I got a hedgehog! (What you need to know before buying a hedgehog)

On 19 August 2017 I began a new journey with my new hedgehog- Karma. He is a 8 month old cinnamon African pygmy hedgehog.

( https://www.instagram.com/p/BYA-3CHluTj/?taken-by=milonose ) ~ on my instagram.

I named him after one of my favorite Assassination Classroom characters Karma Akabane.

( https://za.pinterest.com/pin/95701560811993743/ ) ~ not my photo.

SO, before getting my hedgehog I did a lot of research into dietary, cage and temperature requirements of hedgehogs and decided to share this info with you. As I am still new to this please don't take this as law, most of this can vary from hedgehog to hedgehog and owner to owner.

• I did research around on the internet but set this up myself-

  CAGE REQUIREMENTS
  1. The recommended size would be 4 square feet ( 4 foot x 4 foot ) or 1.2 square meter (1.2 m x 1.2 m)
  2. It's important to have a large running wheel without any holes ( no wire wheels) - hedgehogs need exercise their feet
  can stuck in the openings which can cause injury
  3. Food bowl and water bowl or bottle
  4. A blanket in a box or "sleeping bag"
  5. Bedding like wood shavings. ( be careful as some can be harmful to animals.)
  ^^ I am changing to fleece because the shavings get EVERYWHERE and can get irritating ^^
  6. in the winter you will need some kind of heating system.
  7. A litterbox with cat litter
  8. there are loads of other stuff you can add but these are the most important

( https://za.pinterest.com/pin/549087379554691927/) ~ this is not my cage but it is a good example

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FOOD REQUIREMENTS

^^ Food requirements can differ a bit but should be in about the same zone ^^
Hedgehog foods mostly aren't sufficient thus people rather feed them CAT FOOD.

1. NOT CORN BASED
2. Protein : 30-33% ( preferably not over 35% it can be harmful to their organs)
3. Fat : 10-13% ( fat can go higher depending on how you're hedgehogs gain weight.
4. Fiber : up to 5%
5. Insects like mealworms
6. Some fruits and veg.
7. they can also eat small amounts of raw meat.

At the moment I'm using Royal Canin Feline Kitten.

(https://za.pinterest.com/pin/663084745107924692/) ~ not my photo

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HEATING

Heat pads are really not suggested. I've heard of burns on hedgehogs and cages being melted so I'm staying away from them. I know some people use them so if you want to its at own risk. Other than blankets I know of 2 other heating methods.

1. space heater
2. ceramic heat emitter

For both it is recommended to have a thermostat with them.

Their cage temperatures should be between 73-78° F (23-25° C).

(https://za.pinterest.com/pin/200410252143347969/) ~ Ceramic heat emitter - not my photo

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CLEANING

A hedgehogs cage should be cleaned regularly more so their litterboxes.

About once a month they should be bathed with non-harmful shampoo and a toothbrush or bath towel. If they get bathed to regularly their skins may become dry.

Hedgehogs' feet should be cleaned as they sometimes step in their own poop. This can be harmful to them.

( https://za.pinterest.com/pin/688910074221129210/ ) ~ not my photo

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LASTLY

Hedgehogs are nocturnal which in mean is they are mostly active at night. Karma gets really grumpy when i wake him up at daylight.

Hedgehogs are very temperature sensitive and if they are to cold for a large amount of time they might attempt to go into hibernation. THIS CAN'T HAPPEN. This can be very harmful to they and in extreme cases can lead to death.

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HELP?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cRs3x2hQx28vquWv1A4-w

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUAwWZLz7UYKwTh1dOuJ1A

http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forums/113-heating/4048-heating-your-hedgehog-s-cage-simplified.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Hedgehog

= Again i used some information from the internet but wrote this myself =

( https://www.instagram.com/p/BYA-k3FFZXs/?taken-by=milonose) ~ Bye bye people!