Hedgehog Pet Care

Hedgehogs are becoming a popular house pet. Their needs are more specialized than many owners realize, especially concerning diet and habitat. Match your pet hedgehog's habitat closely to its natural habitat in the wild. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, so if you see a hedgehog emerge frequently in the daytime, there may be something wrong. Popular breeds of pet hedgehog include the African hedgehog, the four-toed hedgehog, the white bellied hedgehog and the African pygmy hedgehog. Hedgehogs make friendly and docile pets that rarely bite, so long as you care for them properly.

  1. Habitat

    • Give your hedgehog plenty of space. A hedgehog living in cramped conditions is prone to stress, boredom and obesity. A hedgehog's wild territory is about 1,000 feet in diameter; therefore provide the largest habitat possible. A 4-foot square cage or aquarium is adequate. Have a larger playpen available outside so that the hedgehog can spend time roaming in a larger environment. Generally, hedgehogs are solitary creatures. Separate males once they reach 10 weeks old or fights will break out. You can often house females together depending on temperament. Be vigilant for fighting. Provide soft bedding of about 3 inches deep. Use pine shavings or pelleted processed bedding. Avoid cedar shavings as they can cause breathing irritation. Clean out the cage twice weekly, or before it starts to smell. Provide a hiding box, flower pot or tube for the hedgehog to hide in. It is important to be able to retreat and hide if it wishes. Keep the temperature of the habitat between 70 and 80 degrees F. Use a heat lamp or heat mat to maintain temperature.

    Diet

    • Prevent obesity by providing a diet that best replicates the hedgehog's diet in the wild. Feed daily to one hedgehog, 2 tsp. dry cat food and 1 tsp. of either meat cat food, dog food, cooked egg, chicken or cottage cheese. Try giving your hedgehog grapes, peas, sweet corn, peanuts or raisins. Hedgehogs eat tiny amounts, so for greenery, for example, provide only one grape at first and assess how much the hedgehog requires. Fresh water should be available at all times, from either a bottle or a bowl.

    Maintenance and Handling

    • Pick up a hedgehog by scooping it up from underneath. Support the hedgehog with both hands. Clip the hedgehog's nails when required, with a pair of human nail clippers. Hold the hedgehog on your lap against your body, and grasp one foot in your hand steadily. Remove 1/8 inch from each nail. Cut above the pink quick of the nail, as this will bleed if cut. If the hedgehog will not unroll to reveal its feet, then cut the nails during bath time as they tend to unroll in water. Hedgehogs are not dirty creatures, so bath only occasionally. Use a tearless dog or cat shampoo. Rinse the hedgehog well, wrap it in a warm towel and dry it on your lap.

    Exercise

    • The more exercise a hedgehog is allowed, the better its health and temperament. Purchase an exercise wheel especially designed for hedgehogs from your pet store or online. This helps to facilitate its nighttime run that normally occurs in the wild. Allow access to an outdoor run. Your hedgehog is fit so long as it does not feel fat or flabby, nor bony and skinny in your hand.