Raise Hedgehogs
Have you ever raised hedgehogs? While many people prefer common pets, like dogs, cats, and fish, raising a hedgehog can be a lot of fun. Most household hedgehogs are believed to have originated in Africa . They are about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long, and can live for about 3 to 8 years. It's easy to raise your own hedgehog so it has a happy and healthy life!
Contents
Steps
Preparing for Your Hedgehog
- Before you get your hedgehog, make sure you thoroughly research hedgehog care. While this guide will give you a detailed summary of what you need to know, this is by no means the only guide you should look at.
- Find a reputable breeder. It is often better to get a hedgehog that is around six to eight weeks old, especially if you have children in the house. Younger hedgehogs will be able to get used to being handled better than some older ones. Make sure the breeder handles the baby hedgehogs from a young age.
- Make sure the hedgehog you pick is healthy. Look for healthy looking skin and quills, and a generally healthy look about it. If possible, get a veterinarian’s opinion before bringing the hedgehog home.
- Keep hedgehogs in different cages, especially two males. Hedgehogs are fine living alone, and may get into fights if they are kept in the same place.
- Make sure that the cage is at least 3 square feet, more if possible.
- Use something absorbent as bedding. Do not use cedar shavings, as these can cause respiratory problems. Also do not use pine shavings as they can cause skin irritations. Care fresh and aspen shavings are good to use. Lay about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of bedding at the bottom of the cage.
- Place a litter box in one area of the cage, and train your hedgehog to use it. This takes time, but it can be done.
- Provide a small house or nest box for the hedgehog to sleep in.
- Add an exercise wheel to the cage.
Feeding Your Hedgehog
- Provide good meals. Pet food made especially for hedgehogs does exist; however, it is not very common in pet stores. Hedgehogs can also eat (and seem to prefer) high quality cat food. They need a diet high in protein and low in fat. When it comes to kibble, avoid:
- by products, animal digest
- "animal fat"
- Blood Meal
- beet pulp, pea hulls, brewer's rice, wheat gluten
- corn (this includes any kind of cornmeal)
- BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin -- these all cause cancer
- sweeteners (corn syrup, sucrose, propylene glycol...)
- coloring additives
- nuts and seeds
- Provide treats, too. Hedgehogs also enjoy crickets and meal worms as treats or sprinkled on top of their food. When it comes to treats, avoid:
- grapes/raisins
- avocados
- oranges/lemons/lime/citrus anything
- nuts or seeds
- chocolate
- milk/dairy products (exception is cottage cheese and that should be only a little)
- alcohol
- bread
- celery
- onion and onion powder
- raw carrots
- tomatoes
- human junk food (chips, candy, anything really sugary, etc.)
- honey
- raw meat (ANY meat you feed a hedgie should be cooked!)
- Wild caught bugs
- Make sure the crickets and meal worms have been fed nutritious foods, such as vegetables and fruits.
- Provide adequate water for your hedgehog as well.
Grooming and Care for Your Hedgehog
- Brush your hedgehog gently with a toothbrush and warm water to remove dirt from their coat.
- Make sure you handle your hedgehog gently and frequently. Start out slow so that your hedgehog gets used to your presence.
- If they curl up, do not place them in water to get them to uncurl, as some people do. This puts the hedgehog under unnecessary stress, which is inappropriate when the hedgehog is already scared. Instead, place the hedgehog in a safe, quiet place. Take things slower the next time so that the hedgehog gets more comfortable with you.
- Clip their nails frequently while you are firmly holding them. You can also place a rough rock in the cage so that the nails wear down more naturally so that you do not have to cut them so frequently.
Litter Training Your Hedgehog
- Make sure the pan is low enough so that the hedgehog can easily climb in, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} high.
- Fill it with non clumping cat litter. Take care of the pan the same way you would take care of a cat’s litter box.
- Place the litter box on the other side of the cage from where you keep the food, or wherever you notice the hedgehog tends to go to the bathroom.
- Place droppings in the box. This can help clue your hedgehog in.
- Place the hedgehog in the litter box when he starts to show signs of needing to use it. Some common times are after the hedgehog wakes up or after eating.
- Keep in mind that not all hedgehogs take to the litter box right away. Some never learn to use it, while some may suddenly start after months of not seeming to get it. Others are able to be completely litter box trained within a couple days.
Tips
- You should buy food, a house, and shampoo. You can buy them off the computer, or you can sometimes get them from the people who gave hedgehog to you.
- Make sure you use clean and soft bedding. Cedar, pine or scented bedding may hurt some hedgehogs.
- Don't do anything to hurt or aggravate the hedgehog.
