Supply List
Below is a list of necessary things to keep your hedgehog healthy and happy.
Cages
The cage for your hedgehog MUST have a solid bottom and be ONE floor/story. It also MUST be 3-4 square feet of space to accommodate your hedgehog and all supplies/accessories. Make sure 3/4 of the cage is filled. Hedgehogs like cramped spaces and will feel more comfortable if the cage is filled with snuggle sacks, tunnels and toys. Good choices for cages include Sterilite Storage Containers(105 quart or higher.), Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat, homemade C&C(cubes and coroplast; storage cubes and corrugated plastic), small animal wire topped cages(solid bottom, one floor) and Critter/Ferret Nation Cages. I personally use 110 quart storage containers. They're just big enough for everything and I can use fleece liners or substrate bedding which makes them easy to clean. They also are EXCELLENT at containing the heat from their CHE's(Ceramic Heat Emitter). Below is an example of what each hedgehogs' cage looks like. DO NOT house your hedgehog in an aquarium. AQUARIUMS ARE FOR FISH AND REPTILES. NOT SMALL ANIMALS. They do not allow adequate air flow.
The cage for your hedgehog MUST have a solid bottom and be ONE floor/story. It also MUST be 3-4 square feet of space to accommodate your hedgehog and all supplies/accessories. Make sure 3/4 of the cage is filled. Hedgehogs like cramped spaces and will feel more comfortable if the cage is filled with snuggle sacks, tunnels and toys. Good choices for cages include Sterilite Storage Containers(105 quart or higher.), Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat, homemade C&C(cubes and coroplast; storage cubes and corrugated plastic), small animal wire topped cages(solid bottom, one floor) and Critter/Ferret Nation Cages. I personally use 110 quart storage containers. They're just big enough for everything and I can use fleece liners or substrate bedding which makes them easy to clean. They also are EXCELLENT at containing the heat from their CHE's(Ceramic Heat Emitter). Below is an example of what each hedgehogs' cage looks like. DO NOT house your hedgehog in an aquarium. AQUARIUMS ARE FOR FISH AND REPTILES. NOT SMALL ANIMALS. They do not allow adequate air flow.
Bedding
Fleece liners are used by many hedgehog owners. They are inexpensive and can be used repeatedly. I use paper crumbled litter. I recommend any paper litter or bedding products(ie. Paper pelleted litter, paper crumbled litter, or paper bedding marketed for small animals). The substrate beddings that are safe are: CareFresh, Kaytee, any paper bedding or litter, and Pine Pellets. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PINE ASPEN OR CEDAR SHAVINGS.
NEVER USE CEDAR. IT IS TOXIC TO HEDGEHOGS AS WELL AS ANY SMALL ANIMAL. THEIR URINE MIXED WITH THE CHEMICALS IN THE BEDDING WILL CAUSE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND KILL THEM.
Fleece liners are used by many hedgehog owners. They are inexpensive and can be used repeatedly. I use paper crumbled litter. I recommend any paper litter or bedding products(ie. Paper pelleted litter, paper crumbled litter, or paper bedding marketed for small animals). The substrate beddings that are safe are: CareFresh, Kaytee, any paper bedding or litter, and Pine Pellets. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PINE ASPEN OR CEDAR SHAVINGS.
NEVER USE CEDAR. IT IS TOXIC TO HEDGEHOGS AS WELL AS ANY SMALL ANIMAL. THEIR URINE MIXED WITH THE CHEMICALS IN THE BEDDING WILL CAUSE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND KILL THEM.
Wheel
MUST have a solid running surface. Minimum of a diameter of 11 inches. You can use Carolina Storm Bucket Wheels, NOT the Carolina Express Wheels. They are too small for hedgehogs. You can also use store bought wheels like the Flying Saucer Wheels or Kaytee comfort wheels. DO NOT USE MESH/WIRE WHEELS AS YOUR HEDGEHOG'S FEET WILL GET STUCK IN THEM. ALSO, DO NOT USE SILENT SPINNER WHEELS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SEAM THAT WILL COME APART AND SERIOUSLY INJURE YOUR HEDGEHOG.
MUST have a solid running surface. Minimum of a diameter of 11 inches. You can use Carolina Storm Bucket Wheels, NOT the Carolina Express Wheels. They are too small for hedgehogs. You can also use store bought wheels like the Flying Saucer Wheels or Kaytee comfort wheels. DO NOT USE MESH/WIRE WHEELS AS YOUR HEDGEHOG'S FEET WILL GET STUCK IN THEM. ALSO, DO NOT USE SILENT SPINNER WHEELS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SEAM THAT WILL COME APART AND SERIOUSLY INJURE YOUR HEDGEHOG.
Heat Source
A consistent source of heat to keep the cage at 75-80 F. Small space heaters and ceramic heat emitters (CHEs) are the best choice. When using a CHE set up, a thermostat or dimmable lamp is required to control the heat, to prevent overheating. DO NOT use heat bulbs that also emit light. They will mess up the hedgehogs day/night and potentially trigger a hibernation attempt.
A consistent source of heat to keep the cage at 75-80 F. Small space heaters and ceramic heat emitters (CHEs) are the best choice. When using a CHE set up, a thermostat or dimmable lamp is required to control the heat, to prevent overheating. DO NOT use heat bulbs that also emit light. They will mess up the hedgehogs day/night and potentially trigger a hibernation attempt.
Hideaway
Any sort of hiding place or sleeping spot. Snuggle sacks or other fabric hideaways work well. Plastic igloos or similar plastic "houses" for small animals are also acceptable.
Any sort of hiding place or sleeping spot. Snuggle sacks or other fabric hideaways work well. Plastic igloos or similar plastic "houses" for small animals are also acceptable.
Bowls
Ceramic bowls and 8 ounce water bottles.
Ceramic bowls and 8 ounce water bottles.
Nail Clipping
Cuticle trimmers or small human nail clippers.
Cuticle trimmers or small human nail clippers.