Heat & a Diet Change

neuroleptical · 10-23-2004, 07:40 AM

I think I have found a way to make Haley happier: cranking the heat in my apt. I had it cranked yesterday & she was extremely active.
Also, I have now completely phased the Science Diet out of her diet, & she now gets a mix of Fromm 5-Star & Felidae. She ADORES the Fromm!!

fertmom · 10-23-2004, 11:12 AM

I am glad she is happier

Yes, heat and diet are major satisfiers for those little hedgies.

weesiepoo · 10-25-2004, 01:00 AM

low heat will make a hedgie very sluggish and also dampen their appetite. they can actually get too cold-at temps we think should be just fine-and go into a psuedo hibernation. the thing is, these are desert creatures, they do not hibernate. so they just get very cold, sleep a lot, and slip into death. if you do not want to run the heat so much, you can alwasy try a well sheilded heating pad under part of the cage, that way she can move from warm to cool when ever she feels. this is what i do once it starts to get cool.

MissAmandasZoo · 03-09-2005, 08:14 PM

I made little fleece hedgie bags and fleece baggies w/ a snap that fit a disposable handwarmer for Oreo. He likes the warmer cuz it's small enough for him to carry and push to adjust.

Kevin McRae · 03-10-2005, 09:30 AM

What temp should they be at?

I read 60-85

Lois · 03-11-2005, 07:29 PM

Hi Kevin, My hedgehogs like their temp to be about 80 degrees air temp in the room they are in. Anything less and they tend to hide out to keep warm. I keep a space heater in the room with the hedgehogs and the door shut to help it stay warmer in the room during the winter. I also have heat disks that you can microwave and stay warm for up to 8 hours that I use in winter. (you can buy these from DR Foster & Smiths about $25 each) I have even heard of people using human heating pads set on low,wraped in a towel or blanket under one end of the cage. This way the hedgehog can move away if they get too hot and move back when they cool down. Even with the heat in the room up, there are some hedgehogs who still try to do the hybernation thing. It depends on the draft factor and how easy it is to keep the room warm. Hope I helped. Lois