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Hedgehogs are relatively low maintenance pets, but they still require care and a proper diet to stay healthy. Just as important, they need some exercise and interaction with their owners.
Feeding a hedgehog:
Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores which means that insects make up the largest part of their natural diet, but if given the chance they will eat carrion, eggs, fruit, and just about anything else they come across.
Their diets should contain 22% protein, 5% fat and 15%fiber. Never feed them raw meat or eggs. Hedgehogs are mildly lactose intolerant, so dairy products should be given sparingly, or not at all.
A good quality dry cat food is commonly chosen by owners. There are some commercial hedgehog food products, but they are not readily available in pet stores. The hedgehog’s diet can be supplemented with lean cooked chicken, fruit and vegetables. You can also include cooked fish like salmon or tuna, but don’t use canned fish because it has too much salt for hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs love mealworms, but they should not be given any more than one or two a day. Crickets, small amounts of hardboiled egg and baby foods can be given as occasional treats.
Be careful that you don't over-feed these extras treats, or you will end up with an obese hedgehog and health problems. Fresh water must always be available.
Proper care of a hedgehog:
Since your hedgehog is in limited space for most of the time and you can’t take him out for long walks, an exercise wheel provides a great way to help prevent obesity. It should be an open sided, solid surface wheel greater than 10 inches, at a minimum.
Hedgehogs need to be warm, generally above 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes a heating pad on its lowest setting can be used, but it should be under only part of the enclosure so your pet can get away from the heat if it gets too warm.
If the hedgehogs cage is kept clean they have very little odour. Some commercial foods tend to cause these little guys to have a stronger scent.
The recommended way to pick up a hedgehog is to place one hand at each side and then bring them gently together to cup him. Never grasp a hedgehog in a way that could allow any of your fingers to be caught in the middle should he decide to roll into a ball. Having your fingers stuck in the middle of a hedgehog ball is an extremely painful experience.
Housing and bedding:
Hedgehogs are quite adept at escaping their quarters. They can squeeze through any opening just a fraction bigger than their skull, and they will. Whatever cage or enclosure you choose, make sure it has openings too small for your pet to get through, or to get stuck in. Always avoid wire floors and be cautious about the spacing of wire sided cages - the narrower the better.
An enclosure should be no smaller than 2 feet x 3 feet and the bigger, the better. Aquariums, plastic commercial cages and even modified plastic storage bins can be used. Clear plastic bins can be modified to allow adequate ventilation by putting a row of holes around the top of the bin and in the lid.
Give your hedgehog someplace to hide, a secure place for him to go when he wants to get away from it all and have a nap. The den can be made from any cardboard box with a door cut in one end. A large piece of plumbing tube works well.
Bedding can be made with aspen shavings or even pine. Never use cedar. The aromatic oils in cedar have been known to cause respiratory distress and may be fatal to your pet. Some people use indoor outdoor carpeting (such as Astroturf) to line the cage, but you must use a heat source to seal the edges so threads don’t come loose. There are also recycled newspaper products normally available from your pet store.
A small shallow pan with dust free cat litter can be used for a litter box and may become the hedgehog’s primary bathroom area. Do not use clumping litter as it can stick to your hedgehog when he/she uses the litter box, forming almost a layer of cement that can quickly prevent urination.
Medical issues:
Hedgehogs have special health care needs, but they can be relatively easy to handle. The common hedgehog ailments such as obesity, quill loss, tattered ears, and foot injuries can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and routine care.
A common problem with pet hedgehogs is an infestation of mites. Mites are spread mainly by contact with another infested animal, or contaminated bedding. Wood shavings are a frequent culprit, which is another reason why an alternate form of bedding should be used. The only treatments to get rid of mites are those available from your veterinarian.
Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a genetic disorder that causes progressive paralysis similar to humans MS (multiple sclerosis). Hedgehogs slowly become paralyzed and there is no known cure.
Eyes can be lost to quill pokes if more than one hedgehog is kept together.
Tooth loss and wear is common in older hedgehogs. There can be weight loss in extreme cases of tooth decay. Some people say that an all-hard food diet can cause premature tooth wear, so a mixed diet may help with this problem.
Hedgehogs actually share many diseases that humans have. These include cancer, fatty liver disease and diseases of the heart and arteries. The fatty liver disease and cardiovascular problems are believed to be caused by bad diet, just as they are in humans. The hedgehog will greedily eat foods that are high in fat and sugar, but their metabolism is adapted for low-fat, protein-rich insects and this can lead to problems of obesity.
Should you see your pet hedgehog acting, or eating, differently than usual, then a visit to your veterinarian is suggested. Some common sense in feeding and caring for your new pet will mean many years of playful enjoyment.
Feeding a hedgehog:
Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores which means that insects make up the largest part of their natural diet, but if given the chance they will eat carrion, eggs, fruit, and just about anything else they come across.
Their diets should contain 22% protein, 5% fat and 15%fiber. Never feed them raw meat or eggs. Hedgehogs are mildly lactose intolerant, so dairy products should be given sparingly, or not at all.
A good quality dry cat food is commonly chosen by owners. There are some commercial hedgehog food products, but they are not readily available in pet stores. The hedgehog’s diet can be supplemented with lean cooked chicken, fruit and vegetables. You can also include cooked fish like salmon or tuna, but don’t use canned fish because it has too much salt for hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs love mealworms, but they should not be given any more than one or two a day. Crickets, small amounts of hardboiled egg and baby foods can be given as occasional treats.
Be careful that you don't over-feed these extras treats, or you will end up with an obese hedgehog and health problems. Fresh water must always be available.
Proper care of a hedgehog:
Since your hedgehog is in limited space for most of the time and you can’t take him out for long walks, an exercise wheel provides a great way to help prevent obesity. It should be an open sided, solid surface wheel greater than 10 inches, at a minimum.
Hedgehogs need to be warm, generally above 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes a heating pad on its lowest setting can be used, but it should be under only part of the enclosure so your pet can get away from the heat if it gets too warm.
If the hedgehogs cage is kept clean they have very little odour. Some commercial foods tend to cause these little guys to have a stronger scent.
The recommended way to pick up a hedgehog is to place one hand at each side and then bring them gently together to cup him. Never grasp a hedgehog in a way that could allow any of your fingers to be caught in the middle should he decide to roll into a ball. Having your fingers stuck in the middle of a hedgehog ball is an extremely painful experience.
Housing and bedding:
Hedgehogs are quite adept at escaping their quarters. They can squeeze through any opening just a fraction bigger than their skull, and they will. Whatever cage or enclosure you choose, make sure it has openings too small for your pet to get through, or to get stuck in. Always avoid wire floors and be cautious about the spacing of wire sided cages - the narrower the better.
An enclosure should be no smaller than 2 feet x 3 feet and the bigger, the better. Aquariums, plastic commercial cages and even modified plastic storage bins can be used. Clear plastic bins can be modified to allow adequate ventilation by putting a row of holes around the top of the bin and in the lid.
Give your hedgehog someplace to hide, a secure place for him to go when he wants to get away from it all and have a nap. The den can be made from any cardboard box with a door cut in one end. A large piece of plumbing tube works well.
Bedding can be made with aspen shavings or even pine. Never use cedar. The aromatic oils in cedar have been known to cause respiratory distress and may be fatal to your pet. Some people use indoor outdoor carpeting (such as Astroturf) to line the cage, but you must use a heat source to seal the edges so threads don’t come loose. There are also recycled newspaper products normally available from your pet store.
A small shallow pan with dust free cat litter can be used for a litter box and may become the hedgehog’s primary bathroom area. Do not use clumping litter as it can stick to your hedgehog when he/she uses the litter box, forming almost a layer of cement that can quickly prevent urination.
Medical issues:
Hedgehogs have special health care needs, but they can be relatively easy to handle. The common hedgehog ailments such as obesity, quill loss, tattered ears, and foot injuries can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and routine care.
A common problem with pet hedgehogs is an infestation of mites. Mites are spread mainly by contact with another infested animal, or contaminated bedding. Wood shavings are a frequent culprit, which is another reason why an alternate form of bedding should be used. The only treatments to get rid of mites are those available from your veterinarian.
Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a genetic disorder that causes progressive paralysis similar to humans MS (multiple sclerosis). Hedgehogs slowly become paralyzed and there is no known cure.
Eyes can be lost to quill pokes if more than one hedgehog is kept together.
Tooth loss and wear is common in older hedgehogs. There can be weight loss in extreme cases of tooth decay. Some people say that an all-hard food diet can cause premature tooth wear, so a mixed diet may help with this problem.
Hedgehogs actually share many diseases that humans have. These include cancer, fatty liver disease and diseases of the heart and arteries. The fatty liver disease and cardiovascular problems are believed to be caused by bad diet, just as they are in humans. The hedgehog will greedily eat foods that are high in fat and sugar, but their metabolism is adapted for low-fat, protein-rich insects and this can lead to problems of obesity.
Should you see your pet hedgehog acting, or eating, differently than usual, then a visit to your veterinarian is suggested. Some common sense in feeding and caring for your new pet will mean many years of playful enjoyment.
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