TheHedgieDen | Breeder of African Pygmy Hedgehogs in Kingston, Ontario

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Breeder of African Pygmy Hedgehogs in Kingston, Ontario

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Some things to consider before getting a hedgehog

Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature

This is what I feel is the most important consideration when deciding if a hedgehog is a suitable pet for your household.

Hedgehogs are from tropical climates and

MUST be kept ABOVE 72F (22.2 Celcius) at all times.

Even this is not warm enough for many hedgehogs. I find 75F – 76F (23.9C – 24.4C) to be a good temperature that agrees with most of them. This is a must. If you do not keep your hedgehog warm enough he will get sick and die. The easiest way to keep hedgie warm is to turn up the heat in the room hedgie is kept in. A space heater works great also.

If you are the type of person who likes their home cool and cannot stand warm temperatures, a hedgehog may not be a good choice of pet.

Lifestyle

Consider your lifestyle before you decide to adopt a hedgehog. If you are an early to bed, early to rise type of person a hedgehog may not be an ideal choice of pet. By nature, hedgehogs are basically nocturnal meaning they are most active in the evening and middle of the night.

Hedgehogs and children

Hedgehogs are not a good choice of pet for young children. By nature, hedgehogs are most active in the evening and middle of the night. Most young children are in bed before the average hedgehog is thinking of getting up and come morning when the child is getting up the hedgehog is ready for bed. Some hedgehogs can be woken up during the day for short periods of time but are often grumpy. How would you like to be woken up at 3am. A grumpy hedgehog is not ideal for a young child to try and handle. Watching a hedgehog sleep all day very quickly becomes like watching paint dry. Young children loose interest very quickly.

Every hedgehog owner will get poked on occasion. This can happen with even the gentlest hedgehog. After being poked a few times many children will become afraid to handle the hedgehog.

Hedgehogs are quiet shy little animals that startle easily. Young children just by being their exuberant active selves don’t usually have the patience required to enjoy a hedgehog as a pet.

Older children

If your child is to be the primary caregiver for a hedgehog consider his/her abilities. Hedgehogs require much more specialized care than hamsters, rats and mice.

Hedgehogs have specific temperature and lighting requirements that must be followed or the hedgehog can get sick. Hedgehogs also require regular nail clippings, foot baths and baths as well as frequent wheel washings. Sometimes the wheel must be washed daily.

As with all small animals care must be taken to thoroughly wash your hands after handling the hedgehog or cleaning its cage and wheel. Is your child responsible enough to do this and all that is required for the hedgehogs care and safety.

Of course as with all pets it is ultimately the responsibility of the adult to ensure the child is providing proper care and handling of the hedgehog.

Cage Placement

Think of where your hedgehogs cage will be placed. If your bedroom is the only choice consider a few things first. Hedgehogs being nocturnal are up at night. If you are a light sleeper you many not be able to tolerate the constant shuffling, chewing, running, drinking and general cage re-arranging that hedgehogs do. Hedgehogs spend most of the night running on their wheel and even the quietest wheel combined with the pitter-patter of little feet can sound very loud in the middle of the night.

Many people do have their hedgehogs in their bedrooms and get accustomed to and enjoy the sound but it is something to think about before you get a hedgehog if your bedroom is the only place you are able to keep him/her.

So you think a hedgehog is the pet for you?

Can you answer yes to all of these questions?

I realize I MUST provide an environment of at least 72F (23C) or higher at all times or the hedgehog can get sick and die.

I understand that while some hedgehogs may be comfortable at 72F (23C), not all are. Some hedgehogs require as much as 77 or & 78F at all times.

I understand I MUST provide 12 hours of light per day year round.

I realize that a hedgehogs life expectancy is 3 – 6 years and I am willing to provide all the necessary care requirements for the hedgehogs natural life.

I realize that at some point in time I will have to take hedgie to a vet. I realize exotics vets are difficult to find and are expensive.

I have found a hedgehog experienced vet in my area.

I have room to accommodate a suitably sized and hedgehog appropriate cage. I realize hedgehogs are nocturnal and can be noisy if kept in my bedroom

I will be able to provide a wheel for exercise and entertainment and I understand that the wheel will get poopy and need to be washed possibly every second or third day. I am aware that the hedgehog needs a solid surface 11" or larger wheel, NOT mesh or rungs.

I will be able to clean the cage at least once a week or possibly more depending on my choice of bedding material.

I am willing to wash a poopy wheel, daily if necessary.

I am willing to do regular foot baths and an all over bath when necessary.

I am willing to keep toenails clipped.

I am willing to give high quality food and fresh water daily.

I will be able to spend time each day handling my hedgehog and I realize if he isn’t handled regularly he will not stay friendly.

I realize I will get pooped/pee’d on at some point in time especially with a baby.

I realize I will get poked at some point in time even with the most calm laid back hedgehog.

I realize I may get bitten as anything with teeth has the potential to bite.

I realize that some hedgehogs may never be friendly regardless of its genetics and how well it was handled as a baby.

I realize that some hedgehogs are cuddlers, some will just use me to climb over, and some will seemingly want nothing to do with me…. ever.

I understand that 2 male hedgehogs can never be caged together and that many females will not want a cage mate.

I realize hedgehogs will not come when called or learn tricks.

I am aware that only some hedgehogs will become litter trained.

I realize hedgehogs eat bugs and I will be able to feed my hedgehog live bugs.

If you can answer yes to all of these questions then a hedgehog may be a good pet for you.

Things to have ready BEFORE your new hedgehog arrives home:

Cage A cage of at least 2 square feet and preferably 3, 4, or more square feet. Well ventilated and escape proof.

Food dish and water bowl/bottle Ceramic dishes work best as hedgies often put their feet on the side of the dish to eat and drink. Plastic and lightweight dishes are easy to tip. A good inexpensive idea for dishes are individual dip dishes found at the dollar stores.

Food a mix of good quality cat foods. If possible use the food hedgie is already eating. (see feeding your hedgehog)

Hidey home either a hedgie bag, plastic igloo, cardboard box or something hedgie can crawl inside of to feel secure.

Bedding KILN DRIED pine shavings, KILN DRIED aspen shavings, or cloth cage liners. NEVER USE CEDAR shavings or any shavings that have cedar in them. Try to choose a bedding that is as dust free as possible.

A source of extra heat electric space heater, human heating pad, Pet Snuggle safe disks or hand mitten warmers

Thermometer any type of accurate thermometer to ensure hedgies environment is above 72-73 F.

Light source A light nearby that can be left on 12 hours a day. Can be a broad spectrum bulb or just a regular light bulb.

Wheel A large 12" diameter or larger, solid surface wheel. NO MESH OR RUNGS. A bucket wheel is best as hedgie can be injured on the cross bars of normal wheels.

Veterinarian A hedgehog knowledgeable vet located before one is needed in an emergency.

Optional

Litter box a shallow pan or tray large enough to fit under the wheel with about 6" protruding in front of the wheel.

Litter Choose a litter that is as dust free as possible. Yesterdays News, paper towel, Carefresh, Kiln dried pine or aspen shavings are all fine.

No Corncob, No Clumping cat litter, No Clay cat litter

Toys Toilet paper tubes cut lengthwise so hedgie does not get stuck. Plastic cat toys and balls. Small stuffed toys (not loose woven fabrics, no loose threads or loops). Cardboard boxes. Small blankets mounded up to crawl on. Plastic plumbing tubes or ferret tubes and elbows. Must be 4" diameter. You, a hedgehogs favorite jungle gym.

Treats BUGS, mealworms, crickets, silkworms

Weigh scale Hedgehogs are very good and hiding illness and often the first sign of illness is loss of weight. Keeping track of your hedgehogs weight may alert you to an illness in its earliest stages. The best and most accurate type of scale is a digital scale often sold for weighing mail.