All About Hedgehogs!

Pet hedgehogs have grown in popularity over the last few years, and rightfully so. Though they aren’t the typical cuddly pet (due to their spiny exterior), these cute critters are fun and offer a different kind of fulfilling pet experience.

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The Natural History of Hedgehogs

Originating in areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa, hedgehogs received their name from how they look and where they like to hang out. Their nose resembles that of a pig, or a hog, and they’re often found in the hedges around shrubs and trees.
 
Hedgehogs are mammals from the subfamily Erinaceinae. Because of their spiny armor, hedgehogs are often assumed to be a distant cousin of the porcupine. However, this misconception is far from the truth as porcupines are actually rodents!

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Hedgehogs as House Pets

Historically, the ancient Romans were the first to domesticate hedgehogs. But the modern domestication of hedgehogs only took off in the 1980s. Many breeds of hedgehogs today are hybrids, the most well-known being the African pygmy hedgehog.
 
The African pygmy hedgehog’s life expectancy is between 4 - 6 years on average, with proper care and healthy living conditions.

Hedgehog Housing

In the wild, hedgehogs are very active. They climb, dig, swim, and often go for night runs for miles on end. Because of this, your hedgehog’s enclosure must be big enough to enable their natural behavior. The enclosure should have high walls so that they cannot escape. The minimum size of the enclosure should be around 6 square feet, but the more space you can offer, the better. 
 
The enclosure should be kept out of direct sunlight, and away from cold, drafty, areas of your home. Clean the cage at least once a week, with odorless, or weakly odored products. 
 
The bedding in the enclosure can be made from a variety of options. We recommend using fleece to line the bottom since it’s easy to wash. You can also use recycled paper bedding or aspen shavings.

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Hedgehog Enclosure Accessories

Make sure your cage has enough space for an exercise wheel and a hiding spot for your hedgehog to sneak away and sleep in. This hiding spot can be almost anything, from a cardboard box to something you find at the pet store.
 
The exercise wheel is a very important piece of maintaining your hedgehog’s health. Without enough time to run around in and outside of their enclosure, your hedgehog is at risk of becoming overweight. In fact, obesity is sadly quite common among hedgehogs. Make sure the wheel is solid, and not made of wire; their feet can get stuck in the wires and this may cause fractured limbs. Ideally the wheel should be around 12” in diameter, or more.
 
We also encourage you to give your hedgehogs toys to keep them active and entertained. You can put a variety of toys into the cage and see what they like. Some favorites are tubes and balls with bells (like the ones for cats).

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Hedgehog Enclosure Temperatures

Another important aspect of your hedgehog’s home is maintaining the right temperature. Hedgehogs feel best in temperatures between 74 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold can make a hedgehog lethargic. Cold temperatures can cause your hedgehog to attempt to hibernate, which can be fatal in captivity. If the temperatures do drop, gradually raise the temperature, and use an indirect heating pad to help gradually warm up your hedgehog. The best method is to hold your hedgehog against your skin. Once it seems like your hedgehog has come back to a normal temperature, bring your hedgehog to the vet.
 
During the colder months, a simple way to maintain the correct temperature is by using an external heating source, such as a ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat that regulates the temperature for you.  If you choose to set up a space heater, make sure there are multiple thermometers so that you can monitor the heat.

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What Do Hedgehogs Eat?

In the wild, a hedgehog’s diets consist of bugs, plants, and roots. This diet is hard to replicate in captivity. The most balanced diet for your pet hedgehog is a mixture of dry food, live supplements, and treats.
 
There are food mixtures made specifically for hedgehogs, but they are often not easy to find. No need to worry, there are other options that are just as good. Make sure that the base food is a mixture of 2 - 3 different kinds of protein-rich foods, with a fat content under 10% (if possible). We feed Mazuri Insectivore Diet which can be found at many Pet Stores or ordered online, which we mix with mealworms and freshly cooked chicken, turkey, eggs, etc.
 
Live food is a good supplement for your hedgehog’s diet. Crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms are some of their favorites. Other foods that can be given as occasional treats include scrambled or boiled eggs, peas, broccoli, apple, sweet potato, cooked lamb, chicken or mince, and dog food.

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Water

Water should always be available for your hedgehog in its enclosure. Your hedgehog will drink water from a small bowl, which should be cleaned daily. Some hedgehogs will drink from bottles. If you are checking/testing to see if your hedgehog will drink from a bottle, be sure to include a water bowl in the enclosure during this trial period until you are certain they are drinking from the bottle.

 

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Hedgehog Behavior​

When you first receive your hedgehog, it is important to get them used to being handled by you. Most hedgehogs will become accustomed to your touch if you handle them often, and are careful with them. At first, the natural instinct for hedgehogs is to curl into a ball. After some time, with enough patience, your hedgehog will relax, open up, and start crawling all over you.
 
The easiest way to make this process smoother is by obtaining your hedgehog when it is at a young age. At first, you should let your hedgehog get used to its new surroundings, and perhaps give it a few days with minimal to no touching. Slowly you will teach your hedgehog to get used to your scent, and then things will get easier (so do not wear gloves.) Be careful not to startle your hedgehog; a startled hedgehog may bite you.
 
A strange but natural process called self-anointing may happen, where your hedgehog salivates heavily, spreads the saliva all over its back, and contorts into some strange positions. This process is usually triggered by an odd smell. It is nothing to worry about, and some people even find it cute.
 
A healthy hedgehog needs to run around and let off some steam. After hedgehog-proofing your place, give your buddy time to run around outside of the enclosure. Playpens are available for purchase at your local pet store.

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Hedgehogs are Nocturnal

Hedgehogs sleep during the day and are active at night. Since they start their activity in the evening, before you head to bed would be a good time to spend time with and bond with your hedgehog.
 
The lifestyle of a nocturnal pet may mean that you’ll want to keep your hedgehog’s enclosure away from your bedroom, especially if you are sensitive to noise. Otherwise it will keep you up all night running on its wheel or playing with its toys.

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Grooming

Hedgehogs are very good at grooming themselves. If you choose to bathe your hedgehog then it should not be done more than once every few weeks. The only real grooming that hedgehogs may require your help in is nail cutting and cleaning their feet. Since they do not have their natural habitat to do their own filing, you may want to bring your hedgehog to the vet for a manicure, or cut your hedgehog’s nails yourself using a human nail clipper. If you decide to do it yourself, be very careful. Let your hedgehog calm down first, and do not cut too close to the pink flesh. This can cause bleeding. 

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