Ella's Hedgehogs Richards Bay and Pretoria

23/07/2024

https://southafricashedgehogbreedersas.com/blog/f/inside-a-breeder%E2%80%99s-den

Winter is almost over, and breeders are busy planning their summer breeding programs.

22/07/2024

22/07/2024

At SAHBA all our registered breeders are hard at work with planning on the new seasons babies. I will not be breeding, but are also excited to see what beautiful babies are going to be born as I will be one of the judges for our yearly Breeder of the year competition! Below are some of the registered pairs that have been identified to be paired up after the winter. By buying from one of these registered breeders you will not only be insured of a good bloodline but also of healthy and special babies.

13/07/2024

13/07/2024

Aan almal wat hierdie pad saam my geloop het wil ek net sê baie dankie. Weens omstandighede het ek op gehou teel, maar sal nogsteeds betrokke wees by die South African Hedgehogs Breeders Association. Dankie aan almal wat deur die jare saam my was en vriende geword het. Pas ons kindertjies mooi op - ek weet ek gaan hul mis!

28/10/2023

Al die oumas en oupas can ons nuwe babas vir die van julle wat gewonder het hoe lyk hulle.

26/10/2023

SAFE AND DANGEROUS FOOD LIST
If something say you can, it does not mean you should.
As all of you know our hedgehogs should have pellets always to eat, but in addition to this we also give them some fresh foods, sometimes known as treats. They need 30ml food per night and clean food every day. A good ratio is 20ml pellets and 10ml treat or 2 teaspoons of pellets and 1 teaspoons of treats.
There are a million of these lists available on the internet but if something say you can, it does not mean you should, and therefore we are going to look at all these foods as well.
General rule is that if something is on all the safe food lists – it is safe. If something is on all the dangerous food lists – it is dangerous. If something is on some safe food lists but not on all – you should proceed with caution, and we are mainly going to look at these in detail.
Fresh foods come mainly in 3 categories namely Proteins, Fruit and Vegetables, but we can also add a fourth category for herbs.
SAFE FOODS
1. Proteins

Safe proteins

1. Chicken
2. Chicken liver
3. Lean Mince
4. Duck, Turkey and other poultry
5. Venison
6. Egg

Proteins that you should rather avoid

1. Lamb or sheep – These meats contain too much fat.
2. Pork – too much fat.
3. Fish – although fish are high in omega 3, they get enough omega 3 from their pellets and we also give them extra omega 3 with their vitamins. Fish is also high in iodine – which can cause an iodine poisoning (shellfish allergy) due to elevated iodine levels in hedgehogs, just as in humans. Fish also make their poo very smelly and for this reason we don’t feed fish and always stay away from a fish flavor pellet.
4. Tofu – tofu is a vegetable protein and is high in Omega 6. Your hedgehog's digestive system are not designed to process refined plant-based foods exclusively and therefore tofu can cause diarhea and vomiting. Tofu also contain phytoestrogens which may disrupt your hedgehog’s hormonal balance leading to health problems.

Insects can also be given as a source of protein but caution should be used when feeding insects. Insects have very hard exoskeletons which can cause a lot of problems like bowl obstructions, cuts and abscesses in their mouth as well as intestines. Apart from this most insects also have a very high phosphorous to calcium ratio which cause metabolic bone disease.
The only insect that are realy safe and balance is black soldier fly larvae also known as calci-worms.

All proteins should be cooked without any spices or oils and finely chopped and should never be given raw s that contains a salmonella risk.

2. Vegetables

Safe Vegetables

1. Asparagus
2. Beetroot
3. Broccoli & Cauliflower
4. Bell Peppers
5. Brussels sprouts
6. Cucumber - raw
7. Carrots
8. Eggplant
9. Green Beans
10. Leafy greens – Spinach, kale, cabbage, romaine lettuce - raw, arugula lettuce - raw
11. Pumpkin – all types
12. Sweet potato
13. Sprouts – raw
14. Turnip/radish
Vegetables that you should rather avoid.
1. Corn – Corn are too hard, even cooked, which means that your hedgehog struggle to digest it and this can lead to constipation. Corn is also high in phosphorous and carbohydrates (sugars) as well as starch. This means that it can cause metabolic bone decease if you feed it regularly and lead to obesity.
2. Celery – Celery are high in sodium (salt). This can irritate their digestive system and it is also found that it can damage red blood cells and cause urinary problems.
3. Iceberg Lettuce should not be fed to our hedgehogs as it contains lactucarium, which is extremely toxic to our hedgehogs and the high fibre content makes it very difficult for hedgehogs to digest.
4. Oats – Although oats in moderation is safe, it should rather be avoided. Oats are high in fibre and carbohydrates. Our hedgehogs already get enough fibre and carbohydrates from their pellets and too much of these can cause digestive problems and weight problems.
5. Peas – Yes peas! - The one thing my hedgehog’s love! Peas are found to be phosphorous positive and calcium negative which all of you by now know causes metabolic bone decease. Studys have proven that, by cooking these vegetabes it lower the Phosphorus wich makes it better so should you feed this you should feed it in moderation and not too often.
6. Potato – Some sites will say that cooked potato are safe but the same site also say raw potato are dangerous. This on itself is a good reason for me to say no potatoes. Potatoes contain mostly carbohydrates and starch and very little to no other nutrients. They are highly calorific with no nutritional value and can lead to obesity.
7. Artichokes were previously on the dangerous food list but, artichokes are a great source of fibre and anti-oxidants as well as vitamin C and K which will help to boost their immune system. They can however only eat the inner green and white leaves and al the thorny parts should be removed and it should be cooked. Also only feed in moderation only now and then.
All vegetables, unless otherwise stated, should be cooked in water with no added salt, spices, sugar, butter or oils. All vegetables should be chopped finely or preferable mashed.

3. Fruits

Safe Fruits

1. Apple
2. Apricot
3. Banana
4. Berries (Strawberries, Mulberry, Cranberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry)
5. Cherries
6. Kiwi
7. Litchi-pitted
8. Mango
9. Melons (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon, Horned Melon)
10. Peach
11. Paw paw/Papino
12. Plums
13. Persimmon
14. Quinces
Fruits that you can give but should rather avoid.
1. Banana and apples are high in sugar, and should be given in moderation as this can cause overweight and diabetes. So banana and apples will definitely not be moved to the unsafe food list as it also contain fibre, folate, potassium, vitamin C and B and manganese which is healthy for your hedgehog, but you should definitely feed this in moderation especially if your hedgehog tend to be on the heavier side of the scale 
2. Prickly pears – although it is on the safe list it should be given in very low quantities as the pits can cause a bowl obstruction.
All fruit are given raw, but you should always peel it and remove any pits. It should also be cut in small pieces or mashed. Never feed more than 1 fruit at a time and also give fruit in moderation as the sugar content of fruit can cause diabetes.
4. Herbs

Herbs are a difficult one as all herbs should be given in small amounts and not on a regular basis. All herbs should be fresh, which is not always regularly available and should be washed properly.

Safe Herbs

1. Dandelion
2. Mint
3. Rosemary
4. Clover

Herbs that you should rather avoid.
1. Coriander/Cilantro. This should be limited even more than any other herb as aromatic herbs like these can irritate the respiratory system and can cause digestive problems even though the medical properties are supposed to be beneficial to the digestive system. It can also cause spontaneous abortion and interfere with fertility.
2. Parsley is a diuretic and should never be used by pregnant woman or animals as it can cause uterine cramping and miscarriage.
3. Lavender is not toxic to your hedgehog and is supposed to have a calming affect together with clover and camomile. However the changes that your hedgehog would want to eat this is slim, but should he chew on it in the garden, you don’t have to worry that it will kill him.

Hedgehogs do not need herbs to live a long and healthy lifes – herbs is not harmless and a small body like those of a hedgehog can easily overdose on this.

DANGEROUS FOODS
These foods should never be fed to your hedgehog!
1. Raisons/grapes.
Toxic to your hedgehog - Your hedgehog’s reaction to grapes would be renal, liver, and organ failure. A study back in 1989 (on dogs) revealed a trend in animal toxicity that consumption of raisins or grapes causes kidney failure. If a dog’s digestive organ can’t handle grapes, what chance could a hedgehog’s fragile stomach have?
2. Nuts and seeds.
Not only do they have no nutritional value to hedgehog, they also holds a choking hazard and should never be fed to your hedgehog.
3. Dairies
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and therefore cannot digest dairy. Milk, chocolate, cheese and other dairy products are absolute No-No’s for these pets, as stomach upset and diarrhoea are instantaneous.
4. Chips , sweets and other junk food
As much as you want to bond over a pack of Lays or Pringles with your Hedgehog, please do remember these junk foods contain high levels of sodium and other chemicals not fit for hedgehogs. Sweets and other junk foods also contain a lot of sugars and preservatives not suited for hedgehogs.
5. Garlic and onions
Garlic and onions is also a big no-no as it cause gastrointestinal irritation, liver failure and haemolytic anaemia (red blood cell damage). Onions are rich in certain compounds, such as disulphide and thiosulphate, which are extremely toxic to pets.
6. Mushrooms
There is not enough information on these and should rather be avoided in total.
7. Avocado
You should never feed your hedgehog avocados as it contains toxins that can be deadly to your hedgehog and also have a very high fat content.
8. Basil
Basil is a sedative and should not be given to hedgehogs.
9. Carrion
Decaying flesh, fur and skin – do I need to say more? 
10. Chives and Leaks
Consumption of chives can lead to severe health problems such as blood abnormalities, gastrointestinal issues and can even be life threatening if fed in large quantities. Leaks will cause bloating and diarrhoea due to the high amount of sulphide in it and also have a high amount of sodium (salt).
11. Citrus Fruits
Citrus is way too acidic for our hedgehog’s small stomachs to handle and should never be fed to them. This includes ALL types of citrus.
12. Custard Apple
Custard apple contain too much sugar and is way too acidic, their seeds are used as an insecticide in Mexico.
13. Cloves
Although you might find some information that it is believed that cloves might hold some health benefits to hedgehogs, it is best to rather avoid cloves in totality. Cloves can cause digestive upset, such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Additionally, some hedgehogs may be allergic to cloves. Also remember cloves are a spice and all spices should be avoided.
14. Cinnamon
Cinnamon can cause irritation and allergies to hedgehogs and should never be included in their diet. It does not form part of their natural diet and they don’t need it for a balanced diet.
15. Dried Fruits
Dried fruits have a higher content of sugar and stickiness compared to their fresh counterparts and should not be fed to your hedgehog. Apart from the high sugar content the stickiness can cause it to stick to the inside of their small mouths and can cause choking.
16. Ginger
Although ginger has many health benefits for humans it is not a safe option for pets. Consumption of ginger can lead to severe digestive problems.
17. Essential Oils
Never use essential oils near your hedgehog as they are very concentrated and have a very strong smell which can irritate your hedgehog’s eyes and lungs – causing upper respiratory infections.
18. Tea tree oil
Although I have already mentioned essential oils, it is important to specifically mention tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is toxic to hedgehog’s (all animals) if applied to their skin or ingested by them. It can cause skin irritation, vomiting, seizures, coma and even death. Never handle your hedgehog when you have tea tree oil on your hands or in your hair.
19. Grains (Couscous, Rye, Guinoa, Rice)
The pellets that we feed our hedgehogs in South Africa already contain enough grains so additional grains should not be fed especially refined grains. Thus although grains are not dangerous to feed your hedgehog and whole-wheat grains can have a variety of benefits to your hedgehog, we have included it in this section due to the quantities that are already present in our pellets.
20. Oregano
Can cause stomach upset and allergic reactions
21. Pineapple
Pineapple are also too acidic for our hedgehog’s small stomachs to handle.

22. Raw Potato
Potatoes contain high amounts of starch which our hedgehog’s digestive system cannot tolerate. Also potatoes contain certain toxins called alkaloids and therefore I would recommend not to serve any potatoes – raw or cooked.
23. Raw meat and raw egg
Raw meat and raw egg can cause a salmonella outbreak. If a salmonella outbreak occurs, authorities are called in to deal with the situation, and can result in all your animals to be removed. This also place the whole hedgehog community at risk, as they can ban the keeping of pet hedgehogs.
24. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is toxic to your hedgehog and also way too acidic for their stomach.
25. Tomato
The high acid content of tomatoes can lead to severe health issues and should be avoided.
26. Processed meats like Vienna’s, bully beef, and polonies.
These meats contain too much salt and preservatives and should never be given to your hedgehog as a treat.
If you come upon any food that is not on any of our lists, and you don’t know if you can feed it to your hedgehog or not – rather leave it. Your hedgehog should have pellets every day and only need an additional protein, vegetable or fruit every other day. This means that the list of safe foods which we have provided you with is more than efficient to keep their diet healthy and interesting.
Our little friends are very picky eaters and not all of them will eat everything on the safe food list, so make a note of the food that they do eat. You might end up with only 2 or 3 out of each category which is 100% fine. If you want to introduce something new to their diet always mix it with pellets and give it a few nights in a row. This way they get used to the smell and will start to taste on it.
It is always a very good idea to teach your hedgehog to eat pumpkin and egg, as this is 2 of the foods that we mostly use when they are ill. Also give them a little bit of apple, so that they can get use to the taste. We give them apple juice in the case of dehydration and attempted hibernation.
In the pictures I have added a safe food list as well as a typical eating plan.

19/10/2023

With the great success and FUN we had with our Breeders course this year we decided to launch a Hedgehog 101 course next year. This course is for hedgehog owner's, rescue centres etc. Come and join us in the fun next year! To enroll you can contact Elize on 0828200810 or Lizl on 0720903479

After the huge success with the Breeders Course, we were overwhelmed with requests from members of public, rescuers and regular hedgehog owners who does not want to breed, but really wanted to the course to learn more ab...

19/10/2023

After the huge success with the Breeders Course, we were overwhelmed with requests from members of public, rescuers and regular hedgehog owners who does not want to breed, but really wanted to the course to learn more ab...

18/10/2023

As you might have noticed I am busy with a range of food analysis and breakdowns and therefore I have started with my previous post regarding the ingredients in your hedgehog’s pellets that you should look at.
Attached to this post you will find a quick and easy reference card that you can keep with you as well as examples of how to use it. It is important to read this all in comparison to each other.
I have noticed last week that Feline Quizine has changed their Specialized Diet to 2 different pellets called – Feline Quizine Specialized Diet for Hairball Control and Feline Quizine Specialized Diet for Joint Health. This is a perfect example of why you should always keep an eye on the ingredients. With These analysis you will see that the Hairball Control are safe but the Joint Health is unsafe for our hedgehogs. When we do the comparison you should look at the typical analysis as well as the ingredient list. Also note that the higher up in the ingredient list the ingredient appear, the higher the content of that specific ingredient is in the pellets.
Hope this helps you in better understanding the food list. If you would like to do the analysis you are welcome to do it on the card, send me a picture of the front of the pack, the typical analysis and the ingredient list to 0828200810 and I will guide you in doing this analysis. Also tell me why you think the food is correct or incorrect. Hope you all find this just as interesting as I do.
Author: Elize Campher - 17/10/2023
Compiled trough internet research and own experience.

12/10/2023

You’re Hedgehogs Diet
For optimal health of your hedgehog, it is always important to make sure that you feed your hedgehog a healthy and well balanced diet. Overweight, underweight and malnutrition can easily lead to a lot of health problems that will not only cost you a lot in veterinary costs but also death.
Over the last few years, there are a lot more research being done on our hedgehog’s health and dietary needs and for this reason we strive to always stay up to date with all the latest research being done and we are not afraid or unwilling to change our prescribed methods and diets in line with new research.
The cat food manufacturers also change their recipe from time to time and therefore it is also important to review all foods from time to time.
So let’s have a look at what is important to look at when you choose a cat pellet for your hedgehogs.
1. The pellet should not be too big and too hard. When the pellet is too big or too hard it makes it difficult for your hedgehog too chew and can hurt is jaws and even break its teeth.
2. Fat should not be more than 15%. If the fat content is higher than 15% it can lead to obesity.
3. Protein should not be more than 35%. If the protein content is too high it can lead to kidney damage and failure.
4. The phosphorus to calcium ratio should be calcium positive and not phosphorus positive. In other words the calcium content should be higher. If the phosphorus is higher than the calcium the phosphorous distract calcium form the bones which causes metabolic bone decease.
5. Optimal Omega 6 to 3 ratio is 4:1 but most pet foods can go as high as 20:1. For this reason we want to keep the ratio as near to 5-10:1. Too much omega 6 and too little omega 3 leads to an increase in various illnesses ranging from heart decease, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory illnesses to various forms of cancer. This is also one of the causes for irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and obesity. Omega 6 comes mainly from grains, corn, peanuts, cottonseeds, soybean, canola, sunflower and Omega 3 from meat, fish and egg. This is why it is important to make sure the proteins are listed as animal proteins and not vegetable proteins. Also make sure that the amount of grains, corn or cereals are not too high in your food selection. Rice is always a better option than grains or wheat. Omega 3 might also be listed as DHA on the packet or it will say contain fish oils or salmon oil.
6. The moisture content of the pellets gives you a good indication of how dry a pellet is. As mentioned in point one you don’t want a pellet that is too hard for your hedgehog to chew and for this reason we suggest that the moisture content should be as near as possible to 10%
7. Fibre is always present in cat food. Fibre is found in a variety of sources, but it comes primarily from the cell walls of plants and grains present in the food. Almost all carbohydrate sources will contain some fibre. Some of the most common sources of fibre in pet foods include rice hulls, soybean hulls, beet pulp, bran, peanut hulls, and pectin.
Hedgehogs do not derive any energy from fibre, however, improved colon health is a benefit of having fibre in the diet. Fibre will help treat both diarrhoea and constipation. Fibre absorbs extra water in diarrheic stools, and it helps hold onto water, which prevents constipation. Some fibre is broken down in the intestine into fatty acids. These fatty acids will aid in preventing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. They will also help the colon cells to recover from injury and possibly help reduce the risk of colon cancer. The prescribed quantity of fibre is between 2% and 8% but should never exceed 10%.
8. Ash in cat food is the inorganic mineral content left over when the organic portion of the food has been burned off. It can include minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and others. Ash is essential for hedgehogs, but too much of it are not good and are believed to cause urinary tract problems. The ideal ash content in cat food is about 2% but most cat foods contain about 7%. This content should, however, never exceed 10%. The relative content of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium are more important than the total ash content. If your hedgehog’s pH is high, a food with a high magnesium content will not be good as this will make his urine more alkaline, which will contribute to struvite crystal development.
9. Taurine is an essential amino acid that is only found in animal based proteins and not in vegetable based proteins. Taurine is good for the health of your hedgehog’s heart, eyes and nervous system. A healthy cat food should have a minimum of 0.2% Taurine.
10. It is also important to look at the energy levels of the cat food. High energy levels can also lead to obesity, therefore it is important to make sure the energy levels is not higher that 380cal/100gr serving.
11. Salt/sodium/potassium is necessary for your hedgehog’s normal growth and development, but should not be more than a recommended quantity of 0.02% per serving. Selenium is a mineral that plays a lead role in metabolism and health and is mainly found in sodium. Health benefits include muscle growth, neural development and heart function.
12. L Lysine is an essential amino acid that helps in building antibodies and aids in calcium absorption. Lysine also help with herpes infections. Meat poultry and eggs are an excellent natural source of lysine.
13. You might also see Clycaemic Carbohydrates on a package – make sure this is never more than 35% (Low GI)
14. DL Methionine is a urinary acidifier that can be used to treat some types of kidney and bladder stones in dogs and cats. However it is not a natural part of a hedgehog’s diet and may have some irritant and corrosive effects on their skin and eyes. Therefore it is not recommended for your hedgehog.
15. Things to avoid in the cat pellets you buy:
1. BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) are very effective in preserving dry cat food, but it is found to cause cancer, liver and kidney failure in rats and should be avoided. Luckily most of the good food producers have chosen to use more natural preservatives like Vitamin C and E.
2. Meat by-products – if it is not safe for human consumption it is also not safe for our pets consumption.
3. Corn meal and Carbohydrate fillers. An excess of carbohydrate fillers are not good and your lower quality cat foods can contain as much as 50% grain (carbohydrate fillers). Carbohydrates can cause diabetes and should be limited. Wheat gluten is a cheaper-alternative to muscle meat protein and whole grain options. Some cat foods may contain melamine, which in combination with Cyanuric acid, can cause kidney stones and kidney failure, according to the World Health Organization. This is the reason why we prefer rice as a filler instead of wheat or corn.
4. DL Methionine is a urinary acidifier that can be used to treat some types of kidney and bladder stones in dogs and cats. However it is not a natural part of a hedgehog’s diet and may have some irritant and corrosive effects on their skin and eyes. Therefore it is not recommended for your hedgehog
5. Tapioca is a starch that are used as a thickening agent. You should avoid it as it has no nutritional value and can cause constipation, dehydration and obesity.
6. Brewers Yeast can cause allergic reactions, digestive problems, gas and bloating.
7. Citric acids are derived from citrus fruit like lemons and oranges and is a big no for your hedgehog.
Although all breeders will prescribe food, that is safe to feed your hedgehogs, it is always advisable that you should check the brand you buy. As we have mentioned the cat food suppliers do change there recipes quit often especially when they change the branding. Some breeders do prefer to make a mix of certain brands to optimise the balance of their hedgehog’s diet, but this is not always possible as all cat foods are not available in small towns and it will be a waste to mix food and end up with 10kg of food when you only have 1 hedgehog.
When you store your food, always make sure that you store it in an air seal bucket to prevent moisture coming in once the packet has been opened.
Please keep in mind that we can only educate you regarding safe and unsafe foods, but you should always make sure of any ingredients as these ingredients may change at any time.

Author: Elize Campher from Ella’s Hedgehogs - Date: 8/8/2023

Compiled through internet research

12/08/2023

I changed phones and realy don't know where this video comes from - would have loved to give credit! I just have to share it, nature is so awesome! Thank you to whoever send it to me - at least it landed up in the new phones galary😅

05/08/2023

Love ons babas kan nie wag vir die nuwes nie!

05/08/2023

Ek kan nie wag vir die nuwe babas nie - hulle is darem maar erg cute as hulle so klein is!

13/06/2023

Please go checkout our website. Ella's Hedgehogs is a registered breeder and Elize are one of the founding members of The South African Breeders Association.

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02/06/2023

HEDGEHOG HIBERNATION ATTEMPT
It is that time of year where we have to talk about attempted hibernation. Our African Pigmy Hedgehogs are not supposed to hibernate and an attempted hibernation can be fatal for them.
As we all know we are already in the start of a very cold and wet winter which means that it is going to get even worse and add this ridiculous load shedding to it we sit with a real problem.
Let’s start from the beginning. As all of you know we at Ella’s Hedgehogs believe in prevention rather than cure. How do we prevent hibernation?
Let’s think logical about this. How do we keep ourselves warm during winter?
1. We put on more clothes and add blankets to our bed. How do we do this for our hedgehogs? We add an extra blanket to their house, and we cover their cages during the night with a thick blanket.
2. We close all windows and make sure that the curtains are drawn at night. This is very important for the room that your hedgehog’s cage is in as well. If you have thin curtains – change them out with thicker curtains during the winter. Make sure to open the curtains in the morning so that sunlight can come into the room. This will not only add heat, but it is also very important that our hedgehogs still have the sense of day and night.
3. We use heaters, fireplaces and electrical blankets to heat up our living spaces. With our hedgehogs we use heat emitter lambs and heat pads. I am not a huge fan of any heater, and should I use a heater I put it somewhere in the house, where it can heat up the house, but we do not get direct heat from it. This prevents illnesses. When you use a heat emitter lamb it is also very important not to put it directly over your hedgehog’s house or wheel. Rather install it in the middle of the cage. When the power goes off these things has a sudden loss of heat which means that there are huge differences between the temperatures in your hedgehog’s cage from when there is power and when there are not. These sudden fluctuations in heat can also cause a problem and that is why we don’t use them.
4. I use an electrical blanket and keep it on the whole day. When there are load shedding the heat stays between my blankets and keep my bed warm. How do we do this for our hedgehog? Easy by adding a heat pad.
5. During winter we are all eager to turn to comfort foods. This is not only because we are lazy and cold, but because our bodies tell us we need extra nutrition to keep us warm from the inside. During wintertime make sure to add more proteins to your hedgehog's diet. Things like egg and meat. The protein gives them energy which causes them to be more active. We don’t want them to stay more in their houses and spend less time on their wheels. Also by keeping active they raise their own body temperature.
So how exactly do we manage the heat problem during winter at Ella’s Hedgehogs?
1. All our hedgehogs have a sealed wooden house with a heat pad. The house is isolated and keep its warmth longer. If you have not invested in one of these houses yet, it might be a good time to contact us and do so.
2. We are on a WhatsApp group that give us the exact times off load shedding – I am sure by now everyone is on such a group.
3. Nighttime we make sure that we give them their food earlier and about an hour before load shedding, we switch on the heater in their room and close all the curtains. Around 15 minutes before load shedding, when the room and their cages has warmed up enough – we cover the cages with thick blankets to keep the heat inside, we switch off the heater and close all doors in order to isolate the room. Obviously now all the windows are closed permanently.
4. We add extra egg and meat to their diet and give them their vitamins regularly to build up their immune systems and keep them active.
5. Each morning, we open their cages and check that they are all fine, and we open the curtains for sunlight.
6. During extreme cold and rainy days, we will also put the heater on in their room and keep the doors shut.
How do I know my hedgehog is in danger off, or are attempting a hibernation?
1. If your hedgehog is too cold but did not attempt a hibernation yet, they will eat less and will walk wobbly. Most people confuse this with WHD during winter, but it is most probable rather a temperature problem.
2. If your hedgehog attempts a hibernation he will be curled up in a stiff ball and will not react at all.
3. The breathing will be shallow and there might even be intervals between the breathing.
4. Your hedgehog, especially the belly, will be cold to the touch.
5. He would also not have eaten the previous night or would have eaten very little.
How do I handle the situation?
1. DO NOT PANIC!
2. Take your hedgehog out of its cage and wrap it in one of their blankets.
3. Put your hedgehog inside your clothes against your chest – it now needs body to body temperature.
4. By doing this your hedgehog will slowly regain heat – it is important not to try and heat them up too quickly – this process should take about an hour.
5. Make sure the heat pad inside the house is working and check for anything that could have caused a sudden drop in temperature i.e. An open window, door or anything like that.
6. Take a blanket and heat it up in your tumble dryer or in front of a heater or fire and put that inside the house for extra heat, just before you place your hedgehog back into its house. If it happens during load shedding, you can fill a bottle with warm water and wrap it inside a blanket to put inside the house. If you do not have a means of boiling water, you can use warm water directly from the tap as our geezers keep the heat for a while before it cools down.
7. With an attempted hibernation they dehydrate, so it is very imported to make sure that they do eat and drink before you leave them.
8. As soon as your hedgehog is starting to make sounds or starting to move you can take them out from under your clothes and give them luke warm egg as well as luke warm liquid to drink. To hydrate them we give them Lique Fruits Apple juice mixed with boiled and cooled off water in a ratio of 50:50 to drink. This is a natural electrolyte and help them to restore the electrolytes they have lost during the attempt. Also add a drop of Vitamin tonic to their drinking water and continue to do this every night for the following week.
9. Do not leave your hedgehog before they have eaten and drink something, and if they don’t want to eat or drink anything you can warm them up for another hour or so, but if they still do not want to eat or drink then you have to force-feed them with a syringe. Don’t do this to quickly – only after about 3 hours – as their organs go into a shut down during this attempt and first have to start up again before they can eat.
10. During a hibernation attempt they get a setback on their health, so it is important to keep a close eye on them for the next few weeks. They will be more likely to get urine infections or kidney failure after this as the kidneys and liver are the first organs to shut down. For this reason we will also give them 1 drop of liver tonic over their food for 5 days after a attempt. Once a hedgehog have attempted hibernation they are also more likely to do it again.
11. After an attempt give them some Royal Canine Mother and baby mousse to eat for at least a week to help them recover.

WE SUGGEST: Rather than try to keep their cage on a constant 28 degrees during winter – especially now with load shedding, keep their cage at a constant temperature of 25 degrees. They will attempt hibernation if there is a sudden drop of temperature of approximately 5 to 10 degrees.

Author: Nicola De Wet