new hedge hog

[dab_20]

me and my dad have decided to get a hedge hog. we would like to know if there are any good sites to help us learn about them before we decide to get one? and if anyone owns a hedge hog, do they seem to be friendly pets?

[dab_20]

ok, well we were thinking about getting a chinchilla too. but they are soooo expensive. and our humane societies only rescue guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, etc. chinchillas are very rare. we want to rescue one from an auction, as those are sometimes abused animals and we want to help them. and hedge hogs are really common there. we rescue rabbits there. any ideas where else to get a chinchilla other then a pet store??

[jesse_3]

Well, I don't know why you wouldn't recommend getting one. I have one who is perfectly healthy and happy. She may not be able to be cuddled real welll, but it is possible! They make amzing pets..I wouldn't recommend getting one from a petstore at all though. They tend to have health problems. I am sort of part of another forum that has a special section for hedgies, Hedghog rescue, and I could try to find a hedgie in need of a home close to where you live. That is how we got Splinter..

A good website?-let me look..Just pm me for any information..I'll find the couple of websites I looked at..Hold on!

Steph, Jesse, and Splinter

[jesse_3]

Here are some: http://www.pogstarhedgehogs.com/basiccare.html
http://www.exoticnutrition.com/Hedge-Hog-products.htm

There is just two, but they are awesome!-Just pm me if you need anything!
Steph, Jesse, and Splinter

[dab_20]

ok thanks so much! we aren't sure if we are getting a hedgie or a chinchilla yet. but i will tell you what we end up getting!

[buttercup132]

i think a hedgie would be better to get cuz they are easy to care for and they can have cool treats like worms! and a chinchilla you need to make sure they always have sand ect. and if there are always at auction i would suggest getting one cuz it seems they need lots of help

[dab_20]

do they spike you?? do they like to run free? cuz i could hedgy proof my smalll bathroom and let it run free under supervision. and some great hedgy sites you know of would be much appreciated!

[jesse_3]

When you say spike, do you mean like a porcupine, with the quills comming out?-If you do, the answer is no. Their quills don't come out (once in a great while they will shed around one quill..)

They do jump and hiss to scare you when they are nervous or frightened, and if your hand is close enough, the quills could hit you. It does hurt a little, but, the pain quickly goes away. (When they are scared, they pump blood into their quills to make them basically stand up to protect it more)

With Splinter, we only use a glove to pick her up, then she calms down and we can hold her with our bare hands..It really depends on how they are raised and cared for.

You can let them run free with or without a ball..Just to forwarn you, if you do get a hedgie, they are wonderful escape artist, and can easily hide from you! Strong supervision will be a nessecity (sp?) when they are not in a ball. With a ball, they don't have to be watched as carefully, as long as they aren't by stairs or other pets that would like to "play" with them.

Here is a couple of more sites!: http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/comemee.../hhcare8A.html

Let us know what you decide on!-
Steph and Splinter

[CathyBogart]

luckies4me has a pair (or more) of rescued hedgies, she can probably tell you a LOT about them. I would recommend a hedgie over a chinchilla, because hedgies are much easier to take care of and easier to handle in my experience.

http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/ is a site for chinchilla and hedgehog owners, I'll bet there will be a TON of good info there.

I have to say that I strongly disagree with neeshkabeesh. A hedgehog's needs are easily met in captivity, and you should have no problem finding a captive-bred one. Also, if they are legal in your area, there are probably a good many vets with plenty of knowledge about caring for them

[jesse_3]

chins-n-quills is the forum I am part of. I don't go there often though. They are wonderful, and would gladly give you information! I also found a site on colors of hedgehogs..Here it is!-http://hedgehogclub.com/colorguide.html

Steph, Jesse, and Splinter

[CathyBogart]

^That's a neat link! If they were legal here, I would want a "Chocolate chip" hedgie!

[jesse_3]

Thanks! Splinter looks exactly like the brown hedgie! That is the closest I can get to a pic of her right now..

I didn't know that hedgies were illegal in places! I did double-check in MN(they aren't), but I never thought that they really were illegal!
Steph and Splinter

[dab_20]

yah, they arent illegal here. but i know they are in california. and, what do you feed a hedge hog?? do they have hedgie food at pet stores?

jesse_3, that last link about the hedge hog colors didnt work. thanks for the sites everyone! i will check them after school. we get off 2 hours early today

[tikeyas_mom]

hedgehogs are very scared little creatures.. I had peviously bought one from a breeder, who hand raised them.. and even then, all the hedges were really scared of people and other animals.
Make you sure play with it ALOT, and be patient.. because they are little buggers to tame. they need to have their nails trimmed by weekly, and most i've known like baths.
Feed it a high quality cat food, and crickets/or mealworms are a treat.
Good luck with your research .

[dab_20]

thanks. i know, especially because it came from an auction, that it will be very scared. i heard you cant feed them iams cat food. is that true? i do have a kitten, so can i feed it kitten food?

and, do they like wheels? and if they do, should i get a solid one?? if not, what kind of wheel?