Welcome to Minnezoota.com

General information about myself and Hedgehogs

Thanks for your interest in a hedgehog as a pet !! 

The following is a brief statement about the care and feeding of hedgehogs. It is in no way a complete care sheet for a hedgehog. Please research as much as you can about this great pet before you purchase one!! There are great web-sites and information on the internet. 

Hedgehogs can and do make GREAT pets !! They are sweet and lovable. And very easy to care for, however they are not for everyone.  

Some recommended books are...

The Hedgehog: An Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet by Dawn Wrobel, Susan A. Brown.

The Pygmy Hedgehog, A Perfect Pet by Sharon Massena and Bryan Smith.

Hedgehogs come in a variety of colors. I can not guarantee what colors I will have. But my breeders are: 1 male salt and pepper pinto, 1 salt and pepper male, and 5 females, a salt and pepper, 2 cinnacots, 1 salt and pepper pinto and an albino. So colors run in their genetics. They have produced a nice variety of colors.

My hedgehogs are $225 each (price could vary on demand). I will reduce the price with the purchase of more than one.

Hedgehogs are generally very solitary animals so they do well on their own. They do not generally need another hedgehog to keep them company. I have been told that 2 hedgehogs together will fight and be territorial. However, I have found mine to live together well when they have been housed together. They have even snuggled next to each other while sleeping. This is not to say that ALL hedgehogs will get along. But I have not experienced a problem. Any animals should be watched closely if added to live together. 

I recommend you get the biggest cage you can. Some people use large aquariums. I now use large rectangular rubbermaid containers. I use pine shavings in mine. Do NOT use cedar shavings. Some people do not use shavings at all and use newspaper or cloth liners. I like the pine shavings as they like to dig in them and sleep. It smells nice and it is easy to clean up by just scooping out the dirty shavings and replacing with clean. Cleaning the cage is important. Try to clean up as often as you can. Nobody wants to sleep and eat in a messy home !!

Other important cage items are.... water bottle, a small food dish, an igloo or hut to sleep and hide in, I also put in scraps of fleece material for them to burrow under. The most important cage item is an exercise wheel !! A hedgehog spends a TON of time on an exercise wheel. It is hard to find the right size wheel. A good wheel is solid and not a wire mesh wheel. Wire wheels are a problem as the hedgehogs foot will get stuck in it.  

Some suggestions are....

12 inch "Comfort Wheel". They are solid plastic. Come with a stand and also a clip to attach to the cage if you have a cage that it will clamp to. They are easy to clean and cheaper. They are between $15 and 20. You can find them at Petsmart and Petco or online. They are usually in the ferret sections.

Another is the "Whipsper Wheel" about $30

http://www.hedgehogsbyvickie.com/whisperwheels.htm

And another is the "Wodent Wheel" about $25 at Brisky Pets

http://www.brisky.com

 I feed my hedgehogs “Spikes Delite Premium” from Pet-Pro.  Petsmart and Petco carry a brand of hedgehog food as well. I can not remember the name. It is ok, I just prefer the “Spikes Delite” as my hedgies eat it up, the other food tends to sit in the bowl longer. Some people feed premium cat food such as Iams. When switching a hedgie to a new food, it is best to add it gradually so they get used to it. It is also not as hard on their systems. 

I also make sure the hedgehogs have plenty of water in a water bottle at all times. "Likit" brands work great, they are a little more expensive but worth it as the cheaper bottles tend to drip all the time. 

I also add some type of protein to their diet everyday, a little peanut butter, chunks of chicken, turkey or beef (as long as it is not seasoned or processed) or meal worms. They LOVE mealworms!!

I DO have a wait list for my hedgehogs. I do not need a deposit to add you to my wait list.

If you would like to be added to my wait list please use the contact information page.

I also do not sell to anyone under 18 without permission from parents. A parent will have to be along when the animal is bought. I also like to speak to the parent ahead of time so that I know it is ok. 

I will talk to you on the phone before you actually get a hedgehog as I will want to see that you are prepared, and serious about taking on the responsibility. I do reserve the right to refuse to sell to anyone I feel will not take care of the animal, is not serious, does not have proper housing set up, or is only getting the animal as a "novelty". My animals are my first concern. And seeing that they go to a loving a responsible home is the most important thing.

I in no way consider myself an expert on hedgehogs. However, I am more than happy to answer questions that come up with your hedgehogs as best as I can by offering you advice on what has worked for me in the past. I will try to help in any way I can, before you get your hedgehog and after you get one.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me and I will get the information to you as soon as I can.

Minnesota Exotic Veterinarians