New hedgehog owner advice

[Alexandraboo]

Thanks so much raven, that helped me a lot. He should be arriving here any minute, im so excited! Im currently warming up my apartment since I know it should be between 25-27 degres in here for him.I just hope he likes me and his new home.

[Alexandraboo]

Post update!!
Walter has arrived! He is soo cute, and acts like a huffy puffy grumpy old man, isnt hard to handle though, he hasnt puffed up yet at all, :P what a cute little guy! I gotta get him some toys though!

[shaelikestaquitos]

Congrats on your new baby ;D

As for the cats question, I have two cats.
One is scared to death by my hedgie, so when I let Kashi explore and he usually will automatically go for the darkest place because he wants to sleep, he will start running full throttle towards my cat, who happens to be all back in color My cat will become terrified and run away hahaha
The other one is an orange tabby who is a lot less of a scaredy cat. He has never tried to attack the hedgie or anything like that, but he has tried "petting" Kashi like I do He'll place one paw over the hedgies back and stare at him intently, and usually it's followed by a loud purr and he'll just roll right over on his back

But yeah, you may have different experiences with different cats, and also your hedgehog as well

When my Kashi first came, he had never smelled a cat before so he'd spike up and start growling, but after a few days he realized they didn't mean any harm at all (and I also would constantly be smelling of cat as well since I don't bother with the whole "washing hands before handling hedgie" thing as long as they are clean). Nowadays Kashi is completely fearless and won't even raise his visor quills at them ;D

[fracturedcircle]

Originally Posted by Alexandraboo

Ive had some strange animals, but I see a hedgehog as a very wild animal, I know they have been tamed for some time, but not for thousands of years like cats or dogs, even rats have been tamed for hundreds. I don't know much about their background but I am all for learning anything and everything there is that I need to know about being a good hedgehog mother!

I have a couple of more questions, Can a hedgehog eat cat food, and be supplemented with fruit and veggies, and possibly some grains, like cheerios. Should I be feeding him low fat meats aside from cat food? what should a diet plan be like. I know that I cannot find hedgehog food around here, the only pet stores we have are pets unlimited p.js pets owned. and I do not support puppy mills, or their mass breeding, and do not shop there.

I would like my hedgie to be as healthy as possible and live a really long happy life. I really do love all animals, and would like to make him as happy as I can in whatever ways I can.

I do have a cat, she is a small cat still a kitten, is there issues with cats and hedgehogs? can they co exist? or must I separate her from him as soon as he arrives.
Im just hoping he is tame enough to work with, I really wouldnt be turned off by him being cranky or hard to deal with though, he is who he is. :P I just hope for a nice little guy. and from what I hear he is pretty tame.

grain can be a fine supplement, as they need fiber. just get unsweetened cheerios or multi-grain cereal.

[EryBee]

Don't be afraid to experiment with a variety of treats (as long as they are hedgehog safe foods, of course). It may take some time to figure out what Walter likes, or is even willing to accept.

[Alexandraboo]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. :P He is so interesting to watch, all grumpy like an old man :P I am working on getting his cage a little better for him since his cage now is very very dull and blah. just a few rocks his litter pan and his food and water, no toys or anything. poor thing. I know I need to get him a wheel, but in the meantime ill let him run for a couple hours each night.

[Alexandraboo]

Another Update, sorry for being annoying. :P
I have chaanged the cage around and added a large shelf about the size of 1 third of the length of the cage, which is a super pet cage, its fairly big, about the size of a rabbit starter kit cage.

I cut out thick cardboard and made a side for the shelf, so he wouldnt fall off, because I noticed he likes to jump off things, and he falls on his back and cant get up hahah (not from a long distance, maybe a few inches) I also put a side on the cardboard ladder I made so he wont fall off that. I am going to get him a wheel as soon as I can, like I said.

Walter is now very content and enjoying his kitty food I gave him. I was wondering, is wet cat food off limits in small bits, when I feed the cat some wet cat food I would just give him maybe a spoon full in his bowl? is this too fattening? He is the most interesting animal to watch! I am so surprised at how awesome these little guys are, even if they are cranky little guys :P

Again, thanks for all the advice and support!

[fracturedcircle]

Originally Posted by Alexandraboo

Another Update, sorry for being annoying. :P
I have chaanged the cage around and added a large shelf about the size of 1 third of the length of the cage, which is a super pet cage, its fairly big, about the size of a rabbit starter kit cage.

I cut out thick cardboard and made a side for the shelf, so he wouldnt fall off, because I noticed he likes to jump off things, and he falls on his back and cant get up hahah (not from a long distance, maybe a few inches) I also put a side on the cardboard ladder I made so he wont fall off that. I am going to get him a wheel as soon as I can, like I said.

Walter is now very content and enjoying his kitty food I gave him. I was wondering, is wet cat food off limits in small bits, when I feed the cat some wet cat food I would just give him maybe a spoon full in his bowl? is this too fattening? He is the most interesting animal to watch! I am so surprised at how awesome these little guys are, even if they are cranky little guys :P

Again, thanks for all the advice and support!

you are not annoying at all.

as for wet cat food, i've heard that it's fine as an occasional treat (but still check the protein and fat levels to be on the safe side). Harvey was on Iams for a while when he was sick, per his vet's recommendation. so sometimes it's even recommended if a hedgie is sick (god forbid!) and i do think it's fine as a treat every once in a while.

[Alexandraboo]

alright :P I just gave him some banana and dry cat food. He seems to like banana. :P

[PJM]

Both my hedgies like banana too. Just tried it last week.
My only caution to you would be not to try too many things at one time. Their tummy's can get upset easily & it's best to introduce new foods slowly. It's very hard to do, I know. I wanted them to taste everything! I can't wait to learn everything about them, including what treats they like. But just go slow. Not too many new things at once. You have plenty of time.
We just tried plain scrambled eggs yesterday. Cholla wouldn't touch them, but Zoey loved them. Could only give her a couple bites though, because I didn't want her to get a sick tummy.
I'm excited for you to find out everything about Walter. And to share it with us.