10 replies to this topic

[Tater]

Hi y'all!

So first, I'm not planning on getting a hedgehog. But my friend does have one, with what I'm assuming is not the best care. 

 

I know for a fact that if for some reason she ever had to rehome her hedgie, she would give him to me. (Of course I would have to convince parents but yeah)

 

So I want to be 100% prepared if this did ever happen to happen. It's a bit unlickely but still. 

 

I also want to know so maybe I can just help guide her in a bit better direction with her hedgie care.

 

So:

 

1. What is the absolute minimum you would go for enclosure size. And what is a size they have a high chance of being happy in.

 

2. Heating and temperatures?

 

3. Food, best diet?

 

4. When are they most active? (Like night, day, etc.)

5. Exercise? Wheel? Etc.

6. Toys, enrichment? 

 

7. Substrate?

 

8. Anything else ya wanna tell me?

[Bearthehammy~]

ill read this too bc my mom wants me to get a hedge hog :-;

[Remy]

1. What is the absolute minimum you would go for enclosure size. And what is a size they have a high chance of being happy in.
I currently house Gizmo in a 2’ by 4’ rabbit/GP cage. From what I’ve seen a lot of people house hedgies in that size.
2. Heating and temperatures?
They need a heat source. I’m actually not sure what the best heating is. Either lamps or heat pads are fine. Gizmo came with a heat pad.
3. Food, best diet?
They need to be fed high quality adult cat food. Hedgehog food in stores is just not good for them. They should get veggies and insects a couple times a week.
4. When are they most active? (Like night, day, etc.)
Hedgehogs are nocturnal.
5. Exercise? Wheel? Etc.
They need 12” wheels.
6. Toys, enrichment?
Hides (especially fleece ones) and large tubes are Gizmo’s favorites.
7. Substrate?
Aspen or paper bedding. They only need a few inches as they don’t burrow.
8. Anything else ya wanna tell me?
Not that I can think of right now.

Edited by Remy, 24 November 2020 - 01:13 AM.

[~Mintyhams47~]

Hehe I was going to right a post with hedgie questions too! They seem like a great pet, except for the whole insect eating thing  So thanks for doing it for me Tater!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

My mom & sister wants a heggie but I say no because

1) they are illegal in PA

2) I just know that we cant care for them

3) they aren't my favorite type of pets.

 

Goodluck!

[Bearthehammy~]

Hehe I was going to right a post with hedgie questions too! They seem like a great pet, except for the whole insect eating thing  So thanks for doing it for me Tater!

*laughs in reptile owner*

[~Mintyhams47~]

*laughs in reptile owner*

I know! I want to have reptiles so much, but the thought of having the insects possibly escape scares me too much to do it! 

[a little furry thing]

1. I think most people say four square feet is the minimum, but that seems very small to me, I'd say around six square feet should be the minimum.

 

2. Hedgehogs should be kept between 72 and 80 degrees. How you acheive this depends on your situation. Some people use space heaters, some use ceramic heat emiters or heat lamps, others prefer heat mats. I wouldn't use a heat mat because that limits the hedgehogs useable space to just the heat mat.

 

3. A lot of people reccomend mixing two or more high quality cat foods and supplementing with feeder insects and veggies. There aren't really any good hedgehog foods on the market so anything marketed towards hedgehogs probably isn't a good option.

 

4. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, like hamsters.

 

5. Hedgehogs enjoy running on a wheel, and many consider it an essential item in their setup. Some hedgehogs also enjoy floortime.

 

6. Lots of hides, different textures, ect. Pretty similar to what you would give a hamster, minus the foraging(unless you are ok with live bugs loose in your room).

 

7. Lots of people use fleece, but loose substrate works just as well. Follow the same rules as you would for a hamster, no cedar or pine, no scented bedding, ect.

 

8. DO LOTS OF RESEARCH!!! But of course you already knew that. Good luck!

Edited by a little furry thing, 24 November 2020 - 01:30 AM.

[lil BIG dwarf]

There expensive

If they get out of the temp range ^^^^^^^ said they could go in to hibernation and (I think?) die

 

There awesome.

 

Dont you see how knowledgeable I am?!

[Quill]

My hedgehog has a 12 inch wheel currently. You can also use a 12 inch UFO disc, but I don't like them because they take up so much floor space. 

 

My hedgehog cage is 3ft x 2ft. I heat it with two CMHs placed a foot apart. They hang pretty low. 

Vertical space does not matter as hedgehogs cannot climb. They are very clumsy and can get hurt if they fall, so you also don't want to have separate levels or platforms. 

 

I used to keep my hedgies on fleece, but I could never clean it properly and it got too expensive and smelly. Now I use a combination of Carefresh and sphagnum moss.

I also use pieces of cardboard in her litter area, under her wheel, and under her food dishes. 

 

She sleeps in a large plastic igloo with a pair of old leggings as a blanket. 

 

She poops in a litter box and all over her wheel.

 

You should never use a water bottle with a hedgehog as they can break their teeth. 

 

You should feed your hedgehog cat food, but never feed them fish.

I feed my hedgehog a mixture of Blue Wilderness Chicken and Natural Balance Green Pea and Duck with Zilla Omnivore Lizard Mix as a side dish. 

She also gets a bit of wet cat food once or twice a week as a treat, and fresh (but dead) mealworms sometimes. She also gets unseasoned chicken, eggs, etc. I also sometimes feed her defrosted pinkies, and I fed a lot of them when she was still a baby. 

 

My hedgehog just turned 5 in December. She is my second hedgehog. My first hedgehog was a rescue, and she lived to be 4. 

Edited by Jolty, 02 January 2021 - 02:41 PM.

[Poptart~]

1. What is the absolute minimum you would go for enclosure size. And what is a size they have a high chance of being happy in.

4x2 I think should be the bare minimum.

2. Heating and temperatures?

Heat lamps are best because heat pads can easily overheat.

3. Food, best diet?

Now I’m not sure if this is true but people say not to feed hedgehog food as it is unhealthy and

instead to feed dry cat food with Protein: 30% - 33% Fat: 10% - 13% Fiber: 3% - 8%

4. When are they most active? (Like night, day, etc.)
Some will  be crepuscular but in general they are nocturnal 
5. Exercise? Wheel? Etc.
12in. Wide
6. Toys, enrichment? 

Fleece hides, cat toys, most toy cars and trucks as log as they don’t have shape edges

and no small detachable parts, stuffed animals, tubes and tunnels.

7. Substrate?

Paper based bedding aspen or fleece are all fine options.

8. Anything else ya wanna tell me?

hedgehogs need a consistent source of  light for about 12-14 hours each day. It's a good idea to have a light with a timer above the cage.