[Anny]

I've had my little Kiwi for almost a month now and I'm loving every minute of having her around. I think I really lucked out with my little girl as she's really settling in nicely and being such a good girl

From the start I didn't have much trouble handling her, the breeder had done a great job in socializing her and getting her started on the right path. At first she'd unball within a minute or two after taking her out. Now, when I go to pick her up, she sometimes will huff once or twice but always unballs right away when I pick her up! She really seems to be getting accustomed to me and honestly I'm a bit surprised!

I had read up a fair amount on hedgies before getting Kiwi and expected this to be a longer process. It's so sweet to be able to enjoy playtime together in the evenings. She's turning into a big cuddler too, sometimes she just likes to plop down on my lap and get cuddles, she likes getting pet behind the ears and lets me rub her belly too! In the past week I've made a point of handling her feet more and it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

To top things off, she is now using her litter pan for potty almost exclusively :shock: wow!

Feels like I hit the hedgehog lottery!!! lol I'm so impressed with her!

Only wierd thing is that she doesn't use her wheel... If she does she is particularly clean as there is never any poop on it. I'm quite sure she doesn't use it sadly. Maybe she'll pick it up one day?

 

[gyaku]

Mine bonded quickly with me, as much as he loves to cuddle at seven, any other time he will be on his wheel running as fast as he can. I even have pictures of Sonic asleep on his wheel its cute and at the same times funny. I have also had him roll over on his bed then move his paws like saying "Give me belly rub!" Though my personal favorite is when I feed him grasshoppers (store bought). He burps then bows down his head. "Sorry daddy, I couldn't help it the meal was great.... Yay wheel!" Then dashes to his wheel again. I love that hedgehog so much.

 

[knitfreak]

Congrats on your great hedgie friend! Sounds like you did luck out

Is it a bucket type wheel? I've heard of animals having a hard time with the flying saucer kinds, or the kinds that are spoked because they fall through.

My little guy Winston has NO interest in his wheel for the first bit I had him, then he really got into it! Now it's definitely been "used" every night, it's kinda hard to miss! :lol: If you really want to know if she used it and is just really clean (although that sounds unlike every other hedgie around) try putting a piece of her litter right on top of it. If she hops in and spins it, the little will be gone in the morning.

Either way, I would keep the wheel in there in case she does decide to use it one day. Maybe while you are handling her put her in the wheel and let her get out on her own so she knows it's something she can move in and out of.

 

[Anny]

Thanks for the replies! I consider myself quite lucky with my sweet little Kiwi

Regarding her current wheel, I can't seem to find a pic online of the model I have but I know it's not the best one. It resembles the mesh wheels in its construction (with a side bar on each side) but is NOT mesh, it has a solid plastic running surface. Currently I am having a bucket wheel made which should be ready soon, hopefully my little Kiwi will prefer that one.

Knitfreak: I've tried the litter trick without even knowing it! She definitely isn't using it... Unless she is a genius by putting back the little peice after she's done running, in the same exact spot no less, lol! I highly doubt it that she would be that special hahaha

She will soon be upgraded to a large C&C cage with loft (secure of course) including her new bucket wheel. As soon as I have the dimensions of my new cage I intend to place a nice big order for Nancy's famous liners, hedgie bags and other goodies

 

[Anny]

Well speak of the devil, I woke up this morning to a poopy wheel! lol

Kiwi has started using her wheel

I'm glad to know she's getting some good exercise now. Can't wait to get her new cage setup with better wheel.

 

[knitfreak]

Haha! The same thing happened to me. I posted that he wasn't using it, then he started using it immediately! This forum is apparently a magic charm

 

[Anny]

Haha! The same thing happened to me. I posted that he wasn't using it, then he started using it immediately! This forum is apparently a magic charm

Seriously, I'm starting to believe it!

I'm sure she sensed me writing a post about it here and wanted to mess with my mind a little. I never thought I'd be so happy to see poo in the morning! LMAO!

 

[gyaku]

Sonic used the wheel the moment I put it in. Its one I made myself, since I have no money. I used a ice cream pail, then cut the curled edge off, the filed it down, then I put electricitians tape around it. For grip I used some masking tape and some elastic bandage patch work around the wheel. (I'll get a picture if any one is interested.) I drilled a hole through the center then put a round head screw, and used a small rubberband around the screw so it doesn't make any noise. For the holder I used a clothes hanger (wood). Yeah its cheap but right now staying in the black is good news for me...