How to Keep a Pet Hedgehog

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Select the right housing. The best choice is generally a clear plastic storage bin with at least two square feet of floor space. The container should have a lid to protect the hedgehog from other pets and holes in it to allow for proper ventilation. The cage should have a solid floor to prevent injury to a hedgehog's feet.
Step 2:
Maintain a temperature of at least 75 degrees to prevent your hedgehog from trying to hibernate. Hedgehogs are originally from Africa and need a high temperature to remain healthy. A reptile heating pad can be placed in part of the cage to allow your hedgehog to cool off if needed.
Step 3:
Feed your hedgehog a varied diet. Hedgehogs are normally insectivores and there is no single source of prepared food that will meet their nutritional requirements. Two or even three different selections should be used. Choose foods that are high in protein and fiber but low in fat with few fillers.
Step 4:
Provide some toys for your hedgehog to play with. Many small objects are acceptable as long as they don't have sharp edges or loose ends and a rubber ball is an excellent choice.
Step 5:
Place an exercise wheel in the cage. This is essential because hedgehogs are prone to obesity. The wheel should be about one foot in diameter with a solid floor.

More Puppy Pages

How to Make a Home for a Pet Hedgehog

Hedgehogs have been around for millions of years and capture the attention of many people. Their small, cute, pointed faces capture the hearts of many as well. Their popularity as a pet is also growing mainly due to the fact that they're unique and...

A hedgehog is a small mammal that looks similar to a porcupine. There are quite a few breeds of hedgehogs but general care for them is the same. Hedgehogs are fairly easy to care for because they are not high maintenance.

Corn snakes are one of the most popular reptile pets due to their color variations, low cost and docile nature. Although corn snakes are easy to care for, they share some of the same requirements that most reptiles need to stay healthy.

Red tail boas are powerful constricting snakes that can attain a length of up to fourteen feet. These long lived reptiles are quite popular as pets, and can provide over a decade of entertaining fun for its owner. This guide will cover the basics of...

The hedgehog is famous throughout the world because of the popular Sega character Sonic the Hedgehog. What is the hedgehog like in real life? Here is how to identify the real hedgehog in the wild.