My hedgie's had babies help!

[pekodinky]

I bought my hedgie on Friday, from a pet store, it is now Wednesday and she has had babies over night. I am scared cause I don't know how to look after them. I wasn't told she could be pregnant. I haven't touched them as this is common knowledge with babies.

Can I still pick mum up or is it best leaving her with the babies only she is still getting used to me and I don't want her forgetting my smell?

Do I need to feed her anything special? I am currently feeding her hill's adult light cat food and a mix of vegetables and fruit and meal worms.

When can I touch the babies? When can I seperate them from mom?

I'm worried they may suffocate, she has a snug bed and she decided to have them underneath this instead of in it but I don't think it's warm enough so I've put a cut up blanket over them as well. Will they get enough oxygen.

I'm so nervous is there any advice someone can give me to reassure me they'll be alright. I'm scared they will die or I'll do something wrong.

Thanks Nikki

p.s. I was told she is 6 months old but I've just read they are between 1 and 2 years before they repoduce is this true?

 

[Nancy]

Leave everything alone. Don't touch mom or babies. Do nothing but give mom fresh food and water.

It's fine that she had them under her the bed as it will be less messy and less risk of the babies getting caught in it. How large is the blanket you put in? Babies can get lost in folds of fabric so you don't want anything more than aout 1 foot square.

If there are concerns about temperature, turn the heat up a bit in the room they are in.

You can start adding a tiny amount of Royal Canin Baby Cat into her current food. Start slow to as not upset her tummy. It will give her some extra fat for milk production and the babies will easily wean onto it.

Mom will know what to do. Just leave them alone and stay out of the room except for feeding. Don't clean the cage until babies are weaning at 5-6 weeks. Make sure you remove the wheel.

Hedgehogs can reproduce at 6 weeks for boys, 8 weeks for girls but they shouldn't be bred before 6 months. Girls should not be bred for the first time past a year old as it can be dangerous for her.

 

[pekodinky]

Thanks for replying, the blankets about 12 inchs by 12 inchs

 

[JennyBug]

I know you're scared for mom and the babies, but I did want to say congrats on the litter! At least you were the one who got mom rather than someone who didn't know what to do or where to find the information. Just follow the advice given and you'll do a fine job!

 

[pekodinky]

Thanks, I'm more calmer now. I was just shocked and I panicked.