Hedgehog Care
Is a Hedgehog a pet for you?
If you’re thinking about adding a new hedgehog to your family, you’ll first want to consider whether he or she will fit your lifestyle and personality. Hedgehogs are an ancient species and have only been living with humans for a few years, so they still retain the majority of their natural instincts. Here are some things to consider before bringing your new hedgehog home:
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal animals. This means that, they will be wide awake at night. While awake, they run on their wheels, eat, drink and move their furnishings around, and can be somewhat noisy. You will want to bear this in mind when you place your pet’s habitat.
Hedgehogs are also naturally shy, so it can take time for your new pet to become accustomed to you, and to being handled by you. You’ll need to be patient, calm and gentle in order to reassure your pet that s/he is safe. Also, hedgehog bodies are covered in thousands of quills. YOU WILL GET POKED at some point, because rolling into a ball with upright quills has been your hedgehog’s defense for millions of years. In the wild, your hedgehog would cover several miles every night in search of food, so you’ll need to give your pet ample opportunity to exercise, or else obesity and boredom can become a problem. Since they are insectivores, the human caretaker will be responsible for paying close attention to diet, which should include feeder insects. Also, hedgehogs need a warm, but not overly hot environment. 75 to 80 degrees is most comfortable for them. You’ll need to monitor room and cage temperatures for your pet. Just like humans, hedgehogs often have to use “the bathroom” shortly after waking up. It’s therefore possible that s/he may eliminate on you at some point, especially during his babyhood and old age. Your hedgehog will need his or her habitat cleaned daily and changed out weekly, will need regular veterinary visits to stay healthy, and may or may not litter box train. Your pet may live up to five, six, or more years, so you’ll need to be able to commit to an extended relationship with him or her. Your hedgehog will most likely not need a cage companion. Although some females enjoy the company of another female, males should NEVER be housed together. This may sound like a lot to remember, but the joy of making friends with these gentle, shy mammals cannot be equaled, and you will be rewarded for your patience and understanding.
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal animals. This means that, they will be wide awake at night. While awake, they run on their wheels, eat, drink and move their furnishings around, and can be somewhat noisy. You will want to bear this in mind when you place your pet’s habitat.
Hedgehogs are also naturally shy, so it can take time for your new pet to become accustomed to you, and to being handled by you. You’ll need to be patient, calm and gentle in order to reassure your pet that s/he is safe. Also, hedgehog bodies are covered in thousands of quills. YOU WILL GET POKED at some point, because rolling into a ball with upright quills has been your hedgehog’s defense for millions of years. In the wild, your hedgehog would cover several miles every night in search of food, so you’ll need to give your pet ample opportunity to exercise, or else obesity and boredom can become a problem. Since they are insectivores, the human caretaker will be responsible for paying close attention to diet, which should include feeder insects. Also, hedgehogs need a warm, but not overly hot environment. 75 to 80 degrees is most comfortable for them. You’ll need to monitor room and cage temperatures for your pet. Just like humans, hedgehogs often have to use “the bathroom” shortly after waking up. It’s therefore possible that s/he may eliminate on you at some point, especially during his babyhood and old age. Your hedgehog will need his or her habitat cleaned daily and changed out weekly, will need regular veterinary visits to stay healthy, and may or may not litter box train. Your pet may live up to five, six, or more years, so you’ll need to be able to commit to an extended relationship with him or her. Your hedgehog will most likely not need a cage companion. Although some females enjoy the company of another female, males should NEVER be housed together. This may sound like a lot to remember, but the joy of making friends with these gentle, shy mammals cannot be equaled, and you will be rewarded for your patience and understanding.
Habitat/Bin
The first thing you will need is a habitat for the hedgie. For hedgehogs, the more space the better, but we require a 200quart (50 Gallon) clear sterile storage bin! The reason why I only accept a 200quart storage bin is they can make a good home for a hedgehog! The walls are high enough that hedgie cannot climb out, the floors AND WALLS are made of a solid surface to avoid foot and leg injuries or hanging himself. For this reason, any cage with wire of ANY sort on the floor or the sides will VOID my health guarantee.
Heat, Wheel, Water Bottle, Bedding, Hideouts & Bowls
MOST OF THESE ITEMS CAN BE FOUND ON https://www.chewy.com/
Heat
African Pygmy Hedgehogs can go into hibernation if they get too cold. If they go into hibernation and you can't warm them back up and bring them out of it quickly, they will die! Their cage needs to be kept between 74-80 degrees Farenheit. That's ambient temp. They don't need a heat gradient like reptiles. This can be accomplished by using a space heater or a ceramic heat emitter. It is important that you don't use a basking bulb or a red or blue bulb. They don't like a lot of direct light, and it can actually hurt their eyes over time. If you decide to go the ceramic heat emitter route, there's three important things... Make sure the lamp has a ceramic base, not plastic. Plastic will melt and can cause a fire. Also, make sure it's rated for the wattage you're using. And lastly, you will need a good, reliable thermostat to keep the bulb from cooking your hog. You'll also want a digital reptile or aquarium thermometer!
The wheel required is a Carolina Storm Wheel or Sonoran Desert Hedgehog Bucket Wheel. Hedgehogs must have a flat based surface when running so they don’t get any injuries due to the toenails, toes or feet!
Carolina Storm Wheel - http://etsy.me/1rfFF8D
Sonoran Desert Hedgehog Bucket Wheel-
https://etsy.me/2UMLSgs
Carolina Storm Wheel - http://etsy.me/1rfFF8D
Sonoran Desert Hedgehog Bucket Wheel-
https://etsy.me/2UMLSgs
Here is a few pictures
of some acceptable water bottles I require.
NO SPRING LOADED BOTTLES
Bowls I require also please get 2-3!
of some acceptable water bottles I require.
NO SPRING LOADED BOTTLES
Bowls I require also please get 2-3!
Bedding/ Litter
When choosing bedding you can use 99% DUST FREE ASPEN or Kiln Dried PINE SHAVINGS (I prefer KAYTEE ASPEN 100%). You can also use fleece just make sure it’s non pillar as we don’t want any little strings or fibers getting caught in hedgie toes!
I also recommended spot cleaning certain daily or every other day. The habit/bin should be cleaned fully every 5-7 days! You should always make sure to provide your hedgehog with 2-5 inches thick of bedding so that they have room to burrow.
A litter box can be added if desired, some hedgehogs tend to use the bathroom in one area so litter training can be pretty simple for certain hogs. On the other hand some just go where they want to. You will inevitably get poop on their wheel. They aren’t the cleanest of animals. If you intend to litter train, use a different type of bedding for the litter box. Rabbit litter pans with pine pellets tend to work very well. Find the spot they defecate most and put the litter box there. Anytime they go outside of their litter box pick it up and put it in the box (I know, gross. But it can help in the long run!)
When choosing bedding you can use 99% DUST FREE ASPEN or Kiln Dried PINE SHAVINGS (I prefer KAYTEE ASPEN 100%). You can also use fleece just make sure it’s non pillar as we don’t want any little strings or fibers getting caught in hedgie toes!
I also recommended spot cleaning certain daily or every other day. The habit/bin should be cleaned fully every 5-7 days! You should always make sure to provide your hedgehog with 2-5 inches thick of bedding so that they have room to burrow.
A litter box can be added if desired, some hedgehogs tend to use the bathroom in one area so litter training can be pretty simple for certain hogs. On the other hand some just go where they want to. You will inevitably get poop on their wheel. They aren’t the cleanest of animals. If you intend to litter train, use a different type of bedding for the litter box. Rabbit litter pans with pine pellets tend to work very well. Find the spot they defecate most and put the litter box there. Anytime they go outside of their litter box pick it up and put it in the box (I know, gross. But it can help in the long run!)
THESE ARE THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE HIDEOUTS! (Snuggle or Cuddle Sacks are acceptable too!)
When buying a igloo or tree trunk hideout make sure you choose the size LARGE.
When buying a igloo or tree trunk hideout make sure you choose the size LARGE.
Co-housing
Co-housing is also an option with 2 female hedgehogs. ONLY 2 females. If you try to house 2 males together they will fight constantly, and if you house a male and a female the male will just keep re-breeding the female and kill the babies. I’ve co-housed several females in the past and for the most part its worked well. That's not the case for every hedgehog though- some are so solitary that other hedgehogs just stress them out. I typically only co-house with two females that are related in some way or familiar with each other (sisters, mother & daughter, if they grew up together as babies, etc.). If you’re going to co-house two girls they need to be young, and familiar with each other in some way
Hibernation Attempts
So how do you know if your hog is trying to hibernate and what should you do if it is? A hedgehog that is trying to hibernate will be curled into a tight ball with all of its quills up. It'll be cold to the touch and likely not even pop or hiss if you pick it up. (If it does pop and hiss but was in a tight ball and almost immediately unballs, that usually means the temp needs to be bumped up.) If there's no response from it, try to stay calm. The best thing to do is skin to quill contact. Put him or her under your shirt and put a blanket on top. If you can't handle the quills on your skin, just put your hog on your chest and put the blanket over you. It is always a good idea to keep hand warmers (Hot Hands) on hand, mainly for power outages, but this would also be a good time to have them. NEVER DUNK THE HIBERNATING HEDGEHOG IN HOT WATER. A sudden change in temp like that is extremely dangerous. Usually it should only take 20 minutes or so to bring him or her around, but I've heard of some taking almost an hour. Just try to stay calm. And as always, when in doubt, the vet is always the best option.
Bathtime & Nails
Bathing is an important part of owning hedgehogs since they do not clean themselves. Especially if you have one that loves their wheel. “Poop boots" on hedgehogs feet happens with just about every wheel, if your hedgehog gets poop on his/ her feet a foot bath is needed. A complete bath needs to be done every 3-5 months, nail trimmings included. Bathing is easy, but I can’t say the same about clipping their nails. When you give them a bath, you need to make sure the water is warm to touch (not too hot, not too cold) and isn't high enough to go over their face/nose to avoid getting it up their nose. I highly recommend Aveeno Oatmeal Based Tear Free Baby wash. You will need a toothbrush to brush the soap into their quills and on their belly. Gently brush them until they are sudsy, then rinse them off with some fresh warm water. Pat them down with a towel until they are dry, DO NOT use hair dryers for drying. When you clip their nails, Use cat nail clippers or baby nail clippers. Hold each foot still with the hedgehog in the towel and clip the very end, making sure not to hit the quick. If you do hit the quick, you can use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. Hedgehogs don't usually enjoy baths, so if they constantly try to escape that is normal. Just bare with them and make them as comfortable as you can in the time being.
Health
When any health issue arises the first thing you need to do is take the hedgehog to the vet immediately. Unfortunately with hedgehogs there's not many home remedies available, and will 9 times out of 10 require a visit to the vet. You take your hedgehog to the vet when you notice things out of the ordinary like blood in their cage (after examining them for any treatable lesions), any blood in stool, excessive diarrhea, vomiting for no apparent reason, excessive sneezing or if they're having a hard time breathing, constant lethargy, any other apparent signs of sickness or injury. Always have a vet in place before getting a baby, and always have a vet fund with at least $500 set up in it in case of future emergencies. Since hedgehogs are exotic, a vet visit is typically more expensive for them than it would be for a more common animal like a dog or cat. Be sure to find a reputable vet that specializes in exotics like hedgehogs for proper care and advice. Some of the most common major health issues that can come up in hedgehogs are Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome and cancer. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is an awful neurological disease that's very similar to MS in humans. It makes them lose use of their back limbs and eventually leads to paralysis. It is also still not diagnosable until death with a necropsy of the brain. (I offer a lifetime warranty against WHS for all of my babies, see policy page for info)
Food/Diet
Hedgehogs need a high protein 32%-40% cat food with low fat 8%-16% depending on the hog. I do not recommend feeding them 99% of hedgehog food found in pet stores , as it just has tons of useless staples and fillers in it. Cat food has always been the go-to!
Treats can be added weekly as well, I personally do not recommend feeding fruits and veggies often or at all if possible. In my experience they can cause diarrhea and digestion issues. Protein should be the main focus- crickets, mealworms, super worms, wax worms, dubia roaches, boiled chicken, hard boiled /scrambled eggs, and cooked white meat, and cooked chicken organs (when using meat & scrambled eggs make sure to avoid ALL seasonings & Butter).
For my pet homes I highly recommend feeding a mix of the 2 foods pictured below!
Treats can be added weekly as well, I personally do not recommend feeding fruits and veggies often or at all if possible. In my experience they can cause diarrhea and digestion issues. Protein should be the main focus- crickets, mealworms, super worms, wax worms, dubia roaches, boiled chicken, hard boiled /scrambled eggs, and cooked white meat, and cooked chicken organs (when using meat & scrambled eggs make sure to avoid ALL seasonings & Butter).
For my pet homes I highly recommend feeding a mix of the 2 foods pictured below!
Below are examples of what NOT to feed your hedgehog…in fact some of these things have even caused hedgehogs to choke to death. If you feed any of these foods or treats, my health guarantee and contract is immediately voided! There are more “hedgehog” foods on the market and you should avoid them too.
Bonding/ Quilling
Every hedgehog has their own personality, kind of like people. There are some that naturally have attitudes and there are some that are naturally absolute sweethearts. Their individual personality doesn't really start to develop until they are weaning from their mother at about 4-6 weeks old. I handle my babies almost daily, but every now and then there's a rotten one or two in the litter whose attitude cannot be altered until they are a bit older with more handling. This can be from just their general personality or quilling. Quilling is a very painful process that all hedgehogs undergo it can affect a hedgehogs mood drastically. It happens in mostly young hedgies up to 6 months of age
You’ll know if a hedgehog is quilling when you see new quills protruding from their skin and loose ones in the cage. This will happen several times throughout their lifetime and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Depending on what hedgehog you get, you'll have different levels of difficulty in taming him/her down. If your hedgehog is on the grumpier side it will hiss, pop, and stay balled up. Remember! Even the meanest of hedgehogs don't typically bite and if they do it's usually because of a smell or taste on your hands. Even the tamest of hedgehogs hiss, so this is completely normal behavior. When a hedgehog is more relaxed with you, their quills will lay down and they will either adventure around or cuddle with you depending on their mood. If you are having a hard time bonding with your hedgehog put a shirt that has your scent on it in their cage to sleep with, this is a great way for them to associate your smell with comfort. Also, make sure to provide treats while they are out. Just be careful not to overfeed, this could lead to obesity, which is extremely common in hedgehogs). Talk softly, quietly, and move slowly around them. Eventually they will get used to you and get more comfortable as time goes on. It is a time consuming process that can take months with some hedgehogs. So if you come across a grumpy one don't give up, they just need lots of time and love.
You’ll know if a hedgehog is quilling when you see new quills protruding from their skin and loose ones in the cage. This will happen several times throughout their lifetime and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Depending on what hedgehog you get, you'll have different levels of difficulty in taming him/her down. If your hedgehog is on the grumpier side it will hiss, pop, and stay balled up. Remember! Even the meanest of hedgehogs don't typically bite and if they do it's usually because of a smell or taste on your hands. Even the tamest of hedgehogs hiss, so this is completely normal behavior. When a hedgehog is more relaxed with you, their quills will lay down and they will either adventure around or cuddle with you depending on their mood. If you are having a hard time bonding with your hedgehog put a shirt that has your scent on it in their cage to sleep with, this is a great way for them to associate your smell with comfort. Also, make sure to provide treats while they are out. Just be careful not to overfeed, this could lead to obesity, which is extremely common in hedgehogs). Talk softly, quietly, and move slowly around them. Eventually they will get used to you and get more comfortable as time goes on. It is a time consuming process that can take months with some hedgehogs. So if you come across a grumpy one don't give up, they just need lots of time and love.
