Hedgehogs: Owning and Caring for Your Spiky Pet
Complete guide to owning hedgehogs: housing, diet, health, and socialization tips.
Hedgehogs have become increasingly popular as exotic pets, and their charming personalities make them wonderful companions for the right household. The African pygmy hedgehog is the most commonly kept species due to its small size and adaptability to captive environments. However, before bringing one of these spiky friends home, it’s essential to understand their specific care requirements and whether they align with your lifestyle and living situation. This comprehensive guide will help you determine if a hedgehog is the right pet for you and provide detailed information on how to care for one successfully.
Is a Hedgehog the Right Pet for You?
While hedgehogs are smaller than cats or dogs, they still require significant commitment, exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular veterinary care. These requirements should not be underestimated simply because of their diminutive size. Potential owners must conduct thorough research before making a purchase to ensure that a hedgehog’s personality and requirements align with their lifestyle.
It’s important to note that hedgehogs may harbor salmonella bacteria similar to reptiles and other domesticated animals. For this reason, hedgehogs are not advisable as pets for households with children under the age of 5, elderly individuals, or those with compromised immune systems. Always practice proper hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching, feeding, or caring for a hedgehog or cleaning its enclosure.
Additionally, hedgehogs are not ideal for young children due to their quills and specific care requirements. While they are generally docile animals, they can become defensive if handled roughly or startled. These creatures require patient, gentle handling and consistent socialization to become comfortable with human contact.
When to Adopt a Pet Hedgehog
Baby hedgehogs, known as hoglets, require special care when they are born. These tiny and vulnerable newborns need a warm, safe, and quiet environment during their early weeks. You can typically adopt hedgehogs from reputable breeders or pet stores once they have been weaned and have reached an appropriate age, usually around 6 to 8 weeks old. Adopting at this age ensures that the hedgehog has received proper maternal care during its critical early development and is ready for transition to a new home.
It is crucial to ensure that an exotic animal veterinarian is available in your area who is capable of caring for hedgehogs. Having access to qualified veterinary care before you bring your hedgehog home is a non-negotiable prerequisite for responsible ownership.
Housing and Space Requirements
One of the most important aspects of hedgehog care is providing an appropriate living environment. Hedgehogs in the wild cover extensive distances nightly as they search for food, and this natural instinct necessitates larger enclosures than many people anticipate.
Enclosure Size and Specifications
To ensure the happiness and well-being of your pet hedgehog, you must furnish an enclosure measuring at least 24″ x 24″, although larger sizes are strongly advisable. Some veterinary experts recommend even more spacious accommodations, such as 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. The larger the enclosure you can provide, the better, as it allows your hedgehog ample room for nightly exploration and natural foraging behaviors.
The ideal hedgehog habitat should have wire sides with spacing no more than 1 inch apart to prevent escape, a flat bottom (preferably plastic) to prevent pressure sores on their feet, and a secure lid because hedgehogs like to climb. Wire sides provide adequate ventilation, which is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.
It’s essential to offer your hedgehog the largest enclosure your available space allows. A 20-gallon or larger aquarium, sweater box, or similar smooth-walled enclosure is also suitable. Keep in mind that hedgehogs are active nocturnal animals, and keeping them in your bedroom is not advisable as they can be surprisingly noisy during nighttime hours.
Essential Cage Components
A properly equipped hedgehog enclosure should include the following essential elements:
- Exercise Wheel: An exercise wheel is an absolute must-have in any hedgehog enclosure. A flat exercise wheel is ideal, as it allows your hedgehog to run and exercise naturally, mimicking their wild foraging behavior. The wheel helps maintain their physical health and mental stimulation.
- Litter Box: Hedgehogs can be litter box trained. Ensure the box has an opening low enough for them to climb in easily, and place it in the corner of the cage. Use paper-based litter inside the box, as clay or clumping litter can be ingested and cause serious medical issues.
- Sleeping Box: Provide a comfortable sleeping area where your hedgehog can rest and feel secure. Fleece sleep sacks, hide boxes, or small enclosed spaces work well for this purpose.
- Feeding Area: Designate a specific feeding area with heavy food and water bowls to prevent spillage and contamination.
- Enrichment Items: Supply your pet with a variety of tunnels and toys such as stuffed animals, small balls, PVC tubing, and cardboard boxes to prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviors.
Bedding Requirements
Proper bedding is crucial for your hedgehog’s comfort and health. Provide at least 3–4 inches deep of high-quality paper bedding or crumbled paper. Hedgehogs enjoy burrowing, so the more bedding you provide, the better they will be. Recycled paper bedding and soft towels or blankets are often used inside the enclosure. However, it’s critical to remove any strings from towels or blankets, as these pieces could wrap around a hedgehog’s legs or feet and cause injury.
Avoid clay or clumping litter and wood shavings, as these materials can be ingested by the hedgehog and cause serious medical issues or respiratory problems. Cedar and pine shavings are particularly harmful and should never be used.
Nutrition and Feeding
A hedgehog’s diet is fundamental to its health and longevity. Providing proper nutrition ensures your pet maintains a healthy weight, has shiny quills, and enjoys optimal organ function.
Commercially available dry hedgehog or cat food forms the basis of a healthy hedgehog diet. High-quality, low-fat cat food can be supplemented with appropriate vegetables and occasional protein sources. It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian about the specific nutritional needs of your hedgehog and to receive recommendations on appropriate food brands and quantities.
Feed your hedgehog during evening hours, as they are nocturnal creatures and are most active and hungry at night. Provide appropriate portion sizes to prevent obesity, which is a common health issue in captive hedgehogs. Fresh water should be available at all times, either through a water bottle or a heavy bowl. Some hedgehogs prefer to drink from a water bottle, while others prefer a bowl, so offering both options allows your pet to choose their preference.
Handling and Socialization
Proper handling techniques are essential for both the safety of your hedgehog and your own comfort. Hedgehogs have prickly quills along their back to protect them from predators. They are shy animals and will roll up into a tight ball and hide their face if they are frightened.
Always approach a hedgehog slowly and handle them with a small towel to protect your hands from their quills. It’s important to include daily socializing time outside of the cage to help them become accustomed to you and comfortable with being handled. This consistent interaction during their active evening hours helps build trust and reduces their defensive responses.
Never kiss or snuggle hedgehogs directly on your face, as this can spread salmonella germs to your mouth and face. Don’t allow hedgehogs to roam freely in areas where food is prepared or stored, such as kitchens or dining tables, to prevent contamination.
Exercise and Activity
In their native habitat, hedgehogs travel long distances during their nightly foraging activities. Because of this natural behavior, regular exercise is crucial for maintaining the health and happiness of pet hedgehogs. Exercise helps prevent obesity and promotes cardiovascular health.
A flat exercise wheel provides an excellent way for your hedgehog to exercise and burn off excess energy. In addition to wheel running, provide supervised roaming sessions outside of their enclosure in a safe, enclosed space. This allows your hedgehog to explore, forage, and engage in natural behaviors under your watchful supervision.
Grooming and Hygiene
Regular grooming helps maintain your hedgehog’s health and cleanliness. Bathe your hedgehog to remove any fecal material using a hedgehog-safe shampoo that’s fragrance-free. Warm water and gentle handling during bathing can make the experience less stressful for your pet.
Provide routine dental exams and nail trims during your regular veterinary visits. These preventative care measures help identify and address potential health issues before they become serious.
Cage Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintaining a clean environment is essential for preventing illness and parasitic infections in your hedgehog. Implement a regular cleaning schedule as follows:
- Daily Spot Cleaning: Remove feces, wet or soiled bedding, and leftover food daily to prevent bacterial growth and maintain a healthy environment.
- Weekly Thorough Cleaning: Empty the cage completely and clean it at least once a week with soap and water. Replace all bedding weekly with fresh material.
- Food and Water Bowl Cleaning: Clean food and water bowls daily with soap and water to prevent contamination and bacterial growth.
Health Care and Veterinary Visits
Regular veterinary care is essential for maintaining your hedgehog’s health and catching potential problems early. Establish a relationship with an exotic animal veterinarian in your area who has experience caring for hedgehogs.
Preventative care should include:
- Complete physical exam every 6–12 months
- Yearly fecal exam to check for parasites
- Annual blood work to monitor organ function
- Routine dental exams and nail trims
Common health issues in pet hedgehogs include obesity, dental disease, and parasitic infections. By maintaining proper nutrition, regular exercise, and consistent veterinary care, you can minimize the risk of these health problems and ensure your hedgehog enjoys a long, healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I keep a hedgehog in my bedroom?
A: No, hedgehogs are active nocturnal creatures and can be surprisingly noisy at night. Keeping them in your bedroom will likely disrupt your sleep due to their nighttime activity and wheel running sounds.
Q: Are hedgehogs suitable for households with young children?
A: Hedgehogs are not ideal for households with children under 5 due to salmonella risk and their need for gentle, careful handling. They also have quills that can prick if handled roughly.
Q: What should I do if my hedgehog rolls into a ball?
A: This is a defensive response indicating fear or stress. Remain calm, speak softly, and wait for your hedgehog to relax. Never force them to unfurl, as this can cause injury.
Q: How often should I bathe my hedgehog?
A: Bathe your hedgehog as needed when fecal material is present on their quills or fur. Most hedgehogs only require occasional baths with fragrance-free, hedgehog-safe shampoo.
Q: What types of toys are appropriate for hedgehogs?
A: Safe toys include stuffed animals (without loose strings), small balls, PVC tubing, and cardboard boxes. Ensure all toys are free of small parts that could be ingested.
Q: Can hedgehogs live together in the same enclosure?
A: Hedgehogs are generally solitary animals and should be housed individually. They can become aggressive toward other hedgehogs, especially adults.
Conclusion
Owning a hedgehog is a rewarding experience that requires dedication, knowledge, and commitment to their specific care needs. These charming spiky companions can live 5–7 years in captivity and bring joy to households that can provide appropriate housing, nutrition, socialization, and veterinary care. Before bringing a hedgehog home, ensure you have access to exotic animal veterinary care, adequate space for a proper enclosure, and the financial resources to support their ongoing care. With proper preparation and commitment to their wellbeing, your hedgehog can become a beloved member of your family.
References
- Hedgehog Care Sheet: Habitat, Food, and Care — PetMD. 2024. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/hedgehog-care-sheet
- Guide to Hedgehog Care: Everything You Should Know — Hohenwald Veterinary Clinic. 2024-01-15. https://www.hohenwaldvet.com/site/blog/2024/01/15/hedgehog-care
- Your Basic Hedgehog Care Guide — Huntersville Carolina Veterinary Hospital. 2024-05-30. https://www.huntersville.carolinavet.com/site/huntersville-veterinary-blog/2024/05/30/hedgehog-care
- 9 Things You Need to Know Before Having Hedgehog As a Pet — Sango Veterinary Hospital. 2023-03-15. https://www.sangoveterinaryhospital.net/site/blog/2023/03/15/pet-hedgehog
- Owning and Caring For Hedgehogs — Caring Animal Hospital. https://www.caringanimalhospital.net/storage/app/media/ArchivedDocs/hedgehog-handout-pdf.pdf
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
