top of page

 

Hedgehogs in Nature

Classification:

   Kingdom: Animalia

      Phylum: Chordata

        Class: Mammalia

           Order: Eulipotyphla

              Family: Erinaceidae

                 Genus: Atelerix

                     Species: A. albiventris

                                  Binomial Name: Atelerix albiventris

Common Name: Domestic Hedgehog

Life in Captivity

"Exotic mammals seldom behave like domesticated cats and dogs."

People thinking of keeping Hedgehogs as pets, need to realize that whereas a dog loves constant attention, a Hedgehog is far more likely to appreciate its own space. most simply don't like change and are often anti social, sometimes to the point that they prefer only to interact with one or two, human companions who they are familiar with. They are not usually the type of animal that you can teach to be obedient. They don't really care if you, their owner, is pleased or displeased with them and do not care how much you love it or how much it would mean to you, if he / she would love you back. It cares only cares about its own survival!​

It usually takes a bit of time for them to become accustomed to new people, but they are known to be able to form a bond with their caregivers. Constant attention, patience, and a lot of socialization,  are the key to building a trusting relationship between you and a Hedgehog. Once a Hedgehog recognizes your voice, smells, and realizes that you are not a threat, it may look to you as a provider of food and as a safe place to be comfortable. 

Because some hedgehogs are known to be capable of bonding with their caregiver and because they are not as demanding as a dog or a cat, leads many people feeling that there is no better pet than a Hedgehog. Just because they are not as domesticated, as dogs and cats does not mean they will not make a nice pet. People living in small spaces and who prefer a pet that is undemanding, then this just may be the perfect type of pet for them!

 

Pet Hedgehogs are nocturnal.

During the daytime light hours, hedgehogs spend their day sleeping. They depend on daylight to have a restful sleep, which is opposite of what we  humans who require darkness to achieve a proper rest.  In captivity, Hedgehogs need to have their habitats kept in a place that receives indirect bright natural light but out of direct sunlight. Ideally, they should be able to experience the changes in morning, afternoon, and evening of natural light. They are naturally nocturnal creatures who become active at night. Hoping not to become dinner for birds of prey and other predators, hedgehogs prefer to do most of their scurrying around their territory after twilight, where they remain in the shadows of moonlight. They are often seen searching for a meal or looking for a mate during the darkness of night. 


In captivity, they remain most active after sundown, but it appears that after many generations living in captivity hedgehogs seem to be adapting. Those that becoming a bit more relaxed during the day. Seem to be evolving their sleeping habits and some lines are slowly becoming a little more diurnal.

 

Being that hedgehogs are naturally nocturnal they are most active at night; it is best for caregivers to try and plan their time to interact with it by synchronizing your schedule adapt to the pet’s nocturnal schedule. For most people, scheduling, well timed visits to the evening ours and early mornings are the best time for most pet hedgehogs who might eventually begin to adapt to your personal schedule and look forward to and enjoy your visits.

 

If you continually wake an animal up when it is tired, it will not want to be bothered with you. It just wants to sleep and if you disturb him, he may become grumpy towards you.

 

Pet Hedgehogs
Keeping One versus Two Hedgehogs

Wild, Hedgehogs are not social beings! They are naturally shy, nervous little creatures who prefer to live solitary lives. In fact, they prefer and choose to live alone, away from other members of their own species, and will chase other Hedgehogs away from their territory. Sometimes siblings can tolerate  cohabitating with nest mates for a short time, but even then, they have been known to be territorial and attack their siblings.  They want their own space and eventually they will need somewhere more secluded, where they can make their own little den, and live out their lives the way hedgehogs have evolved to live.

 

They are solitary animals who prefer not to live in the company of another Hedgehog and typically only come together to breed. Two or more males will almost always fight. On occasion females, may sometimes co-exist together in what appears to us as companionship, but they are just two animals who have been put together by well-intended humans and forced to tolerate living with each other. Unfortunately, even though it was well intentioned, this union seldom works out as hoped.

Sometimes, even after living together for extended periods of time, two females may, without provocation, turn on each other.

 

Although Hedgehogs are not usually nasty towards other species, they can become extremely aggressive towards members of their own species. Fights can get vicious, causing serious physical injury to one another and sometimes resulting in death.

We strongly suggest housing all Hedgehogs in separate cages only letting them explore together while being supervised. . 

Pros and cons of

Choosing a male versus a female

One of the most frequent questions we get asked, is whether a male or a female makes a better pet.

Although when cared for properly, both genders can make excellent pets. However, there are a couple of minor differences that probably should be taken into consideration before deciding on a specific gender.

'It is very important that everyone who is considering purchasing a Hedgehog to be aware that it is not uncommon for a Hedgehog to breed while they are still in the nest. In the wild, hedgehogs have a short life expectancy. They mature quick, breed young and live life quickly. We have personally known of females giving birth as young as 10 weeks of age. Of course, this is too young and very hard on the female. Most often when a female gives birth at such a young age the babies are a result of a sibling breeding. Females that become pregnant at such a young age often do not make good mothers. They run a much higher risk of complications and even  death.

Usually at this age the mother has not mentally or physically developed fully and often the babies do not survive. Sometimes the new mother cannibalizes her babies, and this can quickly end her maternal instincts and her reliability in a long term breeding program.

We all need to keep in mind that nature and evolution allowed hedgehogs to breed at a young age and there is not much a breeder can do to change that. Both males and females in a litter to stay with and nurse from mom until they are at an age that they can be fully weaned which sometimes is too late to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, to avoid unexpected surprises choosing a male would obviously be a better choice for those who absolutely do not want to raise an unexpected litter.'

 

At some point in a female Hedgehog’s life, she will experience wanting to raise a family. This is a natural cycle and when hormonal changes signal that it is time to nest then sometimes, they can become a bit moody and become nest (cage) protective. Usually this is only temporary and when her hormones change back to nonbreeding mode, providing she still receives daily interaction, her personality usually returns to "normal".

Like many other species, the male Hedgehog tends to be a little more of a risk taker than a female. In the wild he is either looking for food or looking for a mate. His wanderlust in search for a mate, constantly exposes him to different situations and different surroundings, therefore he needs to be adaptable and more flexible. Sometimes a female can be more rigid in her routine. She sticks closer to home and is thinking of raising a family, building the nest / home and protecting her small territory.

I think that if I were to pick a Hedgehog to keep as a single pet, then based on gender, I would choose a male. But, without considering all the other factors (some of which I have listed in the next section) that contribute to the development of their personalities, choosing a pet based on gender alone is not the ideal way to pick out a Hedgehog.

Firstly, you need to decide if you want a single pet. If so, then there is not too many differences.  Do you plan to raise multiple pet hedgehogs. If so, same sex groups, housed separately are the safest way to go. Do you want to breed them? If so, we suggest that you consider making the male the primary pet. Females should not be disturbed during the final weeks of pregnancy and the first few weeks after giving birth. During this time, she may become a bit grumpy and after giving birth she may feel threatened and cannibalize her babies. It is very common for hedgehogs to consume their offspring being that all hedgehogs require daily interaction if she does raise her babies she may never be the same after she has weaned them.

Keeping in mind that besides gender, other factors play a huge role in developing the personality of a hedgehog. Every Hedgehog has its own unique personality and while to some degree, gender does play a bit of a role in the development of their personality there are also many other things that influence their unique personalities.

Health - A Hedgehog that feels ill will likely not want to be disturbed and may react fearfully.

Heredity - Genetics is certainly an important factor in predetermining the personality of pet Hedgehogs. Traits are passed on from their parents but learned behaviors can also influence personality especially when learned at an early age. Being that Hedgehogs have naturally evolved to be self-reliant and loners, many of these traits are passed on to the next generation. It is important that when breeders are planning a new litter, to carefully select and assess the calmest, healthiest parents before pairing them together for mating. This selective breeding practice will increase the chances that these desirable traits will be passed on or taught to their offspring. We now know that many personality traits are written ‘in part’ in an animal’s DNA but we do not exactly know which traits they are or how babies learn from reacting to various situations or from copying their parents.

Habitat -  Next to genetics, inadequate housing  may be the leading cause of moodiness in Hedgehogs. ‘Most of the adults that are turned over to us to be fostered, tend to be a lot more anti-social if they have previously been kept in an enclosed space (usually bins). They have been deprived of normal smells, light, external movements and sounds that only an open-air cage provides and after a short while living under those conditions they have become a bit disturbed.If housed improperly, especially when an animal is born in an enclosed habitat, such as a bin, box, crate aquarium or a similar confined space that he or she can not hear or see out of or smell it environment and it does not have the opportunity to experience much outside world, it can become cage crazy! It often develops a skittish and nervous personality and often when it is taken out of its' enclosure to be played with,  the whole experience is overwhelming and shocking, and the little hedgehog will be scared, and it will react defensively’‘ When housed properly; in an open-air cage that is located in a place within the home that has constant temperature, away from drafts and sunlight, whereby it can experience different movements, new sounds, smells and other changes on a regular basis, Hedgehogs housed this way tend to become a bit more social

Socialization – For first time Hedgehog owners, it is often best to start interacting with a Hedgehog at a young age so you can familiarize your pet with other humans. Even before they are fully weaned from their mother, we start off at a slow but steady pace, getting them familiar with and accustomed to human companionship. While it usually takes less time when they are young but however even a more mature hedgehog can be socialized, it just takes longer and with a bit of more patience. If a Hedgehog has not been handled at young age you can still work at befriending it by visiting and spending time interacting with it slowly; increasing the amount of interaction time, you spend with it each day. You may need to force your love on it for a while, but be patient, it will take some time for your new pet to start trusting you. Repetition is the key use it as a tool for training and establishing a new report with your pet. This can be done by doing the same things around the same time every day for a few days or until your pet gets used to whatever it is you are doing. Offerings of food as a bribe often works as a distraction because food is an excellent motivator for Hedgehogs. When they are comfortable with your presence (voice and smell) they will become, friendlier and start looking forward to your daily visits. "Socialization takes patience". 

Lack of sleep - Being that these animals are naturally nocturnal, if you wake any animal up, if it is tired it won’t be in the best mood. If this is done repeatedly and the animal is not getting the rest it needs, it will become constantly irritable. Sometimes when you wake up a Hedgehog it may have fearful reaction and get huffy. This is often mistaken for an anti-social personality, but it is not. It is just a reaction  with a bit of time and patience, many Hedgehogs become less nervous, less scared, less shy and a lot less "grumpy".

Seasonal Changes - Temperature and light changes can have a huge effect on the personality of Hedgehogs and other animals. Hedgehogs are survivalists! During the time of plenty, which is usually rainy season (spring and summer) you may notice that your pet is a little more active then he or she would be during the fall and winter (when food is harder to come by). This is because many animals have an internal clock hardwired as part of their genetic makeup and they are preprogrammed to conserve energy by being less active at certain times of the year. This is especially noticeable in Hedgehogs. When the weather is starting to get cooler and the days are darker these changes send a message to them that food will not be as readily available and that they need to conserve energy by resting and being less active. (Hedgehogs in captivity are still preprogramed and they function the same way a wild Hedgehog does, it does not realize that food will still be as readily available year-round in captivity). When they start to prepare themselves for winter they slow down, sleep more and they do not want to be disturbed.

Breeding too young - It is especially important that everyone who is considering purchasing a Hedgehog to be aware that it is common for a Hedgehog to breed while they are still in the nest. To avoid unexpected surprises a male would obviously be a better choice for those who absolutely do not want to raise an unexpected litter.'

Hormonal changes in females - At some point in a female hedgehog life, she will experience wanting to raise a family. This is a natural cycle and when hormonal changes signal that it is time to nest then sometimes, they can become a bit moody and become nest (cage) protective. Usually this is only temporary and when her hormones change back to nonbreeding mode providing, she still receives daily interaction, her personality usually returns to "normal". Like many other species,

Torpor - Some animals will instinctively hibernate while others such as Hedgehogs can go into a state of torpor. which is a time when they don't want to bother doig anything.  (Torpor is discussed in more detail further down on this site) 

Self-anointing

(A peculiar and fascinating part of Hedgehog’s behaviour)

At times when a Hedgehog encounters an unfamiliar smell or taste, such as fruit juices, soaps etc., it may lick, bite or chew at the object, attempting to accumulate some of unusual substance in it’s mouth. Then the Hedgehog, using its tongue, produces a mass of frothy saliva, and spreads the saliva over it’s quills.

While this is a natural behaviour it is more often observed in baby Hedgehogs’ who often find everything new and exciting. As pet Hedgehogs mature and become accustom to numerous smells and tastes they tend to self-anoint less often. Some of our teenage and adult Hedgehogs never bother to self-anoint. 

 

Home Environmental Conditions Required

'in the wild their home is in the hot, dry & bright, Savannah '

As with many species of animals Hedgehogs can and will enter a state of torpor when the temperatures fluctuate or sometimes when light and humidity levels change. If it gets too cool or if they lack adequate lighting and humidity they may enter a state of torpor. If it gets too hot it may enter a state of estivation which can also be dangerous.

Temperature: Hedgehogs are sensitive to extreme temperatures but are extremely sensitive to quick fluctuations. Ideally, they prefer temperatures that are maintained between 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures 29 degrees Celsius or above can induce heat related estivation while temperatures lower than 19 can induce torpor.

Light: Hedgehogs require an equal balance of day light and nighttime darkness to thrive best. Avoid putting your pets’ cage in direct sunlight. Hedgehogs that are housed in a dimly lit room within the home should be provided with addition bright but indirect light for several hours per day. They depend on daylight to tell them it is time to sleep.

Humidity: They thrive best when the humidity level is between 40% to 60%. (which is also within the optimum humidity level for us humans)


and often develops an introverted and nervous personality. When it is taken out of its' enclosure to be played with by its' caregiver,  the whole experience will be very shocking and the little hedgehog will likely be scared and it will likely react defensively. When housed properly; in an open-air cage, located in a place within the home whereby it can experience different movements, new sounds, smells and other changes on a regular basis, Hedgehogs housed in open-air habitats tend to become a bit more social. Most of the adults that are turned over to us to be fostered tend to be a lot more anti-social if they have been kept in an enclosed space (usually bins). They have been deprived of normal smells, light, external movements and sounds that only an open-air cage provides.

  •  
  • Socialization- It is important to start at a very young age. You must familiarize your pet Hedgehog with humans at a slow but steady pace. The best time to get them to become accustomed to human companionship is done even before they are fully weaned from their mother, but even a more mature can be socialized, it just takes longer and a bit of patience. If a Hedgehog has not been handled from a young age you can still work at befriending it by visiting and spending time interacting with it slowly. Then increasing the amount of interaction time, you spend with it each day. You will need to force your love on it but be patient because it will likely take time for your new pet to start trusting you. Try to use repetition as a tool for training and establishing a new report with your pet. This can be done by doing the same things every day for a few days until your pet gets used to whatever it is your doing. Offerings of food as a bribe often works as a distraction because food is an excellent motivator for Hedgehogs. When they are comfortable with your presence (voice and smell) they will likely become, friendlier and start looking forward to your daily visits. It is very important to understand that hedgehogs are not herd animals. They are introverted little creatures that often react nervously. .."Socialization takes patience".
  • Sleep Time -Being that they are naturally nocturnal, if you wake an animal up and it is tired it probably won’t be in the best of moods. If this is done repeatedly and the animal is not getting the rest it needs, it will likely become irritable.

(Often witnessing a fearful reaction to something new, is often mistaken as an anti-social personality but when housed properly, with a bit of time and patience, many Hedgehogs become less nervous, less scared, less shy and and a lot less "grumpy").

Enclosure / Habitat Requirements

Enclosed Bins and Aquariums are not suitable !

Minimum size cage for a Hedgehog is approximately 25"long x 17" wide x 15" Tall or Larger 


All mammals in captivity, including Hedgehogs need open-air well ventilated, clean, roomy cages to thrive in. They need to be able to experience natural light, they need to experience smells and they need to become familiar with non muffled sounds in order to develop properly.

Although bins are often promoted by some breeders and a few caregivers, as a cheap substitute for a proper enclosure, these enclosed plastic or glass bins are generally unsuitable to keep a hedgehog in for any length of time. They deprive all animals of the their natural ability to maximize the use of their senses; seeing, hearing, smelling, etc.. 

While boxes may help contain some of the shavings/bedding, without proper air-flow the bedding and the plastic will hold humidity. Humidity promotes mold and bacteria growth which can be fatal to a pet. So,why anyone would want to keep any pet in a bin denies logical explanation.

Like all animals, Hedgehogs need to be able to use and rely on their senses to experience the constant ongoing, changes in their environment, however minor these may seem. Minor changes in lighting, sound, temperature, etc., helps keep them stimulated and their brains working.All animals need to be exposed to light, air movement and some things that they can identify i.e. different sounds, noises and smells that are in their surrounding environment. Depriving them the use of any of these key senses will undoubtedly have long term psychological effects that may result in behavioral issues and mental injury. 


Occasionally, breeders & pet caregivers will recommend a cheap bin to use to contain a pet in temporarily but some will also recommend using them instead of an open-air habitat for the pet to live in forever…THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN! The only time an appropriately sized tote should be used for an animal is when you need something to tote an animal around in and it should only be used for a short time. Pet carriers may be a better option. Carriers are a little more expensive, but they are designed for ease of use; equipped with a secure door and a handle for carrying and most can be disassembled for easy storage when they are not in use.


My opinion, as a pet owner and as breeder who actually truly cares about my pets, I find the whole idea of keeping a pet in an enclosed plastic or glass box completely ridiculous, risky and inhumane. I am not sure why any responsible caregiver would want to use one. I cannot even begin to guess why an ethical breeder would deliberately suggest using them. Perhaps their opinion is based more on emotion (irrational fear) rather than logic, there is a very good possibility that some of these people that are selling these pets,  are opportunists who are using the cheap price of a tote as a bit of a sales gimmick, hoping to make the animal's price more appealing to unsuspecting customers (sales ploy... save money on the supplies and spend more on the pet)


Of course we all want our pets to be safe and occasionally, even when we put a lot of thought when choosing a proper cage for our pet, it is always possible for an accident to happen but still we all need to keep in mind that keeping an animal in an enclosed humid space where bacteria, molds and fungus can grow, is surely nothing short of, an accident (injury) waiting to happen.

Before getting any new pet, try to make the right choice by using common sense and not be misled by breeders or anyone telling you that it is okay to keep an animal in a tote or storage bin!

 

If  keeping your pet hedgehog in a cage is not for you then why not consider a screened habitat. They are available at pet supply stores . I have posted a picture of a Zoo Med Repti-Breeze Open Air Screen Cage, Extra Large . It offers a safe open air enclosure which is far superior to any bin.

What ever habitat that you decide to choose for your pet ...common sense needs to prevail!

Environmental Enrichment Activities

(Stimulation = Exercise/Toys)

Provide solid levels/platforms and large size tubes and tunnels for your Hedgehogs to play and explore in while they are in their cage and change the set up often. Solid platforms and huts or safe untreated cardboard tubes stuffed with treats will help keep your Hedgehog entertained. Hedgehogs will also enjoy using any additional exercise wheels that are a bit different to the one they are used to. Offer a variety of pet safe toys but avoid giving things that your pet can get stuck in or anything that you feel is unsafe. Safe toys should be provided for your Hedgehog to root in. They enjoy pushing toys and objects around in its cage. To keep your pet interested in playing with things, be sure to change these toys regularly

Hedgehogs do not seem to enjoy chewing and seldom invest any time into it.

Hedgehogs can be very active and enjoy exploring. Your Hedgehog should be given time outside of the cage daily, to run around and explore. Always make sure the area is safe for your pet. Ensure there are no places that a Hedgehog can access and get stuck in that you can not get to or where the animal can fall and injure itself.

Socialization & Handling

Hedgehogs are creatures of habit and don’t adapt well to drastic changes in their environment or without first being exposed to new things, repetitively. Although they give us the impression that they are shy, they are quite timid. That is why they will ball up. They are grumpy, they feel threatened or scared and are in a protective mode. When they roll up and huff it is not to be aggressive or grumpy it is just their way they use to warn us that they are aware of our presence and that his spines are sharp.

Although they naturally territorial creatures who prefer living alone and seldom form bonds and cannot be trusted to live with another Hedgehogs, they can form tight bonds with their caregiver. 

Whenever purchasing your first Hedgehog try to obtain one that is 7 to 12 weeks of age. This is the ideal age because they are just used to living life without their mother and siblings and they are at an impressionable age, able to start learning and forming new habits.

Older Hedgehogs can usually be worked with to gain their trust but it will likely take more time and are more suited for people who have some experience caring for exotics.

Before you start training your pet you must first understand and respect some of the things they have naturally evolved to be. Then, begin to work within the realm of these traits and do so by paying close attention to its schedule. Be patient! Give it time to learn that it can trust you. Hedgehogs instinctively rely on their sense of smell and hearing to identify you and accept you as a friend.

When collecting your new pet so that you can spend time with it out of its’ cage, first try enticing it with treats hoping to get it to trust you. When it starts to trust, you can start picking it up but never grab it quickly. Doing so will stress the animal and it could start to fear you.

Never pick your Hedgehog from above because predators come from above and Hedgehogs are pre-programmed to respond accordingly. Always gently scoop your Hedgehog from below. Try to avoid using gloves when holding your Hedgehog. If you wear gloves to pick up your Hedgehog you are in fact teaching your pet to get used to the glove, not your hand or your smell.

Talk to it when entering the room that it is in. It will get accustomed to your voice and start to look forward to your visit.Sometimes no matter what you do many Hedgehog may be grumpy / timid, at times. It is all apart of their natural instincts. If they don’t like you in the beginning you’ll need to force a little of your love on it. do that in small steps repeating it several times a day, until it gets to trust you more and knows that you are not going to harm it.

Be patient, bonding with a Hedgehog is not likely going to happen overnight. It takes time. Repetition is usually the key to success. After all they are creatures of habit. 

Grooming a Hedgehog

Bathing - Hedgehogs do not like water and they seldom enjoy having a bath.

Don’t be surprised if your pet Hedgehog panics a bit when you first introduce him or her to a bath. Hedgehogs do not like being in water. They prefer not to be bathed and although some people will tell you that their pets enjoy a bath, I highly doubt that they like being bathed but have instead, learned to tolerate it.

Bathe your Hedgehog every 7-14 days or as needed, if it gets dirty. Most animal bedding is somewhat dusty. They are formulated to neutralize odor and to absorb moisture from your pets’ environment. Although the bedding is doing what it is meant to do, it will also be absorbing moisture from your pet’s skin. Over time, if left unwashed, a fine layer of dust and dirt particles builds up, not allowing the animal’s skin to ‘breathe’ properly. If left untreated you may start to notice dry flaky skin or other more serious health problems.

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner -Whenever possible, use a natural vegetable based, chemical/alcohol/fragrance free shampoo and conditioner that does not contain tea tree oil. (TEA TREE OIL may be fatal to Hedgehogs!). Many of these natural and premium shampoos can be purchased at your local pet store, pharmacy or health food stores.

How to go about Bathing a Hedgehog

  1. Fill a small sink or your pet’s bathtub with an inch or two of slightly warmed water. The water should not feel hot or cold when you touch it with the back of your hand.
  2. Remove any pieces of bedding or particles of food from your pet.
  3. Gently place your pet in the bath and gently apply water over his entire body.
  4. Apply a small (dime size) amount of shampoo to the palm of your hands and lather the shampoo in your hands. When used properly a small nailbrush is perfect to gently remove quill stains.
  5. Gently apply the shampoo to the Hedgehog. Be sure to massage and rub the shampoo all over the Hedgehog including the quills, feet and underside but avoiding the mouth and eyes.
  6. Rinse your Hedgehog with fresh warm water.

Repeat steps #3, through #5 only this time apply a small amount of conditioner.

Dry your Hedgehog with a soft towel.

Do not allow your pet to become chilled! – Use a chamois to help absorb water when drying your Hedgehog. Wait until your pet is thoroughly dry before placing him or her back into their cage.

Many Hedgehogs are capable of swimming for short distances but if given the option, most prefer to stay away from deep water. Never leave any animal unattended in or near open water.

Nail Trimming

On some Hedgehogs, their toenails grow very quickly and need to be trimmed every 10 to 14 days. Most of their toenails are opaque which makes it easy to recognize where the quick stops; therefore, easier to avoid cutting too much off at one time. The hard part is getting your Hedgehog to remain still long enough to let you get the job done quickly and safely. It is likely, that when you attempt to trim your Hedgehog’s nails for the first few times that he or she will attempt to roll in a ball. Sometimes, after they become accustomed to having their nails trimmed they start to relax, which makes the chore a little less challenging.

Things you'll need to trim their toe nails are:

Antibacterial or Alcohol wipes… To clean the feet and help control harmful bacteria. These can be purchased from Pharmacies and are inexpensive.

Toenail trimmers … There are several pet nail trimmers on the market but we have found that most of them are a little large and bulky to use on such small feet. We use human fingernail trimmers, which seem more precise and easier to maneuver.

Nick stop or antiseptic powder is something you should always keep available. It can be very handy to stop small bleeds and can be used if you accidentally trim too close and make a small nick to the quick causing it to bleed. You can purchase several brand names from your local pet store. For serious cuts, you should seek the advice of your veterinarian.

OPTIONAL…A friend! Two people will make the chore much easier.

Option # 1 ...

Person #1…Hold the Hedgehog gently but firmly, allowing one leg to drop over the edge of your hand.

Person #2 …Hold your Hedgehogs’ leg firmly with one hand while wiping the foot with an alcohol or antibacterial wipe with the other hand.

Person #2 …While continuing to hold the leg with one hand, trim the toenails with the other hand.

Repeat with each foot until every nail that needs to be trimmed has been completed.

Option #2 (This is how we do it!)...

Place the Hedgehog on the top of an inverted cage-top. Being that cages-tops are made of wire they will be awkward for your pet to balance on. The Hedgehog, trying to keep steady will likely drop one of its’ legs through the wire which you can then grab and hold gently enough so that the Hedgehog can not roll into a ball and tuck its’ leg in.

Gently hold your Hedgehogs’ leg firmly with one hand while wiping the foot with an alcohol or antibacterial wipe with the other hand.

While continuing to hold the leg with one hand, trim the toenails with the other hand.

Repeat with each foot until every nail that needs to be trimmed has been completed. Whenever possible get a friend to help.

No matter which method you choose, when clipping the nails on any pet, always be very careful not to trim too closely. Cutting the nail too short may result in cutting into the quick and it will likely start to bleed. The quick is the soft, blood-filled tissue that is inside the claw. If you have ever cut the quick of your own fingernail you have a pretty good idea of what cutting your pets’ quick will feel like to your pet. OUCH!

On occasion, accidents do happen. When you cut to close if the quick does start to bleed you need to stop the bleeding asap. To stop the bleeding gently disinfect the nail and dry it quickly then apply antiseptic powder directly to the toenail. Press it firmly on the wound and hold it there until you are certain that the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding does not stop contact your Veterinarian. If the bleeding stops fairly easily be sure to keep an eye on the nail for several days to make sure that there is no infection. Keep the wound clean by using Antibacterial or Alcohol wipes several times a day. If you notice any signs of infection contact your Veterinarian immediately.

Litter Box Training

Some breeders and pet store employees promote Hedgehogs as the type of pet that is easy to litter train, but we can tell you that Hedgehogs are "creatures of habit", litter training a Hedgehog is not easy. Some Hedgehogs will learn to use a litter box and if you are lucky enough to have one that is litter trained, consider it as kind of a "bonus". Caring for the cage is so much easier and a lot less time consuming.

Some of our Hedgehogs are very clean and take to litter training fairly easily. Others just do not care and are either hard to train or they will never use a litter box. This trait does not seem to be a genetic/family trait but more of an individual animal’s preference.

Litter training a Hedgehog takes perseverance and a lot of luck but if you succeed, the benefits are certainly worth a try. We suggest to people who purchase one of our Hedgehogs to try to litter train their pet and ‘just maybe’… you will be lucky and get yours trained.

To train a Hedgehog you’ll need to place a small litter pan with low sides, with a bit of litter in it, in the corner of the cage. We suggest using a different litter than what it is used to having, as it’s normal bedding. Often, the feeling of a different litter, sometimes entices the Hedgehog into using this spot as it’s litter box. For the first while during the training period, clean the litter box regularly but if possible try to avoid changing the litter entirely. When possible spot clean and top up with the fresh litter. The smell (although we may not be able to notice it) might be just enough to attract your Hedgehog to that area. Never let a litter box sit too long between totally disinfecting it, just long enough to see if the Hedgehog is attracted to it. As soon as you notice that your pet is using it regularly, totally wash and disinfect the litter box often.~ Good luck!

Nutritional requirements

Water: Not all types of animals consume a large quantity of water everyday, but none-the-less, they need to have access to clean drinking water whenever they need it. Therefore, all animals must have access to fresh clean water ALWAYS! Many Hedgehogs deliberately overturn their water and food dishes during their never-ending search for more food so it is probably best that water is supplied in drinking bottles.

Feeding: Being that they are predominantly insectivorous their diet must primarily consist of good quality, highly digestible animal protein. In captivity, this can be achieved by providing them with a premium quality, commercial cat food, supplemented by boiled chicken, egg, shrimp, beef heart or other cooked meats. Many breeders choose to feed live insects but this is not necessary if you are feeding a good high quality meat based diet. There are several brands of commercially prepared Hedgehog foods on the market but Hedgehogs can be fussy and many of them refuse to eat many commercially prepared “special” Hedgehog diets.

Small quantities of fruits and veggies should be included regularly as these items help vary and compliment their diet, as do small amounts of low fat cheese, yogurt and skim milk powder.

All Hedgehog owners already know, Hedgehogs can be very fussy. Many, adamantly refuse to eat certain prepared foods, certain fruits, veggies and even treats. You may need to be patient when offering new food items to your pet. For very fussy Hedgehogs, I find the best way to coax them into trying new food items is to keep offering it at regular scheduled times.

After 25 years of trying various foods and constantly analyzing/studying them … WE ARE NOT CONVINCED that commercial brands of hedgehog foods are completely balanced and therefore we DO NOT USE ANY COMMERCIALLY PREPARED BRANDS OF HEDGEHOG FOOD!

For so many reasons we feel that prepared premium quality cat foods are a better choice when considering what to feed Hedgehogs. Hedgehogs thrive on a diet similar to that of a carnivore, which consists mostly of protein that they get from consuming other animal matter. Typically, insectivores and carnivores do not eat grain. However, some Hedgehogs occasionally do eat a bit more fruit and vegetable matter than some of the other types of other insectivores & carnivores.

We recommend a premium high quality, fish protein based, grain free and low fat cat food that is age appropriate.

We suggest offering:

  • KITTEN FORMULA cat foods to Hedgehogs under 16 weeks of age or to pregnant and nursing mothers.
  • ADULT CAT FORMULA if over 16 weeks of age. (Except to pregnant and nursing mothers).
  • ADULT LIGHT CAT FORMULA or SENIOR CAT FORMULA may be a better choice for Hedgehogs that have obesity issues. Obesity is very common in Hedgehogs, although it can be controlled, it is usually a direct result of quality, quantity and a lack of exercise.

Ultimately the decision on what to feed your Hedgehog is up to you. If you choose to feed Hedgehog food or any food to your pet, always be sure it is fresh by being sure to check the expiry date. (If it has one!)


Treats: Treats are not a meal replacement and because Hedgehogs have such tiny stomachs treats need to be strictly rationed. We prefer using organic whenever possible when we offer freeze dried liver treats, kiln dried chicken, shrimp, salmon etc.

Be careful not to over feed your Hedgehogs, they tend to become obese very quickly… they certainly do love to eat! Hedgehogs will eat more in the autumn hoping to prepare for the possible food shortages that winter can bring. Although in captivity food shortages are seldom a problem they still do what their wild ancestors did to survive.


Vitamins Supplements : A varied diet is always best! If you are always offering a premium brand of quality pet food additional supplements are not usually required unless a Veterinarian finds that your pet needs them and recommends using them

bottom of page