Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn?
The answer to this question lies predominantly in the type of corn. Corn is generally edible and can be safely fed to hedgehogs, albeit in small quantities. However, the versatility of corn also makes it very easy to produce new types of food from it, such as popcorn and cornflakes. Nevertheless, most of these corn-based foods are not edible for hedgehogs due to their nutritional composition and physical characteristics. Consequently, we can therefore say that some types of corn are edible for hedgehogs while others are not.
We’ll be taking a look at some popular types of corn, so you’ll know which ones to feed your hedgehog and which ones to keep far away.
Health Benefits Of Corn For Hedgehogs
These are the health benefits of corn for hedgehogs.
Fiber
Corn contains a substantial amount of fiber which helps keep hedgehog’s guts healthy. Fiber also helps in getting rid of constipation and diarrhea.
Iron And Copper
Corn contains iron and copper, two important minerals a hedgehog needs to ensure a strong immune system and healthy blood flow.
Fat
Corn also has a low-fat content, which is quite beneficial to hedgehogs since eating too many fatty foods can make them obese.
Vitamins
Corn is also rich in Vitamins A and C, which are necessary for reproduction, cell division and helps strengthen the immune system against illnesses and diseases.
Health Risks Of Corn For Hedgehogs
These are the health risks of corn for hedgehogs.
Carbohydrates
Corn is rich in carbohydrates which provides hedgehogs with vigor and energy. However, too much carbohydrate in a hedgehog’s food can cause diabetes, obesity and other related illnesses.
Texture
Corn is a tough vegetable and can easily choke a hedgehog when they swallow it or cause indigestion if they consume too much of it.
Health Risks Of Corn For Hedgehogs
These are the health risks of corn for hedgehogs.
Carbohydrates
Corn is rich in carbohydrates which provides hedgehogs with vigor and energy. However, too much carbohydrate in a hedgehog’s food can cause diabetes, obesity and other related illnesses.
Texture
Corn is a tough vegetable and can easily choke a hedgehog when they swallow it or cause indigestion if they consume too much of it.
Calcium-To-Phosphorus Ratio
The recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in hedgehogs’ food should be between 2:1 and 1:1. That means the amount of calcium should be more or around the same amount as the amount of phosphorus in the food. Using a food’s calcium to phosphorus level as a deciding factor, we can aptly say that corn is not ideal for hedgehogs. Sweet white corn, for example, which is arguably one of the most popular varieties of corn, has only 2 mg of calcium and 89 mg of phosphorus in a 100 g serving. As such, it’s not advisable to let hedgehogs eat corn daily.
What Types Of Corn Can Hedgehogs Eat
Let’s find out which types of corn hedgehogs can eat.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Sweet Corn?
Sweet corn, also known as sugar corn and pole corn, is arguably the most popular type of corn in the world. It is primarily grown for human consumption and contains a fair amount of acids and sugar. Sweet corn can be fed to hedgehogs as a treat.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn On The Cob?
“Corn on the cob” is a cooking term that refers to a cooked ear of sweet corn that is served with the kernels still attached to the cob. Corn on the cob can be fed to hedgehogs as a treat.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn Flakes?
Cornflakes is a packaged cereal often eaten with milk, fruits, and sugar. Cornflakes is produced by toasting corn flakes and adding flavorings such as salt, sugar, and malt. It is not advisable to feed cornflakes to hedgehogs because they find it difficult to digest; it usually contains additives that are unhealthy for them to ingest, and can also choke them when they eat it.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Canned Corn?
All canned foods are processed and contain chemicals and preservatives, which might be detrimental to a hedgehog’s health. Although a little bit of canned corn might not hurt your hedgehog, it’s best to avoid this food since there are safer types of corn and other food your hedgehog can eat.
What Parts Of Corn Can Hedgehogs Eat
The kernels are the only part of the corn plant that hedgehogs should be allowed to eat.
How To Pick The Best Corn For Your Hedgehog
It’s best to feed your hedgehog only fresh organic vegetables and fruits that you obtain from a reliable source. Picking only fresh and organic produce ensures your hedgehogs receive the maximum amount of nutrients from their food without the additional preservatives and chemicals usually found in non-organic foods.
Growing the food yourself is a better option if feasible since it guarantees that you know where the food came from and what was used in growing it. Nevertheless, ensure you follow our little guide below to learn how to pick the best corn for your hedgehog.
Check The Top Of The Husk
The first thing you should do is check the top of the husk for brown holes. Don’t buy any corn with these since they are likely infected with worms.
Feel The Kernels Through The Husk
Run your hand through the corn to feel the kernels through the husk. You don’t want to buy an ear of corn with only half the kernels intact so ensure you always do this to maximize your payment. A healthy ear of corn should also feel plump, so don’t buy it if it feels too thin.
Check The Tarsels
The tarsels of the corn (the part of the corn that sticks out of the top) should be brown and sticky. Black and dry tarsels signify that that particular ear of corn is old.
Check The Color Of The Husk
Only select ears of corn that have green tightly wrapped husks. Yellowish and loose husks usually indicate that the corn is no longer fresh.
How To Prepare Corn For Hedgehogs
- The first thing you should do when you’ve selected an ear of corn for your hedgehog is to wash it first.
- Crush all the corn kernels with a spoon so your hedgehog can easily chew and swallow them.
- You can also decide to cook the corn kernels to soften them up. However, make sure you crush the kernels whether you cook them or not. You should cook the corn by placing the ear of corn in a pot of boiling water and leaving it there for a couple of minutes. Make sure you don’t add any salt or spices to the corn before and after boiling it.
- Leave the corn to get cool before serving it to your hedgehog. You can serve corn alone or mix it with other foods.
- Remember to clean up once your hedgehog is done with the food.
How Often Can Hedgehogs Eat Corn?
You can feed your hedgehog small quantities of corn about once a month. Corn is not the healthiest food for hedgehogs, so ensure you stick to more nutritious foods for your hedgehog’s daily meals.
How To Store Corn
Choose one of the options below.
How To Store Cooked Corn
Wrapping a cooked ear of corn in aluminium foil, putting it in an airtight container, and placing it in the refrigerator is all that is needed to store it.
Cooked corn can be stored in a fridge for about five days.
How To Store Uncooked Corn
Store uncooked corn by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and dropping it off in the crisper drawer of your fridge. You can store uncooked corn unpeeled, so you don’t have to remove the husk if you don’t want to.
Uncooked corn can be stored in a fridge for five to seven days.
How To Freeze Corn
Remove the ear of corn husk and boil the cob for a couple of minutes. Remove the kernels from the cob, place them in a zip lock bag, and put the bag in a freezer.
Freezing corn is the best option if you want it to last relatively long. Corn can last up to a year in a freezer.
Conclusion
Although you may choose to include corn in your hedgehog’s diet, it is recommended to prioritize other foods that offer greater nutritional benefits.
