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!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hedgehogs are soooo cute. Thanks for the informative post. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat information! I'm actually looking into getting a hedgehog. Now that I've been living with my roommate and his dog, I really want some kind of pet over the summer. Since I'll be staying with my mom, she said I can't get anything that doesn't live in a cage. So, I really want to get a hedgehog. They're so cute! Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteI do have one question, though. Where should I get a hedgehog? I know from the breeder rather than the pet store, but do you know of any around here?
I actually don't know of any breeders around here, and read that it's harder to find hedgehogs from breeders than pet stores. There are a few different things you can do to see if they're healthy like checking their eyes and making sure thy don't wabble when they walk.I guess I wouldn't advise against adopting one from a pet store; just do all that you can to make sure they're healthy.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is great. Thank you! I have a question that's probably stupid, but I'll ask it anyway... How do you know for sure if a hedgehog is obese and not just big-boned? Ha ha! I know that sounds ridiculous and you should realize if your hedgehog is getting bigger and bigger, but I mean, how can you tell if he or she has always been that way?
ReplyDeleteWell, this is a tricky one because apparently Hedgehogs are naturally a bit on the plump side. But, if your hedgehog has a double chin, or rolls under its arms it's obese. One other indication of obesity is if your hedgehog is unable to roll himself into a ball.
ReplyDeleteIf your hedgehog does become obese it is advised by Hedgehog Central to reduce the amount of treats you're giving, but NOT the amount of dry food as it needs an adequate amount of dry food for the proper amount of nutrients.
Not a stupid question, by the way... from what I read, it's a common concern and pretty hard to tell.
ReplyDelete