[PokeyMom]

This is my first post, so I would like to take this opportunity to say: Hello! I have never had a hedgehog before. I first fell in love with them when I went to a science center field trip in Nevada, they had a hedgehog mascot there and I was hooked. Now I am older and have made the all important and educated decision to add a hedgehog to my menagerie.
I will be bringing my beloved pokey kid home on Monday. I wanted to consult with you seasoned hedgie owners to make sure I am prepared to the gills!
Here is what I have so far:
-C&C cage (3ft 10" by 3ft 10") with a little ramp and second shelf to explore (walls on the shelf so no falling off!)
-Carefresh bedding over the cage floor
-Small kitty box with feline pine (unscented-natural)
-Food crock that hooks to the side of the cage
-Heavy water dish
-Toys: paper towel tube cut in 1/2 and lengthwise, baby rattle toy, fleece braid with tails on each end, two stuffed hedgehog toys with all hang loops/tush tags removed, small tennis balls.
-A little "sleeping bag" like thing I sewed up for him to burrow in (made of fleece)
-Fleece blankies
-Food: a mix of Innova Red. Fat cat, Felidae Platinum cat, and a little California Natural herring/sweet potato. I will also see what the breeder is feeding him and get some to gradually change. Found a place for creepy crawlies in town (mealies, worms etc.).
-Set the heater to 73*F (should it be warmer?)
-Have a working light in the room

Is there anything I am forgetting?

 

[krbshappy71]

Looks great to me, good job preparing in advance!

One item, if you still have the funds after all that, is a small food or postal scale so you can weigh him/her on a regular basis. It helps to notice sudden weight loss which can be an early sign of illness. I just got mine recently, after a scare of one of mine not eating as much. I'm going to keep a small pad of paper in the hedgie room to record their weigh-ins.

On a sticky in Health forum section, there is a First Aid Kit list as well. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38

(I only posted this because you appear to be someone that loves to be prepared, not trying to stress you into buying even MORE stuff. But some people find comfort in having absolutely everything possible if they can)

 

[PokeyMom]

Oh thank you! I didn't even think of a "hedgie first aid kit", I have one for the dogs why not the other critters in the house! Great idea, thank you. I have a little food scale I use for weighing my snake (i weigh him in a container used just for the snake so no cross-contamination) so I think I can use that to weigh the hedgehog too, I never would have thought to weigh the hedgie!

I also forgot to mention I got him a wheel, it is one of the giant (12") "comfort wheels" from Petsmart. I want to eventually get him a nice one made for hedgehogs, like the cake walk.

 

[Nancy]

You've done a great job preparing for your little quilly one. I wish everyone were as prepared.

The heater at 73F is fine for now. Watch your baby to ensure it is a comfortable temperature for him/her and if not you can adjust it.