Many thanks to Amanda Pashley for providing a brief introduction to caring for hedgehogs.

Today I’d like to answer some questions I have had over the years and give you a brief idea of choosing your hedgehog and some things you need to know beforehand.

After being invited by Chubby Mealworms to write this blog I sat down and wrote about other owners who have come to ask me many questions.

 Also, those who have unsuccessfully raised their little hoglet, having to hand them to my hedgehog rescue for safe keeping and to find a new home.

 This is I believe partly to do with some breeders who are not willing to give any information or support to them after the exchange of monies, unfortunately there are those out there who over breed their females and interbreed also. Just as with the terrible puppy farms we have all heard about so the first thing is:

Pick the right breeder

A responsible breeder will ask you questions about how to care for your baby hoglet or grown one if you are adopting. Such as what do they eat, what should you never give them, how big does their environment have to be minimum. What temperature should they be kept at.

You would also if it isn’t possible go and visit the household before the take home date where you can meet the parents and look at the environment they are kept in. If all seems OK you can then ask about their diet.

There are many things to feed your hedgehogs, I have an ebook available on my website which gives more information on this plus other books which will be helpful.

Cooked Light fat removed meats, chicken, pork, liver, offal, not processed such as bacon too much salt.

Say No to fish, gluten, lactose (dairy) wheat, anything with high fat or sugar salt they are  not tolerant to these.  Fruit acidic fruit such as oranges, clementine, grapefruits are to be avoided!

Some ready- made foods such as fresh organic chicken cat food, some baby foods if they are free from the banned foods and low in fats. Cooked eggs, egg shells, cooked snails,

There are live or frozen worms, baby mice, available apart from the escape of the lava into your house there is a higher risk with infections as not all have been bred in a safe environment or stored/shipped correctly.

Also, never use fresh worms or insects from your garden they have many diseases and bacteria which are harmful to your Pygmy Hedgehog.

I have always used Chubby's as they are good for hiding and putting in puzzle balls, puppets, activity bars etc and a true treat for them. (I also use them mashed up with flax oil and chicken when I have a lethargic animal who needs extra strength), favourites here are mealy worms, calci worms, crickets, and the odd wax worm. (our chickens love them all too)

Vegetables all thoroughly cleaned and cooked, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflowers, and many more. 

It is important to give them lots of variety as soon as they have settled in, making sure that their main food stays the same and the other treats/try outs are available to them but not the only sores of nutrition.  A lot of hedgehogs are shy at eating in front of you at first but with time and patience it can be a great way to become best friends.

Thank you for reading, these are my opinions of course built around years of experience rescuing wild hedgehogs and being a successful Pygmy Hedgehog keeper and breeder.

If you are interested in reading more about this subject or would like to help save a hedgehog both wild British and Pygmy hedgehogs there are many items to purchase and some E-books with information on everything Hedgehog and more besides. For lots of items things hedgehog, to book a workshop session or a spa day for your pampered hoglet please visit my new Website it is just being updated, so apologies for disruption. http://www.heavenlyhedgehogs.co.uk

Many thanks to Chubby’s for asking me to write this blog it is just a small idea of starting with your hedgehog, there are many more things to consider which I cover in the E-books. If you have a Hedgehog in need whether it be a British Wild One or an African Pygmy Hedgehog, heavenly hedgehogs are happy to help you and your little Hedgehog.  

Amanda