Even though they are always accessible, cherries are only picked in the summer. Cherries are not simply a favorite summertime treat, but they are also very nutrient-rich. People can follow the following recommendations to include more cherries in a healthy diet:
- Add dried cherries to fruit and nut mixes, cereals, and granola
- Add fresh cherries to smoothies, yogurt, and fruit salads.
- Eat savory dishes like salads, cheese, shellfish, or pork with cherries.
- Dressings, sauces, and condiments can be made with cherry puree or compote.
- To smoothies, add cherry powder or cherry concentrate.
Although only one kind of cherry is widely known, there are multiple varieties and they all have numerous health advantages. Tart and sweet cherries are the two most common varieties. If you wish to eat more cherries, it's crucial to know that although fresh and frozen cherries offer numerous health benefits, dried cherries and cherry juice frequently include additional sugar, so go for unsweetened kinds. This article, however, focuses on the possibility of feeding cherries to hedgehogs.
CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT CHERRIES?
Yes, hedgehogs can eat cherries, but you should only give them a small amount of the fruit at a time. Large amounts of cherries can result in weight gain and possibly diabetes because they are heavy in sugar and hedgehogs are tiny animals. It is best to remove the seeds and the skin from cherries before cutting them into little pieces and giving them to hedgehogs.
WHAT NUTRIENTS DO CHERRIES CONTAIN?
Although hedgehogs can safely eat cherries in little quantities, to balance a hedgehog’s diet, it is important to always know the nutrients that are contained in any food item that you wish to include in its diet. This will help to keep them from consuming too much or too little of any nutrient. The table below shows the nutrients that 100 grams of cherries contain:
|
NUTRIENTS |
QUANTITY |
|
Water |
88.3 g |
|
Energy |
42 kcal |
|
Protein |
0.69 g |
|
Fat |
0.21 g |
|
Carbohydrate |
10.4 g |
|
Fiber |
1.2 g |
|
Sugar |
6.99 g |
|
Calcium |
11 mg |
|
Iron |
0.64 mg |
|
Magnesium |
8 mg |
|
Phosphorus |
16 mg |
|
Potassium |
115 mg |
|
Sodium |
4 mg |
|
Zinc |
0.07 mg |
|
Manganese |
0.059 mg |
|
Vitamin B6 |
0.047 mg |
|
Vitamin B12 |
0 µg |
|
Vitamin C |
0.3 mg |
|
Vitamin K |
8.1 µg |
|
Thiamin |
0.025 mg |
|
Riboflavin |
0.065 mg |
|
Niacin |
0.26 mg |
BENEFITS OF FEEDING CHERRIES TO HEDGEHOGS.
The following benefits of feeding cherries to hedgehogs can be drawn from the table above:
- Cherries are high in antioxidants: According to some experts, a fruit's antioxidant content increases with its hue. This group includes cherries, which derive their deep red color from the high anthocyanin content they have. Antioxidants called anthocyanin can lower a hedgehog’s risk of developing heart disease, among other health advantages.
- Contributes to maintaining heart health: Cardiovascular disease is significantly increased by high blood pressure. Cherries include potassium and polyphenols, two nutrients that may lower the blood pressure of hedgehogs.
- Cherries are a good source of hydration: Since the hedgehog will probably be more drawn to the fruit than the water bottle, cherries can help your pet stay hydrated, especially if it hasn't been drinking enough water.
- They are rich in vitamin C: Cherries, like many other fruits, are incredibly high in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. Additionally, it aids in bone growth, the prevention of scurvy, and the relief of allergy symptoms. Collagen is an essential component in animals that promotes the health of their bones and joints, and its creation depends on vitamin C.
- They have a sufficient amount of protein: Protein in cherries can assist give hedgehogs energy and the building blocks for robust muscles. It also strengthens a hedgehog’s immune system.
- They are high in fiber: Giving cherries to a pet hedgehog provides them with fiber. Fiber is crucial for a hedgehog’s health since it can balance their digestive system and lessen their tendency to experience constipation and diarrhea.
- Cherries have a lot of vitamin A, which helps the blood transfer oxygen more effectively.
RISKS OF FEEDING CHERRIES TO HEDGEHOGS.
In addition to all the above-mentioned health advantages, cherries are high in calories and carbohydrates. Hedgehogs do not require excess carbohydrates. Hedgehogs like to consume insects, so the nutrients in these fruits won't be well digested, although a few cherries here and there won't hurt. Because they are unable to thoroughly digest them, carbohydrates are not essential for a hedgehog's diet.
Like many other fruits, cherries have a significant amount of sugar in them. Gaining weight as a result of eating too much sugar can be very harmful to a hedgehog's health. Even while you will only be providing a little portion of the cherries, they can still cause your hedgehog to gain weight, develop dental rot, and experience other health issues.
CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT CHERRY SKIN?
A hedgehog cannot be poisoned by cherry skin, but it can choke on it. Also, the skin of the cherry might get stuck in its teeth while chewing. A hedgehog's mouth and throat are very small, so to reduce risk, it is preferable to remove the fruit skin before serving when at all possible.
CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT CHERRY SEEDS?
Cyanide, a poison that could be fatal, is present in cherry seeds. This toxin is dangerous to humans in addition to hedgehogs and other animals. Most people are unaware that the seeds are harmful because we naturally don't eat them, but you must remove any seeds from the cherries you give a hedgehog.
CONCLUSION
Cherries are edible to hedgehogs. They are nutritious, offer a variety of advantages, and there is a considerable probability that your pet will like eating them. It can provide a lot of diversity to a regular diet, but you'll need to wash them thoroughly to get rid of any pesticides, remove the skin and seed, then cut them into smaller pieces so that the hedgehog can eat them. You can only give a little at a time. It is important to note that the appropriate kind of diet is essential for a hedgehog's survival since it helps them live a long and healthy life.
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