Pickyhedgies

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I'm Your New Baby

READ MESSAGE

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GETTING YOUR BABY......

So you have read all the books, talked with other owners, seen the cute little hedgehogs in the pet store... Now you are ready to make a long commitment to a hedgehog. Are You? Please take your time deciding and make sure you understand the commitment necessary to own a hedgehog BEFORE you buy.

Nothing is more important to me than the welfare and perpetuation of these remarkable companions. For the last 12 years, generations of breeders in the United States and Canada have sacrificed their time and energy to preserve and improve this uniquely lovable animal.

It is my goal to continue this legacy by breeding happy, healthy, hedgehogs that have been extensively socialized to ensure that our hedgehogs and their owners will always be held in the highest esteem by all who encounter them.

We raise our hoglets in the best possible environment for physical and emotional development. Extensive imprinting and socialization is done from 10 days after birth through their departure from us to their new homes at 7 to 8 weeks old. Stimulation begins at one week of age. With this, hoglets are exposed to a series of sensory stimuli to aid in early development. It is extremely important that hoglets are nurtured physically and emotionally during socialization..... especially during the period of 2-7 weeks. This practice also makes them more tolerant to stressful situations.

Newborn hoglets are different than adults in several respects. When born their eyes are closed and their digestive system has a limited capacity requiring periodic stimulation by their mother who routinely licks them in order to promote digestion. At this age they are only able to smell, suck, and crawl. Body temperature is maintained by snuggling close to their mother or by crawling into piles with other littermates. During these first few weeks of immobility I have seen that these immature and under-developed hoglets are sensitive to a restricted class of stimuli which includes thermal, motion and locomotion. This enables them to withstand stressful situations better than hoglets who have not experienced this stimuli early in life.

For ideas on how to socialize your hoglets properly, please feel free to call or write. We offer our guidance to all hoglet owners. Your hedgehog does not need to be purchased from us to ask advice...it doesn't even need to be a baby! The time spent early on socializing a hoglet can lead to a life of wonderful companionship. Neglecting this process is detrimental to both the hoglet and the human experience of hedgehog ownership.

I prefer for new owners to come to my home to pick up their new hedgehog baby whenever possible. For those too far away we do ship via Continental or Delta Airlines (weather permitting) Hedgehogs can only be shipped if the temperature at time of departure or arrival is no higher than 85 degrees F.

Today is the day you bring your baby hedgehog home, hopefully you have done a little shopping to get ready as it is indeed a special day, not just for you, but for your baby. Here is where I would like to address some things that will help you and your baby have a happy healthy relationship in the years to come. It is very important you start out right, to maintain the health of your new family member.

Before you pick up your baby, make sure you have consulted with the breeder about proper housing. You should have their home completely set up so when you introduce the baby to it's new environment it will be easier to adjust. Too many changes can lead to undo stress, allow them some time to roam around and learn their new home. Make sure your baby knows the location of the water bottle and food bowl.

Make sure to quarantine your hedgehog from other pets you may have in your home for at least two full weeks. Always use good hand washing techniques before and after handling your new baby.

Now you got your baby
READ ON.....

ADJUSTING

Spend at least 30 minutes a day, twice a day with your hedgehog from the day you bring them home. You want your hedgehog to get comfortable with you and get to know you. Once you get your hedgehog to trust you, this is a good time to start doing daily exams on their appearance.
    a) check for clear eyes, not watery
    b) make sure the nose is moist, not dry
    c) check the quills and the skin, does it look dry?
    d) is he/she gaining weight?
    e) is he/she eating and drinking?
The better you get to know your hedgehog, the quicker you will realize when something may be wrong. If at any time you feel your hedgehog is not acting normal, seek vet care immediately!
NEVER wait! A baby hedgehog can die quickly if something is wrong! You are their new parents, you must tend to their needs like you would your own child. They depend on you!

DIET

When your baby comes home, it is only going to be use to the staple diet that it was fed while at the breeders. At 7 weeks of age, you can offer freeze dried crickets and/or live mealworms.

ABSOLUTELY NO SUPERWORMS

As your baby grows, you can start introducing new foods such as: fresh fruits and hard boiled eggs, but make sure to try one thing at a time. Only offer it one thing for a few days. If your hedgehog is going to have an allergic reaction, at least this way you will know what it is causing the reaction. Once you know that treat is ok, then start with another treat.

HOUSING

Make sure to spot clean the cage daily, and do a complete clean weekly. If you use cage liners you should replace them daily with clean ones.
If your baby has a wheel make sure the wheel is cleaned daily, always offer fresh water, and make sure to keep food in their bowl no matter what. Please do NOT try to limit their food intake, a hedgehog as a rule will not overeat, growing babies need their food available to them at all times.
Do not keep your hedgehog's home directly under an air conditioning vent, or in direct sunlight. Do not put it in your closet where it is dark all the time. Make sure your hedgehog has a place to hide such as a hat or sleep sack. It is important they feel safe and secure when sleeping.

SAFETY

When you introduce your hedgehog to other family pets, make sure it is done with supervision.

Do not allow your hedgehog in any area where they are not going to be completely safe, never leave them unsupervised.

Never allow your hedgehog to free roam with doors open or in an area with a doggie or cat door, hedgehogs are great escape artist, and if they see an opportunity, they will surely take it.

If you live in a warm climate and have a pool, do not let your hedgehog roam around the lanai unsupervised, although they can swim, they cannot swim for long periods of time and will DROWN in a pool.

It is not wise to allow your hedgehog outdoors on your lawn, especially if you use pesticides or fertilizer.

Do not allow your hedgehog to get overheated by exposing it to direct sunlight or heater vents.

Do not allow your hedgehog to get chilled by keeping it's home near open doors or windows where they can catch a draft, or directly under air conditioning vents.

As with any pet, common sense is the best rule, if at any time your hedgehog has been compromised and is not acting normal, seek vet care immediately! They depend on you to know when something isn't right.

FINAL NOTE

Once your new baby leaves my home, it is YOUR responsibility to continue to give it the proper care. In order for the warranties I provide to stay in effect, I strongly suggest you follow the guidelines I provide for you at the time of purchase. You can find all sorts of information on the net, but that doesn't mean it is good information.
Always feel free to call me or e-mail me anytime you have a question about your baby, I don't consider any question ridicules, and I don't get upset if you ask. If it is a medical emergency, you must get your baby to a vet immediately.
I want you to enjoy your new baby, hedgehogs are a great addition to any home provided they fit into your lifestyle.

REMEMBER, YOUR BABY DEPENDS ON YOU!!