|
Top Document: Hedgehog FAQ [4/7] - Hedgehogs as pets Previous Document: CONTENTS OF THIS FILE Next Document: <5.2> Do I need a cage? How should I set it up? See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge A brief list of things needed right away is covered in section [4.5], and is meant as a getting started list. This section, and the ones that follow, are meant to provide information in greater detail. There are only a few things that are essential to keep a pet hedgehog. Basically a warm place to live (either a large cage/pen/aquarium, or a room -- if you want to let your hedgehog run free), a food dish (preferably one that is not easy to tip over), a water bottle, such as for Guinea pigs, (water dishes can tend to become soiled and baby hedgehogs can easily drown in them, but adults often like them), and last but not least, something big enough for your hedgehog to hide in as a den. Of course food, water and other treats are a given! It is also a good idea to have a shallow litter box or pan (although not all hedgehogs seem inclined to use them), and some type of bedding (aspen shavings, clean straw, etc., but NOT cedar [5.3]). An exercise wheel [5.6] and [5.7] (big enough for a hedgehog) is also strongly recommended -- especially for hedgehogs that don't have the run of the house. Hedgehogs tend to be surprisingly energetic, and need the chance to use up some of this energy. In addition, it appears more and more that hedgehogs who have and use wheels live much longer and generally seem not to come down with some of the more common serious ailments, such as Fatty Liver Disease. Because of this, I am quickly reaching the opinion that a proper wheel is more of a necessity than a luxury. Given how easy (and even fun) it is to make a wheel, there really is no excuse for not having one. User Contributions:Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:Top Document: Hedgehog FAQ [4/7] - Hedgehogs as pets Previous Document: CONTENTS OF THIS FILE Next Document: <5.2> Do I need a cage? How should I set it up? Part1 - Part2 - Part3 - Part4 - Part5 - Part6 - Part7 - Single Page [ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ] Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: macnamara@bastet.hedgehoghollow.com (Brian MacNamara)
Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
|

Thank you!