The pet or domesticated hedgehog, commonly referred to as the African Pygmy Hedgehog is an exceptional animals that is easy to care for and friendly if properly socialized. Not a wild species, the pet hedgehog is a hybrid of two African species (Atelerix algirus) and (A. albiventris). Hedgehogs are classified as insectivorous and in the wild spend most of their time searching for food. In captivity, they prove to be curious animals who spend an abundance of time exploring their environment.
Housing
House your hedgehog in a large glass or plastic terrarium, or a tub type guinea pig cage. Choose a cage with smooth walls that are high enough to prevent the animal from climbing out. Wire bottomed cages should be avoided as they allow their feet and legs to slip through spaces between wires, causing injury. The cage must have ample floor space to encourage movement and prevent obesity in your little friend. Keep the cage in a warm room. A good range of temperature for a hedgehog is 72-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a heater, such as a stick on “under tank heater” available in the reptile department of most pet shops, on the cage in cool climates and cold months. Cleaning the enclosure on a weekly basis helps control unwanted odors, making it a good pet to house indoors.
Accessories
Cage bedding should be nontoxic, absorbent, and relatively dust free. Avoid cedar or pine shavings as they cause respiratory problems in hedgehogs. Shredded paper works well and is cost efficient. Our hospital recommends Carefresh, a paper bedding that is soft, absorbent, and easy to clean. Hedgehogs need a shelter, or a hide box in their cage. Offering a PVC pipe, plastic pot on its side, a tissue or shoe box, or another form of shelter, will give your hedgehog a place of security and a place to sleep.
Hedgehogs require exercise to satisfy their desire to forage and to avoid obesity. This is easily achieved due to their curious and inquisitive nature. Hedgehogs love to push, chew, and manipulate toys, such as hard plastic balls, and paper towel rolls. An exercise wheel made for a hedgehog or chinchilla will be used. Again, be sure it has a solid walking surface so feet won’t get caught in any holes.
Feeding
Hedgehogs are classified as insectivorous (insect eaters) but appear to be very opportunistic eaters in the wild eating a wide variety of insects, mollusks (worms and snails) small animals and vegetation, fruits. and greens. Using this information, commercial hedgehog diets have been created to adjust to their dietary needs in captivity. These diets may contain chitin, a material found in the exoskeleton of insects, that some feel is required in the hedgehog diet. If a commercial hedgehog diet is unavailable, it can be substituted with a high quality, high protein/low fat cat food. This can be offered with small amounts of mixed fruits and vegetables. As a treat, hedgehogs will go “hog wild” for live insects, like crickets, mealworms, or earthworms.If your hedgehog becomes overweight, limit the quantity of food and treats given, and increase exercise.
Handling
The quills on the hedgehog are stiff and sharp to the touch. The quills provide protection when the animal rolls up in a tight ball. When attempting to handle your pet, approach it slowly and quietly. Avoid the quills by lifting the animal from the underneath, where the fur is soft, and hold your pet cupped in both holds. Handle your pet every day for a few minutes and it will become socialized and easier to handle.
Common Problems
Mites
Mites are an external parasite that feed off your hedgehog and burrow in the skin at the base of the spines. Mites can be extremely debilitating on your hedge if they go untreated. You will probably notice loss of quills, or dry patches of skin. Ask your vet to perform a skin scraping to determine if there are any signs of mites on your hedgehog.
Respiratory Infection
Respiratory infections are common and often associated with a too cold environment or stress. Discharge will be seen on the face or wrists of the front legs and respiration may sound wheezy or crackly. Respiratory infections in hedgehogs are life threatening and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Treatment consists of antibiotics and supportive care and correcting the underlying environmental cause.
Diarrhea
There are several causes of diarrhea in hedgehogs ranging from dietary indiscretion to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Dehydration associated with diarrhea is a major concern with these small patients. Soft stool that lasts more than a day or diarrhea associated with other signs that your hedgehog is sick (not eating, inactivity or other change in behavior) should be brought to your veterinarian immediately.
Hibernation
Unlike wild hedgehogs from cooler climates, the pet hedgehog should not hibernate. Cold temperatures will lead to hibernation behavior that all too often ends with pneumonia or other disease problems.
article by Christine Hancock
Some of the most common problems we see with Hedgehogs comes from being too cold!
A good solution is to attach an “under tank heater” (from the reptile department of your local pet shop) to the underside and at one end of their cage as a heat source. (Be careful not to burn the furniture under the cage by placing a fireproof mat or pad under the cage.) This will allow your spiny friend to regulate it’s temperature by sitting on or moving away from the heat.
What is to cold? Like average minimum of 7.0 °C (45 °F). Is that fine for them?
The pet hedgehog does poorly at temperatures under 70*F. We recommend that they have access to a heated area year round. A stick-on “under tank heater” sold in the reptile department of most pet shops placed at one end of the cage works well.
I’m sacred because my headchog is sleeping all day and he looks week in the body and I dont know what to do
If you are worried, you should have him seen by a veterinarian that knows hedgehogs.
If you hedgie does not have a heat source you should add one. Read the care instructions above.
If he still is not eating / drinking, you can get Glucerna (liquid diet for people with diabetes). I’d get the regular Glucerna (ask the pharmacist at your drug store. You should be able to buy a single can). If you cannot get the regular Glucerna diet, Glucerna Shakes are an OK substitute.
What is the cost of maintaining a hedgehog for a month!!!!!!
I would guess that it would be in the $10-$15 range.
It depends on what you feed them. Mine ate Science Diet cat food and lived on CareFresh bedding.
My pair ate ~1/4 cup of food a day and I changed their bedding weekly (about 1/2 a large CareFresh package in their 36″X20″ cage).
I kept their cage heater on year round (a 8″x10″ under tank reptile heater). It only draws ~30-40 watts.
Do you want to put the hedgehog in a tub?. We saw some swimming on a video. Does it matter what age you get your hhog at? Boy or girl? Will they shoot the quills if they get scared, we have cats and dogs. Letting them walk in the grass outside is ok? How much fruit do you give them and can you give them any fresh fruit or veggie that they will eat? We are thinking about getting one and really know nothing about them. Where can I get the CareFresh? Lastly…. do they need to have a partner or are they ok by themselves? Thank you for any advise you can give to me to make sure we are getting the right pet. Sorry one more, we have a 60 gallon aquarium is that enough for one or two if they need a friend?
Lee
Hedgehogs can swim but do not seem to be drawn to the activity. I saw a video of an African Hedgehog eating a cobra, but I wouldn’t recommend that either! 🙂
I’d recommend getting a “young” animal. I think it will be more likely to be gregarious and friendly if handled gently. The quills of hedgehogs are attached just like your hair, they cannot “shoot” them.
They may go outside, but be careful not to lose them. They would not survive long on their own.
The hedgehog needs a diet high in protein and low in fat. Fruit should not be a significant part of their diet. Most pet shops in the US carry CareFresh.
Lastly. Hedgie’s are solitary animals. You can keep more than one if the cage is large enough that they can get away from each other. When I had a pair, the male annoyed the female and I had to sepparate them.
This is the type of food that I’m feeding my hedgehog right now : http://www.bluebuffalo.com/cat-food/basics-grain-free-turkey and I was wondering if that’s considered ok. I just switched her to it because she was on this hedgehog diet that had…about the same numbers of fat/protein/fiber as that food listed but it had a meat by-product as the first ingredient and also fish meal as the 4th or 5th ingredient. I had heard that they aren’t supposed to have fish meal so I switched her diet. Also, the food was given to the previous owner when she purchased her in a city about 5 hours from me and you can’t buy it online. I’m just not quite sure what to feed her because every website is different and though I have an exotic vet for her vet, he doesn’t work with hedgehogs very often.
I had a couple of hedgie’s that lived to ripe old ages. The female gave birth to two litters (before I split them up) and died of old age (organ failure) at just under 7 years. She ate Purina Cat Chow her whole life.
A study that includes 2 animals is not conclusive, but I do not know of any formal study that has shown that fish protein is bad for your spiny friend. If I were going to choose a diet for a hedgehog today, I’d pick Mazuri Insectivore Diet
I feed my hedgies fresh Atlantic cod (cooked) as a treat once or twice a week. Seems to me they come running to the kitchen anytime I am cooking anything high protein… they can smell it from a mile away.. so that’s what they get. They are 4 and 2 years old and seem very healthy!!
My new African Pygmy hedgehog (a few weeks old)has very bad dandruff and I noticed small amounts of puss at the base of some of her quills or where quills used to be. They don’t fall out unless Im really looking through them… I use care fresh bedding and feed her a “spikes delight” dry food. She doesn’t scratch a lot. I am a veterinary tech student and did a tape sample of her skin and also did a fecal…nothing! What’s going on with her??? Can I treat this at home? Or what type of anti biotic can I give her? (I work in a hospital, but only domestic animals) thank you!
I just got my hedgehog few weeks ago. I changed her food recently and she’s been acting weird. she sleeps a lot and at random times she wont stop running. Some type of blue cloudy layer is starting up on her eyes. Today I came home and she was just sitting there for a while. I don’t know what is worng with her.
Doesn’t sound good Tanya. I think you need to find a veterinarian that sees exotics and have her seen.
The change in her eyes sounds like she may have ulcers forming. That could be from exposure to a corrosive chemical (cleaner?). Other changes may be from her not eating her new diet. At their size, hedgehogs can only go a day or two without eating.
I’m planning to got a African pygmy hedgehog, and my cage size is 60*40 cm. how big a under tank heater do i need?
It only needs to be a bit larger than an adult hedgehog. 6″ X 8″ (15 x 20 CM) is fine.
Dr. Jenkins,
My hedgehog has a sore on the corner of its mouth…It kinda looks lilke a cold sore…common or not????
Dana
Hedgehogs commonly have oral disease including some very common oral cancer.
Please have it seen by your vet as soon as possible.
Let us know what you find out.
I am sorry to say that when my daughter checked on him earlier this evening…He had died. Sad day…Thank you for getting back to us. It will help relieve some of her saddness to have some kind of answer.
My hedgehog recently had ear mites, i had her treated at a vet and was prescribed antibiotics to put in her water. The ear mites went away but as i got her out today to bath her i noticed a clear/grey film over one of her eyes, what could this be?
My guess is that she got something in her eye or scratched that eye. You need to get her back to your veterinarian to have that seen ASAP!
i would like to purchase a hedgehog, but my parents aren’t sure if they are good pets. Is there any way to change their mind?
I’d suggest showing your parents that you can be responsible and take care of all of your other chores. Then propose that you will show a similar level of responsibility in caring for a pet hedgehog.
As far as being a “good pet,” that depends on you (or their) definition of “good pet.”
Hedgehogs are easy to keep, they tend to be healthy (although, when old, they have a higher than expected potential for cancer). They need attention and kind handling if they are to be / stay friendly.
More importantly, they have a special (what we call “second kind”) of cool! You’ll be the only one on your block who has one!
What size cage do you recomend for one hedgehog?
I like using a large guinea pig cage (tub bottom and wire top) or a large glass aquarium. I recommend paper bedding (Care Fresh) and a under tank heater (reptile heater or section of Flex Watt) on one side of the cage.
I am having a VERY difficult time finding a veterinarian that can really tell what is going on with our hedgehog. One month ago I noticed a bump on the side of her mouth that was soft, pinkish and bleeding (not excessively). It has since turned black, is no longer bleeding and is fairly hard. I have one veterinarian that has offered to do surgery that will cost a minimum of $450.00 (can be more, depends on what they find once they get in there) and then the biopsy will be an additional $100.00. He did not seem overly knowledgeable on hedgehogs to me. She is now having a difficult time eating and has lost some weight in the past few days. She wants to stay curled up at all times. She did try to eat a mealworm tonight and it seems to be stuck in her mouth. I am thinking I should have her euthanized, but I don’t want to cut her life short if it is not necessary. She is almost 5 years old. I have searched the internet for pictures of what the mouth cancer typically looks like, but have come up with nothing. Every vet’s office I call either says they will not see a hedgehog or that they are experienced in hedgehogs – then I get there and find out they are not really experienced. I can’t keep going from one vet to the next and pay their $85 to $100 visit fees just to find out that I seem to know more than them! Please point me in the right direction – as in a website with pictures of hedgehog mouth cancer, or a website with knowledgeable hedgehog veterinarians. Thank you for your time.
Kathy
Oral cancer is a very common problem in hedgehogs. At 5 years of age, that is the most likely cause of the mass / swelling you are seeing. In many cases we can tell that a mass is bad by just looking at it but to know what it is for certain, we would want to biopsy it. Here the cost for an exam, brief anesthesia, punch biopsy and histopathology would be around $350-$400.
If you are in Southern California, we would be happy to help you out.
Hi,
I have a pair of hedgehogs (m/f) who are both on “Meow Mix Original Choice” cat food (terrible quality, I know), but are in the process of switching over gradually to Iams (Proactive Health, Original with Chicken – better quality than the last brand).. I am planning to breed them eventually (the female will be 5 months late February, so I’m waiting)… Just wondering if I should be feeding the female anything extra to prepare her for pregnancy, and if the babies (when they become weaned) can eat the mother’s food?
Thanks for your time!
Sorry for the slow reply. Again I’ve lost some questions in the workings of the web site.
Back 20 years ago I was given a pair of hedgehogs. At the time there was little known about their nutrition and no commercial diets available. Mine ate Science Diet Feline Maintenance exclusively. They produced 3 litters (before I put an end to that) and produced beautiful healthy “hoglets.”
Be sure to watch temperatures and (I’d recommend) provide a warm area for mom and the kids (but allow her to choose to use it).
Good luck! Dr. J
I have had my hedgehog (Fern, female) for about 2.5 years now. She has a wheel in her cage which she used to run on all of the time, but has stopped using it. She hasn’t used it for a while now. She is a healthy hog, and seems active when I take her out, but I wish she would run on her wheel so she could get more excercise. Why won’t she run? Also, what are some treats I can feed her? My last hedgehog loved waxworms, but Fern won’t have anything to do with them. She doesn’t seem to care for many fruits either. She also has bumpy, ruffly ears. My last hedgehog had that too, so is it common? I think Fern is fine, but I found your website and decided to ask a few questions, so thanks!
-Emily
there are many reason Fern won’t run. She may be painful. Does she limp or favor a foot or leg any other time she walks?
There may be something that has changed with your wheel or she may have grown too large for it. hedgehogs cannot arch their backs too far. If she has grown larger you may need a wheel with a larger diamter or a “flying saucer” type of wheel (my favorite) that are made for chinchillas. You can buy them here.
I am having a really hard time finding hedgehogs for sale in San Diego, Ca. Any suggestions?
That’s because they are not sold here. To own a hedgehog legally in California you need a permit from California Fish and Game (which is unobtainable by mortal humans). There are many hedgehogs here in California, however. Many come from Nevada or Arizona.
Hi, my hedgehog has recently within the past two days stopped eating. I noticed when she left her bowl full of food multiple times. I gave her a piece of food by hand and she was willing to eat it, but once it was in her mouth she tried to chew it but didn’t seem to be able to. She chewed it until it got wet, but she wasn’t breaking and crunching it like she usually does. She ended up spitting it out. I feed her purina cat chow (which is what she’s always had) and there have been no environmental changes that should cause stress. I tried looking in her mouth to see if anything was stuck in there that would not allow her to eat, but she is squirmy and it was hard to tell. I tried crushing the food and mixing it with warm water to soften it, but she didn’t seem to want to eat it. She is starting to feel lighter. What should I do? If this problem doesn’t go away is there a long term softer food I could feed her? Thanks for your help!
Ilaina
The most common cause of the signs you are seeing is “oral disease.” Dental and gum problems or oral cancer.
I’d recommend that you get him in and have a good oral exam done under anesthesia. We’re happy to take care of her if you are close.
With any luck, she has a cavity or a loose tooth.
Best of luck, Dr. J
Earlier today I found a piece of bedding stuck in her mouth which she had to cough up. I pulled it out, but she is still showing the same signs. This could mean there’s still something in there that I haven’t found, but if that’s not the case, would gum or oral diseases cause such a fast “decline”? She literally was completely fine one day, then not eating the next. I’m hoping it’s not disease… but if it is, is there anything I can do for her before I can get her to a vet? Thanks so much!
It could be that she is getting bedding stuck in her mouth due to mucous or saliva. Or it could be that there is something in the back of her throat, an abscess, infection or even a tumor, that makes her gad / wretch as if she has bedding stuck there.
Try rinsing her mouth with warm tap water from a syringe and see if it makes her feel any better. Then see if you can’t et a veterinarian to take a look at her. Good luck! Dr. J
Thanks! She coughed up another piece of bedding. Is there any reason she might want to eat bedding? It looks like there is food stuck to the roof of her mouth, which I don’t think was there earlier. If something is caught in her throat and making her unable to swallow (she can swallow water and breathe though) is it smart or possible to induce vomiting to get it out? Or some way to get her to cough it up?
Eating things that are not food is called “pica“. Pica may be associated with disease or demands on a person or animal. the cravings of pregnant women is a form of pica.
By now you should know if your pointy friend has a problem (infection, dental disease or tumor) in her mouth. If not she may have a problem another problem that has led to the pica. Hope all turns out well!
I was at my local exotic pet shop speaking with a sales person who knows me well and knows that I have 2 hedgehogs. She told me how she bought 5 hoglets and that they were all “special.” Many were missing eyes and limbs. The girl I picked out to take care of is missing both of her ears (there are holes but no outer part of the ears). I know the hoglets belonged to a big breeder and they were picked on but my only concern is how am I going to give her a bath. Suggestions would be very much appreciated!
I honestly don’t think you need to worry. She would get some water in her ears even if she had “pinna” (the outside part of her ears).
Good luck with your new friend!
I Have A two year old hedgie, She’s always been healthy, and she eats good (dry food, fruits, veggies, baby food, and meal worms). I noticed today, her right eye is grey. It’s not swollen and there isn’t any discharge. She seems to blink more with that eye. Any T
thoughts?
The most likely cause is a cataract. They typically are not painful, but she may blink trying to see better from that eye. Have your vet take a look. We have a veterinary ophthalmologist that is willing to do cataracts on small animals like hedgehogs, however the price is pretty steep. We would not recommend surgery on one unless both eyes are effected.
Okay so I’m curious about ways to keep my hedgie warm I have a heat pad BUT. I live off a generator so it can’t be on all the time. I also live in north Idaho. And in winter it gets rather cold anyone in north sand point Idaho will know. It’s almost summer now and I just got him. But I’m curious how can I keep his cage warmer than the house if the generator runs out of gas?
I’m thinking you could use a hot water bottle (or some other water container) heated prior to bed time. Another approach would be to use a stone, such as a soapstone bed warmer (here is one). You could heat it on a stove or near a fire (if you have one). Both of the above should be wrapped in a towel and placed at one end of the cage so your hedgie can choose to be close or move away.
Can I feed my hedgehog Purina 1 Urinary Tract Health Formula? Is has 31% Protien, 12.5% fat and 2% fiber. This is what I currently feed my cats.
I would think it would be fine. That said, I don’t know of any studies on the finer points of hedgehog nutrition. That diet, however is well thought out and I’d assume would be a good (cat food) choice.
I am a new hedgie owner and have a concern i hope you can help me with.
Hinkle is approximately two yrs old and the person i got her from had some
Type of stuff on the bottom of cage that resembled kitty litter. Before i got him
I did many hours of research on care. One concern i have on his head his skin
looks smooth and “clean” the further down his back his skin almost looks like
The litter has attached itself to his skin. I have given him multiple toothbrush baths
But it does not change his skin. Should his skin be smooth and soft all over? If not
How do you suggest i clean it? I know the person did not take great care of Hinkle
Because his nails were way too long, i have been trimming them regularly.
And it maybe normal that his skin should be that way and i dont want to give
Baths unnecessarily. I do not have an exotic vet nearby but i am trying to
Locate one but until i do, i noticed him scratching around his ears, is there
Something i can do or some home remedy i can give him if he has mites
Until i can get to vet? You are a lifesaver in advance.
Best regards Melissa and Hinkle
Melissa and Hinkle
The changes you are seeing may be from “adornment,” the behavior of coating spines and skin with saliva. If so it shuld wash off with a warm bath and mild soap (I like Johnsons Baby Wash), or it may be from mites. Mites are common in hedgehogs and thought by some to be incurable (although we have done very well treating them with Revolution).
Your vet should be able to look at a few spines under the microscope and make a diagnosis.
Let us know what you find.
Help please, my hedgehog not eating anything!
Max
Hedgie’s can’t go long with out eating!
If it has been cold, you can try warming him up (they do poorly in cool to cold temperatures). You can syringe feed him a soft or liquid diet if he will let you. We use Hill’s A/D (you can get it from a dog/cat veterinarian) or one of the liquid diets for people (Glucerna 1.2 is the one we use). If you don’t get a quick response, he needs to see a veterinarian.
I have a male African Pygmy hedgehog, and currently he is 1. He almost sufferd from hybernation last year, but luckly we saved him. But my consern about him now is that he hasn’t been eating. And when he does, the food comes out of his mouth chewed up. My hedgie eats when he is nervous, and last night their was a thunder storm so gladly he ate some. Please help me if you have experienced this or know much about it. Also. Don’t have a vet, so if anyone knows a good hedgehog vet in Wisconsin, please include that.
Hedgehogs are predisposed t mouth and teeth problems. Your 1 year old hedgie is likely too young to be having oral cancer problems but you do need to get him to a vet so they can do a good oral exam (typically under light sedation / anesthesia. Most likely he has a tooth that is bothering him.
To find a vet, call around to pet shops and veterinarians in your area and ask “who is the best exotic animal veterinarian in the area.” You should get a consensus of opinion. If there is not anyone who sees lots of exotics, find a veterinarian that you can communicate with and have them call our hospital for a consultation on the case and we will help them along.
Good luck! Dr. J
I’m having trouble with my hedgehog, I barely got her and she doesn’t want to eat anything I give her. I tried apple, oranges, carrots and even cat food , and she doesn’t eat it. What can I do so she can eat?
I’m pretty sure she was hungry, causing her to get out of her cage at 3 am. Help. Please
Nadine
Just to get her started, try Kin (Super) worms.
Then talk with the people who you got her from and find out what they were feeding and try that.
When changing her diet add now foods mixed with the old food and gradually make the change.
Good luck!
Hi, My name Ashley Guerra and I have a hedgehog. He is not over a 1 year old. Maybe over a year because when I got him it was after his quilling stage for sure. Well lately he hasn’t eaten much in the past 2 days. He still gets up during the night and is on the wheel running. He still put up his defense aka his quills up. He ate a couple of meal worm yesterday. Still balls up as well.. Is there anything I can do????
Ashley, Sorry, your posting was lost in the system. I hope your hedgie did well.
If he is still not better, please get him to a veterinarian. Cheers!
I bought my hedgehog 5 days ago. I put her in a Guinea tub style cage. Will a under the tank heater melt the plastic bottom? What size should I get? Also, the lady I bought her from did not give me much info on caring for her. She has only gave her cat food since birth and I would like to give her other things. She had pine shavings for her cage and told me to use that. Since reading this, it says not to use that. If I change her cage out completely now, will that cause her stress as she seems to be comfortable in her cage. She had green poop the first couple of days, but has gone back to normal. Any advice would be great! Thank you!
A reptile under tank heater usually does well to supply heat to your hedgie. We recommend that they cover 1/4-1/3 of the bottom of the cage bottom. We’d like the temperature in the bedding where the heater is to be ~80*-85*F. You can use a lamp dimmer switch to adjust the temperature if needed.
As you said, we are not big fans of wood bedding. We’d recommend that you switch to a paper product. Our favorite is CareFresh.
Hi Dr Jenkins
Our hedge Dipper has a cough. He sounds like a little duck quacking. It is pretty constant. When we hold him it goes away pretty much. But it has gotten worse throughout the day. The house was pretty cold about 57 F the last couple of nights. I did put a little heater by the cage tonight. Will that help? He is 3 and has really been healthy until today.
Sorry for the slow reply, many of these questions were lost.
We worry a lot about disease and cancer in the oral cavities of hedgehogs. Please have Dipper seen if you have not done so already.
I was wondering do you brush their teeth to prevent oral cancer? Can you feed them cat food with like powdered calcium because I read on another site that they need calcium and cat food doesn’t have any? Thank you as I am interested in buying one.What is the average price?
It would be great if you could brush your hedgehog’s teeth. If you can train them to let you please send us a video!
Cheers!
Hi, my 3 yr old Pygmy is at the vets with pneumonia. What caused it?
There are many factors that may have led to your little guy getting sick. The most common factors are temperature and husbandry. Hedgehogs don’t do well at low environmental temperatures. Low temperatures are stressful and may lead to a poor immune system response. For the same reason, we are more likely to get colds or the flu in the winter than in the summer. Hedgehogs are not always the cleanest of animals. Sometimes they have a tough time keeping themselves clean. Cage husbandry is very important and if not kept clean can lead to infections as well. Bedding should be scooped daily and changed weekly. Clean running wheels / saucers daily and wash food bowls and water bottles daily.
Can I use a heat lamp?
I would not recommend a heat lamp, perhaps a radiant heat panel or “ceramic heater,” but I think a heating pad would be a better choice.
Heat lights, even if they are red, produce light that may upset the day-night cycle of your hedgie. I also believe that the heat light is the most dangerous with potential to start fires. Ceramic heaters (sometimes called ceramic heat lights) do not make any light but are still more likely to start a fire. Radiant heat panels are safer but expensive.
The better reptile under tank heaters are inexpensive (relatively speaking) and their temperature can be easily regulated with a lamp dimmer switch. They provide adequate warmth but are less likely to start bedding on fire.
Would an under tank heating pad be safe to use in a plastic smooth bottom “guinea pig” cage or would I run the risk of melting the plastic?
Crystal
That is exactly what we use. Different pads will heat to different temperatures. It’s best to get a dimmer switch (find one on the light switch isle at your favorite hardware store) to adjust the temperature. The surface of the inside of the cage (the heating pad goes on the outside/bottom of the cage) should be between 90*F-95*F. Also, you should but a mat or towel under the cage so the heater does not damage the surface of the fur nature it is sitting on.
What is the temperature the hedgehog should be at all times?
Room temperature (68*-72*F) with an area heated by an under cage reptile heater.
Hi, I have an 8 week old hedgehog female named Lily. She is my first hedgie and I constantly worry that I’m going to do something wrong. Is there any way to prevent her from getting sick? Also is there a way vets can prevent mites? I read that they need to go at least once for mites.
Lily is also getting bigger and I need to exercise her more. I need to get her a bigger wheel and I let her run around in hamster ball. I’ve heard about letting the hedgie swim. Is there any other ways you prefer for exercising them?
Best way to keep you hedgie healthy is to feed a good diet (I like Hills Science Diet Feline Mainenance), keep them warm (get a under cage heating pad, I like the reptile heating pads made by Fleuker), and get her a chinchilla metal flying saucer.
I just got a hedghog about 3 days ago.
Keeping the temperature over 23 degree celsius he isn’t eating much and isn’t pooping much, is that normal for hedgies that are new?
A new home can be very stressful to a young hedgie. If you are having problems contact the breeder or a knowledgeable owner, or find a qualified veterinarian to help you. If you are close to San Diego we are happy to help.
My male hedgehog whose a little over 4 years old randomly stopped eating and going on his wheel about 2 weeks ago. The first week was hard, he had an ulcer in the back of his tongue after bringing him to the vet which explained why he stopped eating. I started to drown his food in water making it easy for him to eat and by the beginning of the 2nd week, he began to eat on his own but still does not go on his wheel. I’m waiting for blood test results to get back but I’m concerned now because he’s walking with a limp, i noticed a toenail is missing from his foot. His X-RAY showed no fractures or such. I’m worried this might be cancer but the vets I go to I feel aren’t as experienced with exotic animals. I have a heat lamp for him to regulate the temperature so he is nice and warm. I notice that he splats a lot right after eating and jus lays there since he’s bored and can’t go on his wheel. I recently lost a female hedgie 2 weeks ago from a cancerous tumor. I hope I don’t have to go through that again. Please provide me with any guidance if you can.
I’m worried that he may have cancer as well. You need to have him thoroughly worked up to fond the answer as soon as possible!
Hi there, i was just given a hedgehog (they believe she is 3) and she is bleeding from her ‘girl part’. Its not when she pees. Its not a massive amount but still concerning. Also she makes a hissing sound when she is scared….normal? And she has quite dry skin? There isnt a vet around that handles hedgehogs. I hope u have a suggestion. Thank u!
Your spikey friend may have a bladder infection but problems of the female reproductive system are more common. Please have her checked as soon as possible!
My year old hedgehog Stella used to be an incrediblly active little girl and would run on her wheel non stop at any time of day or night. However recently she has become unbelievably lazy and a new developing grumpy attitude problem. Im wondering how I can encourage her to start running again as it’s starting to affect her weight. She is currently on a smaller serving diet and less treats but im worried about her stimulation.
Crystal
It may be that she is cold (I see you asked about a heating pad as well). I’d recommend that you try that (adding a heat pad) and see how she does. If she does not become more active it would be best to have her seen by an exotic animal veterinarian.
I just got my 1 year old hedgie 5 days ago and I handle her a lot, I am just wondering if there is such thing as handling her too much and stressing her out. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Crystal
Put her back in her cage if she gets grumpy. You want her time with you to end at a high (fun) point.
Could I make a little run like what rabbits use? I’d like my rabbit to be able to run around outside and not lose it?
Sure. Just make sure that your thorny friend has some shade so it doesn’t get over heated and the run is secure so that neighbor dogs or wild animals cannot get to your little hedgie.
Hello,
I went out of town for a month and now that I’ve come back, my 4-year-old hedgehog seems very underweight. I thought maybe it was because her caretaker wasn’t keeping the cage clean, but after I cleaned everything up and offered her fresh food, she seemed to have trouble swallowing. I thought it might be a tooth problem because I couldn’t hear the crunchy sounds I used to hear when she eats. It sounds like she picks up some kibble and munches on it for a bit, and then it falls out of her mouth. I can’t tell yet if she’s swallowing anything. I checked and her teeth look okay, other than one that fell out quite a while back. I can’t get to a vet for probably another 3 days, what should I do?
Monica
There is a high incidence of oral cancer in hedgehogs. For that reason you need to have her seen as soon as your regular veterinarian can see her. In the mean while. We recommend a liquid (people) diet, Glucerna 1.2 as a supplement and syringe feeding formula for hedgehogs. She will have soft stools while she is eating it, but nutritionally it is a good diet. You can find it on Amazon.com, from the pharmacist, and, if all else fails, they will have it at the out patient pharmacy at human hospitals.
Best of luck!
I’m thinking of getting a hedgehog but can’t find any for sale on NY do you think you can help
Sorry, don’t know any hedgie breeders in New York.
Hello, I just got an 18 month old bearded dragon and I also have a year old hedgehog. I do not plan on letting them around each other but I was wondering if they could get each other sick? Can the hedgehog get sick from the bearded dragon and can the bearded dragon get sick from the hedgehog? Thank you.
Any animal COULD carry bacteria that COULD spread to another animal. In your case, that would be uncommon and very unlikely if you do a good job of keeping both animals’s enclosures, food and water clean and hygienic.
Hi I have a young male hedgehog that is around 2 years old. He has bloody soft stools and a decreased appetite. He has had a course of antibiotics and wormer and has not improved. I am keeping his fluids up. Could you suggest other causes could it be a tumor or IBS?
Thanks
Kirsty. It’s important to get a diagnosis on your hedgie! Yes it could be a tumor (not common in young animals but certainly on the list) but there are lots of other (more fixable) possibilities. Don’t wait till it’s too late to help him!
Hello I am thinking of getting one or two hedgehogs, but my concern is that one hedgehog would get depressed if I were to go on a trip or vacation. Also if I were to get two what size cage would I need.
Aniya
Hedge hogs are not particularly social beasts. I had a pair for a few years but the male constantly annoyed the female, and when their babies grew up they really didn’t get along. I ended up keeping my female alone for the next 5 years and she lived happily to 7 years of age without company! Just my experience.
If you do get more than one, your cage should be large enough that they can “get out of each other’s way” and have separate but equal heating pads and food/water.
Hi, how much would it be for a routine exam for my hedgie?
Your initial physical exam and consultation is $68.
Call the office to make an appointment.
Hope to meet you soon.
I bought a hedgehog about two weeks ago and he is a baby. He is probably about a month old and is eating cat food. But a day or so after I got him, he became really wobbly as he was walking. But as time progressed, his walking got worse. Now, he’s at the point where he can’t walk at all,he just falls to his side and sticks all four legs out. One of his hind legs would shake periodically. When I hold him up straight, he tries to walk. ( he’s actually adventurous) but it seems as though he just can’t balance out. He always falls to his left side. I tried giving him kiwi and strawberry because I heard those help with vitamins and such but I’m simply afraid he’s going to die. He still has a huge appetite but he has NOT ran on his wheel and now, unless I move him myself or assist him, he will barely move at all. What is this ? Is it wobbly hedgehog syndrome ? What antibiotics do they usually perscribe ? What should I do in the meantime that I go to the vet?
Tatiana, you need to get your prickly friend to a veterinarian, today! If he’s a little guy, my guess is that he just is not eating enough (starving) but there are lots of other possibilities. If you are in San Diego, we will get him in today! Call now! If you are somewhere else start calling around. If you cannot get him somewhere right away, give him some Glucerna (get it from the pharmacist at your local pharmacy), Glucerna shake or Atkins shake with a dropper or syringe to get some fluid and calories in to him till you get him medical help.
Good luck!
My hedgehog is 18 weeks old & has been living in a cage with her sister since birth. I got her last week but did not get her sister. We bonded very quickly & she knows my scent & is very friendly & normal when it comes to me playing with her. However, she is not eating or drinking much. She does poop a lot when walking on my hands or in her ball. (Which I’ve done a lot of research on hedgies before buying one so i know this is normal) She hasn’t shown any real interest in food…& I bought the same hedgehog food the pet store was feeding her. Today I made scrambled eggs & she seemed interested & licked/nibbled on them for about 10 seconds & then went for her water & drank for about a minute or two. My question is….is she grieving from losing her sister so that’s why she’s not eating? Or is she eating just in small amounts that I can’t really tell since she is pooping quite a bit when exercising? Also if she doesn’t increase her food intake what do I do & how much longer should I wait? I got her Tuesday& today is Saturday. Today I am buying live mealworms to see if she likes those as well. Thank you!!
If she is pooping regularly, she is likely eating small meals. It is natural for hedgehogs to live on their own. There may be a period of adjustment leaving her sister and going to a new home may cause some stress but it should be short lived.