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 [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)
Tote I recommend- Sterilite 50 Gal. Stacker Box 14794K03 - The Home Depot
C&C Cage (make sure the sides are 10" all around- You have to choose that option when ordering) YOU WILL NEED TWO HEAT LAMPS and if you do bigger than a 2x3, you'll also need two thermostats and two Govee wifi thermometers.
guineapigcagecompany.com/collections/one-level-cages/products/small-2x3-grids-cage
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
Bulb- https://amzn.to/3Wmjq6c
Inkbird Thermostat
https://amzn.to/4aUJcTo
Govee Wifi Thermometer https://amzn.to/4bk1ZYd
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
Zip ties to attach wire to lid: amzn.to/4a0w3XD
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)
Tote I recommend- Sterilite 50 Gal. Stacker Box 14794K03 - The Home Depot
C&C Cage (make sure the sides are 10" all around- You have to choose that option when ordering) YOU WILL NEED TWO HEAT LAMPS and if you do bigger than a 2x3, you'll also need two thermostats and two Govee wifi thermometers.
guineapigcagecompany.com/collections/one-level-cages/products/small-2x3-grids-cage
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
Bulb- https://amzn.to/3Wmjq6c
Inkbird Thermostat
https://amzn.to/4aUJcTo
Govee Wifi Thermometer https://amzn.to/4bk1ZYd
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
Zip ties to attach wire to lid: amzn.to/4a0w3XD
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.
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.
What I use (Kaytee Comfort Wheel): https://amzn.to/3xXCEoo
Also safe:
Niteangel wheel: amzn.to/3weWIlG
The Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel Custom Made for Hedgehogs - Etsy
Sonoran Desert Hedgehogs Bucket Wheel ready to Ship - Etsy
Full Cheeks Small Pet Silent Exercise Wheel | small pet Toys | PetSmart
Full Cheeks Small Pet Starter Exercise Wheel | small pet Toys | PetSmart
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!
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, 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
Grooming
Check out my bath kit in the Hedgehog Shoppe
Hedgehog Shoppe - Ainsley Willow Hedgehogs
For general bathing: https://amzn.to/3Un9R42
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://amzn.to/3WeS7up
Infant nail clippers: https://amzn.to/3UiURUX
Kwik Stop (if you get a nail too short-it happens!): https://amzn.to/3JGX5bY
Oatmeal Bath Soaks (great for dry skin/quilling): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UEAARO/?tag=ainsleywillow-20
I also make oatmeal bath soaks with added Vitamin E and food grade rose petals. You can find them in my Hedgehog Shoppe - Ainsley Willow Hedgehogs
Quill Brushes: https://amzn.to/3JZrSAZ
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.