SpineyPigFaceLover
Well-known member
I recently purchased a female hedgehog (Sookie) from a pet store in Indiana. I originally had every intention of getting one from a breeder, but when I saw the little hedgies in the store, I knew I had to take one home with me.
I've had her for about a month. She seemed to warm up to me quite quickly. I noticed she got a little bigger, but didn't think much of it as I was definitely feeding her at least 1 treat/day. So I took her off her treats for a few days just in case she was becoming overweight. Three days ago I went to her cage to see if she wanted to play, and low and behold there were TWO newborn babies in there with her! I was shocked, worried, emotional, and totally freaked out (I thought they were enormous bugs at first, haha). It was as if I woke up and suddenly had children. I'm battling with the pet store currently because of their irresponsibility about keeping males and females together in a cage at breeding age (she is about 3-4 months now). I'm glad this happened to me and not an irresponsible family, but I want to keep this from happening again in the community.
Anyway... I've done hours upon hours of research since the pet store obviously has no intention of helping (only wants to buy them back from me, sadly-which I refuse to do). I've taken a medium cardboard shoebox and put fleece pieces in it as her nesting box (as her igloo is too small for three). I'm keeping her food and water close to her nest. If I see any babies that have wandered, I've tried to gently put them back using a spoon when Sookie isn't looking, since I know touching them is a no no. The babies haven't been making much noise, which leads me to believe that they are being well fed and happy.They've only made noise if I pick them up with a spoon. I can't ever see them to know if she is nursing though, as I do not want to disturb them too much. I'm trying my best to help Sookie with this process and keep the babies alive.
I know Sookie is in mother mode right now, but every time I go in just to replace her food and water and pick up any poopies that weren't in the litter box, she huffs and hisses at me. Should I be concerned that she won't be the same after this is over?
I just have her eating her normal hedgie food, and when she wakes up at night I plan on feeding her a few mealworms to get some more fat in her diet for milk production. Is that enough? Or is it absolutely necessary to purchase cat food?
When is a good time to touch and handle the babies? I've read many different answers to this question. Some say two weeks is a good time, others say 3 weeks. My vet said when their eyes open should be good.
How do I aid in the process of weaning? Do they do this on their own, or do I need to take any additional steps?
When is a good time to have them leave to go to new homes? Some people say 6 weeks, others say 7 or 8 weeks.
Also, when should I separate them from mom/eachother? There's been debate from what I can gather on that too. If they end up both being females is it ok to keep them together?
Should I wait to take Sookie to the vet for her first annual, or should I plan on bringing the babies too? It's winter time, so I think it might be difficult to get three there safely.
Any answers would help!
I've had her for about a month. She seemed to warm up to me quite quickly. I noticed she got a little bigger, but didn't think much of it as I was definitely feeding her at least 1 treat/day. So I took her off her treats for a few days just in case she was becoming overweight. Three days ago I went to her cage to see if she wanted to play, and low and behold there were TWO newborn babies in there with her! I was shocked, worried, emotional, and totally freaked out (I thought they were enormous bugs at first, haha). It was as if I woke up and suddenly had children. I'm battling with the pet store currently because of their irresponsibility about keeping males and females together in a cage at breeding age (she is about 3-4 months now). I'm glad this happened to me and not an irresponsible family, but I want to keep this from happening again in the community.
Anyway... I've done hours upon hours of research since the pet store obviously has no intention of helping (only wants to buy them back from me, sadly-which I refuse to do). I've taken a medium cardboard shoebox and put fleece pieces in it as her nesting box (as her igloo is too small for three). I'm keeping her food and water close to her nest. If I see any babies that have wandered, I've tried to gently put them back using a spoon when Sookie isn't looking, since I know touching them is a no no. The babies haven't been making much noise, which leads me to believe that they are being well fed and happy.They've only made noise if I pick them up with a spoon. I can't ever see them to know if she is nursing though, as I do not want to disturb them too much. I'm trying my best to help Sookie with this process and keep the babies alive.
I know Sookie is in mother mode right now, but every time I go in just to replace her food and water and pick up any poopies that weren't in the litter box, she huffs and hisses at me. Should I be concerned that she won't be the same after this is over?
I just have her eating her normal hedgie food, and when she wakes up at night I plan on feeding her a few mealworms to get some more fat in her diet for milk production. Is that enough? Or is it absolutely necessary to purchase cat food?
When is a good time to touch and handle the babies? I've read many different answers to this question. Some say two weeks is a good time, others say 3 weeks. My vet said when their eyes open should be good.
How do I aid in the process of weaning? Do they do this on their own, or do I need to take any additional steps?
When is a good time to have them leave to go to new homes? Some people say 6 weeks, others say 7 or 8 weeks.
Also, when should I separate them from mom/eachother? There's been debate from what I can gather on that too. If they end up both being females is it ok to keep them together?
Should I wait to take Sookie to the vet for her first annual, or should I plan on bringing the babies too? It's winter time, so I think it might be difficult to get three there safely.
Any answers would help!