8 replies to this topic

[MapleSyrup2026]

Hi, this is mostly for tater and remy because i'm pretty sure they have/had a hedgehog, or know a lot about them, Anyone can answer, i would really appreciate if you did.

 

I do not own a hedgehog, but I plan to get one. My mother says if I get a 4.0 GPA by the end of the school year I can get one (I have a 3.9 right now lol)

 

Here is all the care I know and I want to know if its proper or what I could improve or what would be better. Treat this as if I have a hedgehog right now and this is the care I give them.

 

I will not argue in the replies, but if there is something you say that is wrong or against the care I say, I will reply once to why it is or why i think it is right. I am 100% taking care tips/constructive criticism into recommendation.

 

Here would be my care:

 

 

Enclosure & Enclosure Size

 

The minimum is 4 square feet, but many recommend or say minimum is 8 square feet. My DIY enclosure will be 5 feet by 2 feet, so 10 square feet. 

 

The enclosure will not be a bio active enclosure because I hate bug things, but I will strive for it to be natural

 

The enclosure will be 24 inches high and made from melamine

 

Bedding

The bedding will be mostly paper because I use it for my hamsters and have it

 

There will be multiple substrates like sand, dirt, and possibly a grassy area I dont know. (Im thinking of making it 40% (about 4 square feet)percent paper, 30% sand(about 3 square feet) 15% dirt (about 1.5 square feet )15% (about 1.5 square feet)grass)

 

There will be about 4 inches of bedding, but do hedgehogs need more, do hedgehogs burrow a bit, if so then how much bedding should I add. I have heard somewhere that some hedgehogs burrow but I wanted verification.

 

Hides

 

There will be 2-3 hides. A hay/woven hide, a wooden hide with fleece in it, and maybe an igloo with possible fleece im not sure. Im also thinking of making a DIY tee pee hide from dowels and fleece. I think it would look more natural than a colorful plastic igloo

 

Food

 

So cat food would be fed 2 tablespoons of high quality cat food 5/7 days a week (everyday but tuesday and friday) I would feed 2-4 insects a day. A few bugs including live and dried mealworms, waxworms, superworms, freeze dried crickets, and grass hoppers.

 

I would feed 1-2 tablespoons of chicken wet cat food once a week

 

I would feed 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetables 2-3 times a week

 

The cat food should be 24-35% protein, 8-12% fat, and at least 5% fiber but 15% is what you should strive for

 

The cat foods I found are -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS6J0UF/ref=twister_B089ZF34P7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DT3286S/ref=twister_B0828M7QMF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

I would combine the, because the fat level in one is 12%

The end GA from combining them would be:

32.7% Protein

10.7% Fat

8.4% Fiber

 

Wheel

 

My parents would not allow me to get a Carolina Storm Wheel from etsy because they think they will get their credit card info stolen, so I am unable to get one of those.

 

I would either get a kaytee comfort wheel, or a wodent/exotic nutrition wheel 

 

I would try my best to get a 14 inch wheel, but depending on how big my hedgehog is when I get it is how big of a wheel I get. I am aiming for a 14-16 inch wheel, but if 12 will work then I will go for that (Like a kaytee comfort wheel, or a wodent/exotic nutrition wheel )

 

What wheels do you use/recommend

 

Toys

 

I know hedgehogs enjoy more interactive/"moveable?" toys. I dont know how to explain whats going on inside my head. I heard cat toys and willow balls are great. I don't really know what toys they would really like, so if you know please tell me. Also, do they need chews, I read somewhere they don't, but I would enjoy some verification if possible.

 

Food/Water Dishes

 

I know that water bottle are not natural for hedgehogs and can cut their tongue.

 

The food bowl I have is 1/2 inch shallow and 3 inches wide, does this sound fine? The water bowl is 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall

 

Does it matter what the food or water bowl is made from, they are both ceramic.

 

Wood?

 

Like hamsters, hedgehogs can have decor wood right? Like grapevine and cork flats. Another question is about mopani. Mopani has tannins, and they are toxic but only if eaten, I love mopani and I 3 mopani pieces, could I use this for them?

 

Another question, can I use wooden bedding, I dont think Im planning to but I might sprinkle shredded aspen around.

 

Climbing & Lids

 

Does my hedgehog cage need a lid, will hedgehogs climb. I read that they don't, but again, I would enjoy verification.

 

Grasses

 

Could I implement quackgrass from my backyard (It is safe for hamsters, looks really cool, and some is dried and like a light yellow tan savanna color. I live in the country so its 100% pesticide free and safe)

 

For the grassy area I would use wheat grass, and possible fescue

 

Heating

 

My hedgehog would have a heat lamp set to 78 degrees fahrenheit, are there other ways of heat because my mother is "worried" about fires.

 

Is there a certain lamp I need, or can I use just the general chicken heat lamp

 

Herbs

 

I would feed my hedgehog herb stalks that I grow in my garden.

 

Handling

 

I do not know much about handling. This is all I know

 

Its practically the came with hamsters, let them smell you, start hand feeding, do everything slow, make sure you have their trust, and never randomly pick them up without either the animal go up to you on their own, or lettin them know your about to pick them up.

 

The only different is the quills, I would pick them up with fleece when they finally trust me.

 

I would free roam them whenever possible

 

End Thoughts

 

What were your end thoughts, is there anything you object from, things you agree with , things you recommend, things you think I should change?

 

Thank you 

                                                                                                                                                                                   -MapleSyrup2026

                                                                                                                                                                                        Future Hedgehog Owner

 

Edited by MapleSyrup2026, 07 January 2021 - 03:07 PM.

[~Iris Sun~]

ummmm. Next time, maybe try not to put other member's names in the title. If you want to get their opinions just PM them. Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I'm pretty sure they enjoy getting PM'd! (at least I do)

[MapleSyrup2026]

ummmm. Next time, maybe try not to put other member's names in the title. If you want to get their opinions just PM them. Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I'm pretty sure they enjoy getting PM'd! (at least I do)

I put their name in the title because I know, pretty sure, they have experience with hedgehogs and they have reliable info. 

[~Iris Sun~]

I put their name in the title because I know, pretty sure, they have experience with hedgehogs and they have reliable info. 

Just maybe PM them next time.

 

Don't mean to be rude. Just a suggestion for the future

[Lillias]

If this helps reassure your parents about Etsy, Etsy sellers do NOT see buyer payment information. They see the amount and the address to ship it to, but they don't get any info about the card used. Alternatively, Paypal can be used to pay on Etsy, in which case Etsy doesn't see the credit card info either. If you go with Exotic Nutrition, I'd get the Silent Runner rather than the Wodent Wheel, to avoid that center axle. But some hedgehogs might not like the front panel with the openings.

 

For heat, could you get a space heater?

[MapleSyrup2026]

If this helps reassure your parents about Etsy, Etsy sellers do NOT see buyer payment information. They see the amount and the address to ship it to, but they don't get any info about the card used. Alternatively, Paypal can be used to pay on Etsy, in which case Etsy doesn't see the credit card info either. If you go with Exotic Nutrition, I'd get the Silent Runner rather than the Wodent Wheel, to avoid that center axle. But some hedgehogs might not like the front panel with the openings.

 

For heat, could you get a space heater?

I have had a space heater for a while now. Its not allowed over 72 though. 

Edited by MapleSyrup2026, 07 January 2021 - 05:16 PM.

[Tater]

Hi, this is mostly for tater and remy because i'm pretty sure they have/had a hedgehog, or know a lot about them, Anyone can answer, i would really appreciate if you did. I appreciate you thinking that haha, but I really wouldn't consider myself too knowledgable I have done a bit more research than just the average animal person though as my friend owns one (with not the best care), so I'll try my best to answer

 

I do not own a hedgehog, but I plan to get one. My mother says if I get a 4.0 GPA by the end of the school year I can get one (I have a 3.9 right now lol) Nice

 

Here is all the care I know and I want to know if its proper or what I could improve or what would be better. Treat this as if I have a hedgehog right now and this is the care I give them.

 

I will not argue in the replies, but if there is something you say that is wrong or against the care I say, I will reply once to why it is or why i think it is right. I am 100% taking care tips/constructive criticism into recommendation.

 

Here would be my care:

 

 

Enclosure & Enclosure Size

 

The minimum is 4 square feet, but many recommend or say minimum is 8 square feet. My DIY enclosure will be 5 feet by 2 feet, so 10 square feet. That's an awesome size! 

 

The enclosure will not be a bio active enclosure because I hate bug things, but I will strive for it to be natural

 

The enclosure will be 24 inches high and made from melamine Sounds okay to me You can do a DIY C&C cage too I believe if the melamine plan doesn't work out. 

 

Bedding

The bedding will be mostly paper because I use it for my hamsters and have it That sounds okay, just make sure your hedgie doesn't eat it as it can cause stomach problems (I saw a hedgehog who ate a bunch of their bedding and had to get surgery where they slit the stomach open and had to take it all out, the hedgie recovered! And it's unlikely this will happen, but that video has scarred my thoughts on hedgie bedding heh)

 

There will be multiple substrates like sand, dirt, and possibly a grassy area I dont know. (Im thinking of making it 40% (about 4 square feet)percent paper, 30% sand(about 3 square feet) 15% dirt (about 1.5 square feet )15% (about 1.5 square feet)grass) Hmmm I'm not too knowledgable about all the different substrates yet, but I've seen sand (not sure about dirt) a debated topic. Some say it can cause respitory issues and should only be given in moderation when supervised.  I might just steer clear of it due to the fact it's debated. But if you are comfortable with it then that's your choice I honestly haven't done enough research on this topic enough to know.

 

There will be about 4 inches of bedding, but do hedgehogs need more, do hedgehogs burrow a bit, if so then how much bedding should I add. I have heard somewhere that some hedgehogs burrow but I wanted verification.  Again haven't done/been able to find too much info about bedding, I know some people use fleece as well which isn't burrowable so I'm just not sure.

 

Hides

 

There will be 2-3 hides. A hay/woven hide, a wooden hide with fleece in it, and maybe an igloo with possible fleece im not sure. Im also thinking of making a DIY tee pee hide from dowels and fleece. I think it would look more natural than a colorful plastic igloo That sounds okay to me

 

Food

 

So cat food would be fed 2 tablespoons of high quality cat food 5/7 days a week (everyday but tuesday and friday) I would feed 2-4 insects a day. A few bugs including live and dried mealworms, waxworms, superworms, freeze dried crickets, and grass hoppers.

 

I would feed 1-2 tablespoons of chicken wet cat food once a week

 

I would feed 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetables 2-3 times a week

 

The cat food should be 24-35% protein, 8-12% fat, and at least 5% fiber but 15% is what you should strive for

 

The cat foods I found are -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS6J0UF/ref=twister_B089ZF34P7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DT3286S/ref=twister_B0828M7QMF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

I would combine the, because the fat level in one is 12%

The end GA from combining them would be:

32.7% Protein

10.7% Fat

8.4% Fiber

 

I suck at food for animals, really sorry! I would wait for someone else to respond!

 

Wheel

 

My parents would not allow me to get a Carolina Storm Wheel from etsy because they think they will get their credit card info stolen, so I am unable to get one of those. 

 

I would either get a kaytee comfort wheel, or a wodent/exotic nutrition wheel 

 

I would try my best to get a 14 inch wheel, but depending on how big my hedgehog is when I get it is how big of a wheel I get. I am aiming for a 14-16 inch wheel, but if 12 will work then I will go for that (Like a kaytee comfort wheel, or a wodent/exotic nutrition wheel )

 

What wheels do you use/recommend

 

If you are getting a 12" I believe the wide 12" Silent Runner would work well as it's good quality and a good size most likely  
My friend uses the Kaytee Comfort Wheel and I believe it has worked find for her so far, though I know they aren't the best quality
 

Toys

 

I know hedgehogs enjoy more interactive/"moveable?" toys. I dont know how to explain whats going on inside my head. I heard cat toys and willow balls are great. I don't really know what toys they would really like, so if you know please tell me. Also, do they need chews, I read somewhere they don't, but I would enjoy some verification if possible. I believe they don't need chews, don't 100% trust me on this but I haven't seem much about it. For toys like you said, cat toys, willow balls, etc. those should all work pretty well I believe they enjoy toys that can be moved around in their cage
I've heard that tunnels are good, ones with maybe multiple entrances. Willow or other balls, kinda like you would see with a hamster where you can put a treat or something inside for them to figure out how to get. 
https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Departments/Shop-By-Pet/Hedgehog-Products/Toys.aspx - Some of these toys look good to me, just make sure ones you choose are safe

 

Food/Water Dishes

 

I know that water bottle are not natural for hedgehogs and can cut their tongue. 

 

The food bowl I have is 1/2 inch shallow and 3 inches wide, does this sound fine? The water bowl is 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall That sounds okay to me, don't 100% trust me but I think it sounds okay

 

Does it matter what the food or water bowl is made from, they are both ceramic. I think ceramic is good

 

Wood?

 

Like hamsters, hedgehogs can have decor wood right? Like grapevine and cork flats. Another question is about mopani. Mopani has tannins, and they are toxic but only if eaten, I love mopani and I 3 mopani pieces, could I use this for them?  Not sure sorry

 

Another question, can I use wooden bedding, I dont think Im planning to but I might sprinkle shredded aspen around. I think this is fine

 

Climbing & Lids

 

Does my hedgehog cage need a lid, will hedgehogs climb. I read that they don't, but again, I would enjoy verification. I don't think they'll be able to like climb up the side of a piece of wood (aka your cage wall) and they aren't naturally climbing species to my knowledge. I would still use a lid for added safety, and if you are using a heat lamp it can help secure it.

 

Grasses

 

Could I implement quackgrass from my backyard (It is safe for hamsters, looks really cool, and some is dried and like a light yellow tan savanna color. I live in the country so its 100% pesticide free and safe) 

 

For the grassy area I would use wheat grass, and possible fescue

 

Not sure about grasses sorry :/

 

Heating

 

My hedgehog would have a heat lamp set to 78 degrees fahrenheit, are there other ways of heat because my mother is "worried" about fires. You can use a heat mat as well, as long as it's used properly.

 

Is there a certain lamp I need, or can I use just the general chicken heat lamp Not exactly sure however I've seen this one recommended by quite a few hedgie owners and on a few websites:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PY5Q5Y7?tag=hedge05-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=

 

Herbs

 

I would feed my hedgehog herb stalks that I grow in my garden.

 

Handling

 

I do not know much about handling. This is all I know

 

Its practically the came with hamsters, let them smell you, start hand feeding, do everything slow, make sure you have their trust, and never randomly pick them up without either the animal go up to you on their own, or lettin them know your about to pick them up.

 

The only different is the quills, I would pick them up with fleece when they finally trust me.

 

I would free roam them whenever possible

 

End Thoughts

 

What were your end thoughts, is there anything you object from, things you agree with , things you recommend, things you think I should change? It seems to be pretty decent to me, again I'm not super knowledgable on hedgies so I tried my best with what I knew. I would say a bit more research couldn't hurt, but I mean owning an animal or looking at an animal is just never ending research

 

Thank you 

                                                                                                                                                                                   -MapleSyrup2026

                                                                                                                                                                                        Future Hedgehog Owner

 

Hope I was able to somewhat help! Sorry that I wasn't sure about everything, hopefully someone else will come answer what they know!

[Remy]

Sorry for seeing this super late, I was sleeping. Seeing the title really surprised me, to say the least. I do have a hedgehog, her name is Gizmo. But, I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an expert or anything like that. I think everyone else has answered your questions about as good (or even better) than I could’ve. I know this doesn’t add much to the conversation, but I felt the need to respond just to say that while I do have a hedgehog, I’m not necessarily the best person to ask about all this stuff.

[nebit]

I would reconsider your diet, the Rachel Ray food is not particularly high quality brand. I'd definitely trust Solid Gold more, but that particular Solid Gold food is fish based.

Edited by nebit, 13 January 2021 - 10:38 AM.