Where to get a pygmy hedgehog?

Links234

Looking to get an enclosure, I'm guessing something for a rabbit or guinea pig would be a decent size for a hedgehog? Anything else I need?

fathead82

Some kind of heat source, a solid exercise wheel, a nest box. A friend used to have one, they kept it in a large indoor rabbit cage. They ended up re homing it because the smell was so bad.it was really stink!

Fluorescence

You need a really big cage. And I mean BIG. The absolute largest you can afford. It has to be tall enough to fit a 30cm wheel (get a bucket wheel or a 30cm flying saucer. Other types of rodent wheels are not ok for hedgehogs) Don't get an enclosure with bars as they're avid climbers (but really clumsy!) Don't get a multi-story cage unless you can ensure the shog won't wobble off the edge :P Get something with good ventilation. The cage shouldn't stink unless you never clean it or it's poorly ventilated.

Get a good heat lamp. In Ireland, you'll need it all the time. I keep my girl at a nice n toasty 27* year round. I use a 150w ceramic heat emitter (v important - don't get the UV or light emitting ones, just pure heat) and a thermostat. Get an on/off thermostat for reptile enclosures rather than a dimming one as the dimming one will destroy your bulbs and the bulbs aren't cheap at €40 a pop. Also get a guard for the lamp so hedgie doesn't scald itself.

Get a few nice hidey holes (guinea pig size) for the hedgehog to sleep in. Get something nice and dark, those plastic igloos look nice but aren't private enough for many hedgies. Try out different substrates (but not wood chip!). I have a mix of fleece and carefresh (recycled paper bedding) in my cage.

Get a good quality cat food for your hedgehog. I feed mine Royal Canin Outdoor Cat food as she's still young and very active. For an older hedgie get something less fattening cause they're prone to obesity.

Finally, source your hedgehog from a reputable breeder. The ones you find in some pet shops are kept in appalling conditions in minuscule enclosures with no exercise available. There is only one breeder in Ireland that I know of who I trust 100%. I went on a 9hr round road trip to collect my hedgehog from her. Don't cut corners when you're buying an animal. Support breeders who are doing right by their animals, or rehome an animal, but don't support big businesses who cut costs at the expense of their animals. Seriously.

Any more questions I'll be happy to answer. Hedgehogs are amazing pets but definitely not for everyone! Sorry if this was a downer but I hope it helped

Links234

Fluorescence wrote: »

There is only one breeder in Ireland that I know of who I trust 100%.

Got any contact details?

Fluorescence wrote: »

Sorry if this was a downer but I hope it helped

Not a downer at all, good info is appreciated

Ken.

My brother has one and his biggest problem is that the hedgehog only gets active when it's his bedtime. The hedgehog has worn out 3 wheels and the noise of them is enough to drive a sane person mad. My advice. Set up the cage as far from your bedroom as possible and oil the wheel.

Fluorescence

Links234 wrote: »

Got any contact details?



Not a downer at all, good info is appreciated

I'll PM you as I don't know if I can post on thread.

Any other questions you have I'll be happy to answer. I second kens advice about hedgehog cage placement as the wheel noise drives me batty :pac:

cobweb

Think twice about getting them as they need special care.

I had two and they were lovely pets my enclosure was 3ft x 3 ft and I ordered it in from abroad. It was called the FOP maxi blanco and picture of my setup here http://enchantinghedgehogs.forumandco.com/t7-overview-of-new-cage hope this helps, This was the setup I had for one hedgehog

There is a smell but daily cleaning of the enclosure will keep this at bay. They need regular socialisation and all hedgehogs have different personalities one of mine was fierce grumpy and skittish and the other was very relaxed and would fall asleep in my hand.

Both mine were female and were introduced to each other slowly, I had separate enclosures for them in case they didnt get on. Never put males in together they will kill each other. I was lucky that mine got on not all do.

They need a wheel, as hedgehogs can walk up to 8 miles a night, there are different types. I had 2 wheels, one for each hedgehog so there would not be fights.
I had 2 different wheels the flying saucer wheel and a normal pet wheel hedgies loved both and would get up quite a speed. When choosing a wheel it please ensure it is about 12 inches in diameter and has not got a mesh running area as mesh can damage, break little headgie toes and also cause bleeding if they get caught in the gaps.


You also need somewhere for them to sleep, a food dish a water bowl with low sides, toys to keep them stimulated. Toilet rolls with a slit cut along the length of one side are good. Mine had these balls to push around and the igloos the explore and a few other toys

I used a combination of vet bedding and carefresh in the cage


I loved my hedgies as pets they were quiet and fun to watch but I did give them a lot of time and attention.

Hard cat kibble is what they eat, i would hide it in the cage to make it fun. They drink water not milk

Check hedgies daily if anyone with longish hair has access to them as it can entangle around their legs, make sure to regularly check cage for any loose threads or hair in cage as it could injure the hedgehogs.

The ceramic heat lamp is important as they should never be allowed to hibernate unlike Irish hedgehogs which do hibernate. Hibernation for these hedgehogs can shorten their life span. If the electricity goes out, put covered hot water bottles in the enclosure to keep them warm. Temperature of between 25-27 degrees optimum temperature

As I said think twice they are cute but require specialist care and if I can help gives a shout. There are some good pygmy hedgehog sites online mainly american. vet care for them here is not too expensive there was a good vet in Bray who had treated a few and a vet in Celbridge who looked after mine but that was a good few years ago.

There is some advice available on the forum in the different sections though it hasnt been used in years the info is still viable. Hope it helps http://enchantinghedgehogs.forumandco.com/

murphf

There is a girl in Blanchardstown called Toni's pets if you google .. She breeds rabbits and we had one from her, very nice to deal with and lovely rabbit.. Saw the other day she was doing Pygmy hedgehogs also