[JulietB]

I've had Melchoir for a few months now - he's a very grumpy Hedgie, always balls up when I pick him up, and bites on occasion!

I've started feeding him a Cat food from the suggested list on this site, and it seems like he's gotten more and more grumpy since then! His poops look fine, though, and it's not too unusual and drastic, so I imagine he's just being a grump.

Anyway - I'm posting because my beau and I of nearly two years are moving in together in July. He has a cat that he'll be bringing with him, and I'm trying to figure out the best arrangement here.

I know Hedgies don't get along with other animals, so I'll probably put him in one room and keep the door closed - but is there anything else you guys can suggest to make this transition not so awful?

Is there anything specific about HedgeHogs and Cats living together I should know?

Thanks guys!

 

[Lilysmommy]

Unless the cat is an avid mouser/hunter, or extremely curious, it seems likely that it'll just ignore the hedgehog. My cat has been poked on the nose twice and has since given Lily a wide berth when she sees her out. I don't think there'd be a problem with having the cat around the cage, but you'll need to make sure the cage has a top on it so the cat can't jump in, and if you use a ceramic heat emitter to keep the cage warm, you'd need to make sure it was securely attached so the cat couldn't knock it over.
As long as you could do those two things, I don't think you would absolutely have to keep the hedgehog in a room closed to the cat, as long as the cat wasn't outright aggressive towards him.

 

[JulietB]

Thanks - I will try this. I don't know the demeanor of my boyfriend's cat, so I guess I'll have to play it safe for now. I'd like to not have to lock him away in his own room.

Does anyone else have any experiences with this to share?

 

[hedgewawa]

I am too new to hedgies to help out but your baby is ADORABLE!

 

[Reaper]

My cat has learned that quills hurt. And hedgies don't smell right. They look like food and fun but the cat will find out it isn't so. A cage top is a must and supervision while the hedgie is out for playtime is too.

 

[Nancy]

We have 7 cats and although our hedgehogs have their own room, we often have rescues that live in my sewing room, bedroom or dining room for 4-6 weeks of quarantine. The hedgies are in standard plastic bottomed wire topped cages. When a new comer arrives the cats are very interested and will line up beside the cage to watch. After a few hours the thrill wears off and the hedgehog and cage is ignored.

I never allow cats and hedgehogs to meet unless I am holding the hedgehog.