Have you found yourself watching a movie at night, enjoying a bowl of popcorn, and feeling guilty that you are hogging it all for yourself?
If you have been tempted to give your hedgehog a little snack, you are not alone. However, as a responsible hedgehog owner, you know you cannot just feed your hedgehog any food.
Can hedgehogs eat popcorn? While it is not part of their normal diet, hedgehogs can eat popcorn, but you need to ensure that it is left plain with no added salt, butter, or seasoning and that any hulls are removed so that it is safe for them to eat.
You can offer your hedgehog one or two pieces of popcorn to munch on now and then as a very special treat, but do not give them the buttery, spiced popcorn that you enjoy while watching a movie!
Feeding Popcorn To Your Hedgehog
It is okay to feed your hedgehog popcorn, but it should only be given to them absolutely plain. There should be no salt, sweetener, spices, butter, or oil added into the popcorn you offer them. It needs to be as plain as possible.
You will also need to remove any hull or hard bits left on the popcorn before you feed it to your hedgehog, as these could get stuck in their teeth and cause pain, or they could be a choking hazard. Your hedgehog is only capable of eating the softest part of popcorn.
Popcorn is considered junk food for hedgehogs and should only be given to them occasionally as a treat. You will need to make a special batch of popcorn to feed to your hedgehog, free from salt and spices.
Making a whole batch just to feed them one or two pieces might not be worth the effort for you.
The Dangers Of Popcorn
There have been some cases where owners have fed popcorn to their hedgehogs, and a hard piece has become lodged in their back teeth. This can be really uncomfortable for the hedgehog, and they will not be able to dislodge the stuck pieces on their own.
You will need to try to dislodge these pieces using your fingers, and as any owner of a hedgehog knows, it can be difficult to get them to comply.
If left stuck, the popcorn piece might stop your hedgehog from wanting to eat, and this could cause quite a few problems down the line.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn?
You might think that if hedgehogs can eat popcorn, they should be able to eat corn, but this isn’t the case.
Hedgehogs should ideally not be fed corn. They are not able to digest the corn properly, and this could cause some serious digestion issues. Corn also does not provide any nutritional benefits to hedgehogs, so it should just be avoided.
Some breeders and hedgehog owners use corn to stock up their hedgehog’s food, but many believe that it isn’t actually worth being fed to your hog, and other fresh foods and pellets should be used instead.
Can I Feed My Hedgehog Store-Bought Popcorn?
If you prefer to buy packets of ready-made popcorn and don’t like making it on your own, you might be tempted to give a piece or two to your hedgehog.
You should not give store-bought popcorn to your hedgehog, even if it is only salted. There will definitely be additives and spices added into the popcorn to preserve it and keep it fresh, and these could cause digestive issues for your hedgehog.
Rather avoid feeding them popcorn altogether if you are not prepared to make a fresh batch at home for them.
How To Make Popcorn For A Hedgehog
The best way to make popcorn for your hedgehog would be to put a small amount of popcorn into a microwave maker or an air-popper. These require little to no butter or oil, which means it is safe to use to prepare plain popcorn for your hedgehog.
You could always make a plain batch of popcorn, feed a few soft pieces to your hedgehog, and then salt the rest to enjoy yourself.
Related Questions
What are good snack options for hedgehogs?
Some recommended snacks for hedgehogs include:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Mealworms
- Boiled chicken
- Hard-boiled eggs
Can I feed my hedgehog peanut butter?
You should avoid feeding your hedgehog crunchy peanut butter, as the peanuts can get lodged in the roof of their mouth or stuck in their teeth.
If you are wanting to feed peanut butter to your hedgehog, make sure it is smooth and only feed it once in a while as a treat.
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