EEEEK! About to adopt a hedgehog

[MEM]

Hi! I'm very, very new.
My future brother-in-law asked if we'd take his hedgehog off his hands, since neither he nor his wife have time for it (in fact, his wife is scared of it because it curls into a ball and hisses anytime anyone approaches the cage :dunno: ). It's currently living a cage in their basement and they check on it every day or so. In fact, I don't think they even have a name for it (or what gender it is). They're good people, I think they just got in over their heads.

I agreed mainly because I've got a soft heart, and also currently an open space for a smaller critter. I have some experience with coaxing various species of animals out of their shell (so to speak) and figured that a nipping hedgehog can't be any worse than a nipping ferret....

The problem is that I have absolutely no experience with hedgehogs, with the exception of meeting one that belonged to a friend of mine several years ago. I've been doing as much research as I can over the last couple days and will continue to do more, but much of it says to talk to the breeder before you get one. But this is a rescue, so there's no breeder to talk to and I'm sort of doubtful that the previous owners are very knowledgable.
How do we make the transition for this little guy easier? Should we leave him alone the first day? When should we start picking him up? How do we get him to unroll? Do we want to leave him in his cage for a few days before letting him explore a room or two of the house?
Is there a proper way to introduce the resident cats to the new hedgehog?

[illinidairychic]

oh man where to start??

As far as picking him up you might want to start out using a towel. For your safety and his/hers. Usually if you set them upside right in your hands they will unroll eventually. It's going to take a while for it to get use to you handling it but if you work with him daily he should come around. (it's a long slow progress)

As far as letting him roam be careful. I would get a playpen, they sell them at walmart for cheap. Hedgehogs can get around pretty quickly and into some not so safe places. Also it's hard to get them out of situations with those quills up and on gaurd.

Since you are moving him from one house to another you will want to leave him be for the first night that you get him home, that way he can get use to the new noises and smells. Also a basement isn't a good place to have him since there probably isn't enough day light. Hedgehogs require 12 hours of light a day to insure they won't hybernate.

Make sure you have a hiding spot for him in the cage. Plastic igloo's from the petstore work well along with shoe boxes with a hole cut in the side and so on. They need to have a safe place to hide to relax. Also look into getting him a wheel for exercise. (large comfort or mesh wire are okay AVOID the ones with bars)

Bedding- don't use cedar ever!! a lot of people on here use liners or kiln dried pine. Since other types of wood beddings have the possiblities of mites.

Also what are you feeding it??

I know this is just a small touch of what to do, please ask any questions you can think of.

[yourmine]

Also, if this poor thing has been kept in a basement, it has probably been too cold. Basments tend to be dark and cool and hedgies need 12 hours of light and temps in the 70's. He'd probably appreciate a day or two alone in a nice warm space with some sunlight durring the day. Make sure to keep his cage out of drafts. Keep in mind that they are nocturnal creatures so expect him to want to come out to eat and play at night. Get yourself a snuggle sack and carry him around in it for a little while each day to get him accustomed to being handled. It doens't really matter whether you do this durring the day or at night. I've had more luck durring the day when they are sleepy. A few meal worms will probably go a long way to making him happy to see you. Also, I've noticed my hedgies are more agressive when they are bored. Be sure to provide him/her with plenty of hedgie safe toys and space to run around. A solid surface wheel is a must! Just be persistant and things will probably work out ok.

[PeaceB2U]

Letting him settle in to his new home for the first couple of days is always a good idea.

With rescues that I've done, I use a T-shirt that smells like me to pick them up with for awhile. Even if he stays balled up in the shirt and continues to hiss just keep holding him everyday and talking very quietly to him.

You will want to keep your hedgie in a warm dry room free of drafts.

The playpen, a 12 inch wheel, & hiding area as already mentioned above are additions you will want to have.

[Super Chin]

Check www.fairfaxhedgehogs.com Look around the site, and look at the sites on the links page. The pages of the site cover all the basic care information you will need to know. :) Hope everything goes well.

[Ododad]

An important question is how long has he been left to his own devices? Has he ever been handled? Another one is how old is he? (I'm calling it "he" for lack of gender information) You both have a long road ahead of you. There is a 50/50 chance that he may never become social. I think he is worth that 50% chance that he will though and so do you or you would not have posted this thread.
Lance has listed above his website which is full of excellent information.
A few more are:
http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/
http://www.hedgehogvalley.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/thehedgieden/
http://www.pogstarhedgehogs.com/
I also highly recommend Tig's book "The Hedgehog Primer". It has become known as the Hedgie Bible around here and rightly so.
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39150
Best of luck to you, and KUDOS! for taking this little hedgehog into your home.

[eponine454]

Yes, congrats on your new friend...just remember that they take a LOT of patience...especially if they've never been handled that much. (And when I say a LOT of patience I mean spending time EVERY day feeling like your pokey little friend completely hates you...and yes, mealworms do go a LONG way towards bribery!)

And the more research the better. And find a vet close to you that has hedgie experience...very important.

And enjoy this fascinating new member of your family! I bet you'll be hooked in no time!

[Ododad]

Yes, congrats on your new friend...just remember that they take a LOT of patience...especially if they've never been handled that much. (And when I say a LOT of patience I mean spending time EVERY day feeling like your pokey little friend completely hates you...and yes, mealworms do go a LONG way towards bribery!)

And the more research the better. And find a vet close to you that has hedgie experience...very important.

And enjoy this fascinating new member of your family! I bet you'll be hooked in no time!
Good post! :applause:

[jules_77]

Another good way to get him to come out of his shell, is to lay with him on your stomach and read to him out loud, this way he can get used to your voice in a confortable situation.He may let you stroke his quills , he may not but at least you are interacting. I used to do this with Briar and i now find it usefull because when he is in stressfull situations (someone different is holding him ) i can talk to him and my voice calms him down. Welcome to the Forum , Good Luck with your hedgie and Pictures are mandatory when he comes home! :hello:

[hemi_mygirl]

Like everyone else has already said, talk to him and bond with him even if he is a big hissing mass of quills. I found that sitting on the floor with Hemi on my lap until she calmed down, and then letting her explore at her own will worked quite well. Sometimes I had to sit on my hands to keep from touching her and scaring her, though. It worked though, anyone can see that her and I are closely bonded and she trusts me. It may work for you as well, just keep a close eye on that mouth of his...he may get too 'friendly' and nip you.