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New Owner Questions!

1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  ShutUpAndSmile 
#1 ·
Hi! I just joined tonight and will hopefully be picking my baby boy up mid January from a breeder in Washington (Kymwana Tiggy Winkles).
I've done a lot of research but I am totally worried about food and making sure he's healthy. I've seen a ton of different stuff about what is and isn't okay but can't find straight answers...someone please help me out!
Also, quilling totally freaks me out...is there something I can do that will help him at all? I've hear oatmeal baths but also not to dry him afterward, but I don't want him to get too chilly, either.
I may be totally paranoid, but I'm sure you all understand :)
 
#2 ·
Welcome!

Ask any question that comes to mind, this forum is a great place with the best information on the internet, sadly some sites give out bad info.

Food: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15

Go to this link, which contains the recommended food list. Most people make a mixture of two or three brands, the ones at the top are the best. The reason behind mixing two or more is there is not a single food that provides everything a hedgehog needs, and having more than one acts as a safe guard against a food recall.

Your breeder or seller should give you some food off the bat. You can't just switch food as hedgie's stomachs tend to be sensitive. Give him or her a good week with the old food (the breeder might have a good mix though), then you slowy add a little bit of the new food along with the old. You slow change it over until the old food is no longer part of the meal. So scout out many brands, you may have to try different brands, some hedgies can be picky about their food.

Oatmeal baths during quilling can be soothing, most people get natural oatmeal and put it in a clean sock and let the sock soak in the bath water. Far as I know you would dry him or her, as a wet hog can catch a chill. Basically snuggle in towel or blanket until dry.

General supplies..

- Heating System: Heat Lamp with ceramic socket. Ceramic Heat Emitter bulb, 100 watt (more if the enclosure is very large).

- Indoor/Outdoor thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the enclosure (assuming its a cage, do not use a tank).

- A lamp and a timer. Hedgehogs need 12 hours of light during the day, doesn't need to be a special bulb, just a regular household light. It helps regulate their inner clock, cause a lack of light can trigger hibernation. The timer is used so the light automatically turns on and off at the same day each day (ex: 9am to 9pm).

Paranoid is normal, I was a wreck the first half year I had my hogs. Again, welcome to the forums and ask away, you got plenty of time to fill up on knowledge.
 
#3 ·
Puffers315 said:
Oatmeal baths during quilling can be soothing, most people get natural oatmeal and put it in a clean sock and let the sock soak in the bath water. Far as I know you would dry him or her, as a wet hog can catch a chill. Basically snuggle in towel or blanket until dry.

General supplies..

- Heating System: Heat Lamp with ceramic socket. Ceramic Heat Emitter bulb, 100 watt (more if the enclosure is very large).

- Indoor/Outdoor thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the enclosure (assuming its a cage, do not use a tank).

- A lamp and a timer. Hedgehogs need 12 hours of light during the day, doesn't need to be a special bulb, just a regular household light. It helps regulate their inner clock, cause a lack of light can trigger hibernation. The timer is used so the light automatically turns on and off at the same day each day (ex: 9am to 9pm).

Paranoid is normal, I was a wreck the first half year I had my hogs. Again, welcome to the forums and ask away, you got plenty of time to fill up on knowledge.
So would you suggest that I just dry him carefully or if he's not afraid of it try a blow dryer on low?
Thanks so much for you answers! I added a thermometer to my list of things to get :)
 
#4 ·
JackieMackk said:
So would you suggest that I just dry him carefully or if he's not afraid of it try a blow dryer on low?
Thanks so much for you answers! I added a thermometer to my list of things to get :)
Have to be careful with blow dryers. They get HOT and the cool setting could give the hog a chill. :x
If you have some cotton baby blankets just snuggle with your hedgie in that till they are dry. Thats what I do with Opal. :3
 
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