new hedge hog

[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