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LoriL
04-22-2006, 03:02 PM
I think Mikey is giving us a run for our money!

Our food issue got worse. I counted his kibble in the morning after I put a drop of flaxseed oil in it to help soften his skin to hopefully help with the quilling and he hadn't eaten a thing the night before. So, I took that out of the cage and made up a mix of 1/4 of what I want to eventually feed him (CSFTCLS and Natural Balance) and 3/4 of the Spike's Delite of what the breeder sent in the care package. He had been on Spike's Delite at her house.

Now, the first night here, I opened up a new package of Spike's that I bought from the breeder and made up my mix of food with that. He ate only the Spike's and wouldn't eat my stuff. I actually saw him eat the first couple of nights, so I knew he was eating a bit.

Then I saw the small ziploc bag with Spike's in the care package, so I thought I would use that. He didn't touch his food for two days. But yet Thursday night he wheeled for 4 hours straight!

He's also been biting me, and being very mean in general. I also noticed he was nawing on everything in his cage that he could.

I got up Friday morning, counted the kibble and then started to panic when I realized that he had gone two days without eating anything.

I dumped the care package Spike's figuring maybe that was stale or something. I then put only Spike's (the Spike's that I purchased and opened fresh) in the bowl deciding that I could try to wean him off of it after I get him completely settled. I woke him up from his digging box (kleenex box with fleece strips), removed it completely along with his hedgie bag. It stressed him out, but I figured he had to eat.

I took a few pieces of kibble and laid them out next to him while he was popping. I thought if he wouldn't eat that, I would try to hand feed him, but I wanted to stay away from that if I could since he was already biting me.

Fortunately, he did eat those! Then I laid out pieces leading him to his bowl. He always knew where his bowl was though, since he would go over to it, sniff it and walk away.

Yesterday, he ate 12 pieces of kibble during the day. I kept waking him up and putting him by his bowl. I put fresh kibble in last night and I heard him eating during the night, so I know he ate more last night. I have yet to count it.

He hardly wheeled though last night. He got up for only about 1/2 hour last night (while I was up and I was up until midnight) and then he went back to bed.

So, should I be concerned? Should I continue to force him to eat? I'll pick up a scale this weekend and weigh him.

Also, why the sudden lack of energy?

Lori

Melody
04-22-2006, 04:01 PM
I have two babies, acquired 5 wks apart, kept separately. Both of mine were more active the first day then subsequently, but then they were both babies. The first day everything was new and they had to look everything over. The second day they settled in quickly and slept most of the time. If yours is a baby, don't be surprised by how MUCH they sleep!

Aqua-Net
04-22-2006, 05:04 PM
I would definitely recommend the scale. Sometimes hedgies just aren't going to eat as much as other days. A scale with really, really help you notice any changes with him. Also, like Melody said, babies sleep a lot. Perhaps adding some mealworms or other insects might interest him. If you are concerned, a vet check could be in order. I'm not sure what would have him biting things in his cage, but then again, I have heard of some hedgies that just drag things all over their cages in their mouths so maybe this is normal for him. Anyways, best of luck with your little one.

hemi_mygirl
04-22-2006, 05:06 PM
Sometimes I wonder if baby hedgehogs go through a teething stage. That may explain why they like to bite everything. Hemi went through it... she'd chew on everything, even my fingers. It was never hard enough to hurt, but she was exploring.

HamorHollow
04-22-2006, 05:42 PM
Sometimes I wonder if baby hedgehogs go through a teething stage. That may explain why they like to bite everything. Hemi went through it... she'd chew on everything, even my fingers. It was never hard enough to hurt, but she was exploring.

Mine fingers say they do! It makes me feel sorry for momma hedgie.

They also anoint at a really young age. They love to chew on things and then anoint like little fools. It's funny to watch them tip over since they haven't developed any balance yet.

HamorHollow
04-22-2006, 06:02 PM
I think Mikey is giving us a run for our money!.........
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So, should I be concerned? Should I continue to force him to eat? I'll pick up a scale this weekend and weigh him.

Also, why the sudden lack of energy?
Lori

From what I have gathered from your posts, you have only had Mikey for about a week. Here are my suggestions:

RELAX! It's only been a very short period and Mikey is going through a big adjustment. Think about it: He's in a new home with new smells, routines, and people. He's scared and not sure what to do. It is going to take time for him to settle in.

Here is what I would do: Go back to feeding him the spike's. It's an ok food, and it's what he's comfortable eating. Once he settles in then change his food. Buy him some live meal worms. Very few hedgehogs will resist live mealies. Monitor his eating to be sure he is eating something. His belly is small, so if he eats a few worms, don't be surprised if he doesn't eat any kibble.

If you have been giving him mealies and other treats, it may explain why he wasn't eating his kibble. Think about it, would you rather eat meat loaf (kibble) or a nice juicy steak (other treats)? If this is the case, cut back on the other foods so that he eats his kibble.

He's also been biting me, and being very mean in general. I also noticed he was nawing on everything in his cage that he could.

Again, I think he is scared. He may also be biting you because of your scent. (I got nailed by one of my girls a few days ago. She doesn't normally bite, but I had just eaten pizza with garlic powder. I bet my hand smelled really good to her.) if you smoke, smell like food, or wear any strong perfumes or lotions, you will probably get bitten. my best advice is to start washing your hands before and after you eat.

I agree that babies sleep a lot. Also, remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and are most active while you are asleep. If you aren't awake between midnight and 5AM, you may not see them out playing.

-K

hemi_mygirl
04-22-2006, 06:05 PM
Mine fingers say they do! It makes me feel sorry for momma hedgie.

They also anoint at a really young age. They love to chew on things and then anoint like little fools. It's funny to watch them tip over since they haven't developed any balance yet.
hahah, we're horrible people. Making fun of babies for not having any balance... ahah.

"here.. this is new.. annoint with this! hey everyone, look! she fell over and can't stand up!"

LoriL
04-22-2006, 06:15 PM
I've been washing my hands with Dove soap (unscented) before I hold him. I haven't been feeding him any treats since I know he needs to adjust to a new home. So, he hadn't eaten anything for 2 days.

When he bites, he doesn't lick and bite. He bites as soon as I pick him up (once he's done popping).

I did pick up a scale this afternoon, so I'll weigh him tonight.

I understand he's scared and I'm more than willing to put in the time to help him along. I'm very worried about his eating (or lack thereof). I had read on another post somewhere about liver problems if they don't eat enough?

Lori

HamorHollow
04-22-2006, 06:37 PM
hahah, we're horrible people. Making fun of babies for not having any balance... ahah.

"here.. this is new.. annoint with this! hey everyone, look! she fell over and can't stand up!"

More then once..... (hey, why doesn't this board have the little devil dude?)

My hubby loves to hold them in his hand and support them so they don't fall over. It's very cute.

-K

hemi_mygirl
04-22-2006, 06:46 PM
More then once..... (hey, why doesn't this board have the little devil dude?)

My hubby loves to hold them in his hand and support them so they don't fall over. It's very cute.

-K

haha, my boyfriend did that to Hemi too. I was feeding her a bit of an orange smoothy and she started annointing. He put his hand by her so she wouldn't tip over.

Although, an orange-scented hedgehog is kind of cool...