Hedgehogs have surged in popularity as pets in recent years, captivating owners with their curious personalities and relatively low-maintenance care requirements. These tiny creatures offer entertainment, comfort, and even a unique form of communication to their owners, making them ideal companions for those seeking a laid-back yet engaging house pet. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about domesticated hedgehog diet and care, ensuring a happy and healthy life for your spiky friend.
Hedgehog Species and Considerations
Did you know there are 17 different species of hedgehogs in the world? While the wild European hedgehog freely roams the gardens of the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the most common species for pets for hedgehogs is the African pygmy hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris. When you see pictures of hedgehogs as pets, you are likely viewing an African pygmy hedgehog. This cute and cuddly hedgehog is smaller in size, making it easier to find housing in your home.
Housing Your Hedgehog
Housing plays an important role in your hedgehog’s quality of life. When deciding where to put your hedgehog’s cage, keep in mind that the ideal temperature range is between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27 degrees Celsius) for your new pet. Hedgehogs come from a tropical part of the world and do best in a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also imperative to include an external heat source (an undertank heater or heat bulb) in the enclosure with multiple thermometers to monitor the efficacy.
Keep in mind that hedgehogs have excellent climbing skills, so you want to make sure their cage is tall enough to prevent them from escaping. The enclosure also needs smooth sides (so the hedgehog isn’t able to climb out) and a hiding spot for sleeping. A minimum-size cage should be at least two by three feet in size. A 2-foot by 3-foot enclosure is considered a minimum size. However, hedgehogs like to have space to run around so a bigger cage is a better option. Cages commonly used for small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits tend to work fine when it comes to hedgehog housing, but wire-grate cage floors have the potential to injure your pet’s little feet. Whether it’s recycled paper or clean towels, keep soft bedding on hand to protect those sensitive toes, and ensure the bedding is cleaned or replaced often.
To provide some privacy and comfort, consider adding a hide box or sleeping cave to your hedgehog’s habitat. Don’t forget to clean their cage at least once a week so that they have a clean place to live. Cleaning the cage first thing every morning is ideal, since hedgehogs are nocturnal and are likely to sleep for most of the day.
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Hedgehog Diet and Nutrition
In the wild, hedgehogs eat a wide variety of bugs, plants, and roots. That diet can be challenging to recreate in captivity. When it comes to hedgehog care, it’s essential to address concerns about obesity. “The best hedgehog diet would be a specially formulated hedgehog or insectivore diet, of which there are many commercially available preparations,” says Dr. Keller. The primary diet of a captive hedgehog should consist of a high-quality, low-fat, and high-protein hedgehog formulated diet. A species-specific diet is key for maintaining digestive health.
While hedgehogs are insectivores and do enjoy mealworms and crickets, it’s important to understand that these should be provided as treats in moderation. A recommended guideline is to offer 1-2 insects per day to prevent overfeeding. Especially in combination with frequent exercise, an insectivore diet will help your hedgehog’s health thrive. The Mazuri® Hedgehog Diet simulates the typical high-protein, high-fiber diet these insectivores crave. With a flavor they’ll love, your pet will be happy to chow down on wholesome nutrition from Mazuri. This tasty feed also contains a crunchy texture and a variety of animal ingredients for insectivores like your hedgehog.
Feeding hedgehogs with cat food, which was once a common practice, is now considered outdated. We recommend removing cat food from their diet and focusing on a balanced and nutritionally complete hedgehog formulated diet for their overall well-being. Remember that if you try different foods and snacks for their diet, make sure to ask your vet if they are safe for your hedgehog to eat.
Hedgehog Exercise and Enrichment
They may be roly-poly, but hedgehogs are actually quite athletic creatures! In the wild they often run several miles a night and are adept climbers and swimmers. “Unfortunately, many captive hedgehogs are overweight, so exercise opportunities are very important,” says Dr. Keller. A large, enclosed running wheel is great for these energetic creatures. Plenty of space to run, play and burn off extra energy is key. Exercise wheels are noisy! Keep in mind that their nighttime activity, including running on a wheel, may mean you will not want their enclosure in your bedroom. If you are able, provide some space for your hedgehog to run around under close supervision in a backyard space during the warmer times of the year. Hedgehogs enjoy having small toys in their cage to play with at different times. These curious creatures may also enjoy roaming your house and climbing on the furniture.
Hedgehog Behavior and Handling
Hedgehogs are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and are very active at night. “They will be getting up for their ‘day’ when you are having dinner, which can be a nice time to interact with them before you go to bed,” Dr. Their solitary nature can make it difficult for these pets to warm up to you. Hedgehogs are very solitary animals and should be housed separately.
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Many pet owners want to be able to hold their hedgehog but wonder if it is safe with their quills. The answer is that it depends on their mood. It takes some time for a hedgehog to adapt to its new environment in your home. Remember that as you prepare to welcome your new pet into your home, hedgehogs need time to adjust to their new environment. Give her a few “hands off” days. When you first get your hedgehog, you should allow time for your pet to settle into her new enclosure. Once she is more settled in, start doing some handling at night when she is awake. Handling should be focused on getting the animal used to the scents of the hands. “The best opportunity to be able to train a hedgie to accept handling is by obtaining the animal from a breeder at a young age, although there are exceptions to this rule,” says Dr.
While a dog barks and a cat meows to communicate, hedgehogs also have their own noises to communicate with their owners. Observe them during different activities and interactions to help learn their mannerisms. Once you have allowed your new pet some time to adjust, learn what noises they make when they are calm vs. stressed. Many hedgehogs will hiss and snort if they are uncomfortable or grumpy.
Hedgehog Health and Veterinary Care
Typically, hedgehogs only need to see the vet once a year for a check-up, which helps save you time and money on vet visits. “Veterinary examinations are a crucial part of hedgehog health. After obtaining a hedgehog, bring him to a veterinarian to be examined for internal parasites and external parasites, such as mites,” advises Dr. You should be aware that hedgehogs may acquire a variety of cancerous and cardiac conditions. With annual veterinary visits and early detection, a hedgehog can still have a good quality and length of life. Dr. Keller also recommends that all female hedgehogs be spayed. Female hedgehogs are prone to uterine tumors, which can be fatal.
One of the most common health concerns for hedgehog owners is tooth problems, which can inhibit your pet from eating any food at all. This is often because they’ve been fed a mash or soft canned food because the hedgehog may enjoy the taste. According to Dr. Quill loss is actually normal for hedgehogs, but only when it happens in small amounts. Eye injuries are another common occurrence for small animals like hedgehogs. This side-view radiograph (X-ray) of a three-year-old companion African pygmy hedgehog was taken during an annual examination to screen for cardiovascular disease.
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