| Hedgehog Care |
Hedgehogs are a small, insectivorous (insect eating) mammal that can be found throughout the
world. They are native to England, Europe, Africa and Asia. The hedgehog that is now kept as a pet
in North America is the Pygmy Hedgehog from Central Africa.
Since there are no native species of hedgehog in either Canada or the United States, many people
still mistake the domestic hedgehog for the porcupine - an entirely different and unrelated animal.
While porcupine quills are extremely sharp, barbed and very dangerous, the hedgehog quill is
smooth and not nearly as sharp. Petting a friendly hedgehog can be compared to petting a hairbrush
- bristly, not prickly.
The average African Pygmy Hedgehog weighs about ½ to 1 ¼ pounds and is 5 to 8 inches long -
about the size of a Guinea Pig. There are some that will grow to as much as 1 ¾ to 2 pounds (without
being fat) while others are as little as 6 or 7 ounces.
Your pet should be kept indoors at normal room temperature (65 to 80*F); can be fed a good quality
dry cat food or a specially formulated hedgehog food.
BEDDING: Aspen, Pine or White shavings (NOT CEDAR!) are by far the best choice for bedding
material. Crushed corn cob makes a relatively good bedding and is safe to use for females and
adults, but it SHOULD NOT be used for young male hedgehogs. Place approximately two inches of
bedding material evenly over the floor of the cage.
FOOD BOWL: The food bowl needs to be fairly wide and heavy to prevent your pet from dumping out
its contents and using it as a toy. Small ceramic crocks that are designed for small rodents are
perfect food dishes for hedgehogs. The width or diameter of the dish can be 3 to 6 inches and it
should be no more than 3 inches high.
WATER BOTTLE: Water bottles are preferred over open dishes. Hedgehogs love to fill open water
dishes with shavings and this prevents them from getting enough water to drink.
HIDING PLACE: This can be as simple as a piece of 4 inch PVC pipe, an old plastic pitcher, or an old
shoe box with a hole cut in one end. (this should be replaced every 2 to 3 weeks).
LITTER BOX: Your pet will use a litter box if you provide it with one. A small box that is 2” deep x 6” x
9”, half filled with dust free cat litter does very nicely. Non-clumping cat litter is the safest choice.
TOYS: If you choose, you can also add a few toys for your hedgehog to play with. An exercise wheel
is an excellent addition and will help him to stay healthy and trim. Although a guinea pig wheel will
suffice, there are now specially designed Hedgehog Wheels available from many pet suppliers.
These are safer for your pet since they have a solid or mesh-covered running surface rather than
the more common metal bars which they sometimes get their long legs caught in.
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