hummm hedgie?

Ok theres a hedgie at a semi-local spca that i've been thinking about getting. I'm sure there going to charge me like $100 for her which right now is going to kill me but i just feel so bad about her being there. She was never handled as she grew up but now is being handled frequently. I was wondering a few things about them. Do they have any smell? what is the best kind of food to feed them? how often should they be handled (once a day? once every 2 days? fow how long?). what is the best kind of cage for them and what is a good size? Anything I should know before considering adopting her? umm any other information u can offer... Thanks

[tree]

Alot of people use tupperwear to house them. I use an under the bed sweater container with some creative cubes (cavycages.com) to house the one I had.


They have a smell, but not strong. I would say ATLEAST a half an hour a day, I really believe an hour at the least.

They are up at night so it can get pretty noisey.

If the reason youre getting her is because you feel bad don't. Someone will SURLEY come along and get her. She shouldnt last long being there because they are so neat and intresting. Think about what might happen if she suddenly needs to go to the vet.


I would make sure you also have a vet in the area, or that you have a number to one.

theres a good exotic vet in the area she does birds/ my gliders/ reptiles shes relly well known. I've been thinking about getting a hedgehog for a while don't get me wrong i really want one as a pet. I just wanted to do more research and a bit more studying up and perparing before i actually got one. Like maybe getting one after i move out in the spring. I just feel really bad now cause theres one at the spca i could give a home to.

[tree]

That one will find a home and the same price you could get a baby that is friendly. I would wait.

Theres no way they would put it to sleep, there easy to care for ( while he lives at the shelter) and many people find them intresting, Im sure it will find a home. Go ahead and do more research.


animals are a huge comitment so whenever possible I try to research first. I know Ive taken animals on without the research ( ben handed them-rescues)

I once got this gecko that well after research I found out he was wild caught. I got him because part of his tail fell off so the owner didnt want him. well he was chuck full of parasites thats what the problem was. I also took in a rabbit with malaclousins being told he would only need them sawed down once in a while. boy was that just PART of the mallaclousin problem. I also didnt know a rabbit would live so long! He was ill of course so he didnt but I could have had him for 9 years ! ( he was already about three)

I dont know.. you could research a ton quick and then it would all be good.. but why pay for a scaredy cat thats not a baby when you could get a baby from a breeder ? ( you might be able to find one for 50.00 to.)

[meihee]

I would wait. There are always hedgehogs around-ther are a ton of rescues. I would do your research. Hedgehogs aren't for everyone so making sure you are really ready is important. Hedgehogs need BIG BIG cages and lots of interaction to stay social. There is no set time-just enough time. somedays it's a couple hours, somedays 1/2 hour, some days 4 hours. It really depends. They also need to be kept warm-all the time. When they get sick, they are VERY VERY expensive. Diet-high quality cat foods, hedgie foods, fresh foods. Variety is key. I feed dry food and everynight my hedgies get fresh foods-fresh cooked lean meats, veggies, bugs, the occasional piece of cheese as a treat.....