Arugula is one of the cruciferous vegetables that are less known. Its leaves are very tender but have a spicy, bitter, and peppery flavor, and they taste bitterer as they grow. Arugula is a very nutritious vegetable; its seeds can be eaten whole or when dipped in oil. Just like other vegetables, arugula contains a large number of nutrients, and these nutrients are very advantageous to the body as they help to boost athletic performance and lower blood pressure. Arugula might be used as an ingredient when making pasta, salad, omelets, soups, sandwiches, smoothies, or as a topping for pizza and baked potatoes. This article should help answer some common questions concerning feeding arugula to hedgehogs.
CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT ARUGULA?
Most hedgehogs do not warm up to the taste of arugula because of its spicy nature but YES! Hedgehogs can eat arugula. However, it is advisable to feed it to them in small quantities. Although arugula contains lots of nutrients that can be healthy for hedgehogs, it is important to note also that it contains calcium; therefore, serving it moderately to hedgehogs is commendable.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ARUGULA TO HEDGEHOGS?
Eating fruits and vegetables of all kinds reduces many health risks due to the amount of fiber and high levels of antioxidants they contain. However, to know the benefits of feeding arugula to hedgehogs, it is recommended to first study the contents of the arugula. According to the USDA national nutrients database, 100 grams of arugula contains the following:
|
NUTRIENTS |
QUANTITY |
|
Water |
91.7 g |
|
Phosphorous |
52 mg |
|
Zinc |
0.47 mg |
|
Magnesium |
47 mg |
|
Protein |
2.58 g |
|
Iron |
1.46 mg |
|
Fat |
0.66 g |
|
Carbohydrate |
3.65 g |
|
Potassium |
369 mg |
|
Calcium |
160 mg |
|
Sodium |
27 mg |
|
Fiber |
1.6 g |
|
Vitamin C |
15 mg |
|
Vitamin B-6 |
0.073 mg |
|
Vitamin K |
109 µg |
|
Sugar |
2.05 g |
|
Energy |
25 Kcal |
Due to the nutrients contained in arugula, it could have the following health benefits:
- Arugula contains lots of vitamins that help to reduce the risk of cancer
- The Vitamin K content in arugula helps to prevent metabolic bone disease in hedgehogs.
- Arugula contains a high quantity of calcium which aids the development of strong and healthy bones in hedgehogs.
- It contains a low amount of sugar which helps to prevent the risk of diabetes in hedgehogs.
- Foods containing a large amount of fiber keep people satisfied for a period. Arugula is high in fiber; therefore, it helps to tackle overeating. This prevents obesity in hedgehogs.
- Eating arugula has very positive effects on the heart of hedgehogs. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease due to the high concentration of vitamins in them.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF FEEDING ARUGULA TO HEDGEHOGS?
When trying to pick out foods that prevent diseases and promote the health of hedgehogs, it is advisable to be sure of a hedgehog’s health status because feeding them certain meals may cause more harm to their health. Arugula contains enough vitamin K, which is very good for a hedgehog’s bones; however, too much intake of it could lead to blood clotting, which will cause more harm to hedgehogs if they are already battling with their health. This is why it is advisable to focus on the eating patterns and overall diet because they are the essential factors to be considered.
Also, if arugula is not stored appropriately, it might become contaminated by bacteria which would be very harmful to the health of hedgehogs. It is advisable to get fresh arugula, wash the arugula in clean water and cook for a while before feeding them to hedgehogs. It is equally better to concentrate on giving them a diet rich in a variety of nutrients that they need; than to rely on the nutrients contained in individual meals.
CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT OTHER VEGETABLES?
Vegetables can be excellent treats for Hedgehogs; however, it is advisable to remember that the staple diet of a Hedgehog comprises more of kibble and insects or worms. Hence, it is recommendable not to make vegetables the most part of their diet. Vegetables are the perfect sources of nutrients and minerals; some vegetables are rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A, which are essential for the everyday well-being of a Hedgehog. The vegetables, however, are to be served in the needed quantity; to help hedgehogs live in the pink and to ensure that they enjoy the maximum benefits they should get from vegetables.
Vegetables subsume lots of essential nutrients required by hedgehogs but also contain a lot of sugar. Therefore, vegetables cannot be fed to hedgehogs daily or in large quantities. Consuming extra-large portions of vegetables can lead to ordinarily avoidable health issues such as diarrhea, breathing problems, itching problems, skin inflammation, irritation in the eyes & nose, pain in the stomach, and increased heart rate. For these reasons, it is commendable to be cautious when feeding vegetables to hedgehogs.
It is imperative to be very intentional about the vegetable you serve to hedgehogs. It is advisable to give them boiled vegetables but do not forget to take out any damaged parts in the vegetables before serving them to a hedgehog. Also, be sure to look for the sharp edges of any vegetable because they may hurt your pet. It is commendable to buy only organic vegetables for hedgehogs because not every solid vegetable at the market is safe to be eaten by hedgehogs. Vegetables procured from a local store may contain chemicals that could be harmful to hedgehogs.
CONCLUSION
The rudimentary contents of a hedgehog’s diet are simple to know if one takes the necessary time to learn them. It is paramount to know the essential nutrients required by a hedgehog so that health-damaging mistakes would not occur while feeding a hedgehog, and to have an in-depth understanding of how these nutrients aid the growth and healthy living of hedgehogs in general. The most important thing to remember regarding a hedgehog’s diet is that a presumed healthy hedgehog’s diet has a high amount of protein, but it also has to be low in fat.
It is often a challenge for hedgehog owners to design a balanced diet for hedgehogs. Also, trying to find out what vegetables the pets can eat might be a little confusing and challenging, but I believe this article has provided a slice of clarity. Abiding by the guidelines purported in this article will keep hedgehogs happy, healthy, and nourished; when it comes to their diet.
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