Basic Hedgehog Care

 

The Basics of Hedgehog Ownership


First things first, set up your hedgehog’s HOUSING.  Once that’s done you’re ready to get to the nitty gritty of hedgehog ownership.


Hedgie’s First Day Home


I know it’s an exciting day when you bring your hoglet home for the first time, but you should remember that it is a stressful day for the little guy.  You will want to handle it constantly when you bring it home, but you should allow it at least one full day to get used to its new surroundings and new home.  It could take a week or two for your hedgehog to finally start getting comfortable in its new environment.


Hedgehogs are relatively easy to care for once you’ve got all the supplies you need.  They really only need a daily and weekly care routine to keep them happy and healthy.


Daily Routine


  1. ๏ Pick up poopies

  2. ๏ Change the paper towel under the wheel

  3. ๏ Clean up spilled food/water out of shavings or off of liners

  4. ๏ Fill the food dish

  5. ๏ Fill the water dish/bottle

  6. ๏ Clean off messy toys

  7. ๏ Scrub the wheel (can be done every few days if need be)

  8. ๏ Give your hedgie a foot bath if its feet are poopy


And of course, love your hedgehog every single day!


Weekly Routine


  1. ๏ Change shavings or launder liners

  2. ๏ Launder hedgie bags/snuggle sacks


Every couple of weeks, or if your hedgehog anoints with something yucky, you can give it a bath and trim its nails.


Bathing Your Hedgehog


Giving hedgies a bath is both cute and fun!  Some hedgehogs really like water while others want out as fast as possible, but either way it’s something necessary to help keep your little one healthy.


For a foot bath, just fill your tub or sink with warm water up to your hedgehog’s belly and allow your hedgie to walk around in it for a while until its feet are clean.  You can also use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean its toes.


If your hedgehog anoints with something yucky or just needs a full bath for some reason, fill your tub or sink with warm water, some gentle shampoo like Aveeno Baby (I prefer an all natural shampoo because I only use natural products in my home, but baby shampoos work just fine too) and let your hedgie run and play in the water.  Use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently scrub its quills (always front to back!).  Run your hand underneath it and softly scrub its belly until it’s clean.


If your hedgehog is quilling or has dry skin you can add some olive or flax seed oil to the bath or a couple drops on your hedgehog’s back to help moisturize and sooth the skin.


Hedgehogs are good swimmers, but they tend to get tired easily, so you should ALWAYS supervise your hedgehog in the bath.  Also, keep tabs on the temperature of the water because you don’t want your hedgie to get cold.


After you’ve gotten your hedgehog clean, rinse with fresh water and use a soft towel to gently dry it off.  If your hedgie is quilling or if you want to dry it quickly you can use a hairdryer on the lowest setting. 


Make sure that your hedgehog stays warm for at least 30 minutes following a bath.


Trimming Your Hedgie’s Nails


After a bath is generally the best time to trim your hedgehog’s nails because they’re soft.  I find it easiest to wrap my hedgehog in a towel and allow him to get busy burrowing his head inside and then I gently grab his feet and clip his nails with baby clippers. 


Be very, very careful not to cut the quick (big vein) at the base of your hedgehog’s nails.  Just in case, it’s a good idea to keep some Quick Stop Powder, a caustic stick or some cornstarch to staunch the bleeding.  It doesn’t take much blood loss to be seriously detrimental to a small animal like a hedgehog.  If you’re especially intimidated by nail trims, take your hedgie to the vet and allow them to do it for you for a nominal charge.


Don’t get discouraged if it takes a couple times to get all its nails clipped.  Sometimes it takes several times to get the all done, especially for new hedgehogs that have never been groomed.


Check your hedgehog’s nails every couple of months to see if a trim is needed.


Laundering Liners/Hedgie Bags


Keeping your hedgehog’s home clean is easy with cloth liners.  Just throw them in the wash with unscented detergent and do not use fabric softener.


Contact: roxieprince@sayhedgehog.com