Table of Contents
How to Care for Your Pet Hedgehog Once You Get It Home Provide Proper Housing. Hedgehogs are active creatures and therefore need some extra space to roam around in. Feed Them the Correct Food. Hedgehogs eat once or twice a day. Clean Their Living Environment. Watch for Diseases. Give Them Some Space.
What supplies do you need to take care of a hedgehog?
You will need certain supplies to successfully raise and care for a hedgehog. The essentials consist of an enclosure, a food and water bowl, a wheel, a sleeping hut with something warm inside, bedding, nail clippers, a toothbrush, and hedgehog friendly body wash.
What do I need to know about caring for a hedgehog?
With proper care your hedgehog should live approximately 6 years or more. Diet. Hedgehogs are insectivores, meaning that their diet is made up mostly of insects. Housing and environment. Large terrariums or solid bottom guinea pig cages make good housing for hedgehogs. Bathing and nail trimming. Personality. Health.
Is it hard to take care of a pet hedgehog?
All animals require time and commitment and a pet should never be purchased on a whim. I’m happy to report, though, that hedgehogs ARE a low maintenance pet. Expect to spend about fifteen minutes to a half hour per week cleaning your hedgehogs’ cage, food bowl, water bottle, wheel and other toys.
How expensive is it to take care of a hedgehog?
Expect to spend at least $200 to get things set up for your new hedgehog and don’t be surprised if your hedgehog costs you $100 or more. Being prepared for over $200 per year spent on the care and maintenance of your hedgehog is a low-end starting point.
Are hedgehogs stinky?
There are many factors one must consider when buying a new pet and one of those is the smell of the animal. Luckily, hedgehogs are pretty odor-free. If you remove any environmental factors that might cause them to smell, you shouldn’t smell your hedgehog at all.
Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp?
Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp? Hedgehogs need a heat lamp called a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) to keep warm, as they explore and feed in their cage. The CHE only emits heat and not light, as any light at night could confuse hedgehogs into thinking it was day time, stopping them from coming out to feed.
Do hedgehogs like to be held?
Every hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren’t interested in human affection. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators.
Do hedgehogs bite?
However, you should try to use gloves when handling a hedgehog for your own health and safety. Hedgehogs can bite you, but very rarely will that happen. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother).
Can you potty train hedgehogs?
In short, litter training consists of placing your hedgehog in their litter box when they’re about to potty. The hope is that over time they’ll start to do this on their own. Try to be nearby at these times so you can place them in their litter box if you see signs that they’re about to go.
Are hedgehogs good beginner pets?
Hedgehogs are not recommended for households with children under 5 years of age or adults over 65. They can carry Salmonella bacteria in their droppings. Even if they seem healthy, the bacteria can infect their bodies, habitat, toys, and anything they come in contact with.
Do hedgehogs poop a lot?
Hedgehogs poop a lot. They poop all the time. Young hedgies are quite fond of pooping while doing their chores like while roaming around or playing on their wheel. But, as they grow older, they tend to hold much better and can be trained to litter in the right areas.
Do hedgehog spikes hurt?
The thousands of pointed quills covering a hedgehog’s back are a warning sign to most predators that they need to stay away. They can even be intimidating for humans at first. While they do seem a little frightening, the quills won’t hurt you once you adjust to the gentle way that you’re supposed to handle hedgehogs.
How long do pet hedgehogs live?
Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.
What type of hedgehogs are pets?
The most common breed of hedgehogs is the African pygmy hedgehog, also called the four-toed hedgehog or the white bellied hedgehog. They are usually between 6” – 8” long, making them a great pet for a small household. Other popular pet breeds are the European hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog.
How old should a hedgehog be when you buy it?
Most breeders recommend selecting a fully weaned hedgehog that is between six- and twelve-weeks old.
Do female hedgehogs have a period?
No, female hedgehogs are induced ovulators, meaning they don’t have a heat, they ovulate when in the presence of a male for mating. Female hedgehog do not have a period.
Are hedgehogs loud at night?
In short, hedgehogs are fairly loud at night. If a hedgehog is in a cage, you’ll most likely hear rattling as the hedgehog moves around. You might also hear rustling noises if there are any type of shavings in the cage. Also, no matter how quiet exercise wheels can be, you’ll still hear some noise from them.
Can hedgehogs cuddle?
Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.
