[JamieCayley]

I'm taking my hedgie home on Saturday but I can't shake the feeling that I forgot to get important things so listing what I already have, if you spot anything important missing let me know! I'll also be getting more hides soon but if I'd ordered them with everything else none of the fleece things would have made it on time

• cage
• CHE + thermostat + dome
• fleece liners (x2)
• bonding bag
• potty pad
• bucket wheel
• fleece forage strips
• fleece handling blankets (x2)
• snuggle sack
• thermometer
• baby nail clippers
• microfiber towel
• aveeno baby wash
• cleaning wipes and paper towels
• kitten food (breeder recommended)
• mealworms
• food/water bowls
• soft bristles toothbrush
• scale in grams
• styptic powder

 

[Yukidama's mama]

Hey there, you seem pretty prepared already tbh

Just a couple of things I can think of:
- need at least one hide in the cage for Saturday, use the snuggle sack you've ordered or get an igloo and fill it with the fleece strips.
- White distilled vinegar is really useful. You can make up your own natural disinfectant mixing half and half with water in a spray bottle (use for the wheel with paper towels, dont use cleaning wipes or any abrasive dish soaps, it'll ruin the wax protective finish on your bucket wheel, like they did mine ><). can also use to spray down the cage and also add to rinse water, when washing the fleece items to help remove odour.
- sensitive, non perfumed, soap free detergent for washing all your fleece items
- optional litter tray, most people use one under the wheel to catch the urine and poop and some hedgies take to using it too. You can use a safe litter like yesterday news or paper towels to line it.
- some enrichment / toys: toilet roll (cut down one side), mini ball, small soft plushie

Enjoy bringing your new spikey friend home

 

[JamieCayley]

Hey there, you seem pretty prepared already tbh

Just a couple of things I can think of:
- need at least one hide in the cage for Saturday, use the snuggle sack you've ordered or get an igloo and fill it with the fleece strips.
- White distilled vinegar is really useful. You can make up your own natural disinfectant mixing half and half with water in a spray bottle (use for the wheel with paper towels, dont use cleaning wipes or any abrasive dish soaps, it'll ruin the wax protective finish on your bucket wheel, like they did mine ><). can also use to spray down the cage and also add to rinse water, when washing the fleece items to help remove odour.
- sensitive, non perfumed, soap free detergent for washing all your fleece items
- optional litter tray, most people use one under the wheel to catch the urine and poop and some hedgies take to using it too. You can use a safe litter like yesterday news or paper towels to line it.
- some enrichment / toys: toilet roll (cut down one side), mini ball, small soft plushie

Enjoy bringing your new spikey friend home

Thank you! I was planning on using the snuggle sack as a hide in the cage at least until I get the other ones, should I put the fleece strips inside the snuggle sack, in a cardboard box or just leave them laying around the cage? I have a /ton/ because my mother accidentally got 8 packs instead of 4 so I could probably even do all 3

Good to know about the cleaning wipes and dish soaps! soap free detergent? I have some that meets all of the other requirements because the list of things my skin isn't allergic to is tiny but I didn't know there was soap free detergent, I was planning on just using what I use for me.

Do you think it would be a good idea to get a tray in addition to the potty pad? it's this one https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/607693325/fleece-potty-pad-absorbent-and

Oh and I did get toys, forgot to add that to the list! got a fleece hedgehog, fleece triangle, fleece worm, fleece pom-pom and a small plastic ball

 

[Yukidama's mama]

That should be fine, I use a snuggle sack currently in my boy's cage too. For the first few weeks he'd sleep inside it but I guess he got too hot or realised he could go underneath and now he never goes in it (unless he's out of the cage) and instead sleeps under it ^^. You can add fleece strips inside or under it. If you have plenty, offer two or more places for different burrowing areas. Add some to the card box too.

Ah sorry meant to write additive free! But if you use one for sensitive skin already, that should be fine

Ah I see what you mean about the potty pad now (I was presuming it was a puppy pad!). Perhaps see how you get on with that first. If you're getting a baby hog, they tend to poop a lot and everywhere so a litter tray probably won't make much difference at first anyways! I first got my boy when he was 5 months and he took to a litter tray straightaway (I added it before introducing the wheel, but of course he still naturally poops on the wheel when he runs).

The toys sound sweet! I got a fleece pompom for my boy before and he'll carry it under his snuggle sack bed area ^.^