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Hedgehogs are a very unique pet, although very prickly for young children, with proper care, patience and regular handling are fun for all ages. The breeding and selling of hedgehogs is closely regulated by the USDA. Make sure when purchasing one of these little cuties that you are dealing with a USDA licensed business or person.
In the wild they live a single life, always foraging for insects under rocks and in the dirt. About the only time 2 hedgehogs come together is for reproducing and that is only for a few minutes. They live approximately 6-10 years. Gestation is 30-40 days with an average litter size of 4. When born the quills are actually very soft and harden up after only a few days. Hedgehogs like dry warm environments (80-90 degrees) and are mainly insectivores but also will enjoy some fruits and vegetables occasionally.
We recommend using at least a 20L (12x30) glass aquarium with a reptile heating pad attached on the underside or one end a ceramic heat bulb placed on top of a screen lid (always use a metal screen lid for this), during the winter time in Washington State. During the hot humid weather in our state we recommend turning off the heat to the cage. Aspen® or Carefresh® litter work well as a bedding (NEVER CEDAR). We also sprinkle about a tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax® in the bedding to help prevent mites. The tank should have a locking screen top to prevent other pets from harassing your hog and to make sure he/she does not climb out. The cage should be totally cleaned out at least once a week. A solution of 1/4 cup of bleach and a bucket of water should be used for cleaning the tank, food dish and water dish (detergents leave residues that could be harmful). Hedgehogs generally choose one corner or spot to go potty in, this area should be scooped out daily or litterbox train your pet by placing a small pie plate with kitty litter in it in the chosen spot. The bedding should be kept clean and dry at all times.
Fresh clean water should be available at all times and changed everyday. They can use a 8 oz. hamster water bottle or a heavy shallow dish for water. The food dish should also be heavy as hedgehogs like to try to burrow under things and dump their dishes over. We use and recommend Massenas' Select Diets. Changing your hedgehogs diet should be done slowly after it has settled in with you. Sudden changes in diet can lead to runny stools or refusing to eat. If you are wanting to try something different after your hedgie has settled in, below is a list of 4 different diets recommended for hedgehogs taken from "The Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook ":
Diet #1 (for one adult hedgehog) per day:
1 heaping tsp. bird of prey or insectivore diet
1.5 heaping tsp. high quality cat food (ex: Science Diet® , Iams® )*
1 heaping tsp. fruit/vegetable mixture**
6-10 small mealworms or 1-2 crickets (more if pregnant or lactating)
Diet #2 (for one adult hedgehog) per day
3 heaping tsp. high quality cat food*
1 heaping tsp. fruit/vegetable mix**
6 small mealworms or 1-2 crickets
Diet #3 (for one adult hedgehog) per day
3-4 tsp. commercial insectivore diet (ex: Pretty Bird Intl® , Reliable Protein Prod® )
5-6 mealworms or 1-2 crickets
Remember baby hedgehogs should have as much as they want to eat, they are growing!
* For younger or pregnant/lactating hogs, use kitten or ferret formulations: adult hogs may use "Lite" adult cat foods.
** Fruit/vegetable mix: chop together 1/2 tsp. diced leafy dark greens (spinach, kale, leaf lettuce), 1/4 tsp. diced carrot, 1/4 tsp. diced apple, 1/4 tsp. diced banana, 1/4 tsp. diced grape or raisin, 1/4 tsp. vitamin/mineral powder (Vionate or crushed Feline Favor tab).
Hedgehogs don't usually play with toys but they will use wheels specifically designed for hogs, tunnels, hiding places and anything else that is safe and offers a sleeping place. If you are wanting to build a safe playground for your hedgehog, try a children's' wading pool with a thin layer of dirt or shavings on the bottom and a few live crickets or mealworms. They'll love hunting for their treats and you won't have to worry about them getting stuck under something.
When picking up and handling your hedgehog we recommend scooping them up from underneath with some of their shavings with both hands, this way you don't get prickled as much. Once you have your pet up in your hands slowly work the shavings out much like separating a yolk of an egg. Once your hedgehog can feel the skin of your hands on its underside they start to relax and lay their quills down. It is a natural reflex when anything startles them or approaches them from above to huff up their quills and to click in order to protect themselves. If they get really excited about a smell they will start to lick and foam at the mouth. In most animals licking is a sign of affection but not in hedgehogs, it means food. They generally do not bite unless extremely agitated or if they think it's food. Don't be startled if your hedgehog starts foaming at the mouth and licking itself ferociously this, is how they clean themselves.
Recommended reading: "The Pygmy Hedgehog A Perfect Pet" by Sharon Massena
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