Hedgehog Care
Congratulations on your new hedgehog! There's so much to explore and learn about caring for these unique pets. Whether you're a first-time owner or an experienced one, this guide will provide the essential information to keep your hedgehog happy and healthy. Feel free to reach out with any questions about their care or well-being.
Hedgehogs are exotic pets and need more attention than typical domestic animals. Your purchase includes lifetime breeder support, offering advice and guidance, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns about your new pet.
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in California, Georgia, Hawaii, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Some states also require permits to own them. It's your responsibility to ensure you can legally own one. A good starting point is to check local regulations and codes regarding pet ownership in your area.
Species information:
Common Names: African pygmy hedgehog, four-toed hedgehog.
Scientific Name: Atelerix albiventris.
Adult Size: Typically, 6 to 8 inches long, weighing between .5 to 1.5 Pounds.
Lifespan: Average 3 to 5 years, with some living up to 8 years.
Habitat: Native to parts of Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Nutrition:
Pet hedgehogs can be prone to obesity, which is why it is important to evaluate the nutritional content as well as the amount of the food you are feeding them. We find that the best proper diet for a hedgehog is a mix of high-quality cat kibble with the right fat and protein contents. A mix of different cat kibbles provides a good variety of protein to our hedgehogs. Our Coastal Quills Premium Hedgehog Diet Mix provides our hedgehogs with the following protein sources: chicken, salmon, turkey, crickets, and black soldier fly larvae.
Commercial “hedgehog food” such as Mazuri or Exotic Nutrition brand hedgehog formulas are not a good food source for pet hedgehogs. Please do not feed “hedgehog food” to your baby. The only exception is Hedgehog Precision brand kibble. All other commercial hedgehog foods do not have whole meat as the first ingredient and have too many fillers that hedgehogs cannot digest.
Hedgehogs are insectivores and therefore also require insects in their diet. In addition to the dried insects in our kibble mix, we feed our hedgehogs live insects such as mealworms, super worms, Dubia roaches and crickets. We also supplement their diet with frozen thawed pinkies, and unseasoned lean meats and eggs. Hedgehogs cannot digest fruits or veggies. They get the nutrition from plants by eating bugs who have been gut loaded with fruits and veggies instead.
Deviating from our nutritional recommendations will void your baby’s health warranties.
We feed about 2 Tbsp of our high-quality nutritional mix to each hedgehog per evening. Adjust the amount accordingly depending on the body condition of your hedgehog.
Coastal Quills Premium Hedgehog Diet consists of:
Purina Naturals: Indoor with Real Chicken & Turkey (Chicken & Turkey)
Nutrish: Indoor Complete (Chicken with Salmon)
Purina ONE: Tender Selects Blend (Chicken)
Natures Menu: Chicken and Brown Rice (Chicken)
Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle Dry Cat Food (Turkey)
Dried black soldier fly larvae, probiotic powder, ground flaxseed, and cricket flour
If you are only going to feed your hedgehog a single brand of cat food, we would recommend using the highest quality cat formula you can find, or Hedgehog Precision kibble. Nature's Menu chicken and brown rice or Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Indoor Cat Dry Food Chicken & Brown Rice would be our choice for a single formula cat food.
Your new baby will currently be eating our Premium hedgehog diet. When purchasing a hedgehog from us, we will provide a free 6 oz sample bag of our mix. The sample should last you about a week so that you can gradually transition them over to whichever mix of adult cat foods you wish to feed. If you purchase a starter cage from us, we will upgrade your food sample to a 2-pound bag that can last up to 3 months.
Creating a Cozy Habitat
Hedgehogs thrive in a consistent temperature of 74°F to 78°F. Too hot or too cold and they can either attempt to hibernate or suffer from heatstroke. You can spot a hibernating hedgehog if they're wobbly, sluggish, and cold to the touch. On the other hand, an overheated hedgehog may lie flat on its belly in a "splooting" position. Keep them comfortable with heating equipment like a CHE bulb and a thermostat. See our heating article with ordering links here! https://share.evernote.com/note/d4f1c62e-f6f6-9aee-9a9f-26f26f75f1b3
Emergency Warming & Cooling Methods
During a winter power outage, hand warmers can prevent them from getting too cold. Tuck these warmers into a sock or a snuggle sack. If you don't have hand warmers, your own body heat can do the trick! In the summer, cooling tiles can be placed as well as frozen water bottles. Remember, it is easier to cool or heat a smaller space, so you might want to keep a 15-quart ventilated storage bin handy for such emergencies
Exercise and Fun
Keeping your hedgehog active is important. Bucket wheels or the Kaytee Giant comfort wheel can help them get their daily exercise. They can run up to 6 miles a day, so don't forget to clean the wheels regularly! Hedgehogs enjoy toys, sand baths, and dig boxes, too, for additional enrichment.
Bedding Basics
Fleece, pine, and paper bedding are good options. Avoid cedar bedding, as it can cause allergies. Cleaning the bedding daily is a must to maintain a healthy environment.
Cleaning Tips
Using a good cleaner like dawn dish soap, white vinegar, diluted bleach, or chlorohexidine 2% will keep their space spick and span. Make sure everything's dry before bedding goes back in.
Bathing and Diet
A monthly bath with mild soap keeps your hedgehog fresh. Give them time to dry thoroughly before returning them to their home. Keep their diet varied with Coastal Quills Hedgehog food, insects, and boiled meats or eggs. Remember, no fruits and veggies!
Bonding Time
Daily socialization is vital for a happy hedgehog. Routine cuddles, positive reinforcement, and your familiar scent can help them bond with you. Be aware that neglect can lead to stress-related behaviors. Always be gentle, consistent, and loving.
