First time owner! :D

Hyukables · May 14, 2012

This weekend I'm driving to pick up my first hedgehog from his breeder. The drive is almost 6 hours (3 getting there and 3 going back so I'll only have him in the car for 3 hrs) .Here are some questions! >u<

1.I was wondering what I should use to bring him home in. Should I use the carrier I bought him as well as putting one of the shirts I've been wearing? Also, should I bring a heating pad?

2.I am using fleece in his cage. How many times should I was his fleece? Ever couple days or when it gets dirty? I'm not too sure

:thanks2:

smhufflepuff · May 14, 2012

Welcome!

I'd use a hard-sided pet carrier and make sure that it's snuggly for him. Fleece is a good idea. I might hold off on the t-shirt and put that in his house once you get home. Am guessing a 3-hour trip with a baby is likely to produce some messies on your shirt

A heating pad... hmm... depends on the weather. Usually, in summer, I don't bother with extra heating, but I have used a thermometer where I can put the sensor inside the carrier and the read-out on the outside. You could experiment a bit between now and the weekend - put the carrier in your car as you drive around and take a look at how warm/cool it is in there. That said, I should mention that I have a tendency to over-prepare when it comes to hedgies, so I definitely bring little heaters along. Yeah... even in my car where I can control the heat and A/C.

I'd wash the fleece before he comes home in a scent-free clear detergent and stay away from dryer sheets (since they're usually scented). Once he's home, you'll know... by how it's looking and smelling. Since hedgies don't have body odor, if you're smelling something stinky, it's from the poo and pee. And it means cleaning time. The frequency varies by hedgie - some are more messy than others and babies are little poop monsters. You'll probably find that putting down smaller pieces of fleece that you can change out more frequently is a good way to go if there are spots that are consistently messier than others (like by food dishes or the wheel) - that way you don't have to take out the whole liner as often.

Hyukables · May 14, 2012

Thanks! This will help a lot!

FairyGirl · May 14, 2012

Congrats!! I am a new owner myself, just got our hedgie 10 days ago.

How are you heating the cage? We got a heat light and have a space heater for additional heat.

Hyukables · May 14, 2012

I also have a heat light. I haven't went out to get the space heater yet. Since I'm in Florida my mom keeps insisting me I won't need one, but I would want one just in case. Can't be too careful x3!