Hedgehog Care
| Looking for a complete hedgehog care sheet you can download and print? Click link below for an excellent one published by the Hedgehog Breeders Alliance! |
CAGE
| An adequate-sized, safe cage is key to the health and happiness of your hedgehog. A MINIMUM of 2.5 square feet of cage space per hedgehog is recommended, but bigger is always better. A hedgehog cage needs to be escape-proof with a solid floor surface. Wire or mesh floors are dangerous to your hedgehog- delicate feet and toes can easily be ensnared and injured. Cage sides should be either a solid surface or a smooth wire surface narrow enough to prevent your hedgehog from escaping. At Lilac City Hedgehogs, we use large (120 qt) storage tubs for cages. We find these tubs to be roomy, easy to clean and difficult to damage. The clear walls allow visibility for the hedgehogs, and the lids, when modified with a wire mesh panel, provide adequate ventilation. A hedgehog cage should always be placed in a warm, well-ventilated room, away from drafts and loud noises. The ideal temperature for a hedgehog is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. |
BEDDING
| Kiln-dried pine shavings, aspen shavings or Carefresh all make excellent bedding choices. Fleece/ cloth liners are also an excellent choice for those looking for an environmentally-friendly, reusable option. NEVER use cedar shavings, even if sold in the small animal section of the pet store- cedar has aromatic oils harmful to small animals. |
ACCESSORIES
| Your hedgehog will need a food dish and water bottle/ water dish. A ceramic crock is recommended for food- they are easy to clean and difficult for the hedgehog to tip over. Either a dish or a bottle can be used as a water source, but we recommend a bottle. We find bottles easier to keep clean, as they do not get bedding, food or waste kicked into them. Some hedgehogs may take a bit to learn to use a water bottle, so if your hedgehog previously used a water dish, be sure to provide both a water dish and a water bottle until you see that your hedgehog has learned to use the bottle. Most hedgehogs greatly enjoy having an exercise wheel to run on. At Lilac City Hedgehogs, we have several "wheel enthusiasts" who run for miles each night! It is important to choose your hedgehog's wheel carefully, as there are several models on the market that are unsafe for hedgehogs. A hedgehog wheel needs to have a solid surface- no wire, mesh or bars. We like the Silent Spinner brand wheel, large size, available at pet stores, or the homemade "bucket wheels" available for purchase on many websites. |
FOOD
| A quality dry cat food should be the staple of your hedgehog's diet. Although there are some hedgehog foods available commercially, most are poorly researched and not nutritionally complete. At Lilac City Hedgehogs, we use Royal Canin Babycat 34 for our babies (up to six months old) and a mix of Purina Complete Care and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul for our adult hedgehogs. It is important to supplement your hedgehog's diet with a variety other foods. Fresh veggies, fresh fruit, cooked (unseasoned) meat, cooked egg and live insects are all good choices. Most hedgehogs are particularly fond of live mealworms and crickets. |
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GROOMING
| As with most other pets, regular grooming is necessary to keep your hedgehog looking and feeling it's best. The skin between a hedgehog's quills can become dry and dirty, so occasional bathing is necessary. We like to bathe our hedgehogs at least once a month. Bathing can be done in a sink or bathtub. Fill the sink or tub with a small amount of lukewarm water (never hot) and place the hedgehog inside. The water should be shallow enough that the hedgehog can easily raise it's head above water (usually one inch deep, at most). Squirt a small amount of tear-free pet shampoo on the hedgehog's back and massage it between the quills with an old toothbrush. Rinse the hedgehog thoroughly and cuddle the hedgehog in a towel until completely dry. A hedgehog's toenails need to be trimmed when they become long. Bath time is a great time for nail clipping. Grip the foot you are trimming firmly between your fingers and use a small human nail clipper to trim the nails above the bloodline. On dark-colored hedgehogs, it may be necessary to shine a flashlight on the nail to see the bloodline. |
| Lilac City Hedgehogs recommends local vet: Dr Kendall Cypert Ponti Veterinary Hospital 25007 E. Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 (509) 922-7465 |