Hedging on buying...

[Melody]

After months of trying to find a local breeder without success, a local pet store got in about 8 baby hedghogs, from newly weaned to a little older (but still baby). I need to decide before they are all gone whether or not to get one. I am an extremely experienced pet owner (in my life I've had nearly everything from guppies to horses, all well cared for and long-lived), so the question of responsibility isn't an issue. Just do not know anyone who owns a hedgehog. Before I got my chinnies, I did months of research. After getting chinnies, I found this forum and learned that almost everything I had prev read wasn't true so had to relearn everything. I guess my biggest concern would be smell - lol. Are they happier alone or with a cagemate? Which sex? So how enjoyable are the hedgies, and how "bad" is it to get from a petstore? On the chin side, it is almost grounds for execution (lol)! But I like to pick out my pet based on health, personality etc rather than have someone else choose it for me and ship it. Your thoughts, please?

[Melody]

Okay, slowpokes, disregard the above! I went and picked out a cute little girl! The male that I had liked the other day was quite a handful- very squirmy, but this little girl is a little cuddle bunny. I read about the 4 personalities, and decided I was probably much better off with a "quieter" quillchild.

[Kerrie]

Are they happier alone or with a cagemate?
Hedgies are solitary animals. Some people have put females together without incident, but 2 males is a definite NO-NO. They are just fine alone.
Which sex?
Sex to me doesn't matter. One is not any nicer then the other.
So how enjoyable are the hedgies
They can be quite enjoyable, but you have to remember, they are nocturnal. So unless you are up very late at night, you won't really see much of them. Mine wakes up around 10pm and goes until 5am.
how "bad" is it to get from a petstore?
Most people will tell you to never get one from a petstore. I have had 3 from petstores and one was very moody, one was and is still very shy and the other was a lovable, mushy little thing. They are not handled much in petstores so it may take awhile for them to become comfortable. Breeders handle them all the time, so they may take to you quicker.
But I like to pick out my pet based on health, personality etc rather than have someone else choose it for me and ship it.
Most breeders will give you a background info, personalit traits, health history etc. At the petstore you don't know what you are getting. You will not know anything about your hedgie. And even if it looks healthy now, it does not mean it will stay that way. Hedgies have a way of masking illnessess until it is to late, and most illnessess don't show up until later on.
On the chin side, it is almost grounds for execution
Well it is here too, if you buy a petstore hedgie and plan on breeding her/him. :laugh:

[HedgeMom]

I suggest you read everything you can on WHS.

[Melody]

Okay, color me stupid. What is the WHS? I tried a search for it and the Washington Headquarters Services (Dept of Defense) came up. I assumed it was World Hedgehog Society or something but can't find it. Link, please.

Thank you , Kerrie, for your response. I decided on one solitary girl and have zero intentions of breeding. I just could NOT find a local breeder. The (private, not chain) pet shop owner owns one of mine's siblings and two others that he previously got shipped in from the same breeder. I wanted the opportunity to SEE them and pick out my own. She seems to have a sweet disposition, tho I am pretty much letting her settle in and not bothering her. A couple of the others were comparatively feistier. I usually pick the spunkier ones, but not when they're armed with quills - lol.

[Vampira_666]

to get information on WHS you have to search 'WHS in hedgehogs' --- F.Y.I.-- WHS stands for Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

[Kerrie]

Here are a few.
http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/comemeetmyfamily/wobblyhs1.html
http://www.wobblyhedgehog.org/
http://www.hedgies.com/hedgehog_health_care.htm

[Melody]

Oh, I had already read about Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome BEFORE. I assumed someone was recommending something on the positive side, like a hedgehog assn they belonged to. Sorry I didn't associate the acronym.

I guess within reason I try to look on the positive side of things. Throughout my life, almost all of my dogs and cats came from the shelter or the Humane Socy. I knew nothing about their background. Some lived their entire lives without illness, others had problems. But I adopted them for life,and they all received loving care. I also have an adopted daughter - at that time, they didn't give you the child's "pedigree" so you took your chances. I can understand that it may be important to some people, and may spare me some heartache. But things can always go wrong. Heck, when I was a child they told my parents I probably wouldn't live past the age of 4 - well I'm 58 now, had children, grandchildren and I'm in great shape! Bet those doctors are all dead, tho!

[Melody]

Ya know, I have seen this over and over on the chin side. When some newbie says "Wow I'm excited - I just got my first baby!" they looking for affirmation and information. Can't anyone say "Wow! Enjoy it - they are so much fun, etc. etc." Does the death knell always have to sound? They have the wrong pet,the wrong vet, the wrong cage, the wrong food. What happened to positive reinforcement? Guess I'm dumb enough to take this "dying" creature home and just enjoy her!

[Kerrie]

Ya know, I have seen this over and over on the chin side. When some newbie says "Wow I'm excited - I just got my first baby!" they looking for affirmation and information. Can't anyone say "Wow! Enjoy it - they are so much fun, etc. etc." Does the death knell always have to sound? They have the wrong pet,the wrong vet, the wrong cage, the wrong food. What happened to positive reinforcement? Guess I'm dumb enough to take this "dying" creature home and just enjoy her!
Hi Melody..Congrats on your new addition.:)
I haven't seen anyone say anything bad about you getting a petstore hedgie. Someone mentioned WHS and you said you weren't sure of what it was, and I gave you some links. That's it.(unless I missed something and it was deleted already)
I am glad to hear you found a cute little girl and I can't wait to see pics! (which is a must on this side of the board) :laugh:
Have you picked a name yet??