Hedgehog's Journal

Ok I figured Id post a new post here because I really really need an answer to this before I get my first hedgie. I'm confused so much about heat..

We have our house at 72-73. I've read so much stuff that now im paranoid my hedgie will be too cold and try to hibernate. Space heaters not really an option. So what i've decided is I guess to get a ceramic heat emitter. I have a large rabbit cage for her, wire top with the weird coating stuff..and plastic bottom. Like your standard super pet rabbit cage.

Now a lot of ppl say to not have this heating the whole cage?? only part? and some ppl say to use this AND a heat pad?? What I want to do, is just get this thing, set it at 75, put it in the center of the top of the cage so it heats the whole thing and leave it. Is that possible?

Now I have NOO idea what a ceramic heater is.. can anyone show me a link on petsmart.com as to what I need to buy? I've googled and researched for hours with nothing.

Some ppl say heat lamps are too hot..this will be fine right? Because I can set it to 75? Does anyone have any problems with these things breaking or having the thermometer malfunction? I'd die if I roasted my girl to death somehow.. =/

God I just am SO confused after reacting so much conflicting information
If someone would just send me a link of what to buy from petsmart and told me for sure that it works for their hedgies i'd be so grateful..Im going to petsmart tomorrow..

please?

Hey!

So i'm brand new to this community, I just put down my deposit and I'm getting my first hedgehog in 2 weeks. My main questions right now:

1) What food do you feed? Brand? and do I HAVE to feed insects as well?

2) What litter do you use? Are most hedgies litter trained?

3) What bedding do you use? I know to avoid cedar and pine shavings, but if at all possible I would like to avoid shavings all together..so messy.

Heres a couple pictures of my baby girl. No name yet =/ Suggestions?


at 2 weeks


at 4 weeks

I've had my hedgehog for a little over a week now, and I've been handling her every evening (aside from the first night). I just let her sit in my lap with a fleece blanket or snuggle sack and do her thing, which usually involves sleeping, huffing (at movements or noises) or sometimes sniffing me. The first time I had her out, she started licking me and gave me a nibble, and she's done it a few times since. I usually just move my fingers away and figure, no big deal. Last night, however, she was being an absolute terror! Every time she came in contact with my flesh, she bit me. She does it to my pants if I have her directly on my lap, too. The odd thing is, she was crawling around on my boyfriend's lap as well, and sniffing and licking him, but NOT biting. What's the deal?? Has she decided I'm extra tasty, or extra scary and she has to protect herself?

When I first put her into her new cage with a shirt of mine, she immediately anointed with my scent. She went straight from being a huffing, clicking ball of rage to doing that. So maybe she just really likes me? Boyfriend hasn't held her quite as much as I have yet. The breeder told me she'd never bitten anyone before. Guess I'm special. :\

She is my first hedgie, so I'm getting used to interpreting her behavior. If anyone can help shed light on this for me, I'd appreciate it.

CAN BE FOUND HERE

Just wanted to share because he's so stinkin' cute.

HUGONATOR PICSPAM!

Hello all! Long-time lurker, first-time poster here. I'm getting my first hedgehog in a few weeks (squuee!), so I'm now in the process of preparing for her arrival. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for you guys, but for now I'd just like to know if any of the cages that have caught my eye would be appropriate.


1)


18" x 40.5" x 20"

2)


18.1" x 30.2" x 29"

3)


24" x 24" x 41.5"

These are all designed for rats, chinchillas, ferrets, rabbits, etc., but I think they might work for a hedgehog. If I'm not mistaken, then which one would you choose?

If none of the above will cut it, then I'm considering this little number from Hedgehogs by Vickie:





28" X 16" X 14"

This would probably be my first choice, but it's MUCH more expensive (by about $100 -- though it does include a wheel, water bottle, 1 lb of food, dish, litter box, bedding and sleeping tunnel...so maybe it's a good deal.) Please let me know what you all think!

And, just so this entry is a little more exciting, here are a couple of pics of my (future) little one that the breeder sent me...





She's about a year old.

Hey you guys! We've been away for a long time, once again, but that's only because most of our days have been revolving around our whippet puppy, teaching him how to behave and evenings around Hugo, in turn.

Here's the situation at the moment:

A little WHAT'S UP & the BROTHERS picspam; HERE

(And the one picspam that I accidentally deleted and then re-posted can be found here :) Both pretty smallish but it's better than nothing, I suppose :D)

I just wanted to wish a happy new year to the hedgie community!