New owner

[who00knows]

I picked up a hedgie at a local pet store yesterday. I wish I had searched for breeders before hand but its too late now. I called and ask them what breeder they got him from and they told me he was from a wholesaler. This cant be good? any insight? Also any tricks to make sure he warms up to me?

[Kalandra]

Typically it is better to get hedgehogs from breeders, that way you know the animals lineage and the animal is more likely to be better socialized. However, some pet store hedgehogs are just as lovely as others.

Tricks... take an old t-shirt that you have worn (that has no loose threads) and place it in your hedgehog's cage. Hedgehogs like to have a place to hide when they sleep, the use of a t-shirt can provide that sleeping place, and allows them to get use to your scent.

Another thought is since he came from a pet store, to have him checked out by a vet (its a good idea to do this any time you get a new pet anyway). However, I've seen way too many people report that their pet store hedgehog has mites.

Is he acting timid or friendly?

[Chins&1Quill]

Try some hand fed mealies (meal worms) ! Hedgies love them and will do almso anything to get one. lol. :)

[mrgew]

Well usually pet store hedgehogs are not as social but can usually get better, the main thing is make sure you feed him a good quality food. A list of foods can be found at pogstarhedgehogs.com. Then take him to a vet and get a wellness check up, and finally if you want him to warm up to you, just make sure you hold him for an hour or so a day and he will eventually be friendly but it may take a while. You also might want to put a worn shirt in his cage so he can get used to your smell since thats mostly what they go by.

[who00knows]

He has an appointment at the vet tomorrow AM. I left him alone last night. I will put a t-shirt in his cage today. He was very social at the pet store with the guy who was showing him to me. He is a little timid right now, but yesterday when I first brought him home after letting him sit in my lap for a bit he opened up and began to explore. Im assuming it will take a while for him to start to like/bond with me. Since they are nocturnal, what is a good time to play with him. He was very active last night, woke up around 11:30 and played until I would say 6 or so. I am feeding him hedgie food mixed with Innova cat food. I have raisins for his treats.

[mrgew]

Raisins arent the best cause they can stick to the top of his mouth. Other than that usually you can wake them up around 8 or 9 at night and play with them.

[teela1342]

Im assuming it will take a while for him to start to like/bond with me. Since they are nocturnal, what is a good time to play with him. He was very active last night, woke up around 11:30 and played until I would say 6 or so. I am feeding him hedgie food mixed with Innova cat food. I have raisins for his treats.

My guy was a rescue from 2 previous homes. It has taken me over 2 months to get him to warm up. He is still grouchy, but he is too nosy to let that keep him from poking around.

He doesn't wake up until 1am, so I can't wait around for him to feel social. I usually get him up as late as possible. Like about an hour or so before I go to bed. Wake up is a slow process. He is not a "morning" person. I usually dim the lights, uncover him, let him wander around my room, eat and drink a little something, then move on to cuddle time. He hates it. :laugh:

The best thing you can have to make this experience successful is patience. That, and food bribes. ;)

[who00knows]

A few more questions....What are some good treats? I tried to get him to eat all kinds of stuff tonight....raisins, papaya, mango, cheese, egg, nothing. He doesnt appear to like any of it. Is it a bad Idea to play with him during the day? How do you give the treats? in his bowl or is it like giving a dog treats? He has dry skin...What can I do about it? His ears are dry? Can I put any type of lotion on them? Also where do I get meal worms at? Do i feed them live or dead? How do I store them?

[teela1342]

A few more questions....What are some good treats? I tried to get him to eat all kinds of stuff tonight....raisins, papaya, mango, cheese, egg, nothing. He doesnt appear to like any of it. Is it a bad Idea to play with him during the day? How do you give the treats? in his bowl or is it like giving a dog treats? He has dry skin...What can I do about it? His ears are dry? Can I put any type of lotion on them? Also where do I get meal worms at? Do i feed them live or dead? How do I store them?

Treats, huh? Hedgies' tastes are varied, so you may have to try a lot of stuff. You can feed them almost anything besides raisins, seeds, raw meat, and junk food. Try cooked, unseasoned chicken, turkey, or ham. Any kind of baby and toddler food. Fresh/frozen fruits and veggies. Cheerios. Just keep at it. Their tastes change from day to day - picky little things!

Dry skin? Don't bathe more than once a month. (Him, not you :laugh: ) When you do, try Aveeno Oatmeal bath. Drip a couple of drops of Vitamin E oil on his shoulders and back. Try a few drops of Flax seed oil or Vitamin E oil in his kibble. Try Cocoa Butter or Vitaming E oil for the ears.

Meal worms can be found anywhere that sells reptiles. They are usually refrigerated (live) and sold in small tubs. They are fatty, so keep them to a couple times a week. You can also get "juicy" or freeze dried crickets in a jar.

Someone on this site puts small live crickets in the bathtub and turns their hedgie loose. I can't remember who it is, but it cracks me up whenever I think of it. :laugh:

Don't feed insects you find outside. They could contain pesticides or mites.

Keep those questions coming. :)

[Tampaquillowner]

I have two petstore hedgies. Tico ive had for almost a year and he has just recently started to become very social and now seems to know who his mommy is. Nemo ive had since june and he is still a big brat. So dont get discouraged if it doesnt happen right away. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.