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Hedgehog Heaven
~ Breeding high-quality hedgehogs since 2013 ~
~ Located in Helena, AL~
Ground Transport around the United States
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Hedgehog Care
WHAT DO I NEED? See what we recommend below! Links provided :)
Do not use wire or grated bottoms or cages with levels.
Keep in mind: Hedgehogs are known to be escape artists!
Cage:
We recommend using a cage that is no smaller than 30" x 18" x 16" and does not have multiple stories. You can also use a large storage container such as a 105 - 200 quart storage unit. Use something with solid flooring. During Christmas time you can get Christmas tree totes that are perfect for a hedgehog! Wire-bottom cages are dangerous, and hedgehogs can get hurt if their legs get stuck in the holes.
What do we recommend?
Personally, we like the storage totes. They are easy to clean and sanitize. The bigger the cage the better! If you are handy and want to custom-make a cage, research C&C cages. Here are a few links to some cages we approve!
- Midwest Habitat
- Kaytee Habitat
- Ferplast Cage - I would recommend taking the ramp part-out
- Christmas Tree Tote - Obviously take off the top :)
- 200 qt Storage Tote - Take off the top
Bedding:
We personally use the unbleached white paper bedding from Small Pet Select. White bedding helps us see any issues that may arise in the hedgehogs stool or urine and I trust this company to have clean fresh bedding! Store bought shavings/bedding can carry mites due to the various places the bedding has been transferred too. I HIGHLY recommend this company! You can go to their site here: Small Pet Select
HOW TO REDUCE SMELL: We also use these products! They are naturally scented and the scent is NOT overpowering for a hedgehog. The bedding is still a light enough color for us to see any health issues in our hedgehogs stool and urine. You can also mix one of these with the Unbleached white paper bedding. These also help reduce house flies and fruit flies!
- Lavender Paper Bedding
- Rose Paper Bedding
- Marigold Paper Bedding
Hut/ Hides:
Preferably a plastic hut or fleece for your hedgehog to hide and sleep in. Something that can be washed and sanitized. This is a must since they are nocturnal and need a dark place to sleep during the day.
What do we recommend?
- Cute Fleece Huts
- Plastic Hut
Water Bowls and Bottles:
You can use a ceramic dish or a water bottle! Your hedgehog will be used to a water bottle, but they can easily switch to a bowl.
What do we recommend?
- Water bottle
- Fruit themed Ceramic Dishes
- Ceramic Dishes
Wheel: Only use solid, plastic wheels. There are many wheels available from the Comfort Wheels to the Silent Spinners to the Carolina Storm Wheels so research your wheels and make sure they fit your and your pet's needs. The wheel must be at least 12". It will look big, but your baby will grow into it!
What do we recommend?
- Comfort Wheel
Litter box:
If you choose to use a litter box, use a corner litter box or other easy access box and use non-clumping litter or bedding. If you use cat litter make sure it is NON-CLUMPING.
What do we recommend?
We LOVE these! You can tell if there is any inconsistencies in your hedgehogs stool and urine. It is scented but it is not too overpowering to upset your hedgehogs sensitive nose, but perfect to deter nasty smells and flies!! We have also added some unscented varieties :)
Unscented:
- White Paper Pellets
- Pine Pellets
Scented:
- Lavender Paper Bedding
- Rose Paper Bedding
- Marigold Paper Bedding
Heat source:
You MUST have a way to keep your hedgehog area between at least 76 to 80 F. We highly recommend having a thermostat gauge to regulate the temperature. This gauge will cut the heating device off or on when it reaches a certain temperature to ensure that your hedgehog never gets too hold or cold, and it's a great safety feature. Hedgehogs can go into hibernation if they get too cold and this can be fatal!!
** Heating pads can be safe, BUT they can cause burns if they get too hot! We recommend a heating lamp with a ceramic bulb over a heating pad or space heater. **
What do we recommend?
~ You need these three components ~
1. Thermostat Controller
2. Heat Lamp
3. Black Ceramic Heat Bulb We recommend black nonlight emitting bulbs instead of light bulbs because it is important that your hedgehog has an appropriate day and night cycle.
Food:
Hedgehogs are insectivores. Cat food has the right amount of nutrients they need to be healthy and happy. You are roughly looking for at least 20-30% protein, no more than 15% fat, and at least 2% fiber.
We are currently feeding Purina All Natural Cat Food, hand grind crickets and mealworms into a powered that we sprinkle on top. You can buy Cricket or Chitin powder if you prefer to not feed live insects or if your hedgehog is a picky eater! Insects are a very important source of nutrition for hedgehogs. Please add insects somehow into our hedgehog's diet.
You can mix 2-3 high-quality cat foods together to create a more complex diet. We don't just because we haven't found the best mix for our herd yet and Purina All Natural has worked very well for our herd for since 2013. We are working on a mix of several cat foods though, and will update when we find some that seem to work best!
You could also use...
- 4Health
- Innova
- Wellness Core
- Royal Canin
- Natural Balance etc...
For your pet hedgehog, you want to provide a well-balanced diet that is high in protein. How much you should feed him depends on his activity and metabolism. If you notice your hedgehog is becoming fat, cut back on his portions. If you notice he eats all his food and is lean, adds more. Also, you can feed insects as treats.
If you have any questions about what was said above, please don't hesitate to contact us!!!
BONDING/ CAN YOU PLAY WITH THEM?
They are similar to hamsters or guinea pigs - you can pet them, they have personalities, and they are fun to watch, but you can't really teach them to fetch or sit like a dog. They will bond with their owners and get to know your scent. Depending on the hedgehog's personality, some would rather chill out with you, while others would like to explore!
HOW DO I BATHE MY HEDGEHOG?
Hedgehogs are clean animals and do not need baths often.
Sometimes bedding, dirt, or other matter may become lodged in their quills and will need a bath. You will need towels, a toothbrush, and a sink. The shampoo isn’t always necessary and can dry out the skin. When purchasing shampoo, go with mild or baby/puppy/kitten shampoo. This will help avoid dry skin. Fill your sink with about an inch of warm water. Do not fill the sink too deep and make sure the water is lukewarm. Place your pet in the sink and wet his back with warm water. Try to avoid getting water near their eyes, ears, and face.
Take the toothbrush and gently comb the quills. Once the bath is complete, gently dry your hedgehog and try to remove as much water as possible. You want your pet to be completely dry before returning to its cage. If your hedgehog isn't completely dry, this can cause fungus to grow on your hedgehog's skin.
TIP: Hedgehogs create very little if any, dander and are nearly hypoallergenic to humans. They do not need baths to rid themselves of dander like dogs. If you think your hedgehog is giving you allergies, try changing your bedding to paper or fleece.
ANOINTING
Anointing is a hedgehog's way of trying to smell like its surroundings. Hedgehogs will chew or lick anything that smells new to them... INCLUDING YOU! If they start to lick you, be warned, they might bite you just out of curiosity! Once they are sure they have the taste in their mouth, they will make a foamy, spitball, and perform yoga to place it on their back.
QUILLING
Quilling is the time when a young hedgehog starts to shed their baby quills and replace with their adult quills. Quilling normally starts between 5 weeks-12 weeks old. They will have several other quilling processes over their lifetime.
During this time, you may notice several changes in your hedgehog. One of these changes is seeing a lot of quills. Keep in mind that it is common for an adult hedgehog to occasionally lose a quill or two, but during quilling, your hedgehog may lose a dozen quills in one sitting. If you look closely at your hedgehogs' skin you will notice new quills poking through their skin. This will cause their skin to become tender and sore. Your hedgehog may have never balled up before this time, and now he will not uncurl and hisses and pops constantly. Do not be alarmed; hedgehogs normally go back to their previous attitudes after the quilling ends. Make sure to still handle your hedgehog during this time as some hedgehogs that are not handled during quilling continued to be huffy afterward.
Behavior during quilling:
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One might compare teething in human babies to quilling in hedgehogs
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Some hedgehogs show no discomfort during quilling while others might become very grouchy.
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Hedgehogs that are uncomfortable might huff and puff more and relax less.
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Instead of attempting to “pet” your hedgehog simply hold him/her or allow him/her to crawl over you and explore.
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You don’t want to avoid handling your pet during the quilling process, but you certainly don’t want to increase their agitation by petting them if their behavior indicates they are uncomfortable.
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The good news is that with consistent handling the grouchiness will get better. Quilling can last about two weeks to a month. A way to ease their pain is a warm bath. Just remember that this will pass, and you need to be patient with your baby during this time.
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