The last time we workshopped our blogs in class I received a request from a girl to write one about hedgehogs. She explained that she's going to be moving in with a friend who has one for a pet and she doesn't know anything about them. Well.... either did I. This being the case, I set out on a little research mission and came up with an outline dedicated to hedgehog care, beginning with the basics. (Since I can't figure out how to make an outline on here, I turned it into a Q&A session):
Q. What is a hedgehog?
A. Hedgehogs are small insect eating mammals that are native to places like Europe, Africa and Asia. Since there are no native species to America or Canada the ones that are kept as pets
are Pygmy Hedgehogs from Central Africa.
Q. How do I find a hedgehog that's right for me?
A. First, it's recommended to adopt one straight from a breeder rather than a pet store. This is because a breeder is more likely to know the animals history and parents. Then, when you first pick it up you're going to want to hear it hiss rather than "click" at you. Forget everything you know about cats here as a hedgehog's hiss means fear rather than threat, whereas its "click" is its threat. Hoglets should be six weeks old before they're brought home.
Q. What kind of shelter will my hedgehog need?
A. The hedgehog requires a cage with 24"x24" floor space. If the cage has metal floors and walls you want to be sure it has a top. If you prefer the top of its cage to be open, make sure the walls are glass or slippery plastic. The cage should be kept in a warm place that is free of drafts (~70-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Q. What should I put in the cage?
A. You should layer the bottom of the cage with Aspen, Pine or white shavings (no cedar) about 2" thick. You should perform a light cleaning of the bedding every day, but a complete change is necessary every week. These animals also like to have places to hide out. A small cardboard box works nice, but keep in mind that it must be change ever 2-3 weeks. Optional, but recommended (by me!); toys!!! C'mon, how would you like to spend your life in a cage with only a box? Why not have a little amusement park? Rodent wheels are alright to use, but hedgehog specific wheels are recommended, as they're lined with mesh that prevents their long legs from getting stuck in them.
Q. What do I feed my hedgehog?
A. There is food made especially for hedgehogs, but cat/kitten food is just as good for them. This can be free fed to hedgehogs that are not obese. Supplements to their dry food, like fruit, veggies, cooked meat, crickets and mealworms, should be give three to four times per week. Be sure its food is in a wide bowl that's a bit on the heavier side to prevent it from dumping it and using it as a toy. Ceramic dishes made for rodents work just fine. Also, a water bottle is preferred over an open dish as hedgehogs tend to get too much debris in a dish and it prevents them from getting enough water.
When you bring your hedgehog home on the first day, put it in its cage and leave it alone for the whole day. It is alright to pick it up and hold it for a few minutes in intervals for the first day but keep in mind that it's going to take about a week for your hedgehog to be fully acclimated to its new environment.
Well... I hope you all learned as much by reading this blog as I did while researching it. Any other questions, feel free to leave me a comment and I'll post an answer. It makes my day when someone takes the time to respond to my blog:) Suggested topics are always welcome!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pet Sterilization
This week I'm going to cover some facts and myths surrounding pet sterilization. These surgeries are otherwise commonly known as castration, or neutering, for male pets and an OHE, or spaying, for female pets.
There is much controversy surrounding the necessity of this surgery because of the popular myths regarding it and I want to make the benefits of this surgery as clear as possible, as to expose the risks and/or harm that is likely to be caused by not getting pets sterilized or not getting them sterilized when they are still young.
The absolute clear fact that encompasses all of the others regarding this subject, though, is that the sterilization of pets helps to save companion animal's lives in many ways. For example, if you get your pet sterilized you eliminate the possibility of them reproducing which helps control companion animal population. Their population is a growing crisis and working to gain control of it helps save the lives of either unborn animals or ones waiting patiently in shelters for homes. In short, pet owners play a large part in the ability to control this crisis.
The myths that follow are actual beliefs some pet owners hold about this surgery. I can't recall how many times I received calls from panicky pet owners regarding a sick (from an infection in the uterus or false pregnancy) or possibly pregnant dog or cat and still can't believe some of the excuses people use for not sterilizing their pets. The primary excuse being that the surgery costs too much and they're waiting until they can save enough money for it. A little word of advise to those of you thinking about getting a pet; save up for this surgery eihter before you get it or while you're waiting for it to be old enough to get it! You (especially after reading this, hopefully) know this surgery is a must and keep in mind that it costs a whole lot more to raise a litter and a whole lot more to get the surgery if your pet is pregnant (yes, a female can be spayed if she's pregnant and it's like an abortion, only she can no longer reproduce). There are also many low cost options in place for this surgery and different clinics that do the procedure at discounted rates. Most humane societies also provide vouchers toward this surgery if you adopt a pet from them.
Besides the excuse given above, here are some other myths I've encountered either during my experience at the vet clinic or while surfing the web (it's so handy):
Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy.
Fact: This surgery doesn't have any effect on their metabolism and they're just the same as they were before. In fact, most pets become overweight because of being fed too much and not enough exercise. Pets are meant to be active, some people say for an hour a day, but it really depends on the breed and it's completely different for cats.
Myth: I don't want my dog to feel like less of a man.
Fact: Pets don't have any concept of gender, except for the occasional dominance issues. The fact is that a male can smell a female in heat from a great distance, dog or cat, and will try its hardest to find her if he's not neutered.
Myth: I don't need to neuter my dog, he's not the one having puppies.
Fact: Really? So, a man doesn't have to wear a condom because he's not the one getting pregnant? Come on!
Myth: It's better for them to have a litter before getting spayed.
Fact: I have no idea where this belief arose from or why it's believed. The fact is, every litter born adds on to the almost already staggering companion animal overpopulation crisis. Whether they're found good homes or not, they still take homes away from ones in shelters or out on streets. I once read that 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized every year in animal shelters because they're not adopted. This can be prevented.
Myth: I want my dog to be protective of my house and family.
Fact: Protectiveness is an instinct and has nothing to do with sex hormones.
There is much controversy surrounding the necessity of this surgery because of the popular myths regarding it and I want to make the benefits of this surgery as clear as possible, as to expose the risks and/or harm that is likely to be caused by not getting pets sterilized or not getting them sterilized when they are still young.
The absolute clear fact that encompasses all of the others regarding this subject, though, is that the sterilization of pets helps to save companion animal's lives in many ways. For example, if you get your pet sterilized you eliminate the possibility of them reproducing which helps control companion animal population. Their population is a growing crisis and working to gain control of it helps save the lives of either unborn animals or ones waiting patiently in shelters for homes. In short, pet owners play a large part in the ability to control this crisis.
The myths that follow are actual beliefs some pet owners hold about this surgery. I can't recall how many times I received calls from panicky pet owners regarding a sick (from an infection in the uterus or false pregnancy) or possibly pregnant dog or cat and still can't believe some of the excuses people use for not sterilizing their pets. The primary excuse being that the surgery costs too much and they're waiting until they can save enough money for it. A little word of advise to those of you thinking about getting a pet; save up for this surgery eihter before you get it or while you're waiting for it to be old enough to get it! You (especially after reading this, hopefully) know this surgery is a must and keep in mind that it costs a whole lot more to raise a litter and a whole lot more to get the surgery if your pet is pregnant (yes, a female can be spayed if she's pregnant and it's like an abortion, only she can no longer reproduce). There are also many low cost options in place for this surgery and different clinics that do the procedure at discounted rates. Most humane societies also provide vouchers toward this surgery if you adopt a pet from them.
Besides the excuse given above, here are some other myths I've encountered either during my experience at the vet clinic or while surfing the web (it's so handy):
Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy.
Fact: This surgery doesn't have any effect on their metabolism and they're just the same as they were before. In fact, most pets become overweight because of being fed too much and not enough exercise. Pets are meant to be active, some people say for an hour a day, but it really depends on the breed and it's completely different for cats.
Myth: I don't want my dog to feel like less of a man.
Fact: Pets don't have any concept of gender, except for the occasional dominance issues. The fact is that a male can smell a female in heat from a great distance, dog or cat, and will try its hardest to find her if he's not neutered.
Myth: I don't need to neuter my dog, he's not the one having puppies.
Fact: Really? So, a man doesn't have to wear a condom because he's not the one getting pregnant? Come on!
Myth: It's better for them to have a litter before getting spayed.
Fact: I have no idea where this belief arose from or why it's believed. The fact is, every litter born adds on to the almost already staggering companion animal overpopulation crisis. Whether they're found good homes or not, they still take homes away from ones in shelters or out on streets. I once read that 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized every year in animal shelters because they're not adopted. This can be prevented.
Myth: I want my dog to be protective of my house and family.
Fact: Protectiveness is an instinct and has nothing to do with sex hormones.
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