Hedgehogs Care Sheet

Hedgehogs are exceptional animals that are easy to care for and are friendly if properly socialized. Their natural habitats consist of forests, grasslands, and scrubs. In the wild, hedgehogs spend most of their time searching for food. They are natural hunters and foragers and most of their life is devoted to these tasks. In captivity, they prove to be curious animals that spend an abundance of time exploring their environment. If left in a small cage without any stimulation hedgehogs become fat, bored, and ultimately unhealthy.

Hedgehogs require a decent size area to play. At minimum a hedgehog should have at least it’s own twenty-gallon tank. Be sure the walls and flooring of the cage are smooth to prevent your pet from climbing out. Wire cages should be avoided at all costs. Wiring allows their little feet to slip through, causing injury to the hedgehog. Ample floor space is a plus. This allows for a large amount of playroom and helps prevent obesity in your little friend. The best place to keep the cage is in a warm room. A good range of temperature for a hedgehog is 72-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cleaning the enclosure on a weekly basis helps control unwanted odors, making it a good pet to house indoors. One important aspect to consider is the number of hedgehogs per cage. It is said by most hedgehog keepers that housing more than one together is asking for trouble. This is not entirely true. It is common for hedgehogs of the same sex to cohabitate with each other without any problems. However, do expect to purchase more than one and have them get along. Some hedgehogs are just too territorial to be kept together.

The bedding in a hedgehog’s enclosure should be nontoxic, absorbent, and relatively dust free so their noses won’t get irritated and respiratory problems don’t follow. Avoid cedar wood & pine shavings, as they have been the cause of respiratory infections in hedgehogs because of the amount of phenol oils in these woods. Shredded newspaper works well and is most cost efficient. There is a product called Carefresh, a newspaper-based bedding that is soft, absorbent, and easy to clean. It is relatively inexpensive and can be found at almost any pet store or department store that sells pet supplies. Hedgehogs also need a shelter, or a hide box in their cage. By offering a critter log, plastic pot on its side, a Kleenex or shoe box, or another form of shelter, you are offering your pet a place of security and a place to sleep. This is important to help avoid exposing your pet to a stress level that can be unhealthy.

Hedgehogs are prone to obesity if they live a sedentary life. It is important that you provide your hedgehogs with lots of stimulation and ample opportunities to exercise. An exercise wheel is a great addition to a hedgehog habitat. Just make sure that the exercise wheel isn’t made of wire. You want the running surface to be solid and safe, if there are space where a foot could slip through you are asking for an injury. Many people enjoy watching their pet exercise around the house. If this is the case an exercise ball can be used as well. Just to be safe however, you’ll want to make sure that it closes tightly and that your hedgehog has no way of escaping.

The diet of a hedgehog is a touchy area. There are no definitive guidelines as to what their specific diet should be. The consensus by the experts is that a high quality, low calorie cat food is suitable for feeding hedgehogs. It is also recommended to give treats like worms, crickets, or other insects. Care should be taken not to overfeed your hedgehog because, like previously mentioned, hedgehogs are prone to obesity. The reason that cat food is such a great option for the hedgehogs, is because it is easy to get, easy to use, stores well, and has adequate protein levels, which is extremely important in a hedgehogs diet. All pets, including hedgehogs, should always have a constant clean source of water as well.

Hedgehogs should be socialized in order to tolerate handling. When they are afraid they curl up into a ball and stand their quills on end. This makes it hard to do anything with them. If they are used to handling then when it is absolutely necessary (for example: vet visit) they are not uncomfortable being looked over. When you are lifting your hedgehog make sure to lift from the underside. There is soft fur under there and the quills are easily avoided. A word of advice, approach your hedgehog slowly and quietly and they will have no reason to fear being lifted.

Hedgehogs do not generally require a lot of maintenance in keeping groomed. The only thing that will be necessary for you to do is keep the toenails trimmed. This is something that most hedgehogs will not tolerate so gloves and patience are your best tools available. Just remember to trim them slowly and avoid hitting the quick. If you do happen to hit the quick a styptic powder can be used to stop the bleeding. Occasionally a bath might be necessary as well. Use a mild kitten or puppy shampoo and a small amount of water. Make sure to avoid the eyes and rinse thoroughly when finished.

There are a couple of problems that commonly effect hedgehogs that an owner should be aware of. They will commonly harbor mites and this can be very debilitating for them. You will want to watch for loss of quills and also for hard dry scaly patches of skin. If you notice either of these the veterinarian should perform a skin scraping. Unfortunately hedgehogs are prone to several types of cancer. It is important that a veterinarian look at your pet if you suspect any illness. It may be nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. Many hedgehog owners also notice neurological deficits in their pets. There are two common reasons for this, Wobby Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) and also idiopathic vestibular neuronitis (vestibular syndrome). There are many sources out there discussing these diseases if you are interested in reading up on them. The best source of information however, would be a veterinarian experienced in treating these pets.

Hedgehogs can be rewarding pets if a person gives them the proper care and attention they need. Remember to read as much about your pet as possible and always consult a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.