Prospective Owner - questions

[Fox Moonglow]

'Ello

I've had it stuck in my head for the past several months now that I want a hedgehog, and have have finally decided to succemb, but as a college student, I have a few concerns about my situation concerning hedgies that I want to have cleared up before I take the plunge.

For starters, what would you suggest be the best way of keeping a hedgie-house warm? When renting out a room, odds are I won't have control over the thermostat, so I want to be prepared in case my landlord likes the house on the cool side. (I'm planning on using a large Tupperware container with holes drilled in the side for ventilation).

Also, I'm moving out of my current room because my current landlady won't let me do several thing that I'm planning on doing next year, including the hedgie (claims somebody might move in who has allergies), so is there any concern I should look for when room-hunting?

Finally, what type of routine do you recommend for hedgie-care? I especially want to get this one down pat ASAP because routine and I don't often get along (My goal is to have this part perfected by the end of the summer - while I'm still in a supportive household without many other obligations).

[kaiteedyd]

A heat lamp works well as does a small space heater that has a temperature control on it. I'm always concerned with fire though with a space heater.

Your hedgehog could be on any routine you want. Play with it during the day or at night, whatever. Hedgehogs are awake sporadicly during the day and most of the night. No matter how much you play with them during daylight they're gunna be awake at night.

They need to have about 12 hours of light a day. So maybe leave your blinds open and lights on during the day.

One thing to keep in mind, is if you're a light sleeper you're probably going to be kept awake if the hedgie is in your room.

[who00knows]

I have four in my room. They dont keep me awake at all. I hear them sometimes, but as long as you have a good wheel, and quiet litter, you will be ok. I cant ever hear them wheel, I can hear them trying to get out of their cage sometimes but its not loud at all. What little noise that they make, you will get used to it. You can pretty much setup their routine around your schedule.

[Love4Hedgies]

I'm in college and I also have the problem of not being able to regulate the apt heat. I use heating pads, cermaic heat disks, and a space heater (when needed) to keep my babies warm. :)

[kaiteedyd]

oh isn't it annoying not to be able to control the temp in your own house? One of my roomates it nuts and is always hot. (Maybe FL isn't the place for.) When I came home the thermostat was at 62! Luckily I have close my vent to keep my room warm.

[Fox Moonglow]

Thanks! I know where I can get a good heat lamp for cheap, so that won't be a problem :D

I fergot hedgies were nocturnal >.<! At least that won't be much of a problem - last year it took me about a minute to wake up whenever the Rez fire alarm was pulled ;) .

Another icky fact of college life I forgot - how much should I put in my budget for hedgie-upkeep :) ? Will do neither of us any good if I run out of money :p

[Nancy]

The cost per month of keeping a hedgehog really depends on what type of bedding you use. If you use liners there is more initial cost but after that you just need to wash them. Using shavings or carefresh the cost would totally depend on which bedding is used. Kiln dried pine is probably the cheapest. I can buy large bales of the pine for about $7. on sale and it would last one hedgehog at least a month and probably 2. I use liners though on all but the mommies.

For food, again that depends on where you live but I feed 22 hedgehogs on about $50. per month.

I think at the most $20 - $30 per month but I recommend keeping a few hundred available for an emergency vet visit. :)

[Jessicy]

Hi, Fox Moonglow

Where in Canada are you? I'm in Barrie, ON.

[Fox Moonglow]

Ahh... thankies :) I intend to get liners for the baby, as shaving also have the potential to be messy, and I don't need any help being messy >.< Besides which, higher startup cost is preferrable to higher maintenance cost, as I'll be making the purchases in the summer, when money isn't as much of an issue.

Jessicy:

Would you believe I live in the same place :p ?

[Jessicy]

that's too funny