What is a reliable website for accurate hedgehog information?

Question

I am going to purchase a hedgehog next week and I cannot find persistent information.

One website says do not use wire caging. The next website says a wire cage is their number 1 recommendation.

One website says they do not recomend multi levels. The next website says your hedgehog will enjoy multi levels.

One website says do not use cedar bedding. The next website says it's a good choice.

One website says it best not to mix their food. The next website offers mixing recommendations.

I'm about to check out a book at the Library when it opens in a few hours but I was trying to find some information online and it's proving to be a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Answer 1

http://hedgehogcentral.com/ is the best, most accurate I've seen.

As for the info you mentioned - most hedgehogs don't really care for multi-level cages. They're not climbers. What they really need is lots of floor space. A LARGE cage with a plastic bottom and wire top (sold for guinea pigs and rabbits) is fine. There are also people who keep their hhogs in plastic wading pools or even modified C&C cages. Hhogs are ground dwellers and won't do well in chinchilla or ferret cages with extra levels and ramps. They need pretty spacious cages - the largest rabbit cages sold are about 8 square feet, which is too small for a rabbit but fine for a hhog.

Definitely don't use cedar or pine bedding. Your best bets are aspen (it's a hardwood and doesn't contain harmful phenols) or paper-based beddings like Carefresh. Pine and cedar can cause skin and respiratory problems.

Commercial hedgehog food isn't really adequate. Generally, it will only be part of a healthy diet - many owners mix hedgehog food and cat food and also provide insects, fruits and veggies. There isn't as much research into hedgehog nutrition, but that seems to be the best bet. Avoid seeds and stick to foods with lower fat content - hedgehogs tend to be prone to obesity and obesity-related health problems.

I've never seen a book with reliable, accurate information about hhogs. They're usually outdated at best and just plain wrong at worst.  

Answer 2

Hedgehogs were notably sang about by the not the 9 'o'clock news team , check you tube...'hedgehog sandwich' was a great album....

they never do seem to judge the speed of traffic much either...

hedgehogs get bad press dont they? arent they classed as wild anyway , didnt think anyone kept them as pets...in the UK anyway- except rescued ones that get vet attention if they are found injured  by rspca /sspca , then sent back to the wild.

Answer 3

this site is good because its not somebody trying to sell you something.. just info

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Unusual-Pet...

one point I do know without a shadow of a doubt -

Cedar shavings are BAD!!!!

they cause respiratory problems.. pine is slightly better and Aspen is best (but hardest to find)

most hedgehogs are fine one one level, 2 is okay, but more is a waste of your money (this are good for rats or ferrets)