Hedgies and rabbits

[Mar Kino]

Hello! I'm new here, this is my first post...

My name is Marco, i come from Italy and i'm trying to become a new hedgie owner... :)
Before this, i'd like to learn as many things as possible for the hedgie healthy and happy life.

So: in my house there's already a rabbit roaming about and ruling. He's a male, whole, 3 years old. A friend of mine has proposed me to adopt a female hedgie, 1 year old, whose owner can't keep anymore. So far this is still in hypothetical terms, but i like to be prepared.
What i would like to know is: how will the two animals live together? I mean to let them go free around my house for as much time as possible, could this be a problem?
Then I have another question: can the two of them catch any disease from one another?

Finally, one less important question: i am a student in veterinary medicine, is there any good book about hedgehogs health? Well, maybe not just hedgie, if it talks about chins or other exotic pets too is better... :)

Thanks!
Bye!!!

Marco

[AlisaD]

Some people let hedgies roam around their house, but IMO, I wouldn't recommend this. I'm not trying to scare you away from getting a hedgie cause they are wonderful pets, I am just saying they take alot of work, so at least until the hedgie is very comfortable with you, I'd keep her in a cage. This way you can reach in and get her and have easy access to her at any time. Alot of people recommend putting a shirt or something that smells like you in the cage with her so she can associate your smell with friendly and safe.

Hedgies are known for "getting lost." They can fit into places you couldn't imagine. Plus they are nocturnal, which generally means they'll squeeeeeze into small dark places for comfort. When you first get your hedgie you will be needing to spend as much time with her as possible. They take alot of patience and dedication. Hedgehogs aren't like normal pets. They do not seek out your attention at first. (I say that, but I do not know for sure how much this hedgie has been handled or socialized) You know what I mean?... Like when you first get a puppy or kitten, how they follow you around trying to get attention from you? These guys are not like that. (Don't get me wrong, hedgies will come to trust you and love you. I've heard of hedgies comming to the door of the cage when you near, etc. but it takes alot of patience and work with the hedgie.)

The magic word when it comes to hedgehogs is.... PATIENCE!!!

I hope this helps some. There are alot more "hedgie" knowledgeable people around here than me, so I am sure they'll be able to give you some more insight with getting your baby.

As far as the hedgie "getting along" with the rabbit, that I don't know. Most people say it depends on the hedgehog. Some people will let their other animals around their hedgehogs(monitored), while others say no way... I don't know about the hedgehog having the run of the house with the rabbit. I would definately want to monitor their behaviour togther before anything like that. Just for the safety of both animals. you never know what would happen. They may end up best of friends, they may try to kill eachother, you never know.

Good Luck
Alisa

[tijya]

I wouldn't put them in a situation together. But I also wouldn't give my hedgie free roam. I have two bunnies, and although the apartment is bunnyproofed, I can't imagine hedgie proofing. I also like my pets having 'homes.' They sleep there, and feel safe. This is especially important when my father visits and brings his dog.

Jyra (the hedgie) has her own room, where the bunnies are not allowed. I like this set up because it is warmer for her, and the rest of us are not effected. Bunnies prefer cooler temps.

I don't know if they can catch things from each other...I think mites may be a possibility (but I'm not sure).

My bunnies know about the hedgie, as they have seen her, but there is a barricade to keep them apart. I don't find it necessary to have them interact closely. I wouldn't any of them to get hurt. Rabbits have powerful hind legs, and a good kick could seriously injure a hedgehog.

Maybe some people have been successful keeping them together, but it's not something I would do. They dont need each other for company, so why bother? But again, that's just me.

[AlisaD]

Also the fact that your rabbit is "whole" and a little older (3 years) and add to the fact that he has had free rulership of the house probably wouldn't be a good invironment to bring a small (smaller than the rabbit) hedgehog into. I would definately have a cage for the hedgie to live in. You can still bring him out and play for as long as you like, but he needs a "safe haven" !!!! I hope all goes well.

Alisa

[tijya]

That's true Alisa. I hadn't thought of that - although I should have. My male bun Mikaiko is neutered, 1 year old...and he has territory issues with the dog. There is one place in our apartment that is the dog's place...and so Mikaiko goes over there everyday to mark his territory. Not fun. It works though, he is the boss of the dog. Yep, my five pound bunny has control over the 75 pound dog...

I can't say for sure this would be a problem between a bunny and a hedgehog (Mikaiko doesn't bother with Jyra), but it is something to consider.

[AlisaD]

That's funny!!! The bunny is the boss!!! :rofl:

[Super Chin]

My input to your first question: I do not think letting a hedgehog free roam is a good idea. I know some who do this, but they have spent incredible amounts of time hedgie-proofing. To have a hedgehog free roaming with a bunny is asking for trouble. Like Alisa said, they could be best friends or worst enimies. It would be a much better idea to just keep them apart.

I guess I will answer your last question too. :)

Are there are good books on hedgehog health?
No! There is only one good book on hedgehog care in general, in fact. It does have a large section on diseases and health care, and I would suggest buying it anyway. I am not sure how much you know about hedgehogs right now, and this book would be a great way to learn more. It is called "The Hedgehog Primer" and was written by Antigone Means-Burleson (Tig) Her website is www.hedgehogvalley.com
I would also suggest checking my website, www.fairfaxhedgehogs.com

[Le'ah]

Italy!? How cool!

Anyway, let none of this discourage you from rehoming the poor girl. We're just looking out for your hedgie and bunny too. I mean, what if your bunny got curious or accidentally hopped on the hedgie?! If it didn't hurt the hedgie, it probably hurt the bunny! (Or Both!)

But never fear! You can keep a hedgie in a sterillite from WalMart. Cheap and easy to clean. The little girl only needs 2 square feet of space.....(this is minimum!). She won't take up too much room or eat too much, and if you want to give her playtime, just let her run about every now and then with your supervision. Also, you need to look into all of the info on hedgies. Tig's book is a great place to start. There is also LOTS of info here, and you can always post questions as they come up, but BEFORE you act. You'd be surprised how many people will, for example, let their hedgie swim in a bathtub in very shallow water for a minute and then get on here and ask if it's okay for hedgies to swim. It is, but they should have asked before they tried it out. Sometimes, they'll ask a question, and when we tell them not to try it, they say that they already did and that they just wanted opinions. :mad: But that gets annoying.

You're doing a very good thing, asking before you bring her home. Good luck, God bless, and remember to post pics!!

[tijya]

Definately don't let it discourage you. I have two bunnies, a hedgie, and my husband has a dog. It can be done!

[Mar Kino]

Thanks to everybody for the answers!

I have not been completely discouraged yet, but my main problem right now is trying to make my parents accept the hedgie adoption. Before this happens, of course.
For the rabbit "problem", i have a room in which he can't enter anymore, after he ate all my pc cables, so i could in theory keep the hedgie here after having proofed the room. Which could become a real deal... :)

I'll definitely take a look into the book Super Chin advised me, and i also wanted a look into "ferrets, rabbits and rodents", which has a section about hedgehogs and will also be useful in my future career. Is it good?

I'll keep you posted for news, and keep reading for all the precious info here!

Thanks again!

Bye
Marco