Hedgehog Supplies Checklist
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 is best as long as it is at least 105 qt. A C&C Cage with 10" walls is another good option. Other cages may work with modifications, which I will be happy to discuss with you. Generally speaking, the floor must be solid, no multi-level cages, and bars must be covered 10" up to prevent escape and climbing.
Tote I recommend- Sterilite 50 Gal. Stacker Box 14794K03 - The Home Depot
C&C Cage (make sure the sides are 10" all around) Small 2x3 Grid C&C Guinea Pig Cage (guineapigcagesstore.com)
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), and a reliable thermostat (I only recommend the Inkbird 306T). 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.
Lamp- Champion Electronics 10" Clamp Light - 300 Watt Maximum - Walmart.com
Bulb- Amazon.com : Fluker's Ceramic Heat Emitter for Reptiles : Aquarium Heaters : Pet Supplies
Thermostat- Amazon.com: Inkbird ITC-306T Pre-Wired Electronic Heating Thermostat Temperature Controller and 24 Hours Digital Day & Night Cycle Timer Controller for Seed Germination Reptiles Hatching : Pet Supplies
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.
A clear storage tote is best as long as it is at least 105 qt. A C&C Cage with 10" walls is another good option. Other cages may work with modifications, which I will be happy to discuss with you. Generally speaking, the floor must be solid, no multi-level cages, and bars must be covered 10" up to prevent escape and climbing.
Tote I recommend- Sterilite 50 Gal. Stacker Box 14794K03 - The Home Depot
C&C Cage (make sure the sides are 10" all around) Small 2x3 Grid C&C Guinea Pig Cage (guineapigcagesstore.com)
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), and a reliable thermostat (I only recommend the Inkbird 306T). 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.
Lamp- Champion Electronics 10" Clamp Light - 300 Watt Maximum - Walmart.com
Bulb- Amazon.com : Fluker's Ceramic Heat Emitter for Reptiles : Aquarium Heaters : Pet Supplies
Thermostat- Amazon.com: Inkbird ITC-306T Pre-Wired Electronic Heating Thermostat Temperature Controller and 24 Hours Digital Day & Night Cycle Timer Controller for Seed Germination Reptiles Hatching : Pet Supplies
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.
Wheel
These are the only wheels I recommend. If you want something quiet, go with bucket wheels. 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 LIKELY IS NOT SAFE! When in doubt, reach out and ask!
The Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel Custom Made for Hedgehogs - Etsy
Sonoran Desert Hedgehogs Bucket Wheel ready to Ship - Etsy
Amazon.com : Niteangel Super-Silent Hamster Exercise Wheels - Quiet Spinner Hamster Running Wheels with Adjustable Stand for Hedgehog Gerbils Mice or Other Small Animals (S, White) : Pet Supplies
Full Cheeks Small Pet Silent Exercise Wheel | small pet Toys | PetSmart
Full Cheeks Small Pet Starter Exercise Wheel | small pet Toys | PetSmart
Amazon.com : Kaytee Comfort Wheel Giant 12 Inches : Rat Exercise Wheel : Pet Supplies
Diet
This is the only food I recommend. Feeding anything else voids the health guarantee!!!
Amazon.com : Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Kitten, Chicken Recipe, 7 lb. Bag : Dry Pet Food : Pet Supplies
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.
WATER BOTTLES: Hedgehogs can use water bottles, but they have to be the ones with chicken nipples like these https://www.etsy.com/listing/833615929/
Bedding
Anything but KayKob (corn) bedding or cedar should be fine. I recommend Kiln Dried pine, equine pine pellets, the pine flakes (white bag from tractor supply), or fleece.
Grooming
Check out my bath kit in the Hedgehog Shoppe
Hedgehog Shoppe - Ainsley Willow Hedgehogs
For general bathing Equate Baby Tear-Free Daily Shampoo, 21 fl oz - Walmart.com
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. Please contact me for available prints.