Hedgehog Basics & Care
What is a Hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are remarkably cute little animals. Their backs are covered with prickly spines, while their bellies are soft and furry. When threatened or scared, they roll into a tight ball. When relaxed, their spines lay almost flat. They make great beginner exotic pets because they are easy to care for and just plain fun. Despite their impressive display of little spines, they can be quite friendly, and when they feel secure, their quills feel like a hairbrush.
Hedgehogs love to explore and run around. They also enjoy critter balls, which are a great way to keep them in shape. Our baby hedgehogs start weaning from their mom at around five weeks of age and are then handled daily and socialized before being sent to their new homes at six to eight weeks old.
What exactly is a hedgehog? No, they are not porcupines! Though they may look similar, they are not related at all. African Pygmy Hedgehogs are insectivorous opportunistic mammals, not rodents like porcupines. In fact, a hedgehog's closest relative is actually the shrew. An average African Pygmy Hedgehog fits in an adult man's cupped hand, weighing between ½ lb to 2 lbs. They have a thick coat of spines in varying colors. While there is no fur under the spines, soft white or dark fur covers their belly, neck, face, and legs. Their sight is relatively poor, but their hearing, smell, and taste are well-developed.
Hedgehog Basics
Lifespan: Up to 4 - 7 years
Diet: Our babies are sent home on Fromm - Gold Adult Cat food. We've chosen Fromm for their commitment to quality nutritional value. It is a complete diet and there is no need for supplements. We free-feed out hedgehogs, offering them 1/4 cup of food per day. Available through out site and at pickup.
Size at Adulthood: Healthy hedgehogs can range in weight from 1/2 lb to 2lbs, about the size of a softball. In comparison they are close in size to guinea pigs.
Captive Environments: Hedgehogs should be provided a cage that is draft free but allows airflow, easy to clean and escape proof. We use guinea pig steel wire cages with plastic bottoms.
How to Care For A Hedgehog
Habitat: There are many options to choose from, we personally use and recommend guinea pig style habitat wire cages, with plastic bottoms. All of our babies are gravity-fed water bottle trained. They'll also need a food dish. For bedding, we recommend the use of recycled paper beddings such as CareFresh or Clean & Cozy. This tends to be the safest option since they are processed and do not pose the same risks as natural wood-based beddings. They will need a hideout, appropriate flat-bottomed running wheel, toys and an proper heat setup. We sell complete hedgehog cage setups which can be picked up in store or delivered with your baby.
Their bedding should be changed at least every 5-7 days. When washing their cage, avoid any harsh chemicals. We personally use Dawn dish liquid to wash our cages. Hedgehogs require baths about 1-2 times per month using warm water, baby shampoo and a soft-bristled tooth brush. Inspect your hedgehogs toe nails and trim as needed (usually 1-2 times per month). You can cut their nails with cat nail trimmers.
Since hedgehogs naturally are foraging animals, they like to walk around and will need a form of exercise. We personally use 12 inch flat-bottomed running wheels which work great in helping them keep up with their routine. Inspect your hedgehogs for toe nail trimmings, you can clip long nails with baby finger nail clippers.
Exercise does not necessarily mean running on a wheel only. Hedgehogs also need activities, and enrichment. This is done by foraging, inspecting surroundings, exploring, and encountering new smells & objects. I like to set up play areas for them. I change the placement of hide houses, scatter food in different areas/corners, and also I move the actual play area from time to time. Hedgehogs love exploring and they always seem like they are on a mission to explore and have fun in their play pen. Your hedgehog would enjoy several hours of play each evening in the pen. Hedgehogs are solitary and once they reach maturity they must be housed separately. However if two females are raised together we find they will live together with little to no aggression as adults.
Diet: Our babies are sent home on Fromm - Gold Adult Cat food. We've chosen Fromm for their commitment to quality nutritional value. It is a complete diet and there is no need for supplements. We free-feed our hedgehogs, offering them 1/4 of a cup of food per day.
Available through our site and at pickup.
Food: Hedgehogs are omnivorous insectivores and should be fed an appropriate diet. Their diets should consist of a high-quality cat kibble.
Optionally, you can supplement with dead or live insects and small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Feeding hedgehogs too much fruit can cause loose stool, and hedgehogs do not seem to like many vegetables. We have a fantastic write-up on food selection along with recommendations in the Recommended Foods Section.
Handling: Hedgehogs are solitary by nature and require daily handling to build a strong desirable bond. Generally speaking, the more that you handle your hedgehogs, the friendlier he/she will be. Since they have poor eyesight, it’s a good idea to take things slow at first and let them get used to your scent.
Actual holding and touching a hedgehog can be challenging at first but will quickly become an easy task to achieve. Yes they have sharp spines, however they are easy to handle and even novice owners will be playing and holding their babies in no time. As your hedgehog gets older, their spines will soften as they grow in their adult coat.