Hedgehog

Mites (mange)

SignsSpine loss, heavy dandruff, crusts on the skin, scratching at ears and feet

PreventionHave new animals examined and treated for parasites. Keep bedding clean. See the vet if spine loss increases

Tumors

SignsLump in the mouth, swelling on the body, reduced appetite, weight loss. Common after age 3; oral tumors are especially frequent

PreventionNo prevention. Weigh monthly and check the mouth and body for lumps. Checkup every six months

Wobbly hedgehog syndrome

SignsWobbling that starts in the hind legs, falling over, progressive paralysis. Can no longer curl up

PreventionNo known prevention. Genetics are involved, so do not breed affected animals. Similar signs can come from other diseases

False hibernation / hypothermia

SignsBody cold, stays curled up and motionless, slow breathing. Occurs below 20°C

PreventionKeep room temperature at 24°C or above. Use a heater and heat lamp at all times in winter. Install a thermometer

Periodontal and oral disease

SignsBad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, red or bleeding gums, chewing on one side

PreventionFeed mainly dry food to limit plaque. Check the mouth monthly. See the vet early for any abnormality

Uterine disease (females)

SignsBloody urine or bleeding from the genitals, swollen belly, lethargy. Common in middle-aged and older females

PreventionEarly detection is key. Check urine color daily on a pee pad. Red urine means a same-day vet visit

Falls and fractures

PreventionUse a cage it cannot climb in. Hold it close to the floor; it rolls when it curls up, so support with both hands

First aidIf it drags a leg or will not move, put it in a small box and keep it still. Do not handle; see the vet the same day

Toe injuries on the wheel

PreventionUse a smooth, gapless wheel. Wire or mesh wheels trap toes

First aidPress bleeding with clean gauze. If a toe is deformed or swollen, see the vet the same day

Thread or hair entanglement

PreventionLoose threads from cloth or towels and human hair wrap around legs and cause necrosis. Check cage fabric daily

First aidDo not pull. Carefully cut the thread with small scissors. If swollen or discolored, see the vet the same day

Eye proptosis (eye popping out)

PreventionThe eye sockets are shallow and the eyes pop out easily. Do not press hard on the face. Prevent falls and getting wedged in tight spaces

First aidIf the eye is out, do not touch it. Gently cover with moistened gauze to keep it from drying and call a vet within 30 minutes

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via spines or hands contaminated with feces or urine

PreventionAlways wash hands after handling and after cleaning. Take special care with children

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with the spines or skin of an infected animal

PreventionWear gloves if there is dandruff or spine loss. Do not cuddle it until treated

Mange (mites)

RouteContact with an infected animal causes temporary dermatitis

PreventionTreat the animal for mites. Wash hands after contact and launder bedding

Spine puncture wounds

RouteSpines pierce the skin and let bacteria in

PreventionIf pricked, rinse under running water and disinfect. See a doctor if it swells or feels hot

Food

• Hedgehog food once a day in the evening
• About 15–25 g per day, adjusted by body weight
• Mealworms and crickets only as treats

Water

• Fresh water daily in both a bottle and a dish
• Always provide a dish for animals that cannot drink from a bottle

Toys & play

• Smooth, gapless exercise wheel (30 cm diameter)
• Tunnels, toilet paper tubes
• Let it explore a safe room at night

Nest, bed & hideout

• Fabric sleeping bag or a ceramic or wooden hide
• Dim and just big enough to hide its body

Bedding & litter

• Thick layer of pee pads or paper bedding
• Avoid softwood shavings, cotton, and sand
• Spot-clean daily, full change once a week

Cage / housing material

A converted storage bin or plastic tank-style cage that holds heat well

Size & space

Flat floor at least 60 × 45 cm, height at least 30 cm

Layout

• Keep the hide and food dish apart; put the wheel against a wall
• Heat only half the floor to create a temperature gradient
• Keep the floor flat with nothing to climb on

Placement notes

• Install a thermometer and hygrometer and check daily
• Nocturnal, so keep it in a quiet, dim spot during the day

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 30 minutes to 1 hour at night in an enclosed area
• Daily exercise on the wheel; obesity leads to disease
• No outdoor walks: risk of escape and parasites

Temperature & humidity

Temperature24–29°C; below 20°C risks false hibernation

Humidity40–60%

Summer & winter

• Air conditioning in summer; heatstroke above 30°C
• Panel heater plus heat lamp in winter to keep 24°C or above

Nail trimming

1–2 times a month, one nail at a time during a bath or on your lap when it will not curl up. Cut short of the quick. If difficult, have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

Lightly remove dandruff and dirt between the spines with an old toothbrush. Spine loss with heavy dandruff suggests mites; see the vet

Other care

Foot bath in lukewarm water only when dirty. Full bath no more than once a month; avoid chilling afterward. Check teeth and ear edges monthly

Protection from predators

• Keep in a separate room from dogs, cats, and ferrets
• Do not take outdoors (crows, cats, wildlife)
• Keep screens closed in summer to keep out mosquitoes and flies

Foreign-body ingestion

Eats bedding, cotton, thread, and small objects. Do not use cotton or sand bedding. No stool or vomiting means a same-day vet visit

Being stepped on

When walking in a dark room at night, check your footing with a light. If stepped on, do not handle; put in a small box and go to the vet

Getting pinched

Crawls into gaps in doors, drawers, and furniture. Check where it is before opening or closing. If pinched, suspect a fracture or eye proptosis and see the vet

Falls

Falls from desks and sofas cause fractures. Hold it only on the floor. If it falls and does not move or an eye is out, do not handle; go to the vet

Escape

Escapes through gaps at night. Put a lid on the cage and close the room door. If it escapes, search behind furniture and in dark spots and lure it with its sleeping bag

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, relax, and wait calmly
2. Support its body from below with your other hand to steady it
3. Drip a little water on its mouth or offer a favorite treat
4. Once it lets go, return it gently to the cage and leave it alone for a while

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and disinfect. See a doctor for swelling, heat, or pus. Identify why it bit (fear, scent, pain)

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Room temperature and heating, diet and amount, weight trend, photos of urine and stool, when you noticed any lump

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Does it respond to your voice or a touch on the nose?
• Watch the chest. Normal breathing is about 25–50 breaths per minute
• Put a finger on the chest. Normal heart rate is about 180–280 beats per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press the wound gently with clean gauze for several minutes
• For a bleeding nail, press on styptic powder or flour
• After the bleeding stops, keep warm in a towel and see the vet

Transport

• Put it in a small carrier inside its sleeping bag and keep it dark
• Wrap hand warmers in a towel; never let them touch the animal directly