Handling When picking up a hedgehog, it is best to slip your fingers under their belly and lift straight up.  In nature, predators attack from behind so if you grab them from behind, your hedgie will instinctively curl up.  This is a sign of fear NOT aggression.  When hedgehogs feel no threat and are picked up correctly, they are very calm and sweet creatures. In the event that your hedgehog exhibits an undesired behavior, DO NOT punish them by raising your voice or thumping their nose.  Doing so will almost certainly guarantee a repeat of the negative behavior as well as possibly break your bond with your hedgehog.  Over the years, we have found that down-playing and not over-reacting to undesired behavior is usually the best deterrent. When bringing home a new hedgehog, it is usually best to give them 24 - 48 hours to acclimate themselves to their new surroundings.  There will be new smells and sounds which may be frightening to them and they may not tolerate being handled right away.  After this adjustment period, handle him/her daily.  Most hedgehogs are up and moving around sundown and it is typically best to handle them once they are awake.  Waking them for handling may startle them and they may not be receptive to being held at that time (though some are so layed back that they don't mind the time of day). Housing USDA guidelines state that the minimum cage requirement is 2 sq. ft. of floor space.  We recommend 3-4 sq. ft. of floor space ... the more, the better.  Hedgehogs love to explore each night.  Extra space will also allow for a hide hut, exercise wheel and litter pan (if training is desired). Hedgehogs can climb and escape from a cage with no top if the sides are not tall enough.  Hedgehogs have tiny feet that will slip through wire bottoms causing injury so a solid bottom is a must.  Substrate or bedding for hedgehogs can include wood shavings, paper bedding or cage liners.  If you choose to use a wood product, you must NEVER USE CEDAR as it contains oils that are toxic to all animals.  Kiln dried pine is an acceptable alternative.  There are a few types of paper beddings available in most pet stores (i.e. Carefresh, SoftZorb, etc.)  Paper products are slightly more expensive but are very absorbent and free of mites (which can sometimes be found in wood products). More than 1 hedgehog per cage is not recommended.  Hedgehogs are solitary animals by nature.  Even 2 females may squabble if housed together.  The resulting injuries can sometimes lead to death.  We strongly advise against housing hedgehogs together. Ideal Temperatures: Although hedgehogs can tolerate temperatures from 70º - 88ºF, the ideal temperature range is 72º - 80ºF.  Temperatures should be monitored and not allowed to drop below or exceed this range for more than a few hours per 24 hour period.  Winter - Hibernation/torpor can be fatal for African hedgehogs.  Excessive drops in temperature (below 65º) are very hard for hedgehogs to overcome and can lead to death.  Summer - Excessive heat can be fatal very quickly.  Signs of heat exhaustion include: panting or gasping, ignoring stimulus while laying on his/her side, vomiting, bubbles/foam coming from mouth and/or nose, apparent delirium (vocalizing and running about the cage as if frightened). We experience frequent power failures and have many tips that work in a pinch.  Below are 2 of them. Cold Tip: A hot water bottle (with cloth cover) can make a warm place for a hedgie to burrow. Heat Tip: A large bowl of ice placed in a cage can lower the temperature by as much as 5. Please check with us if you have any questions.  We hope to publish a Tips Page soon. Food and Water Many types of specialty dry foods available for hedgehogs in most major pet stores.  If your hedgie refuses to eat these “specialty foods” he/she may accept a good quality dry cat food quite readily.  It’s very important, regardless of which dry food you offer, that you offer live insects such as mealworms, crickets and waxworms.  Superworms should be avoided.   Live insects should be offered daily as hedgehogs are insectivorous and must have insects in their diet to maintain optimal health. If you aren't willing to handle insects...hedgehogs are not the pet for you. You must also observe your hedgehog’s weight.  Hedgehogs have a tendency to become overweight from either eating too much or exercising too little.  If you notice that your hedgehog is unable to roll into a ball and has a noticeable amount fatty tissue around the front shoulders (when laid upon its back) then you may want to consider a lower calorie dry food.  Food should be offered in a shallow heavy dish that can hold approximately ½ - ¾ cup of food.  Unless your hedgehog shows signs of a weight problem, food should be offered at all times.  Food remaining from the previous day should be discarded and fresh food offered daily. We find that it is best to offer a water bottle rather than a water dish.  Typically hedgies will knock a water dish over, play in it or fill it full of bedding.  It just tends to be messy and doesn’t allow access to clean water at all times.  You can also use a gravity fed waterer but you will need to check it several times a day to ensure that the hedgie has clean water available. Exercise Placing an exercise wheel in your hedgehog’s cage is a must!  A lot of hedgehogs have a tendency to become overweight when kept as pets.  They WILL use an exercise wheel when offered but it must be one that has a solid or screened walking surface to prevent their tiny feet from getting caught which can cause injuries.  Remember, hedgehogs are nocturnal which means that they will be using this wheel in the middle of the night.  Most wheels (even those that claim to be quiet) will make some noise.  This should be taken into consideration when determining which room in your home to place your hedgehog.  You want your hedgehog to get as much exercise as possible, but you want to make sure that the humans in the house can sleep as well. Other suitable exercise options include: Playtime with you.  Allowing your hedgie to run around on a protected surface (with your supervision) is a great way to keep him/her in shape. Taking a dip in the bathtub is fantastic exercise (never leave hedgie unattended as drowning could occur). Strolling in a runaround ball.  The ferret size is ideal for hedgehogs but sizes for other animals are too small for a hedgehog's stride.  When using the ball, you will want to make sure that it is on a protected surface.  The balls have small slits for air which will allow urine to come out and could damage carpet or furniture. Tunnels/Tubes that are at least 4" in diameter for them to trot around in. Cleaning Bathing your hedgehog is a snap.  Run just enough lukewarm (never hot or cold) water to reach the hedgehog’s belly.  Once they are used to the water, you can raise the water level, allowing them to swim.  Since they are such small animals, they can be bathed in a sink or if you like you can use the tub or a kiddie pool to allow for more room to roam.  If taking a dip doesn’t clean all soiled areas, you can use a tooth brush and fragrance free, dye free shampoo to properly clean up your hedgie.  They usually like to play in the water for a while but never leave them unattended as they could escape or possibly even drown. Always give your hedgie plenty of towel time.  Hedgies should be totally dry when placed back in their cage.  Damp hedgies + drafty cages = illness. It is best not to bathe your hedgehog too often.  Each bath removes vital oils from their skin and may cause dry or flaky skin.  Bathe when soiled, stinky or in need of exercise. Cleaning your hedgehog’s cage is simple.  Mix 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water and use this to clean the cage, litter pan, wheel, hide hut, food bowl and water bottle.  Make sure to rinse thoroughly and drip or towel dry.  This should be done every 2 – 3 days or as often as needed if you have an unusually messy hedgie.  This will keep down any bacteria growth and odor and keep your hedgie happy and healthy. Cleaning doesn't have to be a thankless chore ... spend time with your hedgie while the cage dries.  By spending time with your hedgie, then returning him/her to a clean cage, you just might be reinforcing the bond with your hedgie. Illness First and foremost, if you suspect that your hedgehog is ill or injured, seek the medical attention of a licensed vet that is experienced with hedgehogs immediately. Several things can affect a hedgehog’s health.  Hedgehogs can develop or suffer from obesity, skin conditions, respiratory infections, injuries, mites, fungal infections and congenital or neurological disorders.  Some of these issues can be researched on the internet and treated successfully; however we recommend that you at least consult with a licensed vet before beginning any treatment. We choose not to delve too deeply into these issues.  We feel that they are best left to professionals.  If you feel that there is a problem, PLEASE visit a licensed vet. Knowing what's normal: Hedgehogs will "anoint" themselves when they smell new scents.  This is when they lick themselves (usually on the back) creating a foam that is clearly visible.  It is a natural behavior and nothing to be alarmed about.  As a result of anointing, the saliva will dry and flake off.  This can sometimes be mistaken for a skin problem.  If your hedgie has recently anointed and has flakes, give him/her a bath in lukewarm water, no shampoo.  After a good rinse, there should be no signs of flakes. Parasites:  It is possible that your hedgie could contract external parasites.  Wood shavings can contain mites and if there are other animals in your home that travel outside, it is possible that they could bring in mites and fleas.  Signs and symptoms could be: Constant scratching (remember that all animals do scratch occasionally), dry and flaking skin, cracked skin, open sores and quill loss resulting in balding.  If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your vet as parasites will result in health problems that could lead to death.  Click here to visit Hedgehog Central to browse various topics about hedgehogs from simple fact to health related issues. Click here to visit Hedgehog Central to locate a vet in your area  This website and its contents are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as veterinary advice. The resources provided do not necessarily reflect those of the site owner. Contact your veterinarian or animal hospital your animal should become ill or if you have an emergency.