Habitat: There are many options to choose from, we personally use and recommend guinea pig style habitat wire cages, with plastic bottoms. All of our babies are gravity-fed water bottle trained. They'll also need a food dish. For bedding, we recommend the use of recycled paper beddings such as CareFresh or Clean & Cozy. This tends to be the safest option since they are processed and do not pose the same risks as natural wood-based beddings. They will need a hideout, appropriate flat-bottomed running wheel, toys and an proper heat setup. We sell complete hedgehog cage setups which can be picked up in store or delivered with your baby.
Their bedding should be changed at least every 5-7 days. When washing their cage, avoid any harsh chemicals. We personally use Dawn dish liquid to wash our cages. Hedgehogs require baths about 1-2 times per month using warm water, baby shampoo and a soft-bristled tooth brush. Inspect your hedgehogs toe nails and trim as needed (usually 1-2 times per month). You can cut their nails with cat nail trimmers.
Since hedgehogs naturally are foraging animals, they like to walk around and will need a form of exercise. We personally use 12 inch flat-bottomed running wheels which work great in helping them keep up with their routine. Inspect your hedgehogs for toe nail trimmings, you can clip long nails with baby finger nail clippers. Exercise does not necessarily mean running on a wheel only. Hedgehogs also need activities, and enrichment. This is done by foraging, inspecting surroundings, exploring, and encountering new smells & objects. I like to set up play areas for them. I change the placement of hide houses, scatter food in different areas/corners, and also I move the actual play area from time to time. Hedgehogs love exploring and they always seem like they are on a mission to explore and have fun in their play pen. Your hedgehog would enjoy several hours of play each evening in the pen. Hedgehogs are solitary and once they reach maturity they must be housed separately. However if two females are raised together we find they will live together with little to no aggression as adults.
Diet: Our babies are sent home on Fromm - Gold Adult Cat food. We've chosen Fromm for their commitment to quality nutritional value. It is a complete diet and there is no need for supplements. We free-feed our hedgehogs, offering them 1/4 of a cup of food per day. Available through our site and at pickup.
Food: Hedgehogs are ominvorous insectivores and should be fed an appropriate diet. Their diest should consist of a high-quality cat kibble. Optionally, you can supplement with dead or live insects and small amounts of frutis and vegetables. Feeding hedgehogs too much fruit can cause loose stool, and hedgehogs do not seem to like many vegetables. We have a fantastic write-up on food selection along with recommendations in the Recommended Foods Section.
Handling: Hedgehogs are solitary by nature and require daily handling to build a strong desirable bond. Generally speaking, the more that you handle your hedgehogs, the freindlier he/she will be. Since they suffer from poor eyesiight, it can be a good idea to place a worn article of clothing inside your hedgehog's cage to help him/her associate your smell as something safe. This will go a long way to making your hedgehog feel safe around you. While most hedgehogs are noctournal, African Pygmy Hedgehogs have been domesticated since the early 50's and as such have adopted more of a diurinal schedule being up for part of the day and night. At night, typically when all the lights go off hedgehogs come alive! This is the time they would prefer to be handled and played with. This is also the time for them to go into their play pens.
Actual holding and touching a hedgehog can be challenging at first but will quickly become an easy task to achieve. Yes they have sharp spines, however they are easy to handle and even novice owners will be playing and holding their babies in no time. As your hedgehog gets older, their spines will soften as they grow in their adult coat.
