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 [email protected] 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. Any other caging options will void the WHS health guarantee. (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 emit light), an Inkbird 306T thermostat, and a Govee wifi thermometer. 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.
MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PUT THE LAMP OVER THE WHEEL. IT WILL WARP/MELT IT. Lamp- https://amzn.to/3JCBr8L
Wire for the lid to sit heat lamp on. If you use any other kind of wire, make sure it isn't vinyl coated. It will melt and can drip on the hedgehog.- https://amzn.to/3UCozFG
Hot Knife for cutting the lid (this is the one I use and I love it): amzn.to/3wkuR3q
If you do the above cage (the c&c cage), you will need two lamps. If it is bigger than 2x3 grids, you'll also need two Inkbird 306t thermostats and two govee wifi thermometers.
Wheel These are the only safe wheels for hedgehogs. Must be at least 11 inches in diameter, but 12 or more is preferred, especially for large hogs. IF IT ISN’T ON THIS LIST, IT ISN'T SAFE.
MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PUT THE HEAT LAMP OVER THE WHEEL. IT WILL WARP/MELT IT.
Diet This is the only food I recommend. Feeding anything else (even mixed) voids the health guarantee!!! Make sure it's the chicken formula and NOT the seafood formula. Hedgehogs cannot properly digest seafood and will get sick. https://amzn.to/3Un8mCS
You can also give as supplementation live bugs, hard boiled or scrambled eggs, plain cooked chicken, f/t pinkie mice (I sell them), or pumpkin/butternut squash/sweet potato baby food (Beechnut brand since there's no lemon concentrate in it). Don't begin anything extra before three months of age, then introduce things slowly. Leave kibble down even when feeding the extra stuff. Don’t mix the new stuff in with the kibble. Put it in a separate dish. NEVER EVER FEED FRUIT!
Bedding Anything but KayKob (corn) bedding, dirt, cedar or plastic puppy pads should be fine. I recommend Kiln Dried pine, equine pine pellets, the pine flakes (white bag from tractor supply), Kaytee Aspen or fleece. In my opinion, the Kaytee Aspen is far superior in odor reduction. https://amzn.to/3Qotjwf
You can use this after a bath for REALLY dry skin. Don't use coconut, olive, or any other kind of oil because it will make dirt collect around the base of their quills and cause infection): https://amzn.to/4aWHL6M
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.