TEETH Older hedgies should have their teeth checked for diseases such as gum disease or periodontia. Hedgies who eat dry cat food or hedgehog specialty food for a major part of their diet will help prevent tartar build up and reduce other dental problems.
SKIN CARE If your hedgie is experiencing dry skin, add a few drops of vegetable oil to his dry food or place vegetable oil on his skin before bathing(that also helps prevent mites). Don't do it everyday do it every other day because vegetable oil contains a lot of fat wich may make your hedgie gain too much weight . A heavy hedgie is a unhealthy one!
EARS Hedgie ears should be soft and smooth, if they are rough he/she should be checked out by a veterinarian because the hedgie might have some type of fungus.
NUTRITION & FOOD A hedgehog can be feed cat food or any kind of hedgehog specialty food. Use cat food with meat or chicken as the main ingredient. Try to avoid foods that are fish based or that have or contain nuts or seeds. The shape of the food must be small and little, they cannot eat food that is big. Cat foods such as Iams cat food, Purina cat food, or Eukanaba are the best kinds of food to feed your hedgies. They contain a high protein level wich is good for you hedgehog. Now, how much to feed you ask? Well, a hedgie usually eats 1/3 of his weight so is your hedgie way 9oz you should feed him 2 or 3 oz. Of dry cat food depending on his activeness or less if you are going too feed him other thing. Hedgehogs will eat just about any thing. You can feed them things such as hard boiled things, mealworms, grapes, raisins, peaches, cooked ground turkey or chicken, basically any thing natural. Do not add salt to any thing you give them. You can also feed then things such as canned cat food or cottage cheese. DO NOT give them any MILK, milk will give them diariagh.
WATER PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE supply your hedgie with clean fresh water every day! That is the most important thing to give your hedgie.
WHEN TO FEED Feed you hedgie in the evening when they are a wake. If you don't come home until late leave some dry food in before you leave. Don't leave any food out that will spoil.
EXERCISE. GET A WHEEL! A wheel is a very important need to your hedgie. If you don't provide a wheel you hedgie will become over weight. Sense you can not play with you hedgie while you are sleeping, a wheel will provide exercise as well as entertainment.
PLAY TIME You should always take time out and play with your hedgies if you don't have the time you should not get one. Playing with your hedgie keeps he/she active and well socialized. If you don't play with your hedgie he/she will become shy and every time you pick him up he will role into a ball, so please take time to play with your hedgehog. For more info, please read a book called; An Owners Guide to The Hedgehog: A Happy Healthy Pet by Dawn Wrobel. This book is a good book for the first time hedgehog owners.
