of serving. However, as a general rule, 1-2 super worms once-twice a week are ideal for Hedgehogs.
Superworms should not be used as a staple food and should only be fed occasionally because it causes other problems like diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
Also, I would advise you to avoid serving superworms to baby Hedgehogs.
How Many Superworms Should A Hedgehog Eat?
Hedgehogs should be given superworms as treats only. You must not make it a part of your pet’s regular diet. Superworms carry a decent amount of fat, which can easily make our Hedgehogs obese.
In addition to this, superworms are rich in protein, which sometimes can be a problem for our pets. Therefore, 1-2 superworms at a time is an ideal choice for the Hedgehogs.
Furthermore, it would be best if you also served superworms to your Hedgehogs based on their age. For example, you can feed the young Hedgehogs with tiny worms.
Conclusion
Superworms are edible insects to Hedgehogs but should not be a staple meal for your pet.
Hedgehogs could get pretty overweight if they’ve had too many superworms to eat. Feed your Hedgehogs with superworms no more than once twice every week.
Do not feed your Hedgehogs more than the recommended number of superworms. You don’t want to have flabby Hedgehogs on your hands.
