CareFresh Bedding Review

Pic Source: www.carefresh.com

 

So as I have discussed in other posts your hedgie has a sensitive respiratory system and it is important to use a bedding that will not cause issues. I know some people use fleece material as bedding but as an apartment dweller with shared laundry that is not practical for me. I have been using CareFresh since I got Peggy and it has worked excellently for her. 

I like that you can get it anywhere and it is a reasonable price. It is made of some papery product and produces no dust and is easy for them to shape and burrow in. You can get it in coloured or white or natural. I prefer the natural because it does a good job of hiding the "hog logs" and it does not have an additive to make it pretty.

        

Sleeping Hedgehog

Luna the Hedgehog

This is Luna the Hedgehog all snuggled up in her cage. I love that you can see her all curled up in the hay. This picture reminds me of another great sneak peek into animal life website called The Squirrel in our Window. It is a little old but has amazing pictures of a mother squrrel and her young in the nest. Not totally hedgehog related but still an adorable read. I still visit the site time to time and marvel over how content the family looks.
      

Introducing your Hedgehog to Other Pets

Emma chilling in her box on the patio last summer

Hedgehogs are not generally social with other animals. With any creature you should introduce your pet carefully to new animals. My BF has a lovely, curious cat (who turns 6 tomorrow... happy adoption day Emma!) who can be friendly or defensive depending on her mood and on the other pet's actions. (Just like people, gee, who woulda thunk it?).

We discussed how to introduce Peggy and Emma and decided that because Emma likes to be in charge they should be introduced at my place which is Peggy's "turf". With Peg playing on the floor Emma stared with confusion and curiosity at the moving spike ball. Emma curiously sniffed at her and eventually got up the courage to "paw" Peg's back (claws sheathed) Peggy Houffed (see: Houff) and Emma jumped away. This is pretty much the depth of their interaction

We were vigilant supervisors the first several times the two met and I won't leave them totally alone yet (this may change with time but they only meet every few months so I will continue to play lifeguard for now).

So far, Emma mostly ignores Peg but is very curious when Peg plays actively and very jealous when Peg is in her owner's lap. She has been known to squish herself onto his lap, carefully avoiding a tail full of spikes. I am happy that neither is aggressive and Peg seems indifferent/unaware of Emma unless Emma taps her with her paw. Then she will Houff at Emma.

 Mission: Inter Species Non Aggression Pact successful.  

          

Hedgehog Summers

Pic: www.thestate.com

Today is the first day of summer! I am so excited for longer days and warmer weather. I find Peggy is also more playful now that it is milder outside. My big concern for her now is water. I have her water in a crockery dish because she won't use a water bottle. It can be frustrating because I find she fouls the water with bits of bedding and hog logs (poop). If will be gone overnight or it will be a long, hot day I put in two dishes of fresh water so that she will not become dehydrated. I also have to ensure that the water is brimming in the bowl because otherwise she can't seem to drink it easily.
     

A Plague on Hedgehog Manor

Picture:  hagenillustration.blogspot.com

Bed Bugs. Even reading those two words side by side fills me with dread. I had them shortly after I got Peggy and they were a horrid, nasty pestilence that invaded my home and my nightmares. Dealing with the infestation was a living horror and I still have a quiver of terror if I have an itch on my leg or arm while I am in bed. What does this have to do with Peggy and this blog? Well treating the little wretches involved rounds of highly toxic chemicals saturating every porous surface in my house which would have killed my little Peg-a-leg without proper care for her.

The first thing you must do for your pets (especially small pets) is to remove them from the infected home to a safe place before you spray and before they get bitten. I was lucky enough that I had a willing partner in crime to house her and my Betta fish, Al. I emptied her cage and scrubbed it down and moved her without any bedding in the cage. I didn't want to cross contaminate his house with my vermin so I only brought her most essential, non porous items. When I got there I purchased and opened a brand new package of bedding and food for her. The old bedding and food was considered potentially infected so it got tossed.

I won't go into the details of dealing with your personal stuff after facing exterminators, pesticide sprays or chemical cleanings but I will say this, keep your pets out of the house and off these surfaces for at least a week. Their lungs are much smaller and more sensitive than ours and they will pick up the poisons on their paws, bellies and tails which can potentially kill them. I strongly recommend checking with the people spraying to see if it should be longer than a week before your pet is OK to return. Some chemicals are harsher than others.

Peggy, Al and I survived the bed bug armageddon but it did take serious planning for their safety to ensure that no one got sick or worse. Be careful when cleaning or spraying your place and you will keep your critters healthy. Even something as simple as washing your floor and then letting them run across it can hurt them.
 

The Cage Post

This post is not very exciting but it is important. I have written before about the maintenance of the cage but not the set up. One important factor is that the bottom needs to be solid because your hedgie has gangly legs tucked under that will get caught between wire bottoms. Wire bottom cages will hurt your hedgie so you must have a solid bottom!

Hedgehogs spend thier days resting away from light and they need a hut to hide in. It is important that the hut be large enough for your hog to turn around in. Also key are fresh food and water available at all times and a few toys. Here are some unglamourous pictures of Peggy's abode to give you an idea. (That houff in the corner is Peggy munching her kitten kibble).

Hedgehog Winters

Wild hedgehogs spend their winters burrowed deep inhibernation while domestic hedgehogs spend their winters indoors being forced to participate in Christmas card photo shoots (at least Peggy does). Winter can be difficult for your little hog and it is important that you keep them warm and away from drafts. Ideally your hedgehog should not be exposed to temperatures below 21 C / 70 F. On cold days, especially if it snows, I leave the heat on while I am at work. It is very dangerous for domestic hedgehogs to hibernate and can be deadly so it is important to keep her warm and cozy. I have taken an old fleece blanket (thank you Alaska Air!) and cut it into smaller 8 x 8 inch squares for mini blankets. The fleece is perfect because it has no loose threads to tangle her feet, no need to edge it and can be tossed when it gets gross from little hog logs. Plus it doubles as another toy in her cage for burrowing and pushing around. It gives her some control on temperature and on milder nights I have seen her push it right out of her hut. On very cold nights I have even thrown a small blanket over her cage to keep the heat in after I have turned it off for the night.

Living Quarters

Home sweet home... well as sweet as I can keep it with her pooping in the corner! Peggy's cage is where she spends most of the day and it is important to me to keep it clean and warm for her. The nice thing about a hedgehog is that they don't have a smell like rodents and other small critters. I originally believed I could get away with cage cleaning only once a week. When I left it this long I found there was an odour and too much poop so I now do it twice a week. I wash her cage and accessories with biodegradable dish soap and put fresh, unscented bedding in the cage.

Things I have learned:

• Hedgehogs have sensitive respiratory systems and are bothered by strong scents. Unscented bedding is important.
• Hedgehogs have excellent hearing so being housed near a TV or stereo speakers is not the best place for them.
• Hedgehogs need a warm place free of drafts. Most sites recommend about 70 degrees Fahrenheit as the lowest temperature.