Edited by N. Wyre, 2016

About Hedgehogs

• The wild hedgehog is an insectivorous animal that comes from Africa. They live in dry habitats with lots of grass. They are nocturnal and usually hide during the day to protect themselves from the hot sun. In the wild, they usually live alone. Therefore, they should also be kept alone in captivity. They usually eat insects, earthworms, slugs, carrion, eggs and snails and travel many miles at night to find the best food.
• Hedgehogs have a very keen sense of smell and hearing, but cannot see very well. If they smell something that they like or something that has a strong odor, they mix it with their saliva and put it on their spines. This is called “anting” or “self-anointing” and is a normal behavior. Because they come from a warm area, hedgehogs to not like to be kept at cold temperatures.

DIET

• It is very common for pet hedgehogs to become fat, so it is important to make sure they are not eating too much fatty food and that they are exercising. Because hedgehogs are nocturnal, it is best to offer them food in the evenings.
• Dry diet: The majority of the diet should be a high quality hedgehog diet such as “Mazuri 5 MK 8” which is a diet specifically made for insectivores. Adult hedgehogs should only have 3-4 teaspoons of dry food per day.
• Invertebrate prey items: They should have several live, gut loaded insects per day such as earthworms, waxworms, Dubia roaches or mealworms. The total should be about 1 teaspoon per day. These can be hidden in shredded paper towels and placed in a paper box to encourage the hedgehog to hunt for the food as they would do in the wild.
• Fruit/veggies: They should have 1 teaspoon per day of chopped up (3 mm or smaller size), soft mixed fruits and veggies such as steamed squash, pumpkin, peas, beans, tomatoes, berries, mango, papaya and dark leafy greens. Do not offer hard foods like nuts and raw carrots/celery as this can get caught in their mouth.
• Inappropriate foods: Do not feed your hedgehogs milk or milk products! They love it but it will cause severe diarrhea.
• Remember that any diet changes MUST be made slowly. If it is too fast, this can upset the gut and cause diarrhea. It may take up to 1 week to introduce a new food.

WATER

• 24 hour access is essential. The bowl or bottle should be scrubbed out with soap every other day to prevent mold and bacterial growth. Before offering only a water bottle, first make sure your hedgehog knows how to drink out of the bottle.

CAGE

• When it becomes too cold, they become very lethargic and can stop eating. Therefore they should always be kept at 24-29 C. Because they are very active at night, a large cage should be used that is at least 60 x 90 cm.
• Keep the cage clean and dry. The floor of the cage can be lined with shredded paper towels, newspaper or recycled newspaper bedding (such as Carefresh). We do not recommend the use of wooden shavings (chips) as this can cause respiratory tract irritation. Because they like to burrow, the bedding should be 7-10 cm deep.
• Many hedgehogs can be litter trained. Make sure you are not using clay or sand cat litter in their litterpans as this will stick to them.
• Make sure you hedgehog always has a safe place to hide and sleep such as a cardboard or plastic box.
• Hedgehogs do not like bright lights, so keep their cages away from windows and lamps. They prefer 10-14 hours of mild light per day.
• Exercise is very important for hedgehogs. You can put a running wheel in the cage. Make sure the wheel is made of solid plastic - do not use metal wheels as their feet and/or legs can become trapped and broken.

HEALTH                         

• Hedgehogs are very good at hiding signs of being sick. Therefore take them to the vet quickly if your hedgehog is acting abnormally at all – not eating, quills falling out, sleepier, droopy eyes, watery eyes or too quiet. They can become very sick very quickly so be vigilant!
• Unfortunately, hedgehogs get a lot of cancer. Therefore, they should be seen by an exotic veterinarian every 6 months for a sedated physical examination to look for any signs of cancer and to perform a full physical examination. Blood work should be performed every 6 months.

COMMON PROBLEMS

• Cancer – particularly in the mouth and on the skin
• Skin/fur mites
• Skin fungal infections (which can spread to people)
• Bleeding from the uterus
• Balance problems
• Heart disease and trouble breathing
• Tooth disease and infection
• Swollen penis/prepuce
• Obesity

SALMONELLA

• Pet hedgehogs have been known to spread salmonella to people. This can cause diarrhea in people and can make children very sick.
• Always wash your hands after handling your hedgehog and their droppings to decrease this risk.
• Do not allow children to play with hedgehogs without adult supervision.

Reference: Ivey E, Carpenter JW. African hedgehogs. In Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 3^rd edition. Eds. Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW. 2013

Terms of Use:

This informational pamphlet is provided as a courtesy to our clients and is intended for educational purposes only. The information contained herein reflects general guidelines and should not be construed as definitive veterinary advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The specific needs of individual pets may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives care tailored to its unique requirements.

While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and some information may become outdated or be superseded by new research findings. The clinic assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or variances in treatment outcomes based on the information provided in this pamphlet.

Furthermore, the references to products, medications, or treatments within this pamphlet do not imply endorsement by the clinic. Pet owners should verify the appropriateness of any product or treatment with their veterinarian.

In case of any signs of illness, discomfort, or behavioural changes in your pet, it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the effective management of veterinary health issues.

For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic directly. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pet.

This pamphlet is the property of Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital (“ZPEH”) and is not intended for commercial use or distribution without express permission from ZPEH.