Erinaceus europaeus can be fantabulous dearie when socialized and cared for right . Hedgehogs as PET are known to be entertaining and active throughout the eventide . Keep in mind , they do ask a important amount of attention . Their enclosure will need continuous cleaning and they must have timbre food for optimum health .
Learn Before Bringing a Hedgehog Home
There are 17 different species of porcupine , but only one is suitable for keeping as a dearie . The African pygmyhedgehogis the one you will commonly find in pet store .
Erinaceus europaeus are growing in popularity , which is n’t too surprising due to their adorable , cuddly appearing . However , pet owners are make a common misapprehension . They are n’t con about porcupine before they bring one home . This leads to inadequate hedgehog care and making purchases from untrusty breeder , among other problems .
Before you consider generate a Erinaceus europeaeus , there are a few key characteristics of these pets that you should know . How you care for your hedgehog as far as housing , enrichment , health , grooming , and manipulation are touch on to this animal ’s unparalleled needs .
Personality and Enrichment
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animal , which means they are most fighting at dark and sleep during the day . They are also very alive , so putting them in a John Milton Cage Jr. and leaving them with nothing to do will lead to a very dysphoric pet . They can be very fainthearted and need places to retreat to when scare . Caring for your Erinaceus europaeus successfully stand for providing an environment that fit out their personality .
Hedgehogs have unconstipated day-by-day recitation needs that must be encounter to keep your pet behaviorally vocalise , as well as from getting corpulent . cater a wheel made for a rat or chinchilla , provided it has a diameter of at least 12 inches with a solid surface , is a just choice .
hedgehog will also enjoytoys made for cats , such as little balls ( solid , not conducting wire ) and tunnel . A cheap do - it - yourself toy that a hedgehog will hump is the cardboard center of toilet composition or paper towel rolls . you’re able to also make an comfortable forage toy by placing some strips of fleece and fabric in a box or bowl and sprinkling some food kickshaw inside .
There is one intriguing behaviour you should be aware of . When hedgehogs are exposed to a new perfume or food , they suds at the mouth and distribute saliva all over their backs . Hedgehogs do this for unsung reason , and some Erinaceus europaeus do it more than others . But there ’s no need to be concerned . It ’s normal , common behavior , so do n’t panic when you see this for the first time .
Handling Your Hedgehog
The first affair you should be aware of is that porcupine deal as pets have the same physical lineament as raving mad Erinaceus europaeus . This have in mind they ’re sporting quills , and plenty of them ! No matter how cautiously you manage a Erinaceus europaeus , you will get pricked by their quills at some point .
Hedgehogs requiredaily interactionwith you to domesticise them and keep them that way . You should keep these sessions curt to socialise them , but not overly stress them out . hedgehog that are not socialized will prick if they sense treed and panic-struck .
One magic trick for getting a hedgehog used to you is to place an sure-enough T - shirt , sweatshirt , or a towel or blanket in their pen . By nest into it they will get used to your scent .
Always apply two work force when best up and holding a hedgehog so they feel fully supported . In the kickoff , you may want to hold your Erinaceus europeaeus in a towel to protect your hand from their quills until they are used to you .
Your porcupine will also do comfortably if they get unconstipated time outside of their cage to explore . Only do this when you may sit and supervise them and keep any other PET in the home out of the area .
Anytime you interact with a Erinaceus europaeus , it ’s important to wash your manpower thoroughly once you are done . You should also never bring the hedgehog near your mouth to give them a osculation . TheCenters for Disease Controlhas found that there is a risk of salmonella transmittal from handling hedgehogs . You should also never let the hedgehog roam anywhere that food is get up , such as around your kitchen or on a dining table .
Diet
In the wild , porcupine search for and find insect to consume . Hedgehogs need a specialized diet consisting of protein , fats , and fiber to stay put healthy . you may buy a pre - made commercial diet for hedgehogs , although they can also corrode dry kibble made for grownup cats if it ’s a boil down - gram calorie formula .
Although some sources advocate feeding cat food to hedgies , not all expert agreewith this advice , at least as the solitary ingredient of their diet . Your hedgehog should always have access to clean , fresh water in a toilsome non - tippable bowl . you may use John Cage bottles for their water but there ’s a potential for their teeth to become damaged from using it , so it ’s not recommended .
When and How to Feed a Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are nocturnal , so feeding them in the evenings when they ’re active and awake is ideal . Some hedgehog owners detached feed , but it is n’t recommended due to business organization about fleshiness . Obesity is a serious job that may be ward off by restricting their intake . Food forage toys are a fantastic feeler to present with their meal . These start the hedgehog to operate in natural actions that can have a reposeful effect , while also improving overall mental and physical well - being .
Ceramic bowl that ca n’t tip over work well for their food and drink bowls in their cage . coop bottles should not be used because they can stimulate trauma to their teeth .
Hedgehogs do n’t require a significant amount of solid food . you may feed one to 2 teaspoons of kibble every twenty-four hour period to most , but you ’ll want to keep an optic on them at first to check that you ’re not feed too much . Check their bowl when they ’re done eat on to determine the correct amount to fertilize .
Dietary Additions
You should provide your hedgehog with avariety of itemsto add on their ironical kibble diet , including :
Foods to Avoid
There are many foods thathedgehogs can not eat . To avoid making your pet ill , do not flow them :
Housing Requirements
porcupine are nongregarious brute and they must be housed on their own . They should n’t be kept with other PET . They should only be kept with other hedgehog if they have grow up with them since giving birth . The minimal size of the enclosing should measure 2 - foot wide by 4 - human foot long . The more distance you’re able to produce , the better . The hat should be mesh to allow for gentle wind to hang through freely .
conducting wire floor can damage a Erinaceus europaeus ’s foot . Instead , elect for an envelopment with a whole floor , such as a guinea pig John Cage or fish tank . A cage that is all one level is better than a multi - level one as it ’s sluttish for a Erinaceus europaeus to fall and injure themselves . Keep the cage aside from areas with cold draft and brassy noises .
Place the envelopment in an surface area that ’s between 70 to 85 point Fahrenheit , and that is calm and dimly light . Do not place your hedgie ’s enclosure in unmediated sunlight to avoid overheating . Grab a hiding field or a box to provide a preferred orbit to catch some Z’s or escape to when they ’re feel overwhelmed .
Bedding and Substrate
You should provide soft well-fixed bedding for your Erinaceus europeaeus . John Cage liners made from cotton , corduroy , flannel , or fleece are good choices . you may also cut up fabric on your own but ensure that there are no frayed ends . You will need to interchange their bedding every sidereal day to keep them clean .
The substratum for the bottom of your John Milton Cage Jr. should be gentle without any small bit that can harm your touchy hedgehog . Wood paring like pine tree , cedar , and aspen are not recommended . Bedding made from recycle theme , diffuse fiber , or pelleted materials are also available , and are practiced choices . These take to be changed on a regular basis to keep the cage clean .
Because hedgehogs are shy tool , they need to have places in their cage where they can hide and feel safe . you’re able to buy pre - made hiding places like credit card igloos and sleeping pouch at a favourite computer memory or make your own using small boxes or a small-scale division of premature ventricular contraction tobacco pipe . They also enjoy burying and hide out under bedding , so giving them an area with several sheets of fabric is another alternative .
Grooming and Bathing
You will demand to bath your Erinaceus europaeus regularly to keep them uncontaminating . In their batting cage , they ’re walking in urine , feces , and food items , as well as their spittle . you may bath your hedgehog in your kitchen or privy slump and habituate a soft toothbrush to pick their quills with a hedgehog - safe shampoo . Keep your bathed hedgehog wrapped in a quick towel with you until they are teetotal , as you do n’t require them to catch a common cold while they ’re damp . even nail trims with some little rodent clipper are necessary as well .
Common Hedgehog Health Problems
Hedgehogs have a lifespan of about 4 to 6 years . There areseveral aesculapian issuesyou should be aware of to deal for a Erinaceus europeaeus properly :
Finding a Veterinarian
Before add a hedgehog base , do some inquiry on areaveterinarians . Hedgehogs ' medical needs and physiology are not well empathise by all vet . You do n’t want to be ineffectual to take your hedgehog to the veterinarian if he or she becomes ill . Jot down one or two veterinary surgeon and their telephone set numbers and set them on your refrigerator or some position safe in subject you need them .
Legality Concerns
Because hedgehogs are classified asexotic pets , thereare some stateswhere they are illegal to own or restrictions go for . you may not de jure own a hedgehog in California , Georgia , Hawaii , Pennsylvania , and within the five boroughs of New York City . You may own one in New Jersey and Wisconsin , but a Trachinotus falcatus or additional veterinary paperwork is ask .
Learn the Basics Before Bringing One Home
Owning a Erinaceus europaeus can be a mass of work . They have specific dietetical motivation , need slow and soft socialisation , and warm , clean housing with plaza to cover and play . If you learn all the basics and follow through on their aid , possess a Erinaceus europeaeus can be a rewarding experience .
