[Lilysmommy]

I'm starting to get really excited, last night I put the deposit down on a cute cinnamon pinto baby from Huckstar Hedgehogs. She should be ready to come home shortly before Christmas. For months I've been reading HHC, and of course have read Lizardgirl's Guide as well But since I made the deposit I've become determined to read this Forum forwards and backwards! LOL I'm definitely stuck at that stage where I know as much as I can know about hedgies, and the next step is to actually learn by experience. It's an intimidating step, which is why I just jumped in with both feet and paid the deposit last night

Just wanted to make sure nothing vital was missing from my initial list:

Hedgie (duh!)
Cage (Huckstar sells cages and the set up to go with: food and water dishes, igloo, snuggle sack, litter pan, bag of food)
Wheel (Huckstar is ordering me a Carolina Bucket Wheel)
CHE & Dome (100W)
Zilla Thermostat (or is there a better brand out there?)
Timer & Desk Lamp
Organic, Unscented Laundry Detergent
Aveeno unscented oatmeal baby wash
toothbrush
Fleece (for liners, bedding, dig box, etc)
Food (I'm thinking Chicken Soup For the Cat Lovers Soul) http://www.volcanoviewhedgehogs.com/kib ... oduce.html
**I'm also contacting a few vets in my area today to make sure they see hedgehogs

I'm off to read more of the threads here at HHC!

Cheers!

Looks like you're ready to go! The only things I have to add is making sure you get some of the breeder's food before you leave so you can slowly transition to Chicken Soup, and maybe having handwarmers on hand, both for the ride home and for emergencies. It's also a good idea to have a digital kitchen/food scale so that you can weigh your new hedgie and keep track of their weight. It's a great way to get early notice of illness, and to watch out for gaining too much weight.

 

[Katis228]

Looks like you're ready to go! The only things I have to add is making sure you get some of the breeder's food before you leave so you can slowly transition to Chicken Soup, and maybe having handwarmers on hand, both for the ride home and for emergencies. It's also a good idea to have a digital kitchen/food scale so that you can weigh your new hedgie and keep track of their weight. It's a great way to get early notice of illness, and to watch out for gaining too much weight.

Thanks, Lilysmommy! I visited the breeder just this week, and she does include a small bag of food. Also, I know the local Tractor Supply store sells the brand she is using.

Handwarmers in fleece pouches, a fleece blanket and the snuggle sack that is coming from the breeder is what I'm planning on for transport home. Poor little dear has a 3 hour drive back to my house. I hope she doesn't get car sick

I've got my eye on a kitchen scale at Target, so that will be very easy to acquire

I'm glad I have both the breeder and the forums here at HHC to count on if I have any questions. :mrgreen:

 

[Hedgieowner26]

Hello, I got a hedgehog for Christmas this year, from a petshop and I just have to say the owner helped me so much with my new baby boy. I was so shocked that he new so much about hedgehogs, I researched them for 6 months before I bought one :!: and I am completely in love with my hedgehog.

 

[HedgeHopper]

Hi new here and just fell into this post. I completely agree except for that very tiny last part. I can understand someone doing something wrong and needing to correct it but Ive only had Angel for 5 days now and I dont see how you could tell anyone to give up there little hedgie. Thats the only part that kinda slightly got me annoyed. Pets are like children and to think of giving a pet away is like giving your child to social services.
Its something that should never have to happen and any problems should be corrected before it gets to that point.

 

[Immortalia]

Hi new here and just fell into this post. I completely agree except for that very tiny last part. I can understand someone doing something wrong and needing to correct it but Ive only had Angel for 5 days now and I dont see how you could tell anyone to give up there little hedgie. Thats the only part that kinda slightly got me annoyed. Pets are like children and to think of giving a pet away is like giving your child to social services.
Its something that should never have to happen and any problems should be corrected before it gets to that point.

What the OP means is just that if it ever DOES get to the point where a child WOULD be taken away by social services, then it's time to give up your hedgie. The OP isn't saying to give away your hedgie if you make a mistake or two. EVERYONE makes mistakes, it's those people who are not willing to fix their mistakes who would benefit from a different pet(or no pet) that would suit their lifestyle better.

Some people just aren't willing to put the time and effort into their pets and actually see their animals as "just pets". That's where you and those types of people differ. You see yours as your child(like I see mine as my children), and we would do all we can to ensure proper care.

Some people don't always fully understand what they are getting into, and may feel overwhelmed. And sometimes, they are embarassed to admit that they bit off more than they can chew. And the OP is also saying that they can admit this, and do what's right by finding an owner who would be better suited.

 

[SageNana]

Hi all, I am new to the page and NOT very good at all on forums/chats/technology so please bear with me. I have been going through some of the posts and pics and I am concerned that our cage may not be sufficient. My son is getting his first hedgehog on May 14th. He has reptiles - snakes, gargoyles and leopard geckos but fell in love with the hedgehog.....so, we have an empty Vision style enclosure that we were going to put her in. It is like 4 feet long and four feet high. It is huge- it has the front sliding glass doors and screen on top so that is the ventilation as well as an area for a light. From the pics I saw everyone seems like they have smaller cages and the open wire type. So, now I am wondering if this Vision will not be appropriate? He got her aspen bedding, a flying saucer wheel, an igloo, food/water bowls, something to use as a litter pan and some cat toys. My other questions are: Can we use one of those automatic waterers for in the cage and also, are hedgehogs like other rodents where they will eat stuff they shouldn't? LIke the plastic toys or bowls? Also, she is SO small right now will the big cage be too stressful for her? With some reptiles I know that they can get stressed. We are welcome to any and all input and suggestions!! He is SO excited to get her but we want to make sure we have everything right and take good care of her. I am a little concerned about keeping the temperature right but we have a thermometer in there now to monitor what it is between now and when we get her.

 

[alexvdl]

I'm not completely sure what a Vision style enclosure is, but if it has front sliding glass doors it may not work too well. Glass enclosures are bad for hedgehogs as it makes it hard to get proper ventilation throughout, and hedgehogs are very nose sensitive creatures, very prone to URIs and the like. Also wood has to be sealed. I don't think that four feet long is an issue, though I don't know how deep it is. generally the more space you can give your 'hog the better. We have Reginald in a cage that's over 8 square feet. He was pretty excited when we moved in there because he now has more room. Also, hedgehogs have been known to rub their noses raw on glass.

Hedgehogs are actually insectivores, and not rodents, so they don't chew on stuff like rodents do. They might bite things or lick things occassionally, but they're not really gnawers. As for the temperature thing, yeah that's a big deal, and you want to make sure you can keep that constant. Most people use CHE setups to maintain temperature.

 

[velooyuotn]

As long as the Vision cage has enough ventilation and you have a way of controlling the temperature (since your cage is so large) I think that's ok. (Wish I could afford a Vision cage that big!). I myself made a 4ftx2ftx2ft terrarium with vents and a sliding door and I think yours will be plenty.

I am not sure about the automatic water dispensers, but I think it is okay, just keep in mind that they sometimes like to poop in their water and make a mess. Also they're pretty strong and a automatic water dispenser if its too small will be light and easy to knock over.

For plastic toys you should always keep an eye out for that, especially if it can break off easily. I've heard that most hedgehogs aren't chewers like hamsters or rats but they sometimes can, depends on the hedgie.

I think the larger room is better! The more room they have the happier they will probably be!

 

[SageNana]

Thanks!! I will try to post some pics of the Vision but I am not sure if I know how to put one on here- I just finally figured out how to tell someone replied to my post! As for how much the vision's cost- they are pricey but I got it on Craigs List for $100!! It was a great deal! If I can figure out the pic thing I can try to post some of the vents in the back. I wonder if I can somehow take the glass doors out and rig up some type of different door system. Thank you for all of the input. She is so tiny I wasn't sure if it was too big!! Well, it won't let me load the pic- it says the "extension is not allowed" The best way to describe the vent is that it is the length of the enclosure and about 1 foot wide.

 

[momIImany]

SageNana
The way that I post pictures is to go into your photos and right click on the picture. You want to edit it and resize to a small web size. Save it and then you can post the resized picture when you add an attachment and go into browse. Good luck.

 

[Luvhedgehogs3113]

I just bought a hedgehog from a breeder and I'm getting it in a week. Do guys have any advice for me about bringing them home for the first time?

 

[Lilysmommy]

My best advice is to read through this thread to get a good idea of behavior to expect, and to download (for free) and read this book completely - http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/download.html If you're still unsure on anything after reading the book, the forum has a lot more information, so you could do a search on here, or if you still can't find what you're looking for, feel free to post a thread & ask! Welcome to the forum!

 

[tacticalveterinarian]

This is an important and valuable thread for all new hedgehog keepers!

 

[Petri]

I am still new to this but by no means new to keeping hedgehogs so just thought I'd share my thoughts. A lot of people would have you believe keeping a hedgehog is hard but they are one of the easiest animals I've ever cared for. The internet allows you to buy with ease everything you need, can't find a suitable cage build one, personally I use a 2 by 3ft plastic tub I got for £7 online. The base for his wheel is screwed down to stop him moving it and causing a racket. The cage is heated for the colder nights, I literally live above my vet so thats quite handy. If they are warm, have space to play and fed good food you won't have a problem with them. As for choice of food even good quality food isn't expensive just do the research find out whats good for them. But above all play with them every day if you can, let them sleep under your jumper or even under your hand to build up a good relationship. Be very aware of what a drastic mood change quilling can induce but also remember it will pass. If they are making strange sounds in their sleep thats normal just leave them be.

And remember no advice is comparable to experience, if what you're doing is different to what people on here are saying but your hedgehog is happy and healthy keep doing what you're doing

 

[kuroneko]

I am still new to this but by no means new to keeping hedgehogs so just thought I'd share my thoughts. A lot of people would have you believe keeping a hedgehog is hard but they are one of the easiest animals I've ever cared for. The internet allows you to buy with ease everything you need, can't find a suitable cage build one, personally I use a 2 by 3ft plastic tub I got for £7 online. The base for his wheel is screwed down to stop him moving it and causing a racket. The cage is heated for the colder nights, I literally live above my vet so thats quite handy. If they are warm, have space to play and fed good food you won't have a problem with them. As for choice of food even good quality food isn't expensive just do the research find out whats good for them. But above all play with them every day if you can, let them sleep under your jumper or even under your hand to build up a good relationship. Be very aware of what a drastic mood change quilling can induce but also remember it will pass. If they are making strange sounds in their sleep thats normal just leave them be.

And remember no advice is comparable to experience, if what you're doing is different to what people on here are saying but your hedgehog is happy and healthy keep doing what you're doing

so true!

 

[crystalk041]

I'm new to this forum and with this being one of the first posts I've read, I have to say that I'm disappointed. I learned from a very young age that it's not always what you say but the way you say it. All of the points of consideration were completely valid and I totally agree that they should be considered well before the purchase is made. However, ignorance can be corrected via information through books, the internet, conversations with breeders, ect. but being mean spirited in your approach to giving advice just because you feel that someone may not have thought a situation all the way through... well thats just not very nice.

 

[Prickerz]

The problem with some is they got their "advice" from a pet store! One day while visiting a pet store near me that, sometimes sells hedgehogs, I overheard the person tell a teen that the hedgehog needed to be fed Pretty Pets and would live to be 15 yrs old. I was shocked, but left. Thank goodness, that teen showed up at HHC and we helped him learn the real truth.

A pet store will sell you the wrong stuff and they really don't care.

Ok to be fair, I do work in a pet store... and I DO care. I care a lot. And everyone I work with does as well. I know what it is like but please don't assume all of us are the same, we get alot of hate because of it. I always recommend the proper care for every animal. I won't sell an animal to anyone that doesn't have everything they need for it, and make sure they know the length of their commitment. And I work at one of the chain stores.

 

[BellEll17]

I totally agree!!

 

[AlexandPersephone]

I'm so happy someone posted this...
I've literally wanted a hedgehog for four years and I literally mean four years. I bought hedgehog cups, hedgehog stuffies and just general hedgehog nonsense for the past four years because it was never the right time. I knew that there was no way I could properly care for a hedgie before I finished college.
It makes me a little angry when I see some (by no means all) people jump into hedgehog ownership with a total lack of knowledge.
I just got my baby 2 weeks ago.the day before I went to pick her up I was in a pet store buying a CHE and I happened to overhear a customer conversing with the sales associate.
The sales associate had sold her a hedgehog the day before and the girl had led the sales associate to believe she had everything at home, but I guess when she got home she realized that a cage with just shavings in it wasn't enough. She was literally back buying bowls and a wheel and a snuggle bag and she was asking if they actually needed a heat lamp. She said she could not pay for it that week (BTW it was snowing here already) so she was going to come back for it another time... Meanwhile I had been preparing myself for months to bring a hedgehog home...
However I was super impressed with the sales associate and her total familiarity with hedgehogs. She was recommending all of the correct materials and saying that the cage that the girl had was inadequate and the one that she suggested was actually suited for hedgehogs.
Not all pet stores are bad and shouldn't be hated on, however you ALWAYS need more than one source of info.
I spent months silently creeping this website after getting frustrated with all of the conflicting information. Even though I've been researching them for years I still wasn't prepared for the first night alone with her... Or the first nail clipping (don't worry she was fine I just spent 2 hours trying to work up the courage to actually clip them) smh.
Persephone would thank everyone here if she could. There are so many people here with amazing information and ideas.it breaks my heart to read how mistreated some rescue hedgie were before rescue ...

 

[HedgieLoverRVA]

I would like to thank all of you who have posted on this forum! I am a new hedgie mom who has learned so much from everyone on here! I honestly thought I had done my research prior to bringing home my Balderick. I may have known the basics, but all of you have helped me to fill in the many details that were left! As for the people who have griped about the financial aspect of a new pet, they infuriate me as well. Thanks to the advice and honest postings of other hedgie parents, I have an "emergency fund" that was in place long before any emergency was possible! I am grateful for the advice from everyone on this forum and I am looking forward to my continual learning as I bond with my little prickly Prince! Thank you all, you are a blessing!