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Hedgehogs are NOT rodents, they belong to a group of animals called insectivores (a small insect-eating mammal related to the mole and shrew).Hedgehogs make great pets if they get the care and attention they need. Hedgehogs are low maintenance and can live up to 8 years on average 4-5 years. They are hardy and don't have very many species specific health problems. Hedgehog can be purchased for about $175-$250 depending on the location and breeder. They will need to be handled often to remain friendly.
In the wild hedgehogs are insectivores, in our homes a high protein, low fat cat food. A meat as the first one or two ingredients. *27-35% protein (30-33% is ideal)*Under 15% fat *Minimum "filler" ingredients (corn, corn gluten meal, etc).Hedgehogs should not be kept in direct sun lightor by windows, heaters or vents. Hedgies sould be kept at 72-78 degrees with indirect sunlight.
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Insects (live, canned or freeze dried crickets, mealworms only one or two per day, wax worms or other insects.)
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Baby Foods
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Eggs (cooked)
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Rice
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Meats (favorites are grilled salmon, chicken, and turkey. Most meats fine as long as they are grilled, broiled, baked, boiled, or microwaved.)
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Fruits
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Vegetables
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Yogurt, Cottage Cheese (Provide extra calcium to your hedgies diet and the yogurt provides beneficial bacteria.)
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Canned cat food
About Hedgehogs
Foods to avoid:
Suggested snacks-treats:
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Avocado
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Dried fruit
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Chocolate
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Outdoor insects
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Raw eggs
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Onions
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Fried foods
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Nuts
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Garlic
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Milk
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Grapes
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Raw, canned, or processed (hot dogs) meat
Color's & Patterns:
Colors:
Dark Standard: (Dark Gray, Salt & Pepper & Black)
Black nose
Dark quills bands
Dark mask
Extremely dark gray-black skin
Standard: (Chocolate & Gray)
Dark brown or black nose
Dark brown quill bands that may have gray hue
May have some brown masking
Light gray skin
Light Standard: (Brown & Cinnamon)
Light brown or pinkish brown nose
Light brown or reddish brown quill bands
Masking possible but unlikely
Dark pink with gray hue skin
Dark Cotty: (Black Eyed Cinnacot & Dark Cinnacot)
Medium to dark pink nose
Mix of tan, orangish & or light brown quills, bands clearly visible
Faint masking
Pink skin
Light Cotty: (Red Eyed Cinnacot, Champane, Apricot & Pale Apricot)
Pink nose
Light tan & or light orangish quills, banding may be faint
No masking
Very pink skin
Albino:
Pink nose
Pink eyes
White quills
Pink skin
Patterns:
Snowflake:
Pattern is 50% un-banded (pure white) quills
Pinto:
Pinto is a partial form of albinism
Pintos are colored normally with the exception of one or more patches of pink skin with white quills
White:
A true white will have all white quills, with 10(ten) or fewer banded quills on forehead
Supplies:
Heat Mat
Solid wheel- (Bucket wheel, we use Carolina Storm Wheels)
Puppy or baby shampoo
Water Bottle or dish
Bedding- litter (Apsen, Carefresh, dried pine or cloth liners) NO CEDAR!
Solid bottom cage (We use large rubbermaid bins)
Hideout (Igloo)
High protein cat food
Diamond Naturals Indoor Cat Formula
Ingredients
Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, powdered cellulose, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, egg product, fish meal, sodium bisulfate, choline chloride, dried chicory root, methionine, potassium chloride, taurine, L-carnitine, yucca schidigera extract, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Analysis:
Crude Protein Minimum32.00%
Crude Fat Minimum14.00%
Crude Fiber Maximum8.00%
Moisture Maximum10.00%
Ash Maximum6.50%
Taurine Minimum0.10%
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Cleaning:
Bathing should be done as needed
For feet only wash fill sink or plastic tub with 1" to 3" of warm water and let hedgie roam for a few mins
For a full bath fill sink or plastic tub with about 4" or 5" of water wash belly then apply baby soap with a toothbrush to the quills, rinse well.
Wrap in towel until dry.
Cages need to be cleaned weekly
If your hedgie uses a litter box it will need to be changed at least 2 times a week
Wheels need to be cleaned daily or every other day
Common Hedgehog Disorders
Dry Skin
Dry skin can be caused by mites, fungus, dietary issues, or even just the time of year. When winter comes, lots of hedgehogs seem to get dry skin. Once mites or fungus have been ruled out, I have had great success with adding a couple of drops of Vitamin E oil on the shoulders, back and rump of the hedgehog. Others suggest bathing the hedgehog in Aveeno or other oatmeal based soap or adding olive oil to the bath water. If you suspect a dietary issue, try adding a pinch of Missing Link supplement to your hedgehogs food nightly. This product contains Omega fatty acids.
Mites
Mites are very commons, Symptoms include quill loss, scratching, dry flaky skin, and tattered ears. Mite infestations can lead to red inflamed skin, open sores, blindness, ear infections and death. See your vet for mite treatments. Wash and disinfect cages, wheels, etc. Remove any wood products (hidey logs, etc) from the hedgehogs cage, these products are nearly impossible to disinfect, and can harbor mites and their eggs. One method to help determine if there are mites present, place your hedgehog on a black cloth and gently rub its quills. Next place the cloth under a bright light and look for white dots that are moving about. If you see movement then your hedgehog has mites.
Mites can be transferred from an outside source (a infested bag of wood shavings, another hedgehog, or even from a different animal), or Second, that they came from the hedgehog himself (A few living on the hedgehog until the hedgehog’s immunities become low and they are able to reproduce).
Several species of mites have been identified on hedgehogs, including sarcoptic, demodectic, psoroptes, and chorioptes.
Currently most breeders are treating mite outbreaks with Revolution(selamectin). A single topical treatment of Revolution will last a full 30 days and will outlast the life cycle of any mite. See your vet dosage information and for a prescription for Revolution.
Quill Loss
Quills can be lost for a couple of reasons. The most common cause for quill loss are mites. If you suspect mites, take your hedgehog to a vet. Also please note that hedgehogs who are 8 weeks to 6 months of age will begin to quill. Quilling is the time when a young hedgehog starts to shed their baby quills and replace them with their adult quills. Quilling normally lasts for about 4 weeks.
Constipation
If your hedgie seems a bit constipated, try putting him in a couple inches of warm water for quick relief. This will almost always do the trick. Following this, try feeding him a little canned pumpkin (unseasoned brand). Pumpkin almost always works well for constipation. If condition persists, see your Vet.
Green Stools
Green stools can be caused by a wide variety of things. Stress, change in diet or water, or illness can cause abnormal stools. If your hedgehog's stools have become green and you have changed their diet, moved them recently, give them a day or two and their stools should return to a normal color. If your hedgehog quits eating, drinking, or the stool continues to remain green and loose, seek veterinary assistance.
Cold to the touch, Lethargy, Wobbliness
These symptoms are normally due to your hedgehog becoming too cold. Immediately warm your hedgehog up. Place the hedgehog on a heating pad set on low, under your shirt, or on towels that have been warmed in a dryer. Once your hedgehog is warm, either increase the temperature in the room and make sure there are no drafts. To test for drafts take a candle and hold it next to your hedgehogs cage, if the flame flickers, your hedgehogs cage is in a draft. Adding a Snuggle Safe Disc (see our Housing ideas page) to your hedgehogs cage will also help him stay warm.
Obesity
Obesity can be indicated by yellowing under the armpits. This problem can also lead to Fatty Liver Disease, which is a very serious and fatal disease if not treated. To help get your hedgehog back into shape, reduce the fat and calories of its diet. Also try to encourage your hedgehog's exercise, if you don't have a wheel, add a wheel to his cage.
Tattered Ears
Tattered ears can be caused by mites, fungus or dietary issues. A veterinarian will need to determine if your hedgehog has mites or fungus. Once these are ruled you can try rubbing a little cocoa butter or vitamin E cream to the ears a few times a week to help soften them. Many owners will also add Missing Link, cod liver oil, or Spectrum Essential Oil to the hedgehogs food. These products help add the Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids to your pets diet.
Ear Fungus
Hedgehog ears should look smooth and rounded around the edges, if your hedgehog has 'fingers' growing from his ears then he may have a fungus growing on his ears. This fungus is reported to be a common wood fungus that comes in on wood products (bedding, newspeper, etc). Under the finger like growths on your hedgehogs ears, this fungus is eating slowly away at the edge of the ears. Eventually, if left untreated, it will eat the ears away to nub.
Discharge from the earsIf your hedgehog has a discharge from his ears please take him to a vet. A discharge from the ears could possibly be mites or an ear infection.
Discharge, watery eyes
Watery eyes or a discharge from the eyes could result from infection, allergies, or an injury. Please see your vet for diagnosis.
Bloody Feet
Check for a broken nail or tiny cuts on the hedgehogs feet. Clean the area with warm water and determine where the blood came from and if it is still bleeding. Next try to determine what caused the problem. If your hedgehog has tiny cuts on the bottom of his feet, and you just recently added a wheel, it is possibly your quilly friend ran until his feet got hurt.
Lumps under skin, tumors, and cancer
Unfortunately tumors and cancer are very common in hedgehogs. Please see your vet to determine what the lump is and how to best treat it.
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