Hedgehog Care Sheet


Housing:

A plastic storage container is the best choice. It is not only cost effective, but very easy to keep clean and is safe. These can be bought from almost anywhere, like Wal Mart. Nothing with a wire bottom, as hedgehogs can get their feet caught. Wire cages are not a good choice because babies only know how to climb up so the only way back down is to fall which could cause an injury or be fatal. You can also find suitable housing in pet stores and online.


Bedding:

Cage liners or puppy pads may be used. If you wish to use shavings, any kind can be used except CEDAR. Cedar can cause upper respiratory problems. The cage will need to be cleaned at least 1-2 times a week. This may also depend on how messy the hedgehog is. Babies may need to be cleaned more often as they tend to be messier than adults. 


Accessories:

Your hedgehog will need something to hide under. This can be as simple as a 4-6 inch piece of PVC pipe, an old plastic pitcher, a shoe box with a hole cut in one end ( which will need to be replaced every 2-3 weeks) , a shirt or towel, or a large Pet Igloo. It is a good idea to put a shirt that you have worn in with the new baby for a few days so that he can get used to your smell.
Hedgehogs will need a wheel for exercise. Choose a wheel with a solid bottom. Guinea Pig or ferret bucket wheels will do. These can be purchased from many pet stores or online. Wheels may also need to be cleaned from time to time.
Hedgehogs are active animals and love to play. Good choices for toys are small cat jingle balls, toy cars, toilet paper tubes, and even small stuffed animals will amuse them.


Food:

Although there are specialty hedgehog foods in some pet stores and online, dry cat and kitten food are equally good choices. Dry food should be available at all times. You should also supplement with a variety of other foods such as mealworms, crickets (live or freeze-dried), and cooked meats, fruits, and vegetables. None of these should be fed as anything more than a treat 3 or 4 times a week. Do not feed a hedgehog any dairy products or sweets, such as chocolate. Also stay away from grapes and avacados, these are toxic to hedgehogs!
Water bottles (like ones used for hampsters) are usually preferred over open dishes, but both are good choices. If a dish is used it must be cleaned every day and filled with fresh, clean water.

Hygiene:

You can bathe your hedgehog in the sink. Fill the sink with warm water so that he can't touch the bottom. It's ok, hedgehogs are great swimmers! Baby shampoo should be used. Pour water over the quills, avoid getting water in the eyes or ears. Use a toothbrush and brush the shampoo over and into the quills.Always brush down, not up. Be sure to rinse all the soap off. When your hedgehog is clean wrap him in a warm towel and dry him off. You could also use a hair dryer, many hedgehogs love this. Make sure it is on the coolest setting and at least 6 inches away from his body.
Hedgehogs will also need thier nails trimmed regularly. You can do this with a pair of nail clippers. Another way is to glue a small square of sand paper onto the floor of the wheel. This way the nails will be kept trim, but you may need to replace the sand paper when the wheel is cleaned.
Hedgehogs may also get mites or dry, flaky skin from time to time. This can be resolved by giving them a bath with just a tablespoon of baby oil (vegetable or olive oil may be used but is not recommended) and water.


Hedgehogs can go into hibernation. Do not allow this to happen as this can be lethal to them! Best room temperatures are between 72-80 Degrees.

The average life span of a pet hedgehog is 4-6 years. Although there have been records of hedgehogs living as long as 9.


Hedgehogs will go through a quilling process. This occurs several times between birth and weaning. Quilling is often uncomfortable and may make your hedgehog grumpy and irritable. But you still have to hold them every day to ensure that they will not become antisocial! The final quilling stage usually results in the hedgehogs adult color, though this is not always the case. Many hedgehogs will continue to get darker or lighter with age.