questions before getting a hedgehog

[hedgie_austin]

So, I'm aiming to get a hedgehog as soon as possible after the end of September (plenty of time to prepare). I've been doing hours and hours of research online in preparation, but I still have questions.


I need to figure out where, around Austin, TX, I can get a healthy young hedgehog. I found one breeder site,
Helen's Little Critters (http://www.helenslittlecritters.com/) ,
Does anyone know anything about Helen's Little Critters?
Are there any other breeders/trustworthy pet stores within an hour and a half or so drive from Austin (this includes San Antonio)?
Bedding: I think I would prefer to use a cage liner instead of shavings, especially since I'm thinking of a rather large cage (6 sq ft) for the hedgehog. So far on the internet I've seen vellux blankets, double layers of fleece sewn with the seams hidden, and astroturf. It seems to me astroturf might be harder for the hedgehog to bunch up. What do ya'll think about astroturf as bedding?
Litterboxes: My understanding is that with a cage liner you should make an effort at getting them to use the litterbox. I've seen two kinds: one a litterbox filled with something like shavings, and one that's just a dish with a separate piece of vellum or something. Are both of these fine?
Cages: I'm still figuring out whether to build or buy. Two that I could buy: Quality Cage, Collapsable (http://www.qualitycage.com/collaps.html) or My First Home (http://petco.com/product_info.asp?familyid=10638&sku=4512560230&tab=6&dept_id=1577&c1=1569&c2=1577&c3=&ct1=Guinea+Pigs&ct2=Cages+%26+Habitats&ct3=). Are these both acceptable for hedgehogs? I've also been looking at Cavy Cages (http://www.cavycages.com/). Are the grids used to build those small enough for hedgehogs?

Thanks, ya'll. I'll probably have more questions later.

[hijo]

well, i dont no about everything here but for the bedding issue, if you think astroturf for a liner would be harder to bunch up, then go for it (if everyone thinks it safe). Then, use something maybe a bit softer for the actual bedding. Something like Double-sided Fleece (thats what I use). Anyways I hope that helps a bit.

HIJO

[paris26]

1.I would also look at www.hedgehogclub.com or www.hedgehogworld.com They both have lists of breeders who are USDA licensed and affiliated with both groups.
2.As far as bedding, I would think astroturf would be rough to lay on. I use liners myself and just give my hogs something else to snuggle or burrow under. (i.e. hedgebags, hedgiehats, or just extra fleece)
3. I use shallow baking pans with either paper towel (very economical with multiple hedgies) or Yesterday's News. All of my litterboxes are under the wheels because that's when mine tend to go. If you want to use another area of the cage. Watch and see where your hog tends to do his duty and then place the pan there. Place a few of the poops there so he'll recognize it as his potty area. I would say half of my hogs are pretty good about using it, the others like "variety".
4. I don't like hedgies on wire cages. Tough on their feet and I would be afraid they would fall through and hurt themselves. I have 3 of my hogs in the Super Pet Extra Large cages and I use them for quarentine cages as well. Plenty of room for a house, wheel, and litter box.

[hedgie_austin]

4. I don't like hedgies on wire cages. Tough on their feet and I would be afraid they would fall through and hurt themselves. I have 3 of my hogs in the Super Pet Extra Large cages and I use them for quarentine cages as well. Plenty of room for a house, wheel, and litter box.[/QUOTE]

All the cages I linked to have solid bottoms - I read that hedgehogs don't do well with wire mesh bottoms.

[HedgePigLove]

So, I'm aiming to get a hedgehog as soon as possible after the end of September (plenty of time to prepare). I've been doing hours and hours of research online in preparation, but I still have questions.

It's so wonderful to see someone doing research before getting a hedgheog - kudos to you!


[list=1]
I need to figure out where, around Austin, TX, I can get a healthy young hedgehog. I found one breeder site,
Helen's Little Critters (http://www.helenslittlecritters.com/) ,
Does anyone know anything about Helen's Little Critters?
Are there any other breeders/trustworthy pet stores within an hour and a half or so drive from Austin (this includes San Antonio)?

In addition to the resources sited above, there are also several people involved in hedgehog rescue/relocation/rehoming in your area. Pregnant females frequently come into the rescues and their hoglets then need homes. If you're interested in possibly adopting a rescued hoglet, please let me know and I'll put you in touch with someone.


Bedding: I think I would prefer to use a cage liner instead of shavings, especially since I'm thinking of a rather large cage (6 sq ft) for the hedgehog. So far on the internet I've seen vellux blankets, double layers of fleece sewn with the seams hidden, and astroturf. It seems to me astroturf might be harder for the hedgehog to bunch up. What do ya'll think about astroturf as bedding?

I'd avoid it at all costs.


Litterboxes: My understanding is that with a cage liner you should make an effort at getting them to use the litterbox. I've seen two kinds: one a litterbox filled with something like shavings, and one that's just a dish with a separate piece of vellum or something. Are both of these fine?

For some of mine, I use a litter box filled with Yesterday's News and/or Feline Pine (both pellet litters) under their wheels. If I am concerned about their output, I then lay plain white papertowel under their wheels, on top of the litter.

For others, I just place the papertowels directly under their wheels, on top of the liner. It all depends on how messy the hedgehog (some of mine get off their wheel to relieve themselves, others seem to prefer to walk in their mess, and yet others thrive on making the biggest mess they can) tends to be.


Cages: I'm still figuring out whether to build or buy. Two that I could buy: Quality Cage, Collapsable (http://www.qualitycage.com/collaps.html) or My First Home (http://petco.com/product_info.asp?familyid=10638&sku=4512560230&tab=6&dept_id=1577&c1=1569&c2=1577&c3=&ct1=Guinea+Pigs&ct2=Cages+%26+Habitats&ct3=). Are these both acceptable for hedgehogs? I've also been looking at Cavy Cages (http://www.cavycages.com/). Are the grids used to build those small enough for hedgehogs?

The above cages both look fine to me - remember that bigger is better.

I actually have built several different Cavy Cages (once you start making them you'll want to "improve" and "rearrange", I'm afraid) and have loved them all. (Be forewarned, though, that one can get carried away and make a design too elaborate to easily clean, which can be extremely frustrating.) I've never had a hedgehog go through one of the openings in the grids, but I've also never put a hoglet in one (I've had baby guinea pigs go right through them, though).

I start the hoglets off in a large sterlite tub (or tubs, connected with PVC-pipe) and then move them to a C&C cage when they're older/larger. (And then I use the tubs to store all of the hedgie "stuff" that I manage to accumulate.)

The only problem I've run into with a C&C cage is with the ramps - if you make them out of one of the grids, be sure to cover the underside of the ramp - Miss Margie is famous for crawling as far under the ramp as possible and then getting her quills stuck in the grid squares. I've not had this problem with her sticking her head through the grid squares when they're used as walls, though, so I've no idea why this is. (But it's horrible - the only time I've heard the hedgie death cry.)

Good luck and keep asking questions!

[hedgie_austin]

In addition to the resources sited above, there are also several people involved in hedgehog rescue/relocation/rehoming in your area. Pregnant females frequently come into the rescues and their hoglets then need homes. If you're interested in possibly adopting a rescued hoglet, please let me know and I'll put you in touch with someone.
I am interested. As long as I have some guarantees that the rescued hoglet is healthy and socialized (I'd want to meet the hoglet first). I don't want to end up an example in the "My Hedgehog Hates Me!" articles, and I don't want it to die because of health problems that aren't my fault. However, I wouldn't be getting one until at least end of September, possibly even later (am starting grad school, so I am moving this month, so the next few months will be very crazy). But I am interested. Especially if they have dark quills and a face mask. They are so cute.

I'd avoid it at all costs.
OK, no astroturf then. Stick to vellux.

I actually have built several different Cavy Cages (once you start making them you'll want to "improve" and "rearrange", I'm afraid) and have loved them all. (Be forewarned, though, that one can get carried away and make a design too elaborate to easily clean, which can be extremely frustrating.) I've never had a hedgehog go through one of the openings in the grids, but I've also never put a hoglet in one (I've had baby guinea pigs go right through them, though).
Well, as I mentioned before, I'm going to be very busy for a few months, and I think that large collapsable cage might be both easy to get and easy to clean. And easy to move!

[selkie]

One item I'd like to mention is, after researching the care and keeping of hedgehogs for approximately two months before getting one, I had no idea that they poop and pee in their wheel while running in it all night long!

I see a lot of conversation on it now and I guess it was all just bad timing that I hadn't picked up on it before, but that proved to be, by far, the biggest challenge to adjust to after bringing Holly home.

I really don't think it would have prevented me from going ahead, had I known about it ahead of time, but it sure was a yucky surprise!

[hedgie_austin]

One item I'd like to mention is, after researching the care and keeping of hedgehogs for approximately two months before getting one, I had no idea that they poop and pee in their wheel while running in it all night long!

I see a lot of conversation on it now and I guess it was all just bad timing that I hadn't picked up on it before, but that proved to be, by far, the biggest challenge to adjust to after bringing Holly home.

I really don't think it would have prevented me from going ahead, had I known about it ahead of time, but it sure was a yucky surprise!

Yeah, I've seen a lot about it on the forums. Nice to know about in advance, it would be a nasty surprise. I think I can deal with it though.

[paris26]

As long as I have some guarantees that the rescued hoglet is healthy and socialized (I'd want to meet the hoglet first). I don't want to end up an example in the "My Hedgehog Hates Me!" articles, and I don't want it to die because of health problems that aren't my fault.

You are going to be hard pressed to get anyone to give you a "health guarentee" on a rescued hedgehog. Yes they are often times vet checked, but the funding is not there for bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc. That's one of the "risks" you take when taking in a re-homed animal and as a responsible pet owner, the extra vet work would be at your expense and discretion. Since you are interested in a hoglet, the majority of the socialization issues would be up to you.Definitely spend time with the hedgies you are interested in if you can. Just and FYI- quilling can make them pretty cranky and that can affect personality. My Atticus was the sweetest baby and after quilling, he turned into a grump and is probably my moodiest hog. As far as health problems, it's darn near impossible to predict when they are going to get sick and what they are going to get sick with. That's why regular vet exams with a hedgehog experienced vet is suggested, a good idea and daily handling so you can pick up on abnormalities and deal with whatever arrises sooner rather than later. Start a savings account for just vet bills, because when hogs get sick it is never cheap! You can control a hedgies diet and environment, but you have no control over it's genetics (i.e. background, was it from a breeder, pet store, or hedgie mill).

[hedgie_austin]

I might just stick to getting one from a breeder. I don't know that I'm willing to take on the risk of getting a rescued hedgie with hidden serious health problems. It will cost enough just to get a hedgie, supplies, and pay the pet fee for the apartment. I will, of course, have a fund for vet bills but I'd prefer to have a lower risk of using it. Plus, it'll be my first hog so perhaps I should wait on getting a rescue hedgie until I'm a little better at spotting health problems.