#hedgehogcare

[cherishapet]

"Discover the enchanting world of hedgehogs! Follow us for adorable hedgehog photos, fun facts, care tips, and more. Join our community of hedgehog enthusiasts and share in the joy these spiky little friends bring to our lives. #HedgehogLove #CutePets #HedgehogCare"

[pocketpet00]

How to Pick A Hedgehog up Safely: Tips for Handing A Hedgie 101

Hedgehogs are adorable little pets, but handling them requires some care. Here are some tips to ensure you and your hedgie have a safe and comfortable experience:

Wash Your Hands: Make sure your hands are clean and free of strong scents. This helps your hedgehog feel more comfortable.

Approach Calmly: Move slowly and gently towards your hedgehog to avoid startling them.

Use a Soft Cloth or Towel: If your hedgie is nervous or prickly, use a cloth to gently scoop them up.

Scoop from Below: Place your hands underneath your hedgehog and gently scoop them up from below. Support their body fully.

Handle Gently: Hold your hedgehog close to your chest to provide a sense of security. Keep your movements smooth and steady.

Be Patient: Give your hedgehog time to adjust to being handled. Patience is key to building trust.

Remember, each hedgehog has its own personality, so it might take some time to get them comfortable with handling. Happy hedgie handling! 🦔❤️

#HedgehogCare #PetCareTips #Hedgie101 #PocketPets

[misspincushion]

A Warm Welcome and some Starting Points

Hi, everyone! This is my very first post in a series I’ll be doing covering my experiences having and taking care of hedgehogs. I’ll be adding a breakdown of some things I’ve been asked over the years, from friends who’ve always wanted a hedgehog, but have never really known how to get started.

So, to start off with, let’s go through a few of the obvious questions people have always asked:

You can have a hedgehog for a pet?

Yes! You absolutely can! Most people tend to think that owning a hedgehog would be like owning a wild animal, and that is not the case. I believe this probably comes from a mistake in identity. 

Here’s the breakdown. There are many different species of wild hedgehogs, like the common European hedgehog, see below (from wiki):  

The domesticated hedgehog, the ones most commonly sold as pets, are African Pygmy Hedgehogs which are sometimes also called Four-toed Hedgehogs, see below (also from wiki).  

These guys are actually pretty different from their larger cousins and wild counterparts, mostly due to breeding and the environment from which they first came from. We’ll be getting more into that in other posts.

 Isn’t it illegal to keep hedgehogs as pets?

Now, this one’s a bit of a tough one to explain. The answer is both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. For those of us who live in the USA, hedgehogs may or may not be legal in your state to keep as a pet. Sometimes, specific cities or towns have their own rules regarding hedgehog ownership. For example, it is illegal to have a domesticated hedgehog as a pet in NYC, but it is perfectly legal in the rest of the state. 

By general rule of thumb, most species, aside from the African Pygmy Hedgehog, are illegal to keep. Always double check to make sure you know the law where you live.

For those of us elsewhere in the world, same rules apply. I had a friend who moved to England who was so upset to hear that you couldn’t keep hedgehogs as pets there, at least until she realized that this rule pertained only to keeping their native species as pets. Domesticated hedgehogs are, generally, also perfectly legal there.

Remember, if you’re not sure, always check first.

Where do you even get hedgehogs?

This answer has actually changed for me over the years. It used to be far more uncommon to see them, even in exotic pet stores. Now, I see them all the time. 

However, I will stand by the claim that getting a hedgehog from a reputable breeder is always the best decision.

Hedgehogs can have genetic disorders that come from inbreeding. Exotic stores and other places don’t usually care too much about where the animal came from, or what conditions it was living in, only that it sells. It’s, unfortunately, a similar scenario to what you find with dog breeds and puppy mills.

Finding the right breeder might be a bit hard, but usually worth it in the end.

What is a hedgehog anyways? Aren’t they rodents?

Despite some similar features, similar stature, and the offhand remarks from a evil scientist with a very long mustache, hedgehogs are not actually rodents. Nor are they related to the porcupine, who is a rodent. Also, echidnas are also very much their own thing, and are more closely related to the platypus than they are to hedgehogs. So, no, Sonic and Knuckles are not related.

Hedgehogs actually belong to the Erinaceidea family, part of the order Eulipotyphla which includes creature like moles and shrews.

As such, they are actually very different from taking care of a guinea pig or hamster.

What do hedgehogs eat?

A good question I get all time is about diet. I’ll go into specifics in a different post but, in short, hedgehogs eat meat. They are mostly insectivores, but are opportunistic to other options. They don’t really eat all that much vegetation, and there are a lot of foods they simply cannot have.

Don’t hedgehogs hibernate?

Another good question I get is this one. Some wild hedgehogs hibernate. This is to help slow down their metabolism and allow them to get through harsh winters. Like other animals that hibernate, these hedgehog will go out of their way to make sure they fatten up from their winter sleep.

Domesticated hedgehogs do not hibernate, or should not. They do not behave like their wild cousins and will not survive hibernation. These are temperature sensitive creatures, and cannot be allowed to get too cold. This is really important and will be, again, covered in it’s own post.

What do you need to take care of a hedgehog?

To start, all animals require love, attention, and affection. You need to have the time to take care of your pet, before you even consider having one.

That said, there’s quite a bit to cover with care requirements, versus my personal preferences. I already briefly talked about food, but I’ll just say that cat food has always worked well with me, though I also have a supplement hedgehog mix and bugs for them as well. Stay tuned for more details to come.

In brief, hedgehogs need enough space to run around and dig. They are diggers and will hid under whatever bedding you decide to put down for them. 

They’re not really messy, per say. In fact, a lot of my experience has been of hedgehogs who were very neat and had a place for everything. However, this is just a personality quirk, and every one will have it’s own preference. Always keep the cage clean, they’ll thank you for it.

Hedgehogs should have a variety of toys to play with, especially while you are away or asleep. Everyone’s seen the hedgehog with a toilet roll on its head but, not only do they destroy them right away, only the babies can really play with them. Bigger hedgehogs will just get stuck. Hamster toys are way too small for them, even the babies, so I always stick to toys specifically meant for them or cat toys. They love their little stuffed animals.

There’s a lot more to say on this subject, which is one of the reasons I started this blog.

Are hedgehogs nocturnal?   

Yes! They are nocturnal, but, depending on how you interact with your little one, you can dictate when they get up and play. Naturally, they’ll want to sleep for most of the day and will hide in a nice shaded spot or under the bedding. If you make a daily routine of picking them up and playing with them during the daytime, however, they’ll quickly adapt to what you want. So, don’t worry about not being able to play with them when you want. They’re actually very accommodating, once they figure out your schedule.

Are hedgehogs spiky? And how do you play with them if they are?

They are spiky, but not the way you might think. A lot of people, and I do mean a lot, have worried about petting my hedgehogs because they didn’t want spikes in their hands, like porcupines are known to do.

Technically, hedgehog have spines, while porcupines have quills.

Unlike porcupines, hedgehog spines are not barbed. They do not easily come out, and are not meant to. If a hedgehog loses a large number of spines, then it is likely very ill. Babies will lose baby quills to replace with adult ones, but that’s about it.

So, when you pet a hedgehog, the spines will remain on the hedgehog. As for how spiky and what it feels like, that’s matter of opinion.

Personally, I liken them to a pine tree. You never notice how spiky it is so long as you pet in the right direction, and the hedgehog is not upset. When they get upset, the bristle their spines as a way to ward off predators. I pet my little ones all the time without any special protection or gloves, and I think it’s better that way. I know some who recommend soft gloves, and I have some for family members who are concerned, but I have never needed them.

Do they collect rings and fight off Eggmen?

I will neither confirm, nor deny this. The only thing I can speak for is that, at the very least, none of my hedgehogs have ever been blue.

(However, they have all been named after spiky characters from a particular gaming series so...) 

Thanks to everyone whose made it this far! I plan on posting weekly, though if anyone has any particular questions I’ll do my best to answer! 

[allourpaws]

Why You Should Adopt a Hedgehog

When you hear the word “pet,” you usually think of dogs, cats, or even birds. While these are all wonderful options, sometimes you want to step outside the norm a little bit. If that describes you- you should adopt a hedgehog! They are small, sweet, and might be the perfect pet for you.

1. Personality

A lot of people think that hedgehogs are boring, and that they just sit around all day. That’s definitely not the case! They are shy at first, and it definitely takes time for them to warm up, but they are full of personality once they are comfortable around you. You can hold them, pet them (always front to back), and even snuggle them. They have fuzzy little bellies and like to climb around, smelling all the new smells. You’ll also want to pay close attention to their quills, as those will tell you how they are feeling. When their quills are relaxed, that means they feel calm and at peace. They’ll straighten up when slightly uncomfortable and spike up when alarmed. Make sure you give them space and time to feel at ease around you.

2. Schedule

Do you like to stay up at all hours of the day, and sleep well into the afternoon? The hedgehog might be your perfect companion! They are naturally nocturnal animals, and should not be forced to change that lifestyle. Part of that reason is that their eyes are sensitive to light. If you do need to move around during the day, make sure you use dim lighting in areas where you keep your hedgehog. If you aren’t a night owl- don’t worry! You can still enjoy a pet hedgehog, as long as you are okay will some shuffling sounds in the middle of the night.

3. Care

If you aren’t quite ready for the responsibility of a dog, you may be in luck getting a hedgehog. They don’t require a whole lot of time or money, and they are pretty solitary animals. You’ll want to provide them with a cozy environment where they can hide and a wheel for exercise. They need mental and physical exercise, so don’t skip out on the toys! You’ll also want to bathe them and deep clean their cage about once a week to keep them happy and healthy. If you think owning a hedgehog might be the right choice for you, make sure you do your research first. While it’s not as taxing as caring for a dog, you still have to provide the best care possible in order to keep your pet healthy. As long as you follow expert advice and genuinely care for your hedgehog, the two of you can be best pals for a long, long time. Guest post by Morgan at PawPrintParent.com Read the full article

[hellohuffypuffs]

HEDGEHOG CARE?

I am often asked (actually, ALL THE TIME), how I care for my hedgehogs. So here goes:

FOOD: I currently feed (cat kibble:) “Organix by Castor and Pollux” Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe, “Good Natured” Chicken and Barley Recipe w/ Vegatables, “Royal Canin” Mama and Babycat (for the girls who need fattening up), (canned cat food:) “Natural Balance” Kitten to Adult Indoor Recipe, “Blue Buffalo Wilderness” Salmon Recipe for Kitten. The canned food is for Fox.

BEDDING: I just buy fleece blankets at the dollar store to lay at the bottom of their cages. I spot clean daily, then wash weekly.

WHEELS: I usually go for the “Kaytee” Comfort Wheel, for it’s safe to use and can be found locally. If I could, I would use Carolina Storm Wheels, but I’m not willing to pay $70/wheel for ten hedgehogs 🙄

LITTER: I try to use litter boxes under everyone’s wheels, and I usually just use paper bedding, since I don’t use it as actual bedding. I’m still looking for something to use for a litter box.

SNUGGLE BAGS: (these are the little pouches I have them in often). I have bought two large ones from pet smart (which works well for the four girls). But, I’ve had mine made by an awesome friend, Tanya de Bruijn. I found a bunch of fleece the other day and another friend is making some more for me.

TOYS: crinkle cat balls are okay (supervised), toilet paper rolls (Hedwig and Phoenix are obsessed with them), and mint sticks are awesome. Avoid jingle cat balls—hedgies can get their jaws stuck, which can be fatal.

CAGES: I never buy cages commercially—I’ve made all of mine. Each cage is 4.5 square feet and is made using storage squares found at Walmart. I found it easier and safer to use the solid squares, but have previous used wire ones.

HEAT: hedgehogs need heat or they can go into hibernation, which unfortunately, is fatal for this species of hedgehog because they do not have enough fat on their bodies to go through a proper torpor. To avoid this, they should be kept relatively warm. With just one hedgehog, I would recommend using a Ceramic Heat Emitter (a lightless heat lamp) to keep them warm, but because I have so many, I just keep the heat up in my apartment.

TRANSPORTATION: I often take my hedgehogs out on errands, or visits. I use snuggle bags, and if it’s cold, and I’m carrying more than one hog, I use a heat pad (for pets) in a large snuggle sack, a blanket and a cat / small dog carrier. I try to be discreet and only use bags that people wouldn’t think contained a live animal.

GROOMING: Hedgehogs have nails that grow relatively quickly, and they also require baths. I clip their nails every two or three weeks (if I can—Phoenix hasn’t let me clip his nails yet). For bathing, I do this as needed so I don’t dry their skin out. I place them in warm water about an inch deep, that has some aveeno lavender baby wash in it. I have a toothbrush for exfoliation. I squirt some baby wash on the brush, dip in water and exfoliate for about 5 minutes. I then rinse them off with warm water, exfoliate again with my hands, and then use the toothbrush to add a dash of coconut oil on their skin. They all hate it but it needs to be done. I always make sure they are 100% dry before putting them back in their cage.

BONDING: Each hedgehog requires daily bonding time (or as I do it, every other day). I usually have them in my lap and they sleep while I watch TV or edit photos or paint or whatever. I try to do this in the evenings. Having snuggle sacks helps with the bonding sometimes, too. I do this with one hog at a time—it makes them feel more comfortable. I usually try to have background noise on as much as possible, too.

SHOTS?: Hedgehogs honestly don’t require much vet care such as shots and checkups. It’s nice to have an exotic vet that can do yearly have checkups, but they don’t require vaccines.

TAMING: Hedgehogs are naturally very defensive creatures. They are “scared” of humans unless hand tamed at a young age. To avoid a defensive hedgehog (like Phoenix), hold daily, for as long as possible, with BARE hands (allows them to get used to your smell better). It hurts, but your hands do develop a defense over a few weeks. Pet firmly (no poking with a finger). Avoid jumping or reacting to any noises they make. It only helps their case.

I feel like I’ve covered everything but if I have missed something you’d like to know, feel free to ask. 🙂

[jenicorn88]

Tonight was release night for Barry/Hannibal (named because he liked to bite the vets 😂) and dodger. They’ve been ready for a little while but with the snow, constant frost and night temps being 0 degrees c at best, it’s been hard to find a good window for release. Sigh. Got a couple of better nights so got them out in the garden, with a hedgehog house each and a feeding station. Only got Oliver left, and he’s almost ready to go. Release nights are always a bit nerve wracking for me. I tend to hang out at the edge of the garden to make watch for a while before leaving them to it. You hope that all the care and nursing back to health won’t be for nothing and that they survive and thrive. I hate seeing dead hoggies at the sides of the road or under bushes. #hedgehog #hedgehogcarer #hedgehogfoster #wildlife #yorkshire https://www.instagram.com/p/COJLQPKhe9dZvgUfkUVvrYyL0wmaUxfgthQ17U0/?igshid=1cgo9cw058ly9

[lifeoutthereblog]

Another shot of the #hedgehogcar in sunny #miltonkeynes See http://ift.tt/29qEd0q for more of my #adventures and #madmaxcars http://ift.tt/2lxsxwc

[kortneygb]

Alot of people think Hedgehogs are mean, and people can become very uncomfortable around them when in reality they are the sweetest animals. With the proper love and handling they are the best pets, but if you are not prepared to work at it and allow them to get comfortable with you before showing you their “softer” side, then please don’t get one. Yes they are cute but they need and deserve affection and attention just like any other animal. They are not like hamsters that can just hang out in a cage their whole life. They need to be socialized and their trust needs to be earned. I love my Chunk to death and i am lucky he’s so caring after being attacked as a baby. ❤️❣xo

[kytecraft]

Harry has taken this habit of curling up and falling asleep in my hand after feeding. #hedgehoglove #hedgehogcare #petsofinstagram #petcorner #friendlypets #huffhuff #hedgie #hoglet

[jenicorn88]

Farewell to bishop (bottom) and Cornelius (top) ☺️ both fosters through the vets, both at a fantastic weight to be released 👍👍 I won’t miss your stinky poos 😂😂 #hedgehog #hedgehogfoster #hedgehogcarer #wildlife #nature https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXV4JshHdnRYC9r59zEk10YExLqIZE8SS6np40/?igshid=1ck9jg0m3jcgv

[jenicorn88]

Our latest resident, very poorly. Picked her up and went straight to the vets. She’s got prominent tests which indicates either she’s recently had babies or is pregnant, so the finders seems keeping and ear out for any little ones. She was laid out for 24 hours, and has so far not moved from the spot I put her in. She’s had long lasting antibiotics, sub cut fluids and a couple of ticks removed, but she makes little noises and it’s heartbreaking, I really hope she can pull through. My vets are inundated with hedgehogs at the moment, so we also picked up a little one that needs feeding up to free up some space for them. The only reason we have this big lady is because she would be being monitored only at the vets, and I can focus a lot of attention on her. Got my camera set up to be as hands off as possible, really don’t want to stress her. But in good news, not so little Hamilton got released today! Over 500g and into a hog box in a friends garden. Love a happy ending. #hedgehog #hedgehogcarer #wildlife #uk #yorkshire #nature https://www.instagram.com/p/CDcAqF-hBrUV272WFIfDVFALDmg24bcIkTrIyE0/?igshid=nppcai1b4g0g

[jenicorn88]

Did a quick check on Evan the hedgehog just before I go to sleep, watched him turn on his side a bit, yawn (this pic) and close his eyes and drift off 😊 I find the camera is the perfect way to keep an eye on him, what he’s eating, drinking and if he’s comfy. Means I don’t have to physically disturb him and I can limit the human contact he has. He’s passed 160g today, and enjoying his brambles meaty hedgehog food, pooping more solid poop (there’s some in the pic 😂) and just generally being a good spikey boy 👌 #hedgehog #hedgehogfoster #hedgehogcarer #uk #nature #wildlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDU4UJNBQ3LJ4wfWg0xkPhP5Dj8KgzHsvJNIIc0/?igshid=1hqz7vmd6etwt