17 replies to this topic

[Sussie the hammy]

Basics:

• Hedgehogs are NOCTURNAL, so they shouldn't be woken up day.
• Hedgehogs can only live in temperatures from 70 - 80 degrees F.
• Hedgehogs have quills, making them hard to hold.
• Hedgehogs live anywhere from 4 - 7 years.

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Cage:

• Cage minimum is 6 square feet, ofc go larger, the minimum isn't the recommended.
• Cage needs good ventilation. 
• You should put fleece on the bottom the the cage.
• You will need a hide, large igloo hides work great.
• You might want to put clumped up fleece in the hide.
• Hedgehogs need wheels, the wheel should me from 14 - 20 inches.
• Ofc you will need water and food bowls, but you can use a water bottle for your hedge.
• You will need a litter box, for when your hedge hog decides to go.
• You might need a heat lamp in order to maintain cage temperatures. 

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Toys:

• Cat ball toys are great hedgehog toys.
• Short tunnels are good hedgehog enrichment.
• Small squeaky dog toys make good toys.
• You can make a foraging box …. for foraging.
• Digging boxes are also great enrichment.

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Food / Nutrient:

• In their diet there is high amounts of protein (28-35%), and relatively low amounts of fat (10-12%).
• Your Hedgehog needs fiber, and gets it from insect exoskeletons.
• Bugs are important to your hedge's diet because the bugs give proteins and fiber.
• Mealworms, Superworms, Hornedworms, Waxworms, Beetles, Dubia Roaches, Crickets, and Grasshoppers are good bug options, and your hedge should be given a variety of bugs.
• It's good to feed your hamster HIGH QUALITY cat food at least 2-3 times a week.
• Fuzzy Mice, Pinky Mice, and day old Chicks are good whole prey.
• You can give scrambled or hard boiled eggs as a treat.
• Sinach, Zucchini, Sprouts, Leafy Greens, and Berries make good treats.
• DON'T get commercial hedgehog food, as that food can be bad for them.

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This is kind of just an over view, I recommend doing your own research. 

Edited by Sussie the hammy, 06 January 2021 - 08:00 AM.

[MapleSyrup2026]

Hedgehogs do not need only fleece. If fact, thye do not need it at all. You can also use paper bedding, or aspen. Please add this so other members know, also many hamster owners have both or one of these beddings so it should be on the list.

[Sussie the hammy]

Hedgehogs do not need only fleece. If fact, thye do not need it at all. You can also use paper bedding, or aspen. Please add this so other members know, also many hamster owners have both or one of these beddings so it should be on the list.

oh ok, thanks

[CaramelTheHamster]

Very lovely care guide! I think you did a good job! Also you did right "It's good to feed your hamster HIGH QUALITY cat food at least 2-3 times a week" instead of hedgehogs hehe.  

[Sussie the hammy]

Very lovely care guide! I think you did a good job! Also you did right "It's good to feed your hamster HIGH QUALITY cat food at least 2-3 times a week" instead of hedgehogs hehe.  

Thank you!!

[Remy]

Most hedgehogs can use 12” wheels just fine The cat food also should be poultry-based, and they should be fed it every single day. The veggies/insects are fed alongside cat food daily, not in place of it.

I thought I should add that it should also be dry food, not wet. Besides that, I like it!

Edited by Remy, 06 January 2021 - 10:22 AM.

[MapleSyrup2026]

Most hedgehogs can use 12” wheels just fine The cat food also should be poultry-based, and they should be fed it every single day. The veggies/insects are fed alongside cat food daily, not in place of it.

I thought I should add that it should also be dry food, not wet. Besides that, I like it!

Actually is just has to be meat based and it can be any meat as long as its not fish, but chicken is a very common & reccomeneded one.

Edited by MapleSyrup2026, 06 January 2021 - 10:34 AM.

[Sussie the hammy]

Most hedgehogs can use 12” wheels just fine The cat food also should be poultry-based, and they should be fed it every single day. The veggies/insects are fed alongside cat food daily, not in place of it.

I thought I should add that it should also be dry food, not wet. Besides that, I like it!

The cat food has to be at least meat (except fish) and I was going to put 12-20 inch wheels, but I just don't know the size of hedgehogs so I put 14 to be safe!!

[Remy]

Actually is just has to be meat based and it can be any meat as long as its not fish, but chicken is a very common & reccomeneded one.

The cat food has to be at least meat (except fish) and I was going to put 12-20 inch wheels, but I just don't know the size of hedgehogs so I put 14 to be safe!!

Since hedgehogs need food with high protein and low fat, poultry-based food is the best way to go. Red meat has more fat. As for the wheel size, wouldn’t that be something you would look up before posting a care guide? It just takes one quick Google search to see that 12” wheels are a good size.

[Sussie the hammy]

Since hedgehogs need food with high protein and low fat, poultry-based food is the best way to go. Red meat has more fat. As for the wheel size, wouldn’t that be something you would look up before posting a care guide? It just takes one quick Google search to see that 12” wheels are a good size.

I know, but I was in a rush, and I guess the poultry thing is right, but it isn't the only cat food you can feed .

[Tater]

I know, but I was in a rush, and I guess the poultry thing is right, but it isn't the only cat food you can feed .

If you were in a rush I suggest you look over your care guide once more. There was nothing saying you needed to post it ASAP, and if you want this care guide to help someone it's important to take your time and make sure your info is good

 

This is good, but it's still important to take time when making something as such.

 

I do like this care guide though

[Sussie the hammy]

If you were in a rush I suggest you look over your care guide once more. There was nothing saying you needed to post it ASAP, and if you want this care guide to help someone it's important to take your time and make sure your info is good

 

This is good, but it's still important to take time when making something as such.

 

I do like this care guide though

actually my friend really wanted me to post it because I wouldn't tell her what I was writing about, and I wanted it out before I went to sleep, so there was a rush

[Tater]

actually my friend really wanted me to post it because I wouldn't tell her what I was writing about, and I wanted it out before I went to sleep, so there was a rush

Yes there was rush, but there wasn't a need for rush. You could have simply told your friend or had her wait a bit, it's more important that quality content goes out than rushed incorrect info especially if someone is going to be looking at this for care for an animal

 

I'm not going to respond anymore, because this will turn into an argument, but before you say anything back you know what I have to say based on this post on the one above

[PeanutTheDwarf]

Wait-

 

MICE AND CHICKS?!?!?!?! 

 

yeah im out

[Remy]

Wait-
 
MICE AND CHICKS?!?!?!?! 
 
yeah im out

Feeding them mice and chicks is not a necessity, so I wouldn’t let that deter you from hedgehogs. It’s also essentially no different than feeding them cat food that contains meat: Animals still die either way.