Caring for your APH
Bonding
Building a relationship with your hedgehog can take time and persistence. Whatever you do, don't give up! Hedgehogs are solitary by nature, but they will come to know and be comfortable with you. Talk to them so they will learn your voice, spend time near their enclosures, and be ready to handle daily. Cuddle/snuggle sacks and bonding scarfs are great for hanging out with your spikey friend making them feel safe while getting used to you. Play pens with toys and things to explore that aren't normally in their homes (include some things that smell like you like a sock or pillow case.) are entertaining to watch. Give treats or bugs every time you get them out. The more effort and time you put into your hedgehog the better pet they will be. Have FUN!
Cleaning
Your daily chores will depend on your bedding choice. Usually you will want to spot clean daily. With fleece I change them out every 2-3 days. Litter pans can be dumped/changed out daily. The wheel is typically where most of the pottying is done and daily cleaning is necessary. Weekly change out to new bedding and wipe down/wash cage, bowls, bottles, toys, hides etc. I use 50-50 white cleaning vinegar and water or F10 is an excellent safe veterinary disinfectant. Soap and water works too! Hedgehogs do not smell, so if you have a smelly enclosure it’s a husbandry issue.
1. Cage/Habitat
You have several options for housing your hedgehog:
• Wire Cages: Single Critter Nation or Ferret Nation cages are popular choices. Ensure you cover the bottom 10" of the cage to prevent climbing.
• Plastic Totes: Use a Sterilite tote with a minimum size of 110 quarts, up to 50 gallons.
• PVC Reptile Enclosures: Opt for a 4x2x2 PVC enclosure (avoid wood or all-glass setups).
• Midwest Guinea Pig Cages: Another great alternative.
C&c cages 2x3
****Whatever you decide will be your hedgehog's home, make sure it has adequate ventilation and it is safe. NO wire floors. If using wire sided cages you will need to use something like coroplast, acrylic, plastic shelf liner or heavy duty shower liner, or even cardboard to block off the sides of the cage to prevent climbing otherwise injuries can occur. Multiple levels aren’t generally recommended unless the levels are made safe by adding a 6” minimum barrier to all sides for safety. They can and will climb, unfortunately they aren’t very good at it and have poor eyesight to boot!
2. Heating Supplies
Four essential heating components:
• Heat Lamp: Flukers 8.5" or 10" lamps are recommended.
• Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE): A 150W CHE bulb is ideal; always keep extra bulbs on hand.
• Thermostat: A thermostat is crucial for maintaining safe and consistent temperatures. Recommended brands: Reptizoo mini dimming thermostats or BN-LINK on/off thermostats (available on Amazon).
• Thermometer/Hygrometer: A dual measurement device like Govee is reliable for monitoring temperature and humidity levels.
*****Place your bulb in your lamp and put it in the desired location by using a clamp lamp, lamp stand, or sitting on top metal mesh etc. Plug your lamp into your thermostat. Then the thermostat into the outlet. Place the thermostat probe in the cage. I usually like to do this ¾ of the way down to get a more accurate reading of where the hedgies spend most of their time. Set your thermostat between 76-80 degrees fahrenheit, I find 78 is the sweet spot. Use another thermometer/hygrometer for additional measurements of ambient temp and humidity. Thermostats aren’t always 100 percent calibrated, so an additional device really is best.
—Hedgehogs need consistent temperatures between 76-80 degrees. Less than 75 can lead to something known as false hibernation attempts. This can be fatal to your hedgehog. The use of controlled heat is mandatory for their safety and wellbeing. Do not turn off heat sources at night.
Signs of false hibernation attempt: wobbling, lethargic or not moving, balled up, stomach is cold to touch, loss of appetite
What to do: Put them under your shirt to share your heat. If they do not respond please contact your vet or emergency vet. DO NOT place them in water.
3. Food and Water Dishes
• Food Dishes: 4 oz ceramic ramekins are perfect for food and can double as water dishes. Small ceramic dishes are best so they do not get flipped over. Hedgehogs love to redecorate:)
• Water Bottles: Choose chicken nipple-style water bottles for clean, safe water access. These can be found on Amazon or Etsy (e.g., The Prickled Rose, Sonoran Desert Hedgehogs, Midwest Critterville).
4. Bedding
• Fleece (anti-pill, blizzard, guinea pig pads/liners), washable dog pads, kiln-dried pine or aspen shavings are suitable choices.
• Avoid cedar bedding or anything scented.
5. Wheel
Your hedgehog needs a 11-12" minimum wheel:
• Etsy: Sonoran Desert Hedgehogs or Carolina Storm wheels.
• PetSmart: Full Cheeks 12" or Kaytee Comfort Wheel 12".
Hedgehog Precision also has a great wheel for larger hogs if needed
Optional: Add a litter tray under the wheel for easy cleanup. Hedgehogs love to potty on their wheels. Daily cleaning is usually needed.
6. Hides, Cuddle Cups, Tunnels, and Toys
• Hides: Igloos, boxes, guinea pig-sized beds, PVC pieces (4"+).
• Cuddle Cups/Sacks: Fleece-made cuddle cups, sacks, or tunnels.
• Toys: Ping pong balls, fleece toys, dig boxes, fleece forests, rubber duckies, solid cat balls, small plushies, crinkle balls, solo shot cups, or TP tubes.
7. Food, Treats, Bugs, and Supplements
• Supplements: Add 2 drops of salmon or fish oil three times weekly to every other day. This is an excellent preventative for dry skin.
• Food: A mix of high-quality cat kibble like Lucy Pet, Nacho,Wellness Core+ digestive health, Wellness Complete Health, Tender & True Turkey, or Precision Hedgehog Food. Premade mixes are available on Etsy from The Prickled Rose, or you can DIY with 2+ of the listed kibbles. I like to rotate foods for better variety.
• Treats: dried insects or chicken baby food.
• Live Insects: Offer Dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, hornworms, nightcrawlers, or BSFL. Dust with calcium with D3.
• Other occasional feeds:
a. Cooked, unseasoned proteins like eggs, chicken, or lean beef. 3-4x weekly
b. Frozen thawed pinkies (used for reptiles). 1x per week
c. Wet cat food. 1x per week
d. Precision Hedgehog Bug Blocks. 1x per week
Recommended Feeder Insect Suppliers:
*****Feed your hedgehog 1 to 2 tablespoons of kibble Daily. Depending on body condition you may need to provide more or less food. For example, if your hedgehog seems underweight, feed more. Overweight, feed less. ETC.
8. Grooming
Nail Clippers, Bath Wash, and Brush
• Nail Clippers: Baby nail clippers with a magnifying glass are ideal for tiny nails.
• Bath Wash: Use baby bath washes like Aveeno or Dove (e.g., Baby Dove Dermacare Soothing Wash with oatmeal for dry skin).
• Soft Brush: A toothbrush or soft facial cleansing brush works well to clean between quills.
***Bathe your hedgehog at most 1x per month or as needed. Bathing too often will cause dry skin. Footbaths (water just covering their feet) can be done daily or as needed for poop boots. I like to use the bathroom sink with a washcloth in the bottom and slightly warm water. Hand dip water over back. Use a little soap on my brush and brush into quills. Rinse well. Wrap in a towel and snuggle. Always make sure they are completely dry before going back home. Some like to cut nails during baths. Nails will need to be trimmed around every 2 weeks. They grow quickly and can curl causing discomfort.
Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
https://www.hedgehogworld.com/owning-a-pet-hedgehog/
https://www.critterconnection.cc/
Care Infographics
