The Basics of Hedgehog Pet Care

When you think about choosing a pet, you may imagine an animal with fur, feathers, or scales -- but what about a creature covered with pointy quills? The hedgehog's protective covering might appear intimidating at first glance, but this animal actually makes an adorable, amiable pet given the right circumstances. However, hedgehogs, like other pets, have their own specific needs and preferences. Take a look at the fascinating world of hedgehog care.

Facts About Hedgehogs

Although many species of hedgehogs exist in the wild, the African pygmy hedgehog is the one most common among pet owners. This little mammal rarely grows longer than eight inches, weighing approximately one pound in adulthood, making it a great choice if you have limited space. With proper care, a domesticated hedgehog can live up to eight years (more than half the average lifespan of a wild hedgehog).

Hedgehogs are much more active at night than during daylight hours. They're covered in spines called quills that offer protection against predators. When a hedgehog feels scared or threatened, it will curl up in a little ball with the quills pointing outward.

Creating a Hedgehog Environment

Your hedgehog needs an enclosure of at least three feet by two feet, although an extra foot or so in either direction may make it feel more comfortable. Hedgehogs are climbing animals, so your enclosure will definitely need a lid! It should also have a solid bottom instead of a wire bottom, since wires can harm a hedgehog's feet.

Avoid common pet bedding materials such as wood shavings, which might cause breathing issues. Instead, line the enclosure a few inches deep with crumpled paper. This material isn't just safe for your hedgehog; it will also accommodate the animal's tendency to burrow.

Hedgehogs need a certain amount of activity to stay fit and happy. You can solve this problem by equipping the enclosure with an exercise wheel.

You'll want to provide stable, comfortable temperatures for your hedgehog, with 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal range. Set your climate control system accordingly, placing the enclosure in an area that won't be subjected to hotter or colder temperatures.

Feeding Your Pet Hedgehog

Technically, hedgehogs qualify as omnivores because they can get their nutrition from multiple food sources. Most of their diet in the wild consists of insects, along with other tiny animals like crickets and mealworms. It's best to feed your hedgehog gut-loaded prey -- that is, prey that has consumed a healthy mix of nutrients your pet needs. Ask your local pet shop for gut-loaded prey ideal for hedgehogs.

Your domesticated hedgehog's diet can revolve mostly around kibble formulated with their nutritional requirements in mind. (Cat kibble is another safe option.) Supplement the kibble with live prey if the kibble you select doesn't include insects among its ingredients.

Hedgehogs need water as well as food. You can supply this water in a suspended bottle, but you may need to switch to an ordinary water bowl if your pet struggles to get water out of the bottle. Make sure your hedgehog's water is always clean.

Socializing Your Hedgehog

Hedgehogs tend to be shy, partly because their poor eyesight prevents them from recognizing the difference between friend and foe at a distance. However, Hedgehogs have good senses of hearing and smell that you can use to help your pet recognize you. Talk to your hedgehog in gentle tones until it knows your voice, and leave a used article of your clothing in its enclosure so it can recognize your scent. Once it knows that you're its friend, it will eventually approach you, sit in your hand, and let you pet it.

Believe it or not, you can pet a hedgehog without injury by stroking the spines softly and carefully. You can even socialize your hedgehog with other humans as long as both of you pet the animal at the same time, with your presence keeping it calm. But don't try to pet your hedgehog on the head. Unlike cats and dogs, who often enjoy this kind of touch, hedgehogs don't like having their heads touched and will often roll up into their self-protective ball in response.

Hedgehog Health Concerns

Caring for your hedgehog means understanding the particular health challenges they face, knowing when to suspect trouble, and scheduling periodic wellness exams and other care with a local exotic animal veterinarian. Hedgehog health problems may include:

• Respiratory diseases - Hedgehogs are vulnerable to infectious lung diseases such as pneumonia.
• Obesity - Hedgehogs can become obese if they eat too much and/or exercise too little.
• Ringworm - This common fungal infection can cause skin lesions and spine loss.
• Cancer - Oral cancer is the most common form of cancer in hedgehogs.
• Parasitic infestations - Hedgehogs can have trouble with lice, mites, and digestive parasites.

These problems may reveal themselves through a variety of symptoms. If your hedgehog has stopped eating, acts lethargic, can't breathe easily, develops foul breath, looks fatter than usual, or loses spines at an alarming rate, schedule a veterinary exam to determine whether your pet has an underlying medical condition requiring treatment. The right combination of attentive home care and professional veterinary care can help ensure that you and your pal enjoy a long and happy relationship!