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Hedgehogs-An Interesting And Unusual Pet
Choosing a pet is very important. There are many pets that you can choose from, but there are also many things to consider when choosing a pet. Some very important things to consider are:
1.) Do you have the space to keep this pet happy and healthy?
2.) Do you have the time that is required to care for this pet?
3.) Do you know enough about this pet?
A Hedgehog requires very little space to keep him happy and healthy. A twenty nine gallon aquarium makes a spacious and comfortable home for a hedgehog.
A hedgehog requires very little time and effort for care and feeding. Just a few minutes a day is all that is needed to keep the hedgehog cage clean and keep him fed and happy.
It is always very important to learn all you can about the pet that you are considering. One good place to start is with your pet store owner. They can give you alot of information as well as connect you with other resources for further information. If you have never purchased a pet from a pet store though you need to shop for a pet store first. It is very important to find a pet store that has a good reputation and then check them out yourself.
Some things to look for when you enter a pet shop are:
1.) Do the animals appear to be healthy and happy?
2.) Are the cages clean and in good condition?
3.) Does the owner seem knowledgeable and helpful?
All of these things show you that the owner is responsible and caring about the animals that he sells and that he can be trusted. It is very important that you have a owner/dealer that you are comfortable with as you will have to deal with him on a regular basis for supplies, advice and information. If you have found an owner with these qualities and you are comfortable it is time to prepare for your new pet.
It is very important to prepare for your pet ahead of time so when you bring him home he can settle in his new home without any distractions. His cage should be put in a quiet area of your home and completely set up before you bring him home.
The Cage
A twenty-nine gallon aquarium works very well for a hedgehog. It allows plenty of floor space as well as being high enough to prevent him from escaping. If a smaller aquarium is used a cover should be put on the top since hedgehogs are very good climbers.
Hedgehogs need a constant temperature of at least seventy degrees, therefore you will want to purchase a heater for the cage. I use a heater that goes under the tank and it keeps the tank warm and cozy.
Put a few inches of pine shavings on the cage floor. My pet store owner advised me to not use cedar shavings as they can cause health problems with almost all small animals.
It is a good idea to give your hedgehog a tunnel or box of some kind to hide in when he is startled or upset or just plain does not want to be bothered. You can purchase this from you pet store owner or just find a little box, plastic piece of pipe, or container. Be sure that it is big enough so he will not get stuck inside it.
In the wild, hedgehogs are very busy so they do require a lot of exercise to remain healthy. An exercise wheel works very well for this purpose. Care should be taken when you choose the wheel. It should have a solid bottom so the hedgehog will not get his legs stuck which could cause him serious injury.
You can also allow him to roam freely on the floor keeping in mind to remove all things that could cause injury such as poisonous houseplants, electrical cords, etc.
Food
It is always a good idea to purchase a food blend that is specifically intended for a hedgehog. You can purchase it from your pet store and it will meet all the nutritional needs of the hedgehog. Alot of people feed their hedgehogs a diet of dry cat food and they say their hedgehogs do very well. I do not feel comfortable doing this so I just purchase the blend from my pet store owner.
Some other things that your hedgehog will enjoy are bits of cooked chicken, crickets and other insects, and fruits and vegetables.
Fresh clean water should always be available for your hedgehog. A water bottle that attaches to the side of the tank will work very well for this purpose.
Handling your hedgehog
At first it may be difficult to handle your hedgehog. He will be nervous and scared for awhile until he learns to trust you. If you want him to become tame though you will have to handle him. The more you handle him the more he will trust you and the tamer he will become.
Cleaning and Daily Care
The cage should be cleaned about once a week. Remove most of the shavings and replace with dry, clean shavings.
A more thorough cleaning should be done about once a month by washing the cage with a solution of warm water and 1/4 cup household bleach. Rinse thoroughly and then rinse again to remove all traces of bleach. Dry throughly and set up the tank again.
All water and feed dishes should also be cleaned and disinfected once a week.
Training
Some people who have owned hedgehogs have been able to litter train them but I haven't had very much luck with that. When I have attempted to do this my hedgehogs just chewed on the litter which is very bad for their health.
There are many excellent books available about hedgehogs such as:
1.) Hedgehogs: Everything About Housing,Care,Nutrition,Breeding and Health Care by:Matthew M., Phd Vriends & Tanya M. Heming-Vriends
2.) The Hedgehog: An Owners Guide To A Happy Healthy Pet by: Dawn Wroble, Susan Brown
These books can be found at Amazon.com and are very helpful with many questions that you may still have about hedgehogs.
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