does anyone know a lot about hedgehogs?
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does anyone know a lot about hedgehogs?
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Posted 2021-12-19 21:08:00 (edited)
I'm planning on getting an emotional support hedgehog sometime in the near future, and I want to do as much research as I can so I can give my hedgie a good life :3 I owned a hedgie previously, his name was Gwin and I essentially rescued him from a bad situation as a class pet with a bunch of kids that didn't treat him well due to ignorance. I really didn't know what I was doing but I managed to give him a loving home and maintain his health, although he eventually developed a tumour and died soon after that, that happened a year-ish ago and I really miss him, and I've been discussing things with my therapist and she's suggested an esa multiple times, so a hedgehog sounds like a good plan to us. anyway what I have currently is: - a cage (I think it's a bit small and I'm highly considering getting a bigger one) - a plush tent and sleeping bag - puppy training pee pads - blankets to line the bottom of the cage (Gwin liked these better than shavings) - cat food (which is what Gwin had eaten his whole life; I also tried giving him some treats like lettuce but he didn't like it) - carrier (for trips to the vet and such) - heating lamp (for cage) and pad (for carrier) - designated hedgehog toothbrush for baths - water and food bowl - plastic exercise wheel I've heard hedgies can be litter-trained, but we never tried it with Gwin- I'd be interested in trying it with my next hedgie though :> what I'd specifically like to know is if I need more or different supplies and where I should buy my hedgehog. I want to adopt/rescue a hedgehog (and idk how to start looking for rescue hedgies) but if it's wiser/safer I'd consider buying from a breeder thanks in advance for any advice you can give me! ^^ |
 🦨 twoducks #15331 |
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Posted 2021-12-20 17:47:33
biggest thing is making sure the cage is 3-4 square feet at minimum :) |
 Moona #976 |
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Posted 2021-12-20 17:49:55
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🦨 twoducks #15331 |
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Posted 2021-12-20 17:50:59 (edited)
What I can absolutely say for sure though is that cat food is not a nutritious source of food for hedgehogs. So please do some research on this particular topic! I know that some people feed their hedgehogs cat food and they do fine but....if we ever get another one it will not eat cat food. They also love insects! Maintaining a correct temperature is super important but I'm sure you have that well in hand! I just wanted to make the note about the food. Also, when I was doing research on the one that we took in I also remember reading (and we tried it with ours and he seemed to prefer it) that is is beneficial if they have to "hunt" for their food. So we scattered ours all around his enclosure and he had to plunder and dig. It was great to watch and enriching for him as well. We had an exercise wheel for him too. One that is enclosed all the way around versus the one that is grated. He seemed to enjoy it! There may be better ones out there than the one that we had, I'm not sure, but he liked having it to run on. Edited to add: "Enclosed" isn't accurate wording here. It was an open wheel like you see for a hamster or what have you it was just flat instead of grated. If that makes sense. Their little feet can get stuck in the holes with the other types of wheel. |
 Lythari #971 |
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Posted 2021-12-20 18:18:23
I hadn't heard of the hunting for food idea, that does sound fun for them :0 and I forgot to list it but I do have a wheel ^^' it sounds similar to what you're saying, it's plastic and there are no holes/spaces/ridges :) |
🦨 twoducks #15331 |
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Posted 2021-12-20 18:22:09
We definitely miss our hedgehog. Good luck on your search for your special spiky potato! |
Lythari #971 |
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Posted 2021-12-21 07:57:22 (edited)
I'm glad you could give your hedgehog a loving and safe home before he passed away <33 |
🦨 twoducks #15331 |
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Posted 2021-12-21 14:19:01
Do you have hidey holes and shelters for the hog? Also you mentioned a plastic wheel which is good, make sure it's big enough for the hog and not designed for a smaller rodent. |
 Blamp (she/her) #48655 |
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Posted 2021-12-21 19:03:11
I might get more but those seemed to be good ^^ and yes, the wheel was made for I think guinea pigs :))) |
🦨 twoducks #15331 |