Basic Hedgehog Care
Cage
Sterile tub with screen top and additional tub
Your new hedgehog will need a home of his own. There are many possible housing options on the market. Here are a few things to remember when purchasing a cage for your hedgehog.
The following is a list of the different types of habitats commonly used for hegehogs:
The above mentioned cages are just a few of the housing possibilities. Some people have built their own, or modified other critter cages to fit their hedgehogs needs. If you would like to do a little more research or build your own, here are a couple great sites: Cavy Cages,and Hedgehog Central Housing.
- *The larger the space the better: Hedgehogs are very active animals that cover miles each night in search of food in the wild.
- *Choose a cage with horizontal space not vertical space: Hedgehogs are ground dwelling creatures. They can easily fall from upper levels, and they will often climb vertical bars only to fall back into the cage.
- *Ease of cleaning: Cage cleaning is already a chore without the cage making it more difficult.
The following is a list of the different types of habitats commonly used for hegehogs:
- Guinea Pig Cages: Many hedgehog owners use guinea pig cages. Just be sure the cage is only one story, with short sides and a top. Hedgehogs may still climb the sides, but they are usually short enough that they are not injured by the fall.
- Aquarium: Another option is an aquarium. Aquariums offer a great view of your hedgie, but they are heavy and difficult to clean. They are designed for fish, not small mammals.
- Sterilite Tub: The third option, and my personal favorite, is the clear sided plastic storage tub. These tubs come in many different sizes, are inexpensive, and easy to clean. As long as the sides are high enough, your hedgie should not be able to escape. If you are worried about your hedgehog climbing out, just use the lid with some sort of ventilation holes cut into it.
The above mentioned cages are just a few of the housing possibilities. Some people have built their own, or modified other critter cages to fit their hedgehogs needs. If you would like to do a little more research or build your own, here are a couple great sites: Cavy Cages,and Hedgehog Central Housing.
Bowls and Bottles
Hedgehogs love to flip over their bowls. I recommend heavy crock type bowls for their food. I prefer water bottles over water bowls for a couple of reasons. First hedgehogs are messy and will get bedding, and feces in their water bowls. Again if the bowl is not heavy enough they will tip it, cause quite the mess, and run out of water. Water bottles keep the water clean and fresh, and it is easy to see how much water your animal is drinking. Since your animal is quite little, small bowls and water bottles are recommended.
Food
KIBBLE: Please read the ingredient labels on all your pets' food. Quality nutrition is key to a happy, healthy pet. Hedgehogs are insectivores that require a high protein diet, but they are also prone to obesity so low fat content is also important. Their digestive systems do not process plant matter effectively. Please avoid feeding fruits or vegetables to your pet hedgehog.
Look for a quality food with a minimum protein level around 35% and a lower fat content around 18%. Whether you choose to feed a cat/kitten food or hedgehog food take the time to read the label. Poorer quality foods have cheap fillers such as corn, byproducts, and dyes. Remember manufacturers must list ingredients in order of quantity so look for foods with a quality meat such as chicken or turkey, or a meat meal listed first.
We currently use a mixture of Taste of the Wild, Kirkland Maintenance, and one or two of our recommended foods.
Here are a few of the cat food brands we recommend: Earthborn Holistic, Kirkland Cat Maintenance Cat, Wellness, Canidae, Blue Buffalo, Before Grain, Innova, and Taste of the Wild.
I do not recommend commercial hedgehog foods. The majority of manufactured "hedgehog foods" are poor quality and some even contain foods such as seeds and nuts that are dangerous for hedgehogs to eat. The only decent "hedgehog food" I have encountered is Spike's Delight.
INSECTS: The wild hedgehog diet includes a wide variety of insects. It is highly recommended to add insects to their diet. The most nutritious and often hedgie favorite option is live mealworms or wax worms. Never feed wild caught bugs since many of them have been exposed to harmful chemicals that could cause a serious health threat to your pet. Another harmful live insect for hedgehogs is the super worms. Not only can they bite, but if they are not completely dead when your hedgie eats them, they can still bite your pet from the inside! If live bugs creep you out then try canned insects. Mix up the variety to include mealworms and crickets. A third insect option is freeze dried. Be careful to feed freeze dried in moderation since they can clog up hedgehog digestive tracts. Freeze dried insects are the least nutritious of the three options but the easiest to store and add on a regular basis. Insects should be added to your hedgehogs diet, but should fed in small amounts. A high quality kibble should be the staple food for your hedgehog.
TREATS: Hedgehogs also like occasional treats. Live mealworms, or waxworms are often a favorite. Your pet may also like hard boiled egg, cooked chicken or turkey, canned pumpkin, canned cat food, or baby foods. Be sure to only offer one treat at a time in small quantities. If your hedgehog has a reaction to a treat you will know which one caused the problem. The hedgehog digestive system is not designed to break down plant material. Many plants, especially fruits, can cause serious health problems. NEVER FEED YOUR HEDGEHOG GRAPES, RAISINS, ONIONS, NUTS, BIRD SEED, CHOCOLATE OR ANYTHING CITRUS!
Hedgehogs are small animals so they only require one to two tablespoons of food nightly. If your hedgehog is looking thin offer a little more food, and if he is fat cut back just a bit. Be sure that your hedgehog has access to fresh water, and exercise daily.
Look for a quality food with a minimum protein level around 35% and a lower fat content around 18%. Whether you choose to feed a cat/kitten food or hedgehog food take the time to read the label. Poorer quality foods have cheap fillers such as corn, byproducts, and dyes. Remember manufacturers must list ingredients in order of quantity so look for foods with a quality meat such as chicken or turkey, or a meat meal listed first.
We currently use a mixture of Taste of the Wild, Kirkland Maintenance, and one or two of our recommended foods.
Here are a few of the cat food brands we recommend: Earthborn Holistic, Kirkland Cat Maintenance Cat, Wellness, Canidae, Blue Buffalo, Before Grain, Innova, and Taste of the Wild.
I do not recommend commercial hedgehog foods. The majority of manufactured "hedgehog foods" are poor quality and some even contain foods such as seeds and nuts that are dangerous for hedgehogs to eat. The only decent "hedgehog food" I have encountered is Spike's Delight.
INSECTS: The wild hedgehog diet includes a wide variety of insects. It is highly recommended to add insects to their diet. The most nutritious and often hedgie favorite option is live mealworms or wax worms. Never feed wild caught bugs since many of them have been exposed to harmful chemicals that could cause a serious health threat to your pet. Another harmful live insect for hedgehogs is the super worms. Not only can they bite, but if they are not completely dead when your hedgie eats them, they can still bite your pet from the inside! If live bugs creep you out then try canned insects. Mix up the variety to include mealworms and crickets. A third insect option is freeze dried. Be careful to feed freeze dried in moderation since they can clog up hedgehog digestive tracts. Freeze dried insects are the least nutritious of the three options but the easiest to store and add on a regular basis. Insects should be added to your hedgehogs diet, but should fed in small amounts. A high quality kibble should be the staple food for your hedgehog.
TREATS: Hedgehogs also like occasional treats. Live mealworms, or waxworms are often a favorite. Your pet may also like hard boiled egg, cooked chicken or turkey, canned pumpkin, canned cat food, or baby foods. Be sure to only offer one treat at a time in small quantities. If your hedgehog has a reaction to a treat you will know which one caused the problem. The hedgehog digestive system is not designed to break down plant material. Many plants, especially fruits, can cause serious health problems. NEVER FEED YOUR HEDGEHOG GRAPES, RAISINS, ONIONS, NUTS, BIRD SEED, CHOCOLATE OR ANYTHING CITRUS!
Hedgehogs are small animals so they only require one to two tablespoons of food nightly. If your hedgehog is looking thin offer a little more food, and if he is fat cut back just a bit. Be sure that your hedgehog has access to fresh water, and exercise daily.
Heat Source
African pygmy hedgehogs prefer warm temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. If you keep your home within these temperatures your hedgehog will not need an additional heat source, but if your home dips below 70 degrees an alternate heat source will be necessary. A small room heater is a great option for those who are willing to keep the "hedgehog room" at the desired temperature. Another option is a reptile heat lamp. Place a thermometer in the habitat and monitor the temperature within the inclosure. If the temperature is too warm move the lamp further away, and move it closer if the temperature is still too cold. Constant exposure to low temperatures can cause hedgehogs to go into a false hibernation that can be fatal.
Bedding
Hedgehogs do not have any natural offensive odors, but like all small animals they will need a bedding material in their cage. There are many types of bedding on the market that work well for hedgehogs. Here are a few of the bedding choices on the market with a few pros and cons of each.
- Shavings: Shavings are probably the most popular and easy to find of the bedding choices. They have a good absorption rate, pleasant smell, and hedgies usually like to root around in the wood flakes. Aspen and pine are the best choices for hedgehogs. Always check the bag to be sure they are kiln dried. Kiln drying destroys any possible mite eggs that might be hiding in the bedding. Avoid cedar bedding since the aromatic oils in the wood can cause skin irritation and even serious respiratory issues.
- Commercial Bedding: There are numerous types of commercial small animal beddings, such as Care Fresh, on the market today. Most of these beddings use a wood or paper base and are usually soft and safe for hedgehogs. Some brands have a higher absorption rate than others, and they are usually more expensive than shavings.
- Wood Pellets: Many hedgehog owners are now using wood pellets for their hedgehogs. There is minimal risk of mites, they absorb more moisture than any of the other beddings, and keep odors to a minimum. They are usually easy to find at feed stores year round. Pellets are much heavier than the other beddings, not as soft, and noisy at 2:00 am when an adventurous hedgie is rooting around in them.
- Fleece Lining: Fleece linings can be the most economical, but most labor intensive of the bedding options. It needs to be spot cleaned daily, and changed frequently. Fleece is washed and reused without any stray bedding littered around the floor. Here is a great link to the pros and cons of fleece bedding for small animals: http://www.guineapigmarket.com/fleece-right-for-me
Exercise Wheel
In the wild hedgehogs will cover several miles each night in search of food. In captivity hedgehogs will still cover miles nightly in their cages. An exercise wheel is a must for a healthy, happy hedgie. There are several safe models on the market. There are a few things to remember when purchasing a hedgehog wheel. Hedgehogs require a large wheel of at least 10" in diameter. They have small delicate feet that can get caught in wire wheels so they must have a solid running surface. Finally hedgehogs are often messy wheelers, so choose an easy to clean model. I recommend Carolina Storm Wheels, Flying Saucer Wheels, Silent Spinner Wheels, and Comfort Wheels.
A Place to Hide
Hedgehogs are naturally shy and need a place to hide while they sleep. Store bought options such as igloos are a great choice. Other options include small boxes, tissue boxes, or a small square of fleece. Do not leave your hedgie unsupervised with a terry cloth towel. The round loops in the material are great for absorbing water, but hedgehogs can get their quills or even toes and feet caught in the loops. In extreme cases hedgehogs have gotten quite wrapped up in torn loops and even experienced loss of circulation to legs, feet, and toes.
Toys
Hedgehogs will often play with toys. Cat toys such as crinkle balls, and small basket balls with a bell inside work well. Be sure there are not any small parts on the cat toy that can be torn off easily and swallowed. Hedgehogs also love toilet paper tubes and pvc pipes.
Bathing and Nail Trimming
"Bath Time". Beatrix lives with Alyssa.
Very little grooming is required with hedgehogs, though occassionally some hedgies will require periodic nail trimmings and baths.
Baths are easy and quick and don't usually require shampoo. You will need a sink, towel, toothbrush and warm water. Fill the sink with only an inch or two of warm water. Hedgies are prone to drafts and cold so double check the water temperature before you put your hedgie in the sink. Use the toothbrush to gently clean between the quills from front to back. Then use your hand to gently rub the soft fur on their bellies and feet. Repeat the process if needed with fresh water. Dry your hedgie completely with the towel before playtime, or returning him to his cage. This is a great time to cuddle with your pet.
When hedgie toe nails become long and sharp it is time for a quick trim. I often trim nails at the same time as their bath, since they are usually so preoccupied with their bath that they don't notice the nail trim. Human or cat nail trimmers work well with hedgehog nails. Check each foot for long nails and use the trimmer to shorten them up. Be careful not to trim below the quick. Hedgehogs have clear nails with an easily visible quick. The quick is the top part of the nail closest to the toe where the blood supply is still running through the live nail. Cutting below the quick is a lot like breaking your nail below the nail bed. It hurts,and the nail will bleed quite a bit if you cut below the quick so have a styptic pencil or corn starch on hand to stop the bleeding.
Baths are easy and quick and don't usually require shampoo. You will need a sink, towel, toothbrush and warm water. Fill the sink with only an inch or two of warm water. Hedgies are prone to drafts and cold so double check the water temperature before you put your hedgie in the sink. Use the toothbrush to gently clean between the quills from front to back. Then use your hand to gently rub the soft fur on their bellies and feet. Repeat the process if needed with fresh water. Dry your hedgie completely with the towel before playtime, or returning him to his cage. This is a great time to cuddle with your pet.
When hedgie toe nails become long and sharp it is time for a quick trim. I often trim nails at the same time as their bath, since they are usually so preoccupied with their bath that they don't notice the nail trim. Human or cat nail trimmers work well with hedgehog nails. Check each foot for long nails and use the trimmer to shorten them up. Be careful not to trim below the quick. Hedgehogs have clear nails with an easily visible quick. The quick is the top part of the nail closest to the toe where the blood supply is still running through the live nail. Cutting below the quick is a lot like breaking your nail below the nail bed. It hurts,and the nail will bleed quite a bit if you cut below the quick so have a styptic pencil or corn starch on hand to stop the bleeding.
Veterinary Care
Hedgehogs are hardy little creatures that do not require routine vaccinations, but they are incredibly susceptible to mites which they can pick up easily from bedding that is not kiln dried. Luckily mites are easy to control with a quick visit to the vet. Please remember that hedgehogs are considered exotic animals, and many vets do not treat them. In addition hedgehogs hide symptoms of illness well, and often don't show signs of sickness until it has become advanced. For these reasons, I highly recommend locating a veterinarian in your area that will treat hedgehogs before your hedgie needs to visit the vet.
Here are the vets that we currently use at Colorful Quills:
Angelheart Veterinary Care
Dr. Lea Angela Mayer, Mobile Veterinarian, Colorado Springs, CO 719-393-0939 cell 719-452-0922 [email protected] Pikes Peak Veterinary
1813 N. Union Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-475-1747 |
Eastern Colorado Veterinary Services
Dr. McCue, Limon, CO 719-775-8166 |
Additional veterinarians in Colorado recommended by Colorful Quills hedgehog owners:
Aspen Tree Animal Caring Center
Durango, CO
970-382-0100
Durango, CO
970-382-0100
Further Information
I recommend the following sites for further care information: