Beginnings

Here is the beginning of this blog. I have started it almost two months after I picked up Phinneus from a pet store in my college town. Why is this? Partly because it did not occur to me to create a blog until very recently, and partly because it would have been very foolish of me to create a blog about caring for a hedgehog when all I knew was from books, and nothing from actual hands on care! I want to say THANK YOU to Hedgehog Central, and particularly to those on the forums, for providing a wealth of information on hedgie care. All of those wonderful people were warm and welcoming, and also understanding when I quibbled over everything from trivial made-up problems, to actual long-term health and care concerns. Phinneus and I are both so much better off since we've had Hedgehog Central. Readers can find a link to the site on the blog.

Now, on the hedgehog himself. Phinneus was purchased from a pe tstore. That said, I would not recommend others doing this. Most hedgies (and critters in general) at pet stores come from mills of mass breeders and can have a wealth of health and temperament problems. As a friend on the forum said, "No breeder worth his/her salt would sell to a pet store." This is because caring breeders who want to properly introduce hedgehogs into the world want to make sure that their animals are going to good homes with owners who know what they are doing. Also, even small breeders will sell of their "less desirable stock". That is, those with illnesses or weaknesses. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, or WHS, is a serious problem as there is no cure and 100% outcome of death for the hedgehog. Reputable breeders are working to breed this disease out of the population, but careless people who just stick any two hedgies together ruin this. Not to mention there is a risk of inbreeding when two hedgehogs at random are paired.

It is much better to find a good breeder and get in line for one of their babies. These will be healthy and socialized, and good breeders will provide you with information about proper care- especially a good diet. Here is a link to a list of breeders in the US and Canada: http://hedgehogcentral.com/breeders.shtml

Back to Phin. He was roughly 8 weeks old when I purchased him, so that would make his birthday March 15, 2010...or somewhere thereabouts. He came to me healthy, socialized, and curious. He just loves to eat, poop, wheel, and explore. I have been very lucky so far with him! Phinneus is starting to show his personality more and more everyday as he emerges from babyhood. For example; he is nervous pooper and ends up pooping all over new people. He loves chicken, lamb, and eggs, but won't have anything to do with fruit and vegetables. This poses a problem for me as I need to give him a well rounded diet. Right now he eats a mix of Katz-n-Flocken Gold, and Wellness Kitten Formula.
Phinneus is bedded on fleece, which I change every few days depending on stinkiness, and he has a large Comfort Wheel. Wheels are ESSENTIAL to hedgehog well being. It keeps them slim and is a great source of exercise.

That's all for now folks, more to come soon. If you have any questions, please post them! Oh, and stay away from this girl on youtube: timbertomboy. She is full of nonsense and lies.