Hedgehog care is more complex than many of the other "pocket pets." Doing proper research before you decide to bring one home is extremely important. If you have ANY questions, feel free to ask me. I can be reached at ainsleywillowhedgehogs@gmail.com or by TEXTING 502-601-9201. I rarely answer phone calls.
Housing A clear storage tote that is 105 qt or bigger or a C&C cage with 10" solid walls are the only approved caging options. (Effective 3/24/24)
Heat You'll need a lamp with a ceramic/porcelain base (plastic is a fire hazard), a ceramic heat emitter bulb (no bulbs that omit light), a reliable thermostat (I only approve the Inkbird 306T), and a Govee wifi thermometer. Avoid cheap bulbs from Amazon or the set that has the lamp, bulb and thermostat. MAJOR FIRE RISK!!! They need to be kept between 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
DO NOT USE HEAT PADS! They cause burns and only warm that one spot. They don’t need a heat gradient like reptiles. The whole cage needs to be proper temperature.
Wire for the lid-You can use a cookie cooling sheet or hardware cloth. Just make sure it isn’t vinyl coated. Powder coated is ok. If you can make an indentation with your fingernail, it’s vinyl coated.
You can also give as supplementation live bugs, hard boiled or scrambled eggs, plain cooked chicken, or pumpkin/butternut squash/sweet potato baby food. Don't begin anything extra before three months of age, then introduce things slowly. Leave kibble down even when feeding the extra stuff. NEVER FEED FRUIT!
Bedding Anything but KayKob (corn) bedding, dirt or cedar should be fine. I recommend Kiln Dried pine, equine pine pellets, the pine flakes (white bag from tractor supply), Kaytee Aspen or fleece.
What to use if you're breaking out in hives (try not to use more than once a month since it's medicated shampoo) https://www.amazon.com/BEXLEY-LABS-Curaseb-Medicated-Shampoo/dp/B01G2T1N5I/ref=sxts_rp_s_a_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4%3Aamzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&crid=1MO8NB1B6F0GK&cv_ct_cx=curaseb+chlorhexidine&keywords=curaseb+chlorhexidine&pd_rd_i=B01G2T1N5I&pd_rd_r=ba46eb9b-9c20-40d2-abc2-530ab80c2f7f&pd_rd_w=XiXud&pd_rd_wg=P0ayv&pf_rd_p=eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&pf_rd_r=ZZEVE0PTK39V6F4WPT6H&qid=1672767036&sprefix=curaseb+chlorhexidine%2Caps%2C155&sr=1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e
You'll also want infant nail trimmers, kwik stop (styptic powder), oatmeal bath bombs for when they're quilling, and a quill brush.
Toys Matchbox cars, crinkle balls, ping pong balls, solid jingle balls (none that have openings they can get their teeth or jaws caught in), vinyl bath toys, or small stuffed animals (sewn on eyes and nose preferred are some of their favorites. I sell a toy kit in the Hedgehog Shoppe! Hedgehog Shoppe - Ainsley Willow Hedgehogs
Bonding Pouches I recommend having at least three. You use these when you are bonding on the couch or you can use them as hides in the cage. I sell them for $15 each or 2/$25. Please contact me for available prints.