Hedgehogs are unusual little pets, and changing their diet can occasionally be difficult, particularly when introducing new foods. Knowing what foods you can and cannot feed your hedgehog will make it easier to provide them with a healthy diet and everything they need for regular growth and development.
Naturally, not everything they eat is healthy for them. We’ll examine celery today and see “Can hedgehogs eat celery?”.
No, You should not feed celery to hedgehogs. Celery may not be directly hazardous to hedgehogs, but it can still be harmful to their health. Stick to the traditional hedgehog diet of leafy greens, fresh fruits, and gut-loaded insects to keep your hedgehog as happy and healthy as possible.
Do you want to know more? Learn more about hedgehogs and celery by reading on.
What is Celery?
Celery is part of the Apiaceae family, which also contains carrots, parsnips, fennel, parsley, and cumin, is this aromatic vegetable. Celery was first cultivated in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, where it has long been utilized for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Celery stalks provide soups and smoothies a subtle flavor and crunch to raw salads and dips. Additionally, it is a rich source of antioxidants that prevent cellular damage.
Celery is low in calories and high in minerals and fiber. It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and potassium. 95% of celery is water. It’s a fantastic snack for regular bowel motions or weight loss. It also offers other health advantages.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Celery?
Sadly, celery is not something you can feed your hedgehog. Celery delivers very little in the way of nutrients. Due to their smaller size than people, hedgehogs are less nutritious than humans, so your hedgehog may eventually develop nutritional deficiencies as a result of filling up on unnecessary calories.
In addition, celery contains a lot of salt. For people, this nutritional value is not harmful, but because hedgehogs are smaller than humans, it may be harmful. Dehydration and a high salt concentration can cause many ailments. Over time, the hedgehog cannot even develop some major health problems, such as gastrointestinal distress, if it is fed celery.
You shouldn’t feed celery to your hedgehog. Don’t panic if you’ve only given your hedgehog celery once. Your hedgehog won’t be upset if it eats celery once. But wherever feasible, try not to feed your hedgehog celery.
Basic Diet Of Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are mostly carnivores in the wild, and they feed mostly at night. Their primary sources of food are insects and small young animals. Hedgehogs occasionally consume plant material, including fruit and vegetables. Their favorite foods are earthworms, gut-loaded insects, and occasionally a pinky mouse.
In captivity, it’s crucial to provide your hedgehog with a similar diet. In this manner, your hedgehog will always receive the exact amount of nourishment it requires. Since your hedgehog’s circadian rhythm dictates when it should eat, it is ideal to feed it at night.
Give your hedgehog diet items designed specifically for hedgehogs, including pinky mice and gut-loaded insects. You can also feed prepared meat, like chicken, to your hedgehog. But don’t season, oil, or butter the meat in any way. Add permissible fruits and vegetables to their diet, which we go over below.
Risks of Feeding Celery To Hedgehogs
If you unintentionally feed celery to your hedgehog, it might result in the following failure. Immediately take your hedgehog to the veterinarian for assistance.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration can be caused by high salt levels and celery has a lot of salt in it. Although this nutrient concentration is not harmful to humans, hedgehogs are much smaller, so they may find it to be hazardous. The hedgehog can even suffer from some significant health problems such as stomach irritation if given celery for a prolonged period.
2. Contains lots of pesticides
It is best to always wash vegetables before eating them, even if the skin has been peeled or sliced off, as pesticides can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. The Environmental Working Group compiled a list of vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue that they have found, and celery came in second. Because celery may produce a reduced immunological response, it is not advised to feed it to hedgehogs.
3. Might Induce An Allergic Reaction
A common allergen that can cause very serious allergic reactions in hedgehogs is celery. Celery can cause a serious allergic reaction in hedgehogs if they eat it. This can have symptoms that consist of face edema, rash, irritation, stomach problems, and lightheadedness. Breathing problems and a drop in blood pressure are potential symptoms in extreme cases.
4. Impact on the digestive system
A hedgehog’s digestive tract might not be able to manage the high salt content of celery, which could result in health problems. Starchy foods are generally not recommended for hedgehog consumption. Celery and potatoes, for example. The starch will be too difficult for a hedgehog to digest, which could lead to illness.
5. Blood Clotting
Celery may have an impact on blood clotting because it contains substances that may interact with medications that thin the blood. Because of the increased risk of severe bleeding, hedgehogs shouldn’t consume celery.
6. Choking hazard
Celery is extremely stringy, which increases the chance of choking. Hedgehogs may also be at risk of choking on large celery chunks.
Benefits And Nutritional Value of Celery
Celery is high in fiber and minerals, yet low in calories. It contains potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants. Celery has 95% water. It’s an excellent snack for anyone looking to shed weight or maintain regular bowel movements. However, it also has various health benefits.
Cancer Prevention
Celery contains well-known antioxidants such as flavonoids, vitamin C, and bergapten. They help to neutralize natural molecules in your body known as free radicals, which can injure cells and contribute to cancer and other disorders.
Blood Pressure Management
Celery has high levels of phthalide, a plant chemical. This phytochemical relaxes your arterial walls, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Nutritional Value Of Celery
When it comes to feeding our hedgehogs, we want to ensure that they receive the greatest nourishment possible.
Hedgehogs require a well-balanced diet including protein, fat, and fiber. Celery can be a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals, but it should not account for a large amount of their diet. We recommend that hedgehogs eat a mix of invertebrates, lean meats, and vegetables.
The following are a few nutritional advantages of celery:
| NUTRIENTS | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Water | 95.4g |
| Energy | 14 kcal |
| Protein | 0.69g |
| Fat | 0.17g |
| Carbohydrate | 2.97g |
| Fiber | 1.6g |
| Sugar | 1.34g |
| Calcium | 40mg |
| Magnesium | 0.2g |
| phosphorus | 11mg |
| Potassium | 24mg |
| Sodium | 80mg |
| Copper | 0.3mg |
| Manganese | 1.103mg |
| Selenium | 0.4mg |
| Vitamin A | 4.49mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.07mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.01mg |
Vitamin C. You need this antioxidant to maintain a healthy immune system. Vitamin C can also help your body absorb iron from foods or supplements. Celery root contains around 12.5 milligrams of vitamin C per serving, which is a significant portion of the daily recommended intake of 75 milligrams (for women) or 90 milligrams (for males).
Vitamin K. Vitamin K promotes blood clot formation and bone health. If you take blood thinners, consult your doctor before using celery root in your diet.
Magnesium. This mineral helps strengthen your muscles and nerves while also providing energy, yet many Americans do not receive enough of it in their diets. Low magnesium levels can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Which Foods Are Safe for Hedgehogs?
Although celery is not the best treat or meal for a hedgehog, there are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that are both safe and nutritious.
Hedgehogs require fewer fruits and vegetables than other small animals, but they are still required for their diet. The veggies and fruit must be entirely fresh and raw. If you must cook the vegetable, do so without adding any oil, butter, or flavor.
Additionally, always purchase organic produce for your hedgehog. Organic produce contains fewer pesticides and toxins, which are harmful to humans, hedgehogs, and the majority of other animals. Even if the produce is organic, be sure to thoroughly clean it before serving.
These alternatives may not only taste good, but they also have several health benefits.
| Fruits/vegetables safe for Hedgehogs | Health benefits |
|---|---|
| Fresh tomatoes | Sources of potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. could include antioxidants. |
| Fresh green beans | include iron and the vitamins A, K, and B6. |
| Cooked squash (any variety) | High in fiber, contains Vitamin A and Beta Carotene |
| Apple | Soluble in fiber, linked to lower risk of major health issues. |
| Strawberries | Antioxidants, high in water fiber, contain Vitamin C. |
| Arugula | Contains Vitamins B, A, and K, along with Potassium, and promotes strong bones. |
| Spinach | Helps promote eyesight, packed with vitamins and minerals. |
All you have to do is give them a small amount. Mostly, hedgehogs nibble on veggies. This food group does not contain the majority of what they eat. The majority of these meals are also frequently cooked.
Among the components are turnips, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, collard greens, dandelion greens, green pepper, lettuce, radish, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
Which Other Foods Are Toxic for Hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs cannot eat certain vegetables, such as avocado, corn, garlic, onions mushrooms, potatoes, and tomatoes. First come the veggies that contain alliums, such as garlic and onions. Although people may find these foods to be delicious, consuming them might poison hedgehogs rather dangerously.
Since the allium family consists of a large number of vegetables, you need always make sure your hedgehog isn’t getting any other veggies that are comparable. For example, bear’s garlic is another vegetable that hedgehogs shouldn’t be fed.
FAQs
Q1. Can hedgehogs eat celery?
No, hedgehogs should not eat celery. While it’s not directly harmful, it lacks essential nutrients for hedgehogs and contains high levels of salt, which can lead to dehydration and other health issues.
Q2. What should I feed my hedgehog instead of celery?
Hedgehogs thrive on a diet primarily consisting of insects, lean meats, and some fruits and vegetables. Opt for foods like gut-loaded insects, lean meats like chicken (unseasoned), and safe fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, apples, and green beans.
Q3. Are there any other vegetables hedgehogs shouldn’t eat?
Yes, hedgehogs should avoid certain vegetables like avocado, corn, garlic, onions, mushrooms, potatoes, and tomatoes. These can be toxic or harmful to hedgehogs.
Q4. How much of their diet should be fruits and vegetables?
While fruits and vegetables are important for hedgehogs’ diets, they should only make up a small portion. The majority of their diet should consist of protein-rich foods like insects and lean meats.
Q5. Can hedgehogs eat cooked vegetables?
Yes, hedgehogs can eat cooked vegetables, but they should be prepared without any added oils, butter, or seasonings. Raw vegetables are generally preferred, but cooked vegetables can be offered as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Can Hedgehogs Eat Celery? Never give celery to your hedgehog. Celery provides far too much sodium and dead nutrients. If you have unintentionally given your hedgehog celery already, don’t worry about it, but stop now.
Alternatively, provide your hedgehog with foods that are authorized by it, like leafy greens, fruit, bell peppers, and high-protein meat. While protein should make up the majority of your hedgehog’s diet, if given in moderation and without too many additives, fruits and vegetables also make excellent supplements.