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Episode 145 "HEDGEHOG TALK PART 1"
Hello Pups and Kittens and welcome back for the 145th time to an ALL NEW, never been done before on this podcast episode. This will be the first time Sarah and Chris discuss an animal besides a dog or cat. This week we dive into the fun world of HEDGEHOGS. Now for you who remember the Sega Genesis game "SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" this may have been your only exposure to a hedgie. This will be part 1 of a two part series. Today we discuss "bringing home a hedgehog and what YOU need to know. Next week if all is willing we will have some amazing experts who will give us the insight into the World of the hog. Now a brief recap on supplies you need.
YOUR MUST HAVE CHECKLIST
Large Wire Cage – This is the largest of the Super Pets brand cages. It is sold at PetSmart and many other pet stores. The cage is 40.5″ long and is the cage that we recommend the most if your budget and space allows. As you can see in the picture to the left there is plenty of room for a hide house, food dish, and exercise wheel. This gives a single hedgehog plenty of room for exercise and to have a separate potty area. If you intend to house 2 females together, this would be the size you would need. Any smaller would be too small!
Medium Super Pets Cage
Medium Wire Cage – This is another cage option – the Medium Super Pets brand cage and is 30″ long. This is a good size for a single hedgehog, although if your budget and space allows we recommend the larger cage shown above. It is also sold by PetSmart and many other pet stores. As you can see in the picture to the right, this cage has room for a wheel and all the other necessary items, but would be too small for more than one hedgehog.
Sterilite Container-Clear
Storage Container Cage – If a wire cage is out of your price range or you just want something that is super easy to clean then a good alternative is a Sterilite or Rubbermaid type of storage container (clear or solid is fine). The size needed is at least 30″ long and at least 13″ deep if a lid is needed to accommodate an exercise wheel. To give proper ventilation the top may be cut out and window screen hot glued to fit the opening. But the lid may be left off completely as long as the container is deep enough to prevent the hedgehog from climbing out (with a hiding house inside that depth would need to be at least 10″ above the height of the house). Also, if you own cats, dogs, small children, or other pets that are allowed to roam the house then a lid would be needed. DO NOT DRILL HOLES IN THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER EVEN IF YOU NEED A LID BECAUSE A HEDGEHOG WILL USE THE HOLES AS A LADDAR AND CAN EVEN PUSH A LID OFF TO ESCAPE.
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR INSIDE THE CAGE
Hiding Place – The product pictured is the “Super Pet Igloo” and is sold at PetSmart and many other pet stores. This is the medium sized one that would fit an adult guinea pig. Do not buy the smaller ones that are for hamsters – a hedgehog may fit in the small size as a baby, but will quickly out grow it. There is also an oval or rabbit sized one that they will fit into, but we have found that hedgehogs do not like this size because it is too spacious and does not give that closed-in feeling that they prefer (and the cage must be larger for it to fit into). Another very inexpensive option would be just to use a shoe box without the lid, turned upside down, and with a hole cut in the side for the hedgehog to enter. You just need to change it out every month or so as it becomes dirty.
Water Bottle –The one pictured to the left is a 16 oz “Guinea Pig” size that can be bought at PetSmart. We use the largest size (32 oz rabbit size) for our cages with mothers and litters since they will drink a lot more than a single hedgehog. A smaller 8 oz size would be fine for one hedgehog. We like bottles that are fairly see-through so that the water level and the cleanliness of the bottle can be seen easily. When using water bottles always remember to tighten the lid adequately to prevent dripping which would saturate the bedding. Also, make sure that the “ball” rolls easily to the tip of the nozzle or the hedgehog will not be able to get water easily – tap the tip while it is hanging in the cage to make sure water drips out easily. The Oasis brand “8 oz Bell” water bottle pictured to the left can be bought with a metal hanger that is a good choice if you plan to use a plastic storage container for a cage. Make sure to get the 8 oz size since the 4 oz is shorter and won’t be long enough to hang at the proper height for a hedgehog to reach.
We have owned and bred hundreds of hedgehogs over the years and have never had one break their teeth on a water bottle as some other breeders suggest can happen. These breeders recommend using water dishes. If you use a water dish it must be cleaned and refilled more than 3 times during the night since they are so active and will walk right through their dishes tracking droppings or bedding into the dish which contaminates the water. The chances of the dish being spilled early in the night and the hedgehog having no water the rest of the night are also very high. We do not recommend using water dishes at all!
Food Dish – The one pictured to the left with the hedgehog is 2″ tall and 4″ wide. It was bought at PetSmart and similar ones can be found in the small animal section or the cat sections of the store. The food dish does need to be heavy enough to prevent the hedgehog from repeatedly tipping it and wasting their food. If the dish is too deep the hedgehog can not reach the food. We have found that all plastic types of food dishes are too easily tipped and food is wasted, so it is best to start with a heavy crock type dish from the start Also, don’t use ones that are smaller than 3″ in diameter because those can be tipped too easily as well.
Exercise Wheel – The one pictured to the right is a brand called the “Comfort Wheel”. PetSmart sells this brand, as well as, many other pet stores. They come in an assortment of colors and sizes. The size needed for hedgehogs is 12 inches or larger in diameter and can be found in the chinchilla section at PetSmart. Many people mistakenly buy the smaller, hamster sized ones which are much too small for an adult hedgehog. We like this brand because it has a raised grooved surface, are easy to clean, and do not warp like the bucket wheels do. They also do not squeak like an all metal wheel will, although, they do make a “whoring” sound similar to a clothes drier…It can be disruptive to light sleepers and for that reason we do not recommend housing a hedgehog in a bedroom since they are nocturnal and like to run the most at night. Our second favorite wheel would be the “Silent Spinner”. It is not any quieter than the “Comfort Wheel” and is harder to take out of the cage since the hardware must be unscrewed every time. And the curved design makes it a little harder to clean. The other wheel that is on the market now is the “Flying Saucer” wheel and is supposed to be silent. We have found that it is too stiff and does not “run” well for a hedgehog. A larger, stronger animal like a chinchilla would be better suited for it (although it is plastic and would be chewed up in a matter of a week by a chinchilla). Also, the wheel can not be attached to the cage so it moves around the cage too much while the hedgehog is trying to run on it and can be flipped over very easily. Our hedgehogs that run non-stop on their Comfort Wheels gave up within minutes trying to use it. We also have concerns that prolonged use of this wheel could cause leg problems due to the angle that the wheel is positioned. This wheel also takes up a lot of cage floor space, so it not the best option unless you are getting the 40 inch cage for one hedgehog. We do not recommend the “Bucket Wheels” since they are very hard to clean and provide no gripping surface for the hedgehog to run on. Out of the hundreds of hedgehogs we have owned we have never had any rub their feet raw on the “Comfort Wheel’s” raised, grooved surface, but we have had several hedgehogs develop leg problems from not being able to run well on the Bucket Wheels. We also feel that the “Comfort Wheel” is very safe for hedgehogs and can easily be taken off the stand and fastened to a wire cage with the clips that come with the wheel. It also can easily be attached to a Plastic Container cage with some modifications made to the side of the container.
Bedding – We have been using kiln dried wood/pine shavings for many years with no problems (NOT CEDAR!). But there are many other good options for bedding. Some of those options include, recycled newspaper products, such as CareFresh and Yesterday’s News’. Aspen shavings are also another good wood product choice and it does not need to be kiln dried. We buy our pine shavings from Tractor Supply (pictured to the left) and it is Kiln Dried even though it does not say it on the bag – Walmart’s similar bag is not Kiln Dried, so I would not recommend buying from there.
Thermometer – A thermometer should ALWAYS be used to keep track of the temperature near your hedgehog’s cage since hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature changes. House temperatures can vary as much as 10 degrees from room to room even with central air/heating, so it is always a good idea to use a thermometer at the cage location at all times. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR HOME’S THERMOSTAT! We like the digital types that keep track of the high and low temperature for a 24 hour period of time and then reset. The one pictured to the left if from Wal-mart and is only about $9. A floating fish thermometer can be used temporarily to take a reading inside the cage where the hedgehog sleeps, but should never be left in the cage because the glass can break and mercury can spill out. A thermometer with a probe that can be run under the sleeping area so that this exact temperature is known at all times is also a good option. However, the probe and attaching wire should be securely taped to the bottom of the cage tray to prevent entanglement which does make changing the cage a little more awkward. When using additional heating sources, like heating pads or heat lamps, an additional thermometer MUST be used to make sure that the proper temperature is maintained. Even if you are using a thermostat or rheostat an additional thermometer is a must. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PURCHASE A THERMOMETER BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR HEDGEHOG HOME OR IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE TO SEE IF YOUR HOME’S TEMPERATURE WILL BE COMPATIBLE FOR A HEDGEHOG! Try it in the location you are planning to keep the cage to see if this area will be warm enough or if you will need an additional heat source… I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT KEEPING THEM WARM IS TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING! If you do need an additional heat source see the below items for different heating options.
Food – We have been feeding Purina One Adult Cat Food – Chicken & Turkey Formula as the primary diet for our hedgehogs for the past 10 or more years with excellent results. (Supplement any pre-made diet with fresh veggies and small amounts of fruit and mealworms to provide variety to the pet’s diet. See our Feeding Hedgehogs page for further information about feeding hedgehogs properly.)
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By Christopher & Sarah GreenHello Pups and Kittens and welcome back for the 145th time to an ALL NEW, never been done before on this podcast episode. This will be the first time Sarah and Chris discuss an animal besides a dog or cat. This week we dive into the fun world of HEDGEHOGS. Now for you who remember the Sega Genesis game "SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" this may have been your only exposure to a hedgie. This will be part 1 of a two part series. Today we discuss "bringing home a hedgehog and what YOU need to know. Next week if all is willing we will have some amazing experts who will give us the insight into the World of the hog. Now a brief recap on supplies you need.
YOUR MUST HAVE CHECKLIST
Large Wire Cage – This is the largest of the Super Pets brand cages. It is sold at PetSmart and many other pet stores. The cage is 40.5″ long and is the cage that we recommend the most if your budget and space allows. As you can see in the picture to the left there is plenty of room for a hide house, food dish, and exercise wheel. This gives a single hedgehog plenty of room for exercise and to have a separate potty area. If you intend to house 2 females together, this would be the size you would need. Any smaller would be too small!
Medium Super Pets Cage
Medium Wire Cage – This is another cage option – the Medium Super Pets brand cage and is 30″ long. This is a good size for a single hedgehog, although if your budget and space allows we recommend the larger cage shown above. It is also sold by PetSmart and many other pet stores. As you can see in the picture to the right, this cage has room for a wheel and all the other necessary items, but would be too small for more than one hedgehog.
Sterilite Container-Clear
Storage Container Cage – If a wire cage is out of your price range or you just want something that is super easy to clean then a good alternative is a Sterilite or Rubbermaid type of storage container (clear or solid is fine). The size needed is at least 30″ long and at least 13″ deep if a lid is needed to accommodate an exercise wheel. To give proper ventilation the top may be cut out and window screen hot glued to fit the opening. But the lid may be left off completely as long as the container is deep enough to prevent the hedgehog from climbing out (with a hiding house inside that depth would need to be at least 10″ above the height of the house). Also, if you own cats, dogs, small children, or other pets that are allowed to roam the house then a lid would be needed. DO NOT DRILL HOLES IN THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER EVEN IF YOU NEED A LID BECAUSE A HEDGEHOG WILL USE THE HOLES AS A LADDAR AND CAN EVEN PUSH A LID OFF TO ESCAPE.
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR INSIDE THE CAGE
Hiding Place – The product pictured is the “Super Pet Igloo” and is sold at PetSmart and many other pet stores. This is the medium sized one that would fit an adult guinea pig. Do not buy the smaller ones that are for hamsters – a hedgehog may fit in the small size as a baby, but will quickly out grow it. There is also an oval or rabbit sized one that they will fit into, but we have found that hedgehogs do not like this size because it is too spacious and does not give that closed-in feeling that they prefer (and the cage must be larger for it to fit into). Another very inexpensive option would be just to use a shoe box without the lid, turned upside down, and with a hole cut in the side for the hedgehog to enter. You just need to change it out every month or so as it becomes dirty.
Water Bottle –The one pictured to the left is a 16 oz “Guinea Pig” size that can be bought at PetSmart. We use the largest size (32 oz rabbit size) for our cages with mothers and litters since they will drink a lot more than a single hedgehog. A smaller 8 oz size would be fine for one hedgehog. We like bottles that are fairly see-through so that the water level and the cleanliness of the bottle can be seen easily. When using water bottles always remember to tighten the lid adequately to prevent dripping which would saturate the bedding. Also, make sure that the “ball” rolls easily to the tip of the nozzle or the hedgehog will not be able to get water easily – tap the tip while it is hanging in the cage to make sure water drips out easily. The Oasis brand “8 oz Bell” water bottle pictured to the left can be bought with a metal hanger that is a good choice if you plan to use a plastic storage container for a cage. Make sure to get the 8 oz size since the 4 oz is shorter and won’t be long enough to hang at the proper height for a hedgehog to reach.
We have owned and bred hundreds of hedgehogs over the years and have never had one break their teeth on a water bottle as some other breeders suggest can happen. These breeders recommend using water dishes. If you use a water dish it must be cleaned and refilled more than 3 times during the night since they are so active and will walk right through their dishes tracking droppings or bedding into the dish which contaminates the water. The chances of the dish being spilled early in the night and the hedgehog having no water the rest of the night are also very high. We do not recommend using water dishes at all!
Food Dish – The one pictured to the left with the hedgehog is 2″ tall and 4″ wide. It was bought at PetSmart and similar ones can be found in the small animal section or the cat sections of the store. The food dish does need to be heavy enough to prevent the hedgehog from repeatedly tipping it and wasting their food. If the dish is too deep the hedgehog can not reach the food. We have found that all plastic types of food dishes are too easily tipped and food is wasted, so it is best to start with a heavy crock type dish from the start Also, don’t use ones that are smaller than 3″ in diameter because those can be tipped too easily as well.
Exercise Wheel – The one pictured to the right is a brand called the “Comfort Wheel”. PetSmart sells this brand, as well as, many other pet stores. They come in an assortment of colors and sizes. The size needed for hedgehogs is 12 inches or larger in diameter and can be found in the chinchilla section at PetSmart. Many people mistakenly buy the smaller, hamster sized ones which are much too small for an adult hedgehog. We like this brand because it has a raised grooved surface, are easy to clean, and do not warp like the bucket wheels do. They also do not squeak like an all metal wheel will, although, they do make a “whoring” sound similar to a clothes drier…It can be disruptive to light sleepers and for that reason we do not recommend housing a hedgehog in a bedroom since they are nocturnal and like to run the most at night. Our second favorite wheel would be the “Silent Spinner”. It is not any quieter than the “Comfort Wheel” and is harder to take out of the cage since the hardware must be unscrewed every time. And the curved design makes it a little harder to clean. The other wheel that is on the market now is the “Flying Saucer” wheel and is supposed to be silent. We have found that it is too stiff and does not “run” well for a hedgehog. A larger, stronger animal like a chinchilla would be better suited for it (although it is plastic and would be chewed up in a matter of a week by a chinchilla). Also, the wheel can not be attached to the cage so it moves around the cage too much while the hedgehog is trying to run on it and can be flipped over very easily. Our hedgehogs that run non-stop on their Comfort Wheels gave up within minutes trying to use it. We also have concerns that prolonged use of this wheel could cause leg problems due to the angle that the wheel is positioned. This wheel also takes up a lot of cage floor space, so it not the best option unless you are getting the 40 inch cage for one hedgehog. We do not recommend the “Bucket Wheels” since they are very hard to clean and provide no gripping surface for the hedgehog to run on. Out of the hundreds of hedgehogs we have owned we have never had any rub their feet raw on the “Comfort Wheel’s” raised, grooved surface, but we have had several hedgehogs develop leg problems from not being able to run well on the Bucket Wheels. We also feel that the “Comfort Wheel” is very safe for hedgehogs and can easily be taken off the stand and fastened to a wire cage with the clips that come with the wheel. It also can easily be attached to a Plastic Container cage with some modifications made to the side of the container.
Bedding – We have been using kiln dried wood/pine shavings for many years with no problems (NOT CEDAR!). But there are many other good options for bedding. Some of those options include, recycled newspaper products, such as CareFresh and Yesterday’s News’. Aspen shavings are also another good wood product choice and it does not need to be kiln dried. We buy our pine shavings from Tractor Supply (pictured to the left) and it is Kiln Dried even though it does not say it on the bag – Walmart’s similar bag is not Kiln Dried, so I would not recommend buying from there.
Thermometer – A thermometer should ALWAYS be used to keep track of the temperature near your hedgehog’s cage since hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature changes. House temperatures can vary as much as 10 degrees from room to room even with central air/heating, so it is always a good idea to use a thermometer at the cage location at all times. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR HOME’S THERMOSTAT! We like the digital types that keep track of the high and low temperature for a 24 hour period of time and then reset. The one pictured to the left if from Wal-mart and is only about $9. A floating fish thermometer can be used temporarily to take a reading inside the cage where the hedgehog sleeps, but should never be left in the cage because the glass can break and mercury can spill out. A thermometer with a probe that can be run under the sleeping area so that this exact temperature is known at all times is also a good option. However, the probe and attaching wire should be securely taped to the bottom of the cage tray to prevent entanglement which does make changing the cage a little more awkward. When using additional heating sources, like heating pads or heat lamps, an additional thermometer MUST be used to make sure that the proper temperature is maintained. Even if you are using a thermostat or rheostat an additional thermometer is a must. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PURCHASE A THERMOMETER BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR HEDGEHOG HOME OR IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE TO SEE IF YOUR HOME’S TEMPERATURE WILL BE COMPATIBLE FOR A HEDGEHOG! Try it in the location you are planning to keep the cage to see if this area will be warm enough or if you will need an additional heat source… I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT KEEPING THEM WARM IS TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING! If you do need an additional heat source see the below items for different heating options.
Food – We have been feeding Purina One Adult Cat Food – Chicken & Turkey Formula as the primary diet for our hedgehogs for the past 10 or more years with excellent results. (Supplement any pre-made diet with fresh veggies and small amounts of fruit and mealworms to provide variety to the pet’s diet. See our Feeding Hedgehogs page for further information about feeding hedgehogs properly.)