Hedgehogs
What is a Hedgehog?Hedgehogs are a small, insectivorous (insect eating) mammal that can be found throughout the world. They are native to England, Europe, Africa and Asia. The hedgehog that is now kept as a pet in North America is the Pygmy Hedgehog from Central Africa. Since there are no native species of hedgehog in either Canada or the United States, many people still mistake the domestic hedgehog for the porcupine - an entirely different and unrelated animal. While porcupine quills are extremely sharp, barbed and very dangerous, the hedgehog quill is smooth and not nearly as sharp. Petting a friendly hedgehog can be compared to petting a hairbrush - bristly, not prickly. The average African Pygmy Hedgehog weighs about ½ to 1 ¼ pounds and is 5 to 8 inches long - about the size of a small Guinea Pig. There are some that will grow to as much as 1 ¾ to 2 pounds (without being fat) while others are as little as 6 or 7 ounces. Your pet should be kept indoors at normal room temperature (65 to 80*F) can be fed a good quality dry cat food or a specially formulated hedgehog food. We like to mix Grain free with several others to give them variety, at this time we are using (mixing) Beyond grain free chicken, GoodLife Chicken Recipe, Evolve, Chicken Soup for the soul cat weight maintenance, Special Kitty Complete (This is like French Fries to a Hedgie so this should not be fed alone) Besides simply being enjoyed as pets, there is also an active hobby. Thanks to the International Hedgehog Association, (IHA) there is even a working show system and standard of perfection for African Pygmy Hedgehogs. Where is the Best Place to Buy a Pet Hedgehog? The answer to this question varies depending on many factors, but there are some basic guidelines. Generally, it is better to purchase your new pet from a breeder rather than a pet store, but unfortunately, this isn't always possible. No matter where you end up looking, though, make sure that the breeder or store has at least some information on the age and background of their hedgies. Hedgies are not a large sized pet, due to this, age is hard to determine If There are Several to Choose From, Which Hedgehog Should I Select? You will want to choose a single hedgehog since they are solitary and don’t normally like to share a cage. Never buy a male and female to be placed in the same cage unless you intend to breed! Hedgehogs are ready to breed as early as 8 weeks and females should never be bred before 5 months, so be careful! SEE SEXING HEDGEHOGS You may decide to either go to a pet store or check ads and buy from a breeder. In either case, you are looking for a good healthy animal. Temperament - This is of major importance and should be a deciding factor as to whether you buy a particular animal or not. After picking a potential pet up, examine it closely. Does it unroll after a few seconds? Does he click, jump or hiss? Hissing is okay. It is simply frightened because it doesn’t know you. Clicking, however, means that it's trying to threaten you. This is NOT acceptable hedgehog behavior and you should look at a different, better-tempered animal. Every hedgehog is different and unique. Some like to play and explore, while others are more content to cuddle. You will be most satisfied with your new pet if you carefully choose the one that best suits your own personality and lifestyle. Choosing a Healthy Hedgehog ⦁ look at the hedgehogs face. Are his eyes nice, round, beady, wide open, and bright, without discharge? Is his nose clean and not running? Are his ears short, clean, with no discharge or crustiness behind them? Sometimes an ear has been chewed on by a sibling. As long as it has healed, this is not something to worry about. ⦁ Is his fur on his belly soft and not matted? ⦁ Are the spines all there with no bare spots? Bare spots indicate an unhealthy animal. Is there any sign of mites, fleas, or crustiness on his back? Check the pen, is there green droppings or diarrhea? ⦁ Is his body plump? (not fat) ⦁ Place him on a flat surface such as a table and watch him walk. Does he wobble or have difficulty staying upright? A healthy hedgehog should have a stride that is somewhere between a walk and a shuffle? ⦁ Can you here a rattle when he is breathing or does it seem okay? (do not mistake normal hedgehog "talk" such as chirping, purring or cheeping for a pneumonia-related rattle) I realize that it will be very hard to check all these points but most of these things are very basic. In fact, you will probably notice many of these things without even realizing it. Most hedgehogs are healthy and they suffer very few serious ailments, so it’s usually not a problem. But, if you do notice any of the problems listed here, have a qualified veterinarian check your choice before taking it home. By following these guidelines, you will be helping to ensure that the pet you choose will live a long and healthy life. There is not a stated or implied guarantee, this is common with most breeders. Those that touch on something specific, will often do so because this has been a problem with them in the past. In general a healthy hedgehog will not have an issue to worry about. Sexing Hedgehogs: Both male and female hedgehogs make equally good pets so this decision is entirely your own. You can readily tell a boy from a girl. If the hedgehog is tame and friendly, gently roll it over and look at the area closest to the tail. A female's genitals are immediately next to the anus, while the male's penis sheath, or "belly button" is farther up the tummy. The distance between the anus and belly button will be approximately 1/2 inch on a six week old male hoglet. However, this distance can increase to as much as an inch or more once it fully matures. How Old Should My Hedgehog be Before I Take it Home? Never take a hedgehog home before it is at least six weeks of age, the best is 8 weeks of age. Older hedgehogs are OK too, but keep in mind that the younger the hedgehog, the better the odds of him bonding with you. What Kind of Housing Will He Require? Your hedgehog will require a secure home since they are very good climbers and can easily escape from open-topped cages that are designed for animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits. If you do use a cage with an open top, it must have slippery sides that are at least 12" high and a floor space of at least 24” x 24”. It must also have good circulation and be well lit but not exposed to direct sunlight during the daytime. Storage containers: These are cost effective and very easy to clean and keep sanitized. I use Rubbermaid 90 qt clear bins from Wal-mart. These are used a lot in the hedgehog community. Wire Cages: In most cases, I would not recommend any wire cage for hedgehogs. If you are getting a wire cage, make sure it has a solid plastic bottom. I would go with the “My first Home - Large”. Wire cages have some dangers because the baby, in most cases, only knows how to climb up. Therefore, the only way down is to fall which could cause injury or death. Cage Placement Place your hedgehogs new home in a comfortable, warm, well lit area that is free of drafts and direct sunlight. They are most comfortable at temperatures of between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. (18-27 degrees Celsius) The basic rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable without a sweater, they will do just fine. Accessories In addition to a cage, your hedgehog will require the following accessories: BEDDING: Aspen, Pine or White shavings (NOT CEDAR!) & recycled newspaper, are by far the best choice for bedding material. Crushed corn cob makes a relatively good bedding and is safe to use for females and adults, but it SHOULD NOT be used for young male hedgehogs. Place approximately two inches of bedding material evenly over the floor of the cage. FOOD BOWL: The food bowl needs to be fairly wide and heavy to prevent your pet from dumping out its contents and using it as a toy. Small ceramic crocks that are designed for small rodents are perfect food dishes for hedgehogs. The width or diameter of the dish can be 3 to 6 inches and it should be no more than 3 inches high. WATER BOTTLE: Water bottles are preferred over open dishes. Hedgehogs love to fill open water dishes with shavings and this prevents them from getting enough water to drink. HIDING PLACE: This can be as simple as a piece of 4 inch PVC pipe, an old plastic pitcher, or an old shoe box with a hole cut in one end. (this should be replaced every 2 to 3 weeks). LITTER BOX: Your pet will often use a litter box if you provide it with one. A small box that is 2” deep x 8” x 8”, half filled with dust free cat litter does very nicely. Non-clumping cat litter is the safest choice. We like to use the Cat Pine Pellets TOYS: If you choose, you can also add a few toys for your hedgehog to play with. An exercise wheel is an excellent addition and will help him to stay healthy and trim. Although any 12 inch wheel will suffice, there are now specially designed Hedgehog Wheels available from many pet suppliers. These are safer for your pet since they have a solid or mesh-covered running surface rather than the more common metal bars which they sometimes get their long legs caught in. Always use a enclosed wheel, not wire, the wire can cut their feet causing an infection. What Should I Feed Him and How Much? Although there are hedgehog foods available in stores, dry cat and kitten formulas are equally good choices. Whatever commercial food you choose should be supplemented by a variety of other foods such as vegetables, mealworms and crickets, cooked meats and fruit and vegetables. However none of these should be fed as anything more than a treat 3 or 4 times a week. The dry food should be the staple. While the dry food can be fed free choice to all but the more obese hedgehogs, the supplements should be offered for no more than 15 minutes and then removed. I leave food in the cage at all times. They need fresh water daily. Do not offer avocados or grapes as they are toxic to hedgehogs. You should not offer anything other than what is recommended (no chocolate or other sweets). Care and Management When you bring you new hedgehog home, place him in his new cage and let him have absolute privacy for at least a day. You may pick him up and hold him once or twice for a few minutes the first day, but remember, it will probably be more like a week before he begins to feel at home. Baby hedgehogs need quite a bit of sleep the first month after they come home with you, so don't be too concerned if he sleeps a lot at first. Hygiene Hedgehogs will need to be bathed about every 1 to 2 weeks or when he/she looks dirty. Fill your sink with lukewarm water so your hedgehog can’t touch the bottom. Keep your hand under him/her to be sure he/she is safe. Use your other hand to pour water over the quills to get them wet. I put a small amount of Baby Aveeno Oatmeal on a tooth brush and brush down with the quills (never up). Try not to get water in your hedgies eyes and ears. Rinse thoroughly and clean the feet. When you’re done, place the hedgehog in a warm towel and snuggle until completely dry. This is a good time to bond with your baby. Hedgehogs will also need there nails trimmed regularly. Socializing Your Baby You will need to scoop your hedgehog up from underneath and take him out of the cage. To help wake your hedgehog up, place him/her in your hand and tickle the top of his back until he opens up. While standing up, place him on your tummy face down to the floor and gently stroke his/her quills in an upward motion (toward your head, never against the quills) one hand at a time. This is usually really helpful for me. Your hedgehog will need to be held at least once a day for 45 minutes to an hour to ensure good temperament. The more you hold your hedgie, the more social he will be. Hoglets will go though quilling as a baby and up to 6 months. Quilling is when hedgehogs lose their baby quills and new, stronger, adult quills come through the skin. It isn't uncommon for your hedgehog to get grumpy off and on until he is completely though quilling. Hedgehogs that are quilling will have some quill loss. You will see a few here and there, but you shouldn't see any bald spots. If you look closely at his/her skin during this time, you can see quills coming though the skin. His/her back will be tender this is what causes him/her to be huffier than normal. You will still need to give him/her plenty of holding time. Be sure to play with him/her gently, so that you don't irritate his skin. Bathing your hedgehog in lukewarm water can help with some of the discomfort. Obesity Since a healthy hedgehog is a bit on the plump side naturally, determining the difference between a healthy animal's "chubby" condition and obesity can be somewhat difficult. Since there is such a wide variety of size in domestic stock these days, an obese hedgehog can be as little as 8 ounces to as much as 2 pounds in weight, so weight guidelines are of little use in identifying a fat hedgehog! Of far more use to you than a set of scales is a weekly or monthly visual inspection of your pet's front legs and chin. While a hedgehog in its normal trim will be a bit chubby in these two locations, an obese specimen will have a double chin and "ham-hocks" for legs and sometimes even rolls of fat under the arm-pits. Such animals will be so fat that they will even be incapable of rolling themselves into a ball! If your pet should become this fat eliminate all treats from its diet but do not reduce the amount of dry food - the primary source of necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals. If after a month you see no evidence of weight loss, change the type of dry food that you are feeding to one that has a fat content of at least 20 percent. The theory is that the added fat will cause your pet to "bulk-up" and eat less and will actually help it to lose weight. FAQ 1: What is the difference between a male and female hedgehog? There are no temperament differences between a male and a female. One does not stink more then then other. Only thing different is the gender. Females do not go in heat and Males do not mark. 2: Should I get 2 so they have a play mate? Hedgehogs are solitaire animals and prefer to be alone. You should never put 2 males around each other because they will fight. You also shouldn’t put a male and female together unless you are ready to breed them. However, I do know that most females will accept a female roommate. There are a few females who will fight with another female because she prefers to be alone. In that case you will need to get a 2nd cage. 3: Do you ship your hedgehogs? I prefer to not ship. Hedgehogs are not legal in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, 5 boroughs of New York City, and in Nebraska. 4: Do you sell to pet stores or wholesalers? I do not! These are not only our pets, they are family and family raised. We like to know where out little ones are going. 5: When can we take our baby home? Babies wean between 6 to 8 weeks of age. I normally let them go around 8 weeks of age. There are some times when I do need to keep a baby longer because they just need more mommy time. Babies wean on their own time, not mine. 6: Why is my hedgehog foaming out the mouth? Hedgehogs will anoint when they have tasted something they like and then make a foam and lick it to their backs. Its really fun to watch and not harmful to the hedgehog. 7: Do hedgehogs bite? Anything with teeth can bite. Most hedgehogs rarely bite out of meanness. There is that very small percent that just do not like to be held and will bite because they want to be put down. That being said, there are ways to prevent a bite. 1) Most hedgehogs will give a warning before they bite. If he starts to lick you anywhere on your skin more then once then you will want to move him asap. He is licking because you have something on you that smells yummy and he may nip you to test it out. 😉 2) Try not to switch your soaps often this includes, Shampoo, body washes, lotions and hand wash. 3) After you are done eating be sure to wash your hands. 8: Are hedgehogs good pets for all ages? No, Kids under 4 are not good with hedgehogs. Although there are some exceptions to this rule. If you have a mature 4 year old who is not scared easily then I would recommend getting an adult that is already social and an easy keeper. 9: Do they shoot their quills like porcupines? No, they do however shed quills while they are a baby and grow in new adult quills. The adult quills typically do not fall out. 10: Can I put a hold on a baby without a deposit? No 11. How much if your deposit & how do I pay it ? 1/2 the hoglet price & we offer a secure online payment option thru Paypal, We send you an invoice, that states all information about this baby, confirming which one you are reserving, it allows you to use multiple methods of payment & have a full tracking of your funds, a receipt of your payment. 12: What kind of food do you recommend feeding a hedgehog? Babies will be started on a mix of kitten chows that the mother also eats to aid in milk production. It’s a hard cat food. Not soft! My adult hedgehogs are eating a variety of high protein low fat, cat food/kitten foods. NOTE: I do NOT recommend any of the "Specialty Hedgehog food" mixes you can buy from a pet store. 95% of them do not meet a hedgehogs nutritional requirements. 13: When do I need to take my hedgehog to the vet? Some reasons to take a hedgehog to the vet... 1) Stopped eating 2) Stopped drinking 3) Diarrhea or stool is changing colors 4) Injuries 5) Losing lots of quills or seeing bald spots 6) Throwing up 7) Notice of lumps, bumps and anything abnormal You know your hedgehog better then anyone so if you feel he is not acting normal then you need to take him in. Better safe then sorry. 14: Does the price of the hedgehog include a cage? No, I do send them home in a vented plastic box with a lid, normally a shoe box. 15: How long does a hedgehog live? Average 4 to 6 years but I have heard of some living as long as 10 years but this is very rare. 16: Can a hedgehog live outside in its cage? NO! Hedgehogs do not do well with extreme temperatures. They need to be inside. 17: What temperature should a hedgehog be kept in? 72 to 82 degrees 18: How much does a hedgehog cost? My hedgehogs can vary. Anywhere from $100.00 to $200.00 for babies. Adults, it just depends on the age and temperament. 18: Will you meet half way or deliver to my home? Sorry, I do not meet buyers outside or Mount FAQ 1: What is the difference between a male and female hedgehog? There are no temperament differences between a male and a female. One does not stink more then then other. Only thing different is the gender. Females do not go in heat and Males do not mark. 2: Should I get 2 so they have a play mate? Hedgehogs are solitaire animals and prefer to be alone. You should never put 2 males around each other because they will fight. You also shouldn’t put a male and female together unless you are ready to breed them. However, I do know that most females will accept a female roommate. There are a few females who will fight with another female because she prefers to be alone. In that case you will need to get a 2nd cage. 3: Do you ship your hedgehogs? Yes, I ship to states where hedgehogs are legal. Hedgehogs are not legal in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, 5 boroughs of New York City, and in Nebraska. 4: How are hedgehogs shipped? I ship hedgehogs via airplane. The airlines I go through is United Airways. I use a cat kennel and make them nice and cozy in there. They have some food in the crate just incase they want a snack. If something happens and the plane is late the airlines will feed and water them. The hedgehog will arrive at your airport and will be able to be picked up either at the cargo area or at baggage claim. It all depends on the airport. 5: When can we take our baby home? Babies wean between 6 to 8 weeks of age. I normally let them go around 7 weeks of age. There are some times when I do need to keep a baby longer because they just need more mommy time. Babies wean on their own time, not mine. J 6: Why is my hedgehog foaming out the mouth? Hedgehogs will anoint when they have tasted something they like and then make a foam and lick it to their backs. Its really fun to watch and not harmful to the hedgehog. 7: Do hedgehogs bite? Anything with teeth can bite. Most hedgehogs rarely bite out of meanness. There is that very small percent that just do not like to be held and will bite because they want to be put down. That being said, there are ways to prevent a bite. 1) Most hedgehogs will give a warning before they bite. If he starts to lick you anywhere on your skin more then once then you will want to move him asap. He is licking because you have something on you that smells yummy and he may nip you to test it out. 😉 2) Try not to switch your soaps often this includes, Shampoo, body washes, lotions and hand wash. 3) After you are done eating be sure to wash your hands. 8: Are hedgehogs good pets for all ages? No, Kids under 4 are not good with hedgehogs. Although there are some exceptions to this rule. If you have a mature 4 year old who is not scared easily then I would recommend getting an adult that is already social and an easy keeper. 9: Do they shoot their quills like porcupines? No, they do however shed quills while they are a baby and grow in new adult quills. The adult quills typically do not fall out. 10: Can I put a hold on a baby longer then 7 days without a deposit? No 11: What kind of food do you recommend feeding a hedgehog? Babies will be started on Purina Kitten Chow. It’s a hard cat food. Not soft! My adult hedgehogs are eating Purina One Chicken and rice hard adult cat food. NOTE: I do NOT recommend any of the "Specialty Hedgehog food" mixes you can buy from a pet store. 95% of them do not meet a hedgehogs nutritional requirements. 12: When do I need to take my hedgehog to the vet? Some reasons to take a hedgehog to the vet... 1) Stopped eating 2) Stopped drinking 3) Diarrhea or stool is changing colors 4) Injuries 5) Losing lots of quills or seeing bald spots 6) Throwing up 7) Notice of lumps, bumps and anything abnormal You know your hedgehog better then anyone so if you feel he is not acting normal then you need to take him in. Better safe then sorry. 13: Does the price of the hedgehog include a cage? No, Full cage setups are an additional $105.00. 14: How long does a hedgehog live? Average 4 to 6 years but I have heard of some living as long as 10 years but this is very rare. 15: Can a hedgehog live outside in its cage? NO! Hedgehogs do not do well with extreme temperatures. They need to be inside. 16: What temperature should a hedgehog be kept in? 72 to 82 degrees 17: How much does a hedgehog cost? My hedgehogs can vary. Anywhere from $225.00 to $295.00 for babies. Adults, it just depends on the age and temperament. 18: Will you meet half way or deliver to my home? Sorry, I do not meet buyers outside of Mount Vernon/Mitchell depending on what my day is like the timing you want to pickup. 19: What comes with my Hedgehog? Information on care, a Birth Certificate, baggie of mixed food, Small vented box with lid, & piece of fleece that smells like our home to make the transition easier, they also love to snuggle in it to sleep and stay warm. 20: Can an adult hedgehog bond with me? Yes, they can but it does take time. 21: Can I tame an older grumpy hedgehog? It is possible yes. 22: What are the pros and cons in getting an older hedgehog? Getting a well socialized adult is better for younger kids. They have went thru their grumpy stages and the temperament they have will pretty much stick with them. So they make for an easy pet to hold. 23: I want 2 hedgehogs and I do not intend to breed. Can I get one of each sex? I will not sell a male and a female to the same household. I will however sell 2 females or 2 males but not one of each. I do this to be sure there are no opps litters down the road. This will protect you and your hedgehogs from a sticky, possibly deadly situation. Things happen and hedgehogs escape so you never know. 24: Do you accept payments? Yes, but they will need to be paid in full by the day of pick up. 25: Are hedgehogs ok to be around other pets? Yes, but you should never leave a hedgehog unattended. More importantly when they are around another pet. 26: Do hedgehogs stink like ferrets? No, The hedgehog itself really doesn't have a smell. If you clean the hedgehogs cage every 5 days then you should not smell the cage either. 27: Can a Hedgehog be litter trained? Yes, When you do train them. Be sure to use yesterdays new ferret litter or the pine pellets. Other litters can be harmful. While they can be litter trained in a cage, they will not really use a litter pan if you let them outside of the cage. 28: Do hedgehogs need vaccines? No they do not. 29: Can a hedgehog escape? Yes, So be sure to have a secure lid on the cage. 30: What does a hedgehog drink from? I HIGHLY recommend water bottles. Everyone has their preference. Water bowls get dirty fast and if you don't clean it a few times a day your hedgehog can pick up bacteria that could make him sick. I bleach my water bottles once a week. 31: Can hedgehogs get Fleas? Yes They can. They can also get mites as well. This is very easy to treat. The BEST and safe way to treat them is to use Revolution Kitten. Its 1 drop per every 200 grams. So if your hedgehog is 400 grams, then he needs 2 drops. 32 Can a hedgehog give me salmonella? Any pet can carry salmonella. The hedgehog is no different. Anytime you hold your hedgehog be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you have placed him back in his cage. 33: Are hedgehogs quills Sharp? Yes, Their quills are like tooth picks. They typically don't puncture your skin but if they hit you just right it is possible. 34: How often do they go through quillings? It happens off and on til they are 6 months old. There is not set time frame they go thru it. It just happens. 35: Why does my hedgehog sleep all day? Hedgehogs are nocturnal. So they sleep during the day and play all night. Waking them can make them grumpy at times. 36: Do hedgehogs need a bath? Yes, but not often. Only when needed. 37 : Can I take my hedgehog outside on a nice day? Yes, but watch closely. You don't want him eating anything that is outside. Could be harmful. 38: What insects do I feed my hedgie? Crickets, Medium mealworms, Madagascar cock roaches. When you feed them any of the above make sure they are live and not freeze dried. Freeze dried is not good for them and can get be harmful. 40: Do Hedgehogs Sunbathe? No, if a hedgehog is out in the day it is a sign there is a problem and they will come out to find warmth when they are poorly. They might appear to be sunbathing as these hedgehogs remain still in the sun. If a hedgehog is out in the day it means there IS a problem. 41: Why do Hedgehogs stagger and appear drunk? A hedgehog that is dehydrated and cold will often stagger and wobble 42: Why does a hedgehog curl into a tight ball? The hedgehog’s natural defense is to curl up in a tight ball using its spikes to protect it. 43: Can I feed my Hedgehog Bread and Milk? Many years ago bread and milk was considered good for hedgehogs and they would readily eat it. However, modern research has found that bread and milk causes illness and sometimes death in hedgehogs and shouldn’t be given under any circumstances (even to baby hedgehogs). 44: How can I play with my hedgehog? Most well socialized hedgehogs enjoy being around humans. Hedgehogs will not fetch, and are extremely difficult to teach tricks. However, a pet hedgehog is still a lot of fun to play with! Always be gentle when playing. Most hedgehogs enjoy a sort of "treasure hunt" for food. To play this game, darken a hallway or room so that you can see but the room is a little darker than a human would like. Hide treats the hedgehog seems to like in dark corners and under small objects. Make sure to remember where everything is, and don't use live prey! Let the hedgehog loose and watch it hunt for food in its natural nocturnal state. See how many treats your pet can find! You might try setting up obstacles such as a tunnel, small barrier, or dish of water to test your pet's creativeness. Don't be surprised if he or she knocks down, goes around, or completely ignores the challenge. Hedgehogs generally try to take the easiest path to food, and that includes finding their own treats instead of the ones you set up! Old food scraps are often discovered indoors. Outdoors is entirely different! Be prepared for a hedgehog taste testing a variety of unusual treats. This will normally be safe but one never knows so use caution. Hedgehogs instinctively chew new foods into a foamy saliva and spread it on their spines. This is not yet fully explained by scientists, but I theorize that they are attempting to coat themselves with a new scent to avoid predators. Once you and your hedgehog are accustomed to each other you may want to keep your hedgehog with you at times. Who can resist showing off a well behaved, cute, and unusual pet? Your pet may like to be close to you. If it trusts you it may think of you as a mix between servant, toy, and shelter. The latter option prompts my pets to seek refuge inside my shirt! If you don't like to have prickly, excitable animals in your shirt, consider a fanny pack or backpack. Always leave the zipper a little bit open. (Enough for your little friend to stick their head or nose out to see what's going on, but not enough to let them escape.) A word of caution: When carrying hedgehogs for any extended period of time, make sure to offer food, water, and exercise about every half hour at the very minimum. 45: What If I Lose My Hedgehog In My House? It's generally easy to find a lost hedgie inside. If it's winter, turn up the heat so Sonic doesn't hibernate. Close any open doors, especially if you know which room the hedgehog is in. Remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal, so look behind bookshelves and under beds. Watch where you put your feet. Tapping things and listening for hisses helps, if your pet is a hisser. If all else fails, wait until dark and tempt him/her with his/her evening food. This last method has worked numerous times on Angel, who always managed to find a hiding place that remains hidden despite a thorough search of closets, furniture, beds, etc. She even managed to make a hole in the back of a dresser and hide in my sweatshirt drawer! 46: What If I Lose My Hedgehog Outdoors? It's not as easy to find a pet lost outside. Alert all neighbors to be on the lookout for a lost hedgehog. If it's winter, try to set up a warm shelter. Let me add that in winter, hedgehogs should NEVER BE OUTSIDE. In fact, it must be about 72 degrees, with only very low winds before you can let them out to play. Watch at all times when your pets are outside, unless you have an enclosed deck for them to play on. If despite all efforts to keep track of your pet they run off, don't lose hope. Search bushes, gardens, flower beds, and any small dark space first. Then look methodically through the yard. Always be careful to watch where you step! If you still don't find the missing animal, lay its favorite treats by all possible hiding places at evening and watch. If this doesn't work, keep trying and hope for the best. A lost outdoor hedgie is a tough case. If you locate the pet and can't reach to get them out, leave treats for them and watch from a distance. Good luck! 47: Is it a good idea to buy a nursing or pregnant female? In general, absolutely not. Unfortunately, you can't always tell if a pet shop animal is pregnant. We do not recommend a pet shop pet anyway. A pregnant or nursing female should never be bought except from a breeder and even then only by a very experienced owner. The stress of travel is never good for lactating or expecting sows. It also helps to take time to get to know the hog before taking on the added difficulties of hoglets. If you find yourself in such a position, take a deep breath, get out your hedgehog book, and leave the sow alone as much as possible. Provide plenty of food and water, along with a large nesting box. We prefer snuggle sacks. 48: What if my hedgehog has dandruff? This usually indicates a nutritional problem. If you check the section on feeding, you will find my recipe. The section on commercial food has more recommendations. If you already use nutritious food, it is best to call a vet. The veterinarian can examine the individual, take a skin sample to analyze for mites, and talk to you about the feeding program you use. A little flaky skin is completely normal, especially for a hedgehog which you just bought, (should have a checkup anyway!) but excessive dandruff is a serious condition. If you put the hedgehog on a black towel, does it look like it snowed? If so, time to change something. A healthy hedgehog will have very slightly flaky skin or smooth, pink skin with no hint of dandruff. 49: What if my hedgehog has chapped ears? This is absolutely normal for a new hedgehog. It will need a checkup to make sure it is in good health and free from ear mites, but once any parasite is ruled out it is easy to get rid of unsightly cracked ears. First, check the sections on feeding and commercial food to establish a feeding program that meets nutritional needs. Once you have begun feeding healthy food, time to treat the ears from the outside. Your hedgehog will not enjoy this step, but it is necessary. A thin coat of vaseline, cocoa butter, or another skin lotion that would be safe for a baby should be spread on each ear. Unscented bag balm works well also. Take care not to get this inside the ear canal! Repeat this weekly until the problem clears up. It may take months for ears to become completely smooth, but if no improvement at all shows in one month repeat the vet check. Eventually, your pet should have small, smooth oval ears with no cracks. 50: What If My Hedgehog Has Mites? Don't panic! If you suspect that your pet has mites, the best thing you can do is go to your veterinarian as soon as possible. He or she will take a skin or quill sample and check for mites. If the vet finds mites, he or she will probably give your hedgehog an injection and advise you to keep it on paper towel bedding changed daily until the mite infestation is a thing of the past. Your pet may need another injection, or, in very severe cases, two. Years ago Abby came to me with a terrible mite infestation, the result of the stress of her pregnancy causing the natural very few mites on a hedgie to multiply out of control. She was given Revolution drops. If treated properly, mites are no problem at all. An adult hedgehog is always growing new quills, and those lost will soon be replaced. 51: How many hedgehogs can I keep? As many as you have the time and money to care for. Each hedgehog needs its own cage, which must be cleaned regularly, vet care, food, water, a wheel, hiding places, litter, a heat lamp and heat pad, and lots of loving attention from you. The more hedgehogs the more difficult this is. Set aside at least a half hour daily for quiet time with each hedgehog. If two or three get along, you can hold them at the same time. No more than three, however, as supervision gets very tricky! The bottom line is, if you can find room in your home, heart, and wallet for twenty hedgehogs and their needs, then go ahead and keep twenty hedgehogs. It's a good idea to talk to your vet before any attempts at breeding, however. If you honestly look at yourself and find that you would not be able to keep two hedgehogs happy, then consider setting up a play date for your pet and another hedgie in your area. You will also want to check USDA laws about the number you can have before you will need to be inspected/licensed. 52: Can I let my hedgehogs play together? Absolutely, if you make sure that they will be safe. Before introducing two animals, make sure that both have had a recent vet exam to prevent diseases or parasites being passed back and forth. Choose a play area to introduce them in which there is room to go their separate ways if they don't "click." Allow the pair to slowly get acquainted. Hissing should not be considered a problem, merely a part of understanding the other's boundaries. If the hedgehogs are seriously fighting, biting each other's spines and hanging on, separate them and put them a little ways apart. If this continues to be a problem, keep the particular two apart. Hedgehogs are as individual as humans. It is also a good idea not to give treats to newly introduced hogs while both can see, otherwise a fight may start. Remember, before allowing a male and female to meet for more than a few minutes make sure you are prepared for the possibility of babies. Hedgehog overnights are a possibility between two females or a female and a male, but do not keep two males in close quarters. As with any rule, there are exceptions to this. Some males can become great friends! With any overnight, make sure the hedgehogs know each other and both have their own food dish and hideaway for the night. If the hogs get different food, separate them for an hour or so at feeding time. In addition, do not schedule a hedgehog sleepover between a male and a female unless you are prepared to deal with babies. 53: What If I Go Out of Town? If you have to leave town, it's usually best not to take a hedgehog along. A superbly calm animal might tolerate a short trip, but hedgehogs do not do well in the cargo area of planes. Sneaking a hedgie on board in a fanny pack is an option, but everything depends on how good natured your fellow passengers are, since it's absolutely necessary to offer a hedgehog food, water, and exercise frequently. The best option in most circumstances is hiring a hedgehog sitter. If possible, this person should have hedgehogs of their own. Never entrust your pet to someone who treats their own hedgies badly, of course. In the best of all possible worlds, your sitter would take your hog into his or her home while you are gone, cage, toys and all. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible. Other pets, lack of space, roommates, or any number of other things can make it hard for someone to take a new pet for several days. In this case, your hedgehog sitter should visit your pet at least once a day to feed, water if necessary, and play with your hedgehog. Make it easy for the sitter. Write or type up feeding instructions, the hedgehog's name, and emergency numbers. Paste this document to the hedgehog's cage to make sure the sitter can see exactly where it is. Leave and adequate quantity of food, and show your friend where it is. If the hedgehog is temperamental, leave work gloves by the cage. If you follow these instructions, you can enjoy your trip knowing that your beloved hog is safe with a responsible caretaker. HANDLING FOR CHILDREN AND NEW PETS I suggest the following rules for handling the hedgehog. These are flexible depending on the kid and the hedgehog. These could be posted on an index card taped to the cage if you have very young children who will need a reminder. Also, no child under eight and no child whom you do not trust or who is meeting the pet for the first time should be left alone. ⦁ Sit down if a parent is not within sight while holding the hedgehog. ⦁ If the hedgehog is hissing, back off. ⦁ Never punish the hedgehog. ⦁ Only feed the hedgehog mealworms while holding it no experiments. ⦁ Keep the hedgehog in sight at all times. ⦁ Do not sit on or squeeze the hedgehog. ⦁ Use soft touches. ⦁ Do not introduce the hedgehog to any other pets, including those you don't own. Stick to these rules, and make sure they are understood before letting the child hold the hedgehog for more than a minute or so or without supervision.