This book has the most up to date information out there. A must read for any hedgehog owner,new or old. Can be downloaded for free or purchased through blurb.com
The information listed below is not from the book above.
Home sweet home
The first thing any new hedgehog owner will need is a habitat for their pet. Always provide the largest possible living space for your hedgehog that your space and budget will allow. In the wild, a hedgehog can cover a territory of a couple of square miles hunting for food nightly, so exercise is a definite factor in choosing the habitat.
Multi-level ferret cages,plastic storage bins or the larger style guina pig cages can make a good home for a hedgehog.
Accessories for the Home
Supplying an exercise wheel is a must for these active animals. The wheel should have a soild running surface,we recommend the Carolina Storm Wheel but you could also use a Giant Comfort Wheel,Flying Saucer or homemade Bucket Wheel.
Your hedgehog, as a nocturnal animal, will probably spend most of the day asleep.
Provide a place where your pet can feel secure, such as a nest box (even a cardboard one!) or a sleeping bag. Although hedgehogs can often be taught to use a litter box, most owners choose to use some variety of bedding in their habitat. We recommend fleece liners or aspen shavings. Do not use cedar or colored bedding for your pet! The aromatic oils in cedar have been known to cause respiratory distress and may prove fatal. When you introduce any new loose litter to your hedgehog, keep an eye on him to ensure that he is not eating it. They can develop bowel impactions from eating litter.
Litter Training
Hedgehogs can frequently be taught to use a litter box if training is begun young enough. Begin by selecting a litter box, which can be any container that the hedgehog can easily climb into and that is large enough for him to turn around in. Corner ferret litter boxes, available at most pet stores, work very well. Fill the litter box with some sort of litter such as aspen shavings or recycled newsprint cat litter. Avoid cedar as the aromatic oils can cause respiratory problems and also avoid clumping type cat litter as they may clump on or in the hedgehog's genitals.
Once you have your litter box set up, "seed" it with a few poops. If your hedgehog misses the litter box, move the refuse into the litter box. Most hedgehogs prefer to use a litter box rather than to soil their homes, although many will also use their wheel as a second litter box. If your hedgehog does this, you might also place a small pan containing litter under the base of the wheel and just clean the wheel frequently.
Diet
Diet plays an important role Serious consideration should be given to proper diet for hedgehog, since they are prone to a variety of diet-related illnesses, usually related to an excess of fat in the diet. Unfortunately, some products labeled as "hedgehog food" are not nutritionally sound. Make sure that whatever food you choose to offer your pet is low in fat and iron and high in protein. Low-fat or "light" cat foods are preferable to a high-fat hedgehog food. 1-2 tablespoonfuls daily of this staple food may be supplemented with treats, including 1-2 canned or fresh mealworms and crickets, lean cooked chicken, salmon, or tuna, boiled egg whites, rice cooked in broth, fruits and veggies. Avoid treats or staple foods containing whole or large pieces of nuts or dried fruits as they can cause dental problems or choking.
Changes in eating habits may signal health problems, so monitor your pet’s intake (and output!) regularly. Hedgehogs may be resistant to sudden changes in diet. Even if you want to stop feeding a particular food to your pet, you will probably want to do it gradually, mixing a little more of the new food each day until the old food is completely gone. Starting your hedgehog off by feeding a mixture of foods can help them avoid finicky eating in their later years.
Hedgehog Health Care
Hedgehogs have special health care needs, but caring for them can be surprisingly straightforward if you are prepared. Most common hedgehog ailments such as obesity, quill loss, tattered ears, and foot injuries can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and routine care. Some ailments or symptoms necessitate veterinary care.
Before the need arises, identify a veterinarian in your area who has experience with hedgehogs. A yearly well-pet visit consisting of a normal physical exam, fecal analysis, skin scraping for mites, and dental exam is an excellent precaution. A good vet can catch many symptoms before they become emergencies. Since hedgehogs are relatively new to the domestic market, information on their proper care is rapidly changing.
Keeping your hedgehog warm is also important. Since they come from an arid,
hot climate, they are not used to cooler temperatures.Keep their habitat away from drafts and above 75ºF. African hedgehogs cannot adequately hibernate, and attempts to do so are life-threatening.
Socializing your hedgehog
Hedgehogs are naturally shy, cautious, and nocturnal animals but have the capacity to socialize well with proper attention and patience on the part of the new owner. Offer your hedgehog a worn t-shirt upon arriving home, making sure all loose strings have been removed as they can wrap around wee legs and cause injury. This will allow your hedgehog to become familiar with your scent. Try holding your new friend in your lap during the evening while reading or watching TV. Often he will begin exploring and allow petting and other interaction. Also consider offering a treat of some kind like a mealworm or a piece of lean cooked chicken upon waking your hedgehog to provide a positive reinforcement.
Having your hedgehog habitat in a moderately trafficked area of your home is a good idea as it allows your new friend to become accustomed to the
everyday sounds of humans. The key to socializing a hedgehog is patience. Remember that the huffing and rolling into a ball is out of nervousness or fear and not anger. You are unfamiliar and unknown until you have proven yourself a friend. Once this beautiful relationship has been established, the bond is genuinely affectionate and meaningful on both sides.
Hedgehog FAQ
Welcome to the world of the pet African Hedgehog! So, you’ve decided to get a hedgehog. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions on basic care.
What supplies do I need for my hedgehog?
The main necessities for owning a hedgehog are a cage, method of heating, bedding (liners or shavings), exercise wheel, food and water dish/bottle, and food.
What gender is my hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are easy to sex. Males have a prominent "belly button" (the penile sheath) located about half way up the abdomen, whereas females do not. Both genders have nipples, so that can’t be used to help find your pet’s gender.
Are there differences between genders?
Besides anatomical differences, male and female hedgies are pretty much the same. Each individual hedgehog has its own personality. No particular gender is a better pet. Males also do not produce a stronger odor than females.
How do I pick up my hedgie?
The best way to pick up a hedgie is to scoop him up with both hands under the belly, like a cradle. If the hedgie balls up quickly or already is in a ball, the best way to pick him up would be to use your hand or a blanket to roll him into your hands or the blanket.
My hedgehog hates me. How do I get him to like me?
No hedgehog hates humans. They may be scared, or angry, or have had a bad experience. The first thing to do to get a hedgie comfortable around you is to put a worn shirt that smells like you in their cage to sleep with. If
you’ve just gotten your hedgie, let it settle into its new home before handling too much. Then, you can start off by placing hedgie in a blanket in your lap. Usually quiet, dark rooms will help them relax. You can gradually build up handling time from there. Also, new smells (such as other animals) may frighten your hedgie. Make sure you wash your hands before handling, as hedgie may not recognize you if you smell like a big scary
dog.
My hedgehog is losing lots of quills. What does this mean?
Your hedgie most likely is quilling or has mites. If you know your hedgie is over a year old, it is most likely mites, or another insect/fungus related disease. Very flaky skin and bald spots indicate mites or a fungus. A vet can diagnose and treat mites. Quilling is perfectly healthy and all hedgies do it. They basically are shedding baby quills and getting adult ones, and is sometimes compared to human baby teething. It occurs at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and sometimes again at a year. Your hedgie will most likely be a bit more temperamental and uncomfortable. You wouldn’t like needles poking through your skin either! A warm oatmeal bath helps, and make sure you are extra gentle.
My hedgie is foaming at the mouth and spreading on his quills! Does he have rabies?
Nope! This is called "self-annointing". No one knows why they do it, but it has been compared to "anting", a behavior done by some birds. When a hedgie finds a new smell, or one they just like, they will froth at the mouth, contort themselves, and spread the saliva mix on their quills. Some hedgies do this often, some, never at all. Hedgies especially like to do this with new food. Be careful if you are feeding strawberries or something similar, you may end up with a pink hedgehog!
How do I trim my hedgehog’s nails?
Nail trimming can be a challenge. If you have a well-behaved hedgie, you
should be able to simply grab each foot and cut the nails. This can be done
when hedgie is on his back, standing, however you find comfortable. Many
hedgies don’t like nail-trimming time, and will ball up. The best thing to try
is to give his a warm bath, because they can’t ball up in water. You should be able to grab each foot and trim from there. If you can’t finish all the nails, don’t worry! You got this far, and just try getting the rest later. Knowing how far to cut can be a bit difficult as well. You should
be able to see the small pink blood vessel (the quick) in the nail. You want to
cut just after that. Be careful not to cut too close, you may cut the quick,
which is extremely painful, or put pressure on it, which hurts as well.
How do I give my hedgehog a bath?
Hedgies don’t need baths very often, but do get dirty feet from running on their wheel. If this is the case, a foot bath is better than a whole bath. To give a foot bath, simply run an inch or 2 of warm (not hot) water in the sink or tub, and let hedgie walk around. This will loosen and wash off the residue.
To give a whole bath is only a bit different. Fill the sink or tub with warm water to about belly level, so they can wade but do not have to swim. Gently pour the water over hedgie, and lather some soap on the fur and quills.
Recommended soaps would be Aveeno Creamy Oatmeal Wash (baby) or any unscented colloidal oatmeal product. Remember that there shouldn’t be any drafts in the bathing area, and you should completely dry the hedgie before returning him to his cage.
My hedgie is lethargic and unresponsive, and has a cool tummy. What’s wrong?
Your hedgie is most likely beginning hibernation, which is very dangerous. Warm up your hedgie ASAP and keep the heat at least at 75* F.
What should I use for heating my hedgie’s
cage?
There are many ways to heat your hedgie’s cage. The air temperature should always be 73-76 degrees F. -
What temperature should my hedgie be kept in?
Proper temperature would be 73-76 degrees F. This needs to be consistent around the year.
My hedgie’s got a bald spot on his head! What’s wrong?
Nothing is wrong! This is called a "reverse mohawk". There are no quills
there because there are muscles which help the hedgie roll into a
ball.
Should I use a water bottle or a dish?
There is much debate over whether a dish or bottle is better for a hedgie. Here is some of thearguments on both sides.
Dish-
Pros:
Natural drinking position, hedgie will drink more than if using a bottle, no
dangers from cut tongues or chipped teeth.
Cons: If you are using shavings
or a paper product, hedgie might dirty the bowl.
Bottle-
Pros: Water stays clean.
Cons:
Drinking from a bottle is an awkward position for a hedgie and may be
uncomfortable. The nozzle of a bottle can cut a hedgie’s tongue, and chewing on
it to dispense water can chip teeth.
Does my hedgie need light?
Hedgies need light daily to help keep their internal schedules in order.
Natural or artificial light 12-14 hours a day. This should be consistent and
start and end the same time every day.
