Cages:
Plastic Bins: I like to use clear plastic storage containers. They are easy to clean, light, and safe for hedgehogs. Most breeders prefer these.You should use the largest clear plastic one that you can get at the store. These are around 100 quarts or larger.
Wire Cages: Some people use wire cages. These provide great ventilation and look nice. Be careful not to use ones with a grate on the bottom because hedgehogs have little feet that get stuck in them. The bars need to be close together so that heads don't get stuck. Also, some hedgies like to climb. Climbing can result in falling. I do not recommend these.
Cavy Cages: I have made a couple of these. They are easy to make and fun. The drawback is that the climbers can get quite high. I had one climb up and stick her head in one of the squares. If her feed had slipped, she could have hung herself. Also, toes get stuck in the top of the chlorplast when they climb. I do not use these with my climbers, due to these problems.
Food:
Use a mix of high protien, low fat cat foods. Some use highly expensive brands, and some use lower cost brands. Many breeders, with years of experience, have not noticed an improvement in health between the costs of brands. I feed our adult hedgies Purina One Chicken and Rice, along with meal worms and green pepper.. You can feed meal worms, crickets etc. a few times a week. Never feed chocolate, grapes, teetri oil, or avocados to your hedgie as they are toxic. This list is not exhaustive. Many like chicken, vegies, and baby foods
Plastic Bins: I like to use clear plastic storage containers. They are easy to clean, light, and safe for hedgehogs. Most breeders prefer these.You should use the largest clear plastic one that you can get at the store. These are around 100 quarts or larger.
Wire Cages: Some people use wire cages. These provide great ventilation and look nice. Be careful not to use ones with a grate on the bottom because hedgehogs have little feet that get stuck in them. The bars need to be close together so that heads don't get stuck. Also, some hedgies like to climb. Climbing can result in falling. I do not recommend these.
Cavy Cages: I have made a couple of these. They are easy to make and fun. The drawback is that the climbers can get quite high. I had one climb up and stick her head in one of the squares. If her feed had slipped, she could have hung herself. Also, toes get stuck in the top of the chlorplast when they climb. I do not use these with my climbers, due to these problems.
Food:
Use a mix of high protien, low fat cat foods. Some use highly expensive brands, and some use lower cost brands. Many breeders, with years of experience, have not noticed an improvement in health between the costs of brands. I feed our adult hedgies Purina One Chicken and Rice, along with meal worms and green pepper.. You can feed meal worms, crickets etc. a few times a week. Never feed chocolate, grapes, teetri oil, or avocados to your hedgie as they are toxic. This list is not exhaustive. Many like chicken, vegies, and baby foods
Bedding
Fleece Liners, kiln dried pine, aspen, vellux, or other cotton/cordoroy liners are often used. Some use Yesterday's News or Care Fresh. There is much debate about what is best. I prefer liners and aspen.
Wheels
Hedgehogs MUST have a wheel. A solid bucket wheel seems to be the wheel of choice. Many store bought ones are not safe for hedgehogs, tip easily and cause injury. You should get a bucket wheel that is especially made for the frame of a hedgehog. We sell these, but others do too.
Toys
Hedgehogs need something to hide in. A bag, hat, or igloo. They like to play with balls that jingle, toilet paper tubes, small plastic toy trucks etc.
Bath Time
Some hedgehogs love bath time and others despise it! Fill a sink about 2 or 3 inches deep with warm water. Then, place your hedgehog gently in the water. Using a mild baby shampoo, like Aveeno Oatmeal Baby Wash, scrub it gently over the quills with a toothbrush. Rinse your hedgie and cuddle in a towel until he or she is completely dry
Fleece Liners, kiln dried pine, aspen, vellux, or other cotton/cordoroy liners are often used. Some use Yesterday's News or Care Fresh. There is much debate about what is best. I prefer liners and aspen.
Wheels
Hedgehogs MUST have a wheel. A solid bucket wheel seems to be the wheel of choice. Many store bought ones are not safe for hedgehogs, tip easily and cause injury. You should get a bucket wheel that is especially made for the frame of a hedgehog. We sell these, but others do too.
Toys
Hedgehogs need something to hide in. A bag, hat, or igloo. They like to play with balls that jingle, toilet paper tubes, small plastic toy trucks etc.
Bath Time
Some hedgehogs love bath time and others despise it! Fill a sink about 2 or 3 inches deep with warm water. Then, place your hedgehog gently in the water. Using a mild baby shampoo, like Aveeno Oatmeal Baby Wash, scrub it gently over the quills with a toothbrush. Rinse your hedgie and cuddle in a towel until he or she is completely dry
Hedgehog Care!
Anointing:
Here is a series of pictures showing a baby anointing. No one really knows why they do that. I believe it's so that they can put new smells that they find in their environment onto their quills to help them blend in as a sort of camoflage. All hedgehogs do this at some point and are absolutely adorable!