A few Qs

[Honeybee]

Im getting a hedgehog soon. The cage 99x51x46.5cm(39"x21"x19"), in there at the moment is a igloo with a 4x6 inch opening, a litter tray, a 12" wheel, food and water bowls, and I'm ordering some nice polar fleece blankets from ebay so I can make 3 liners.
Anyway I'll ask some qs
1. What would be best to use, water bowl or bottle? I have both and I'm not sure what to use
2. How many mealworms/crickets would I give it a day?
3. Would it be okay to give it a little rabbit(from winnie the pooh) toy from mcdonalds, I was looking at some other mcdonalds lables and they said not suitable for under 36months, but this one doesn't so I guessed it would be okay, is it?
4. I was looking at cat toys the other day and there was some cat balls with bells in them, they were plastic but put together like a mosiac(sp?), thats the best I can describe it, and a mouse with catnip in it, would these be okay?
5. What "wet" cat food would you suggest as good quality? I'm getting the dry royal canin light 38 dry cat kibble, but wanted this as treats
6. Would my hedgehog need any vitamin or mineral supplements, I've read they both do and don't and I don't know which one to believe, could you give them cuttlefish bone?
7. I've managed to get the temp in my room to stay above 73, but thats when I'm at home, when I'm back at school the heating will be off from about 9am-4pm(when I come home and switch it on), for those hours could I use a heating pad and put it half under wherever my hedgehog sleeps?
8. Finally, I want to start a meal worm collony, and I have a old fish tank, what would I put in there for them, I thought oatmeal on the bottom and give them veggies and fruit to eat is that okay?

[Ododad]

(1) I used both until I saw which one was being used the most. Odo and Marco prefer the bowl, while Frodo is still undecided.
(2) Marco dosen't like either and Odo has not met a mealie that she didn't like. Odo gets one in the morning for a snack, and one at meal time at night. Again, I don't know about Frodo yet.
(3) As long as there are no loops, loose threads or anything that little nails can get caught in I don't see why not. Don't be dissapointed if your little guy/gal does not play with it though. Favorite toys with my crew consist of a tp tube.
(4) Marco will push his around sometimes, but Odo has yet to show any intrest that I know of. She may play with it at night without my knowledge though. I think I have the same one's that your describing.
(5) There is much discussion on this topic in the health and food forum. Personally, none of my crew will eat any wet food to date.
(6) I have never heard of cuttlefish bone so I don't know about that one. None of my guys get any extra vit. or stuff like that, but they all get a very high quality mix of cat foods. Wellness, RC38slim and CSFTCLSLite. More into on this in the Health and Food fourm too.
(7) The average temp for a pog is 74F-76F. All hedgies are different though, some hogs are comfortable at 74F while some are too cold at the same temp. I would not let it get below 74F though. A human heating pad is good for heating a sleeping spot or something like that but will not warm the surrounding air. I would suggest a small space heater. It is important to keeping checking your new hedgie for a warm belly until you decided what temp he/she is comfortable with.
(8) I know nothing about growing mealies. I get mine on-line from Flukers and pay $20.00 for a several months supply. That's $10.00 a month and at that price, I don't fool with growing them.
A hedgie is unlike any other small animal in the world so please research them before buying one. If you are prepared and have done your homework on them, owning a hedgie will be a most rewarding experience. Please post photo's when you get yours!
Best of luck to you,
Billy

[Honeybee]

thanx, that was very helpful, don't worry I have been researching for 3 years, since I first saw a cute little pic of one in a book I was reading. I'm going to take a look around for a heater, a few people have recommended them, I don't think I'll need it in the warmer months but its pretty cold at the moment and I don't want my little dude to be going into hibernation! My room has actually been at 74 all day, at one point it went up to 78, but I think a heater will be a good investment, I'm sure they will be cheaper than a trip to the vets.

[Ododad]

Can't wait to see a pic!

[giry76]

From your questions it sounds like you have been doing your research. Good for you! This web site has been wonderful for learning. (Probably more informative than the book I have) Can't wait to see pics of the little one!

[teela1342]

6. Would my hedgehog need any vitamin or mineral supplements, I've read they both do and don't and I don't know which one to believe, could you give them cuttlefish bone?

Hey, you are only allowed 20 questions...slow down! :laugh:

Ododad answered most of them. Doing a search on this site will help you too. It is practically a gold mine of great information.

As far as vitamins, the answer is no. If you are feeding your hedgehog a high quality diet with some variety, you won't have to worry about supplements. If you have a hedgie with health problems your vet may prescribe a vitamin combo.

A cuttlefish bone probably won't be used at all by your hedgehog. Hedgies are generally not chewers like hamsters or guinea pigs. Their teeth don't grow like a hamster's do. They are diggers and rooters, like moles or voles.

That is why hedgie owners have to come up with their own inventions to keep their guys amused. Commercial small pet toys are usually based on chewing as entertainment. They also usually contain seeds, which aren't great for hedgies anyway. The best toys for your hedgehog are things you'd probably just throw away. Toilet paper tubes, oatmeal containers, tissue boxes, old newspaper, paper sacks. Anything they can shove around, hide under, or crawl in.

The heating *is* an issue. My Mom sent me a great little space heater for Jake for Christmas. It is small (12inx12in maybe?) and it has a very basic thermostat. My problem was that Jake sleeps in my room, so if I left the heater on I'd burn but if I turned it off it got cold. This heater has settings for 55, 65, 75, and 80 degrees. So it kicks on and off by itself. It is small so it works in the bedroom, but wouldn't be much good in a larger room. She got it at Target.

A heating pad is great for when the are sleeping in one place, but not for nighttime when they are up and active. You could also buy a heat lamp. A lot of people here use them, so I will let them tell you about their experience.

Keep up with the questions! If you can't find your answers on another thread, keep posting. Someone with answer. Good luck!