r/Hedgehog • u/TravisTrout1 • 9h ago
r/Hedgehog • u/v0ideater • May 24 '23
Mod Announcement Owning A Hedgehog Reality Check
Since hedgehog owners consistently buy hedgehogs without setting reasonable expectations here are some expectations to set. Adapted/expanded from u/ArcadeRivalry's post.
- Don't believe social media. Every single one I see there are obviously ridiculously posed pictures, maybe it's just me but I refuse to believe one could stay still for that long.
- Hedgehog are spiked covered prey animals prone to anxiety. While belly rub/cuddle posts get a lot of attention they are the exception due to good breeding/luck not the rule. It is very possible a hedgehog will never be comfortable being handled even after concerted effort.
- If you want to bond you need to put in a lot of commitment, patience and time to socialize them. I've seen a lot of people in groups I'm in need to re-home a hog before the first year as they can't put the time in. You need at least an hour a day socializing but realistically a lot more for them to be comfortable around you and others. We recommend getting a snuggle sack or putting them in your hoodie pouch to spend time together.
- You need a specialist vet. A lot of places might not have an exotic animal vet near you. This is vital. So make sure you have to this.
- It may not be legal to own hedgehogs in your area.
- You need heating to ensure they don't hibernate.
- You will likely be spiked, bitten and pooped on. It can be really really disheartening being spiked, hissed at or even bitten when you feel like you've made progress. Huffing and popping are natural, they are scaredy little animals.
- Hedgehogs salivate frothily on themselves when they like scents, males often have "boy time", they poop a lot, have terrible sight and will bite things that smell yummy/interesting, and require consistent cage cleanings.
- They are carnivores, while feeding fruits/vegetables can often be done safely, please feed them mainly meat-based foods ( cat food, insects, etc.)
- Since they have very limited vision they operate mainly on smell and are at risk of falling/walking off elevated areas. It is wise to assume they are making decisions based on what they smell rather than just mainly what they see. They will still try to climb and are prone to hurting themselves climbing horizontal cage bars.
- It is very likely they will dislike baths and nail trimming. We recommend trimming nails during foot bath time when they can't curl up or just holes in a towel to put their legs through.
- Hedgehogs should not be housed together. High likelihood of fighting or babies.
- We recommend heavy water bowls or chicken nipple bottles as ball water bottles can hurt them.
If you know what you are getting into, they are the most wonderful creatures ever and bring many people on this sub joy. If you feel like your hedgehog "hates" you they are just being their grumpy/terrified selves! You may be lucky and form a close bond.
r/Hedgehog • u/_ViolentlyPretty • Aug 19 '24
Hedgehog Food - What to look for
I try to answer as many food posts as I can, and I've made a post before where people could ask questions, but this time I'm going to put my knowledge in a friendly-to-read post for everyone to come to when they want to know if their Hedgehog Food is good for their Hedgies!
There are a *ton* of foods out there for Hedgehogs, and you'll hear a lot of recommendations about cat food, or other various forms of kibble, even live diets. At the end of the day, there are a couple of things that you're looking for and it's really, very quite simple.
I'm not going to tell you to avoid a certain brand or food, because over time, they may change their recipe, instead here is a small list of things that are the main things to look for. If these 4 things match, then you're good to go! Foods that match these criteria are super simple to find, you just have to look. At the end of the post, I'll list what I specifically use as an example.
Protein should be somewhere between 26% - 33%. Too much more or less is problematic.
Fats for adults (over 6 months) should be between 9%-15%. If your Hedgehog needs to gain some weight (ask your vet FIRST), they can go to 16-20%.
Fiber 3%
The first three ingredients listed *need* to be a meat or a meat meal. (Chicken meal, Turkey meal, Fish meal, etc.)
Beef and pork are harder to ingest. Meat byproducts don't have enough nutrients to fill out one of the first ingredient spots listed above. People will tell you to 'avoid this' or 'avoid that', as long as you stick to the 4 rules above, you're golden. Everything else is pretty much filler, what you're looking for are the percentages I've listed to ensure they are getting what they need.
This is for their main diet. This isn't considering treats, that's an entirely different ball game. Treats are just that, treats. They shouldn't be enough to alter your Hedgehog's diet. Some Hedgehogs don't even like treats!
When it comes to feeding and how much, I will tell you (from personal experience), I've always allowed mine to free-feed. Most of the time, this is a very safe option. Unless you notice your hog is gaining a ton of weight and they are becoming the size of a softball, they will learn to regulate their own food intake. Sometimes watching their food intake every moment of every day is more anxiety inducing for us than it matters to them. Plus, this ensures they are getting enough, especially if they are avid runners. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the "wait and see" method. Try to trust your Hedgehog, let them do their thing.
As promised, here is the food I personally use:
I and Love and You - Naked Essentials - Grain Free with Chicken and Duck
It's a cat kibble that is perfect size for them. I get it off Amazon.
If you have any questions, please feel free to post! I hope this helps!
r/Hedgehog • u/etherealglowingstars • 1d ago
OC Zoomies!!
This is the first time she’s really ever had zoomies and I just wanted to share <3
r/Hedgehog • u/Similar-Animator-891 • 10h ago
Question Remains
Hi all, it’s looking like it’s that time of my hedgies life,, she’s not showing us that she’s well at all and I’m starting to get worried. To take early action, I’m from southwestern Ontario and I don’t exactly know where I would go to for cremation or any memorial pieces. Could someone help recommend me?
r/Hedgehog • u/alexiswatermelon • 1d ago
Almost 9 weeks with Stew!
First time my daughter wanted to help gave him a full bath🥹 brushed him with soap, let her pick him up, and ended with a little cuddle 🦔
r/Hedgehog • u/etherealglowingstars • 1d ago
Discussion Coping with fear? (For me not my hedgie)
galleryFor some reason lately, I’ve been a lot more worried about my Cora. I have very bad anxiety from losing my bearded dragon in the past, and I’m so terrified that will happen to Cora or that she’ll get diagnosed with something. Does anyone have any advice on how to cope with this fear?
r/Hedgehog • u/SubjectRule2634 • 1d ago
What should i use?
galleryHowdy! This right here is Spina, and i was finally able to buy an actual enclosure and give her more space than she had before in a fully closed cage. In picture 2 you can see how it looks like now, but i was wondering what do you guys use as bedding sheets? (Picture 3 is how it looks like without anything in it in case the ideas would come easier)
Thank yall in advance and have a good day or night! 🙏
r/Hedgehog • u/ExtendedCelery • 1d ago
BIG HOG IN THE GARDEN
Large Hedgehog last night, right by my back door when I let my dog out! Luckily my dog is a good boy and left it alone when told to do so.
r/Hedgehog • u/uwumorgi • 16h ago
Question mite treatment
i have a question about mites, my hedgie has gotten one round of topical treatment and her second round is due in 2 days. since her first round, she’s lost more quills to the point where her back is almost bare. she’s eating and drinking normally but yesterday she was a bit wobbly/less responsive after waking up. she’s normally very responsive to my touch as she’s not very fond of any sort of handling so yesterday was a bit strange to me. i’ve kept up with the cage cleaning as well as keeping the materials inside the cage clean. should i contact her vet? she’ll be 4 this year so i know she’s getting into the older territory i just really don’t want to lose her anytime soon, ive put everything i can into her emotionally and financially after learning from my mistakes from owning my previous hedgehog. i want her life to be as long and healthy as it can be
r/Hedgehog • u/HodgeHogss • 1d ago
Question has anyone tried raw diets?
Hello! i recently made a post about how my chicken cat food brand had stop selling the food i’ve always used. i found one brand that is similar-ish and will be ordering that. My hedgehogs also have access to live bugs and get powder supplements as well. I’ve been curious as to if anyone has tried any raw diets or treats like chicken hearts? I was wondering if my hedgehogs would like them and if they are safe (after the bird flu is over of course). I’ve been seeing some people feeding their pets freeze dried chicken hearts and other freeze dried chicken pieces and even eggs. I want to make sure i’m not harming my hogs by trying to enrich their life with different treats. This will of course not be their main diet as i always strive for a good kibble chicken cat food with good percentages to make sure they are getting what they need. (pic of Quilliam for hedgehog tax) I would also like to note that i do feed freeze dried raw chicken hearts to my cats as treats and haven’t had a problem (before bird flu)
r/Hedgehog • u/mooshroom_madz • 2d ago
Question Why does my hedgehog do this? Lol
My hedgehog Lulu LOVES canvas fabric and whenever she is on it she wiggles around and throws herself around. She also does this when a door is shut. She wil run back in forth along the crease and flip herself. I think it’s the cutest and most funny thing ever but I want to why she does it?
r/Hedgehog • u/Internal_Jello2227 • 1d ago
Question Sick hedgie
So this may be a reach but I’m not totally sure. The past couple nights Dorito has been having the most rancid poops I’ve ever smelled in my life and he hasn’t been eating/ drinking much. I also noticed he’s not nearly as active as normal and he’s been sleeping under his fleece liner directly under the heat lamp instead of his house. Over by his house a have a digital thermometer that says it’s 24.6° C and under the lamp it’s 28C. Well this morning I woke up vomiting and having tummy problems but no one in my house is. Is it possible he’s sick and gave it to me or is this pure coincidence? I do plan on taking him to the vet if it continues tonight and tomorrow (old pic of him for attention, saucer wheel is strictly for play time now)
r/Hedgehog • u/DependentGlass929 • 1d ago
Question Some questions as i am new
First should i get 1 or 2 hedgehogs so they dont get lonely they will be in the same cage Second should i get any other extra things for the cage where i live the weather is about 15 to 40 Thats on the coldest and hottest days And is there any other things to lookout for when owning a hedgehog
r/Hedgehog • u/YukiLaMimi • 2d ago
New owner!
- I have a waterproof liner coming in so they’re not poking their heads out the grids(they cant fit through just their snouts
- they have a wheel coming I just had to get the size custom made
- they have heat lamps just wasn’t turned on yet dw!
Need more ideas for enrichment toys/other needs that I missed pls!
r/Hedgehog • u/sillygoose4567 • 1d ago
Question Cage recommendations?
Hi everyone! Hopeful hedgie owner here! So, I've been doing tons of research over the past few months to learn about hedgies and their needs, and by far the most overwhelming part of this journey has been looking at cages. It seems to be one of the most discussed topics with the most conflicting answers around owning a hedgehog. Being a first-time hedgehog owner (I have had other small animals in the past, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.) I want to be sure that I give him/her what they need. I've found this cage and it seems like it would be pretty good but possibly on the small side? Again this has been the most overwhelming area with all the options available. So if you guys could give your opinions and advice that would be fantastic.
*If I did purchase this cage I would remove the balcony/ramp area to ensure the hedgie doesn't fall and injure themselves. And also the wheels at the bottom because those aren't necessary.
Thank you all in advance for any and all advice !
r/Hedgehog • u/Odd_Engineering_7947 • 2d ago
New baby arrivals!🫶🏼❤️🦔
galleryHere's some new additions to the family... Can't decide between the two so I'm probably bringing them both home😅🙃😋
If you could choose one with one would you bring home?
r/Hedgehog • u/OldTap1120 • 2d ago
Question Wake up the Hedge
galleryWhat’s the best way to wake up the ball of quills? Is there some technique? So for free roam I talk to her and she never comes out, (8/9) I’ll usually bring her out about 10 but she will run around and sleep in my closet (where I then go get her). She gets mad and goes back to her cage and goes back to sleep until 1am and then wants out(same corner I open to let her out) but I want to give her the free roam bonding time and I want to be awake and help her bond. I understand she’s nocturnal and yes she’s tolerable of me. She’ll let me pick her up but what’s the nicest way to go about it. She hate when I pick up her where or whatever she’s hiding in. She’s never huffed, hissed, charged. She’s very tolerable and she has licked me. But I want to be nice when waking her.