Hedgehog Wheels - The Good and The Bad

Hello again!

This week I would like to follow up on my last post, which was kind of a condensed, comprehensive look at what you need to know before owning a hedgie. Today I am going to touch on the subject of wheels for hedgehogs, and what I consider to be a "good wheel," where to buy them, and their pros and cons. Please click on the name of each wheel for a picture!

1. The Silent Spinner
This wheel is probably one of the most widely available wheels on the market. You can find the Silent Spinner wheels at local pet stores, chain pet stores, and online. However, hedgehogs need a 11-12inch wheel, and sometimes the wheels of that size are easier to find online. In any case, you should have no problem finding them, which means they will be fairly affordable wheels. True to its name, the Silent Spinner is pretty quiet. My hedgehog Relm ran on hers religiously and I never once heard any squeaking or rattling! A minor problem with this wheel is that it has ridges. Ridges + poop = very tough to clean. It can be done, trust me, since I did it every day that I used this wheel, but it sure does make it harder. Some owners dislike the ridges purely because they believe they are hard on the hedgehog's feet over time. To me, the true problem with this wheel lies in the construction. It is made out of two separate parts which come together in the middle of the wheel, leaving a very small slit. This slit has been known to catch the nails of a running hedgehog and RIP THEM out, causing major damage and pain. I am going to give you a link to what this looks like, but be warned, it is a lot of blood. =[ This happened (or at the time I believed this was what was happening, it turned out she had a cyst in her uterus) to my hedgehog Relm, and once I found out about the dangers of this wheel I promptly removed it from her cage.

My Overall Rating: 1 out of 5
Pros: Quiet, Easy to find, Affordable, Cute
Cons: Difficult to clean, Dangerous

2.  The Comfort Wheel
This wheel is also widely available in pet stores and online, and it is typically cheaper and even easier to find the 12 inch model in stock. These wheels, much like the Silent Spinner, have ridges. They also come in various colors, such as pinks, purples, and blues. However, they are made of only ONE complete piece of plastic as opposed to two, which eliminates the danger of catching a little hedgie nail. My hamster uses this type of wheel, and while he loves it, I cannot say I particularly do. It is far more prone to squeaking, even after I put a dab of olive oil on it. It also has a long protruding piece of plastic that, depending on the size of your hedgehog, can cause your hedgie's back to arch. After long periods of time, this can cause back problems. However, I will say that most hedgehogs would not have this problem, especially since a 12 inch wheel is a perfect size for the majority of hedges. Another thing an owner may not like is that this wheel does not feel as sturdy as other wheels. It is a pretty lightweight wheel, which means your hedgie might have an easier time pushing the wheel around/over, and that there could be a visible sag to the wheel when your hedgehog is in it.

My Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Pros: Easy to find, Affordable, Cute
Cons: Difficult to clean, Lightweight, Can be squeaky

3. The Flying Saucer Wheel
This wheel is widely available in pet stores and online as well. I do not own one of these wheels personally, so take what I say with a grain of salt. =] I have seen videos on Youtube and such of hedgehogs using these wheels, and while they seem to be as excited to be running as they usually do, it just seems...awkward. This wheel is at an angle and is mostly flat, much like a flying saucer. This is attractive to some owners, since it means the wheel will not take up near as much space in the cage. Due to the odd angle of this wheel, some people say that Flying Saucer wheels are bad for hedgies since it requires them to run at an unnatural angle. In any case, I will let you be the judge about the "awkwardness" of this wheel by sending you to watch this video as a reference. See what I mean? This wheel also has ridges, which as I have said above, are annoying to clean and are generally thought of as bad for a hedgehog's feet.

My Overall Rating: N/A
Pros: Easy to find, Affordable, Cute, Compact
Cons: Awkward angle, Difficult to clean

4. The Wodent Wheel (Wobust)
This wheel is typically only found online, and is a bit more expensive than the wheels I mentioned above. Once again, this is a wheel I have never owned, so take that for what you will. What is attractive about the Wodent Wheel to some owners, is the fact that it has a shield-like plastic case with multiple holes over the opening of the wheel. That way, small animals are far less likely to run too fast and get flung out of their wheels. Wodent Wheels are also alluring because you can buy a sandpaper-type of bottom for them, which will trim the hedgehog's nails as they run. However, as you may imagine, running on sandpaper doesn't sound very appealing! Especially when hedgehogs can run an average of seven miles per night! However, the nail-trimming paper is just an option, and does not have to be inserted in the wheel. The real problem most hedgehog owners have with this wheel is the multiple holes. Hedgehogs LOVE to stop in the middle of running and look out of the wheel. I don't know why, they are just cute like that. Obviously, since there are only three openings/exits to this wheel, when they stop to look out....some hedgehogs get their faces and noses stuck in the hole just as it stops turning, causing injuries to their sweet little faces. =[ Imagine sticking your face into some ceiling fan blades. Yeah, owch! The Wodent Wheel may be great for other animals, such as sugar gliders, hamsters, or rats, but for hedgehogs it is generally not a good idea.

My Overall Rating: N/A
Pros: xxx
Cons: Dangerous, Expensive, Harder to find

5. Mesh/Wire Wheels (Ware Wheels)
This wheel is extremely easy to find, probably the most affordable, and it comes in many different colors. This wheel can be found at pretty much any pet store/online store you can find. The biggest size is generally 11 inches, which is the minimum size requirement for a full-grown hedge. Despite these qualities, most owners of small pets that need to use wheels already know about the dangers of this type of wheel. Toes get caught in the large mesh gaps, foot pads become damaged, tails get entangled, plus the wheel is squeaky! Now, some people have made fleece coverings to combat the first few problems above, but my thought is: why should I have to modify it to be safe? I would rather buy something that is safe off the bat, but if you are strapped for cash and have sewing knowledge, making a fleece covering for one of these wheels is a must. Sad story time: my husband's family had a very unfortunate experience with this type of wheel, wherein a pet hamster was trapped underneath the mesh wheel whilst the other one continued to run, mangling the poor little thing to death. It was a very horrifying and traumatic experience for all of them, which is why I tend to shy away from the metal mesh wheels altogether.

My Overall Rating: 2 out of 5
Pros: Very easy to find, Cheap, Cute
Cons: Dangerous, Must take time to modify

6. Bucket Wheels
This wheel is typically found only online, is a bit more expensive, but has the best pros I could possibly give. This wheel is my absolute favorite of all time! I truly cannot say enough about the Bucket Wheel. They are completely smooth, which makes cleaning a breeze and means that your hedgie will not irritate their feet on ridges. They are so quiet - the only thing I ever hear is a small pattering of hedgie paws. They are durable and adjustable, so that you can angle your wheel to allow the urine/poop drain easier. Bucket wheels can also be made by you, which can make them more affordable. (Here is a tutorial on how to make your very own bucket wheel!) Bucket wheels are made of (drum roll please) a bucket (who knew?!), PVC pipe, a roller blade wheel, screws, and a few zip ties. You can also buy them from several places online, such as Carolina Storm Hedgehogs or Volcano View (which is where I got mine) on Etsy. The Bucket Wheel is almost universally accepted as the BEST kind of wheel for a hedgehog. Some people believe that the smooth surface of a bucket wheel will cause the hedgehog to slip and slide around, but I honestly have seen neither of my hedgehogs have a problem with the surface. Even my little baby Basch, who weighed barely more than 4 oz took to it immediately, just like a duck to water. =] Some cons to this wheel are that it does require some tightening maintenance from time to time, and there is a possiblity a zip tie may break off after awhile. However, most sellers of bucket wheels provide instructions with how to deal with these issues, and often times provide extra zip ties with the wheel. The Bucket Wheel also fits perfectly under plastic litter pans, which you can often buy at the same time you are ordering your wheel, so cleaning up after the hedgehog everyday becomes sooo much simpler!

My Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros: Quiet, Easy to clean, Cute, Adjustable, DIY-able, Safe
Cons: Expensive, Maintenance

Phew! I hope this post was helpful to you if you are researching wheel options, or if you wanted to upgrade your hedgehog's wheel. Please keep in mind that some of these wheels are perfectly fine to use with other small animals, and that this post is only geared towards hedgehogs. =]


Things to keep in mind: Wheel size must be 11-12 inches for adult hedgehogs. Wheels must be cleaned daily. Some good cleaners for wheels: 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar in a spray bottle (use paper towel or old rag to scrub off.) A sponge wand and some Dawn dish detergent also works great for scrubbing down wheels. Make sure to sanitize your sink/tub after cleaning!

xoxo,

Jo and Basch

Hedgehogs - What You Need to Know

Hello everyone!

It has come to my attention that there isn't a whole lot of information out there on hedgehogs. Sure, there are some great forums and videos, but it takes a lot of time to glean all the information one needs to know before owning such an awesome creature. Today I am going to give you what I consider to be the most important information (and resources too!) that you WILL ABSOLUTELY need to know before owning a hedgehog.

Ready for a lengthy post? Here we go!

1. Hedgehogs need temperature regulation. If the temperature in their cage is below 70 degrees, they will attempt to hibernate. Hibernation is deadly to hedgehogs! Domesticated hedgies cannot store enough fat to survive a full term of hibernation, and once they have gone more than a few hours with temps lower than 70 degrees, they will not come out of it and will slowly waste away. I really cannot stress how important it is to keep their cages at 72-82 degrees at all times, for the last thing any hedgehog owner wants to do is put down a hedgie due to hibernation. :(  Therefore, either have alternate heating (heat lamps, heat pads, etc.) or keep the temp in the room your hedgie lives in at around 76 or higher. Here is a great video on how to STOP a hibernation attempt before it gets too far.

2.  Hedgehogs need to eat insects. Ew! Gross! Insects?! How could something so cute eat something so...disgusting?! If you are easily grossed out by insects, hedgehogs might not be the best pet for you. Now, when I say they need insects, I do not mean they have to eat LIVE insects. Although many breeders and owners of hedgies suggest that live insects are better, I personally have not seen a huge difference in my hedgehogs when it comes to what they prefer to eat. Relm and Basch have had both live and freeze dried insects, and they have all been eaten with the same amount of gusto. :) I definitely prefer freeze dried to having a cage of writhing meal worms to gaze at, but this is up to you. In any case, hedgehogs must have insects in their diet to maintain the correct level of vitamins and fat in their little bodies. As for the type of insects, most hedgies like meal worms, crickets, grasshoppers, and even snails! Please be aware that you should NEVER feed them insects from outside, as they may have been contaminated by weed killers or other toxic chemicals that could harm your precious hedge. The brand I feed to Basch is a medley of crickets, meal worms, and grasshoppers, and because you only need to give them 3-5 insects about 2-3 times a week, I have barely made a dent in my jar!

3. Hedgehogs need to have their nails trimmed. It depends on the hedgie, but this can be a HUGE ORDEAL. My first hedgehog, Relm, was a rescue and had a lot of trust issues when it came to humans. When the time rolled around for cutting her nails, it was always a hit or miss on whether I even got one paw done! Luckily, the back claws are the ones you usually need to worry about, and if you can distract your hedge with a toy or treat you may be able to snip a nail. If your hedgie goes on the defensive and rolls into a ball, sometimes it helps to turn them around so they are facing you and then wait until they try to uncurl. They'll start flailing their limbs everywhere and you may be able to grasp one to clip it. Another good tip is to clip the back nails after they have had a bath (yep, they need baths too!) so the nails are nice and pliable. I like to use baby nail clippers when I clip my hedgehog's nails, as they are pretty tiny. Make sure to examine (which can be hard if your spiky critter is in a ball!) their paw for the wick. If you cut too close to the wick, you can make them bleed. Try keeping a small bowl of flour or cornstarch next to you when you clip, just in case you nick a nail. Dip the bleeding paw into the flour/cornstarch and it will stop the bleeding. :)

4. Hedgehogs need baths. Okay, this is one my favorite parts! Hedgehogs need a FOOT bath about once a week to clean the nastiness (poop and who-knows-what-else) off their little paws. You see, hedgies go to the bathroom while running on their wheels, which means they are tramping allllll over their business and getting their feet completely grossified (look, a new word!). The secret of the foot bath is simple. Run some warm water in your bathroom/kitchen sink. Take a towel you have no feelings for and place it on the bottom of the sink. You can use baby shampoo, gentle dog shampoo, or even just plain oatmeal as the soap. Right now, Basch is just 2 months old and therefore I have been using the oatmeal method as it is the most gentle and is very good for a hedgie's skin. Take a toothbrush that has never been used (and make sure that you never use it either after this!) and very gently scrub at the hedgehog's feet until the filth has washed away. As for a full bath, they should have those no more than once a month. You can use that toothbrush on their spikes too! Here is another great video on how to bathe a hedgie.

5. Hedgehogs need high protein food. Unfortunately, as of now there is not a lot of actual hedgehog food on the market right now. So what kind of food should a hedgie eat? Well, interestingly enough, cat food is the best diet we can offer them. Hedgies need a cat food that is at least 30-40% protein and no more than 15% fat. I try to stay away from cat foods with "meal" or "grains" in them, as they often do not contain the right amounts of protein or fat. I recommend Nature's Recipe - Salmon and Potato Grain Free Adult cat food. It is 40% protein, 15% fat, and as the name implies, it is grain free. As long as the cat food has the right percentages, it should be fine! A good tip to keep in mind is to ask your hedgehog breeder what type of food they use or recommend. :)

6. Hedgehogs need a nearby vet, but they do not need vaccines. Actually, a lot of breeders will not sell a hedgehog without knowing if you have a good exotic vet to take your hedgehog to if the need arises. I truly hope that you never have to take a hedgehog to a vet, but it is imperative that you know of a good one to go to just in case. Make sure to Google or call the vets near you to see if they take hedgies as patients. A good thing about hedgehogs is, unlike dogs and cats, they do not need vaccines. Unless your hedge is sick, you will not need to take them to a vet.

7. Hedgehogs need a wheel. This is about as important as keeping them at a warm temperature! Most every hedgehog you will ever meet LOVES to run. And boy, can they run! As I said before, hedgies go to the bathroom as the run, so the wheel also doubles as a litter box. There are tons of wheels out there to choose from, and I will go into greater detail on this in an upcoming post, but I highly recommend Carolina Storm (Hurricane) Wheels. They are easier to clean, they are QUIET, and they are safer for your hedge. I feel like I must warn you if you are interested in a hedgehog as a pet....you have to mentally prepare yourself....to see the NASTIEST WHEEL after your hedgehog has had a night's workout. I mean....man. I was NOT PREPARED for how utterly poopy it would be. Consider yourself warned. :P

8.Hedgehogs need to be handled daily. Sometimes, hedgehogs are not the friendliest of creatures. Relm, my rescue hedge, was of the slightly unfriendly variety. She would hiss, pop, click, and roll into a ball if I so much as thought about touching her. However, I did not let this stop me from picking her up (with a fleece blanket - those quills are sharp!) and holding her in my lap while I watched a show. Over months of time, Relm finally began to realize that her human wasn't about to stop bothering her on a nightly basis, and she stopped the dramatics. She still hissed and hid her face initially, but after a few minutes out of her cage she would start looking around curiously. Sadly, my little Relm died just days before Christmas this year, so I never got to be as close to her as I would have wanted. However, thinking back to that little spike ball of rage, I realized how far we had come just with me handling her everyday. Here is an awesome video I watched just before Relm was brought home, it was a great help to me!

Well, I do believe that is all for now. I will go into greater detail on some of these subjects at a later date, but I hope this is of use to you future hedgehog owners! If you have any questions or any topics you would like me to write about, let me know!

xoxo,

Jo and Basch