Hedgehogs

A large Rubbermaid container or a 30-gallon aquarium does well as a cage. You need to add a wheel for exercising (make sure that is doesn't have wire running surface as little hedgie feet can get caught in between gaps in the wires, and get hurt). They also need traction to run on; you can cover the wheel surface with craft foam. It provides a soft surface, and traction. Underneath the plastic floor of the cage needs to be a heating pad that is always turned on to low. For bedding use Care-Fresh small animal bedding. It is good for Hedgies because it is soft and puts off no fumes like cedar and pine do. Never put your hedgie on one of these, as they have delicate respiratory systems, and the fumes could hurt their lungs. There also needs to be a food bowl and water bottle in the cage. The "flat-back" brand water bottle can be easily mounted on the outside of the cage. Your hedgie also needs a Hedgie Hut. These are cloth bags with normal cloth on the outside, flannel on the inside, and no exposed seams or loose threads. A Hedgie Hut keeps all the heat in, and it also gives your hedgie a place to hide. You might also want to add some cat toys and craft foam tubes for your hedgehog's enjoyment.

Hedgies need to be kept between 65 and 80 degrees.

Hedgehogs need a combination of Select Diet hedgehog food, Science Diet Maintenance (Juveniles should also be fed Kitten Chow) You can also feed baby food (fruit, vegetable, and meat) every day, every other day crickets, (most Hedgies like to hunt them around the house), and fresh and dried fruit, cooked veggies, and popcorn infrequently. Add a couple drops of cod liver oil once a week to the food to prevent dry skin.

Hedgehogs need bath once a week in Johnson's & Johnson's Bath Shampoo. The water should be an inch lower than their nose. Do not keep them in very long; just long enough to get the dirt off. The most important thing about hedgie bathing is making sure they are dry as soon as possible afterwards. Use a warm blowdryer, and then let them cuddle on top of a towel that is set on a heating pad. This keeps them clean and happy. If your Hedgehog is scratching a lot you might want to take him to the vet to test for mites. They are common in hegies and can cause some problems.

If you smell *really* interesting, your hedgehog will lick or nibble on you, back off, and suddenly contort itself, start foaming at the mouth, and lick the foam onto its spines. This ``self-anointing'' has to be seen to be believed, but it's perfectly normal. It's not known for sure why they do it, but it probably has something to do with self-defense; hedgehogs are *highly* resistant to most toxins, and when they encounter something that might be toxic, they get it in their mouths, foam, and cover themselves with the toxic mixture.