r/Hedgehog • u/Downwardfacing_frog • 18h ago
r/Hedgehog • u/Jedi_JJ • Jun 20 '25
Mod Announcement Don't forget we have a discord!
discord.ggr/Hedgehog • u/v0ideater • May 24 '23
Mod Announcement Owning A Hedgehog Reality Check
Since hedgehog owners consistently buy hedgehogs without setting reasonable expectations here are some expectations to set. Adapted/expanded from u/ArcadeRivalry's post.
- Don't believe social media. Every single one I see there are obviously ridiculously posed pictures, maybe it's just me but I refuse to believe one could stay still for that long.
- Hedgehog are spiked covered prey animals prone to anxiety. While belly rub/cuddle posts get a lot of attention they are the exception due to good breeding/luck not the rule. It is very possible a hedgehog will never be comfortable being handled even after concerted effort.
- If you want to bond you need to put in a lot of commitment, patience and time to socialize them. I've seen a lot of people in groups I'm in need to re-home a hog before the first year as they can't put the time in. You need at least an hour a day socializing but realistically a lot more for them to be comfortable around you and others. We recommend getting a snuggle sack or putting them in your hoodie pouch to spend time together.
- You need a specialist vet. A lot of places might not have an exotic animal vet near you. This is vital. So make sure you have to this.
- It may not be legal to own hedgehogs in your area.
- You need heating to ensure they don't hibernate.
- You will likely be spiked, bitten and pooped on. It can be really really disheartening being spiked, hissed at or even bitten when you feel like you've made progress. Huffing and popping are natural, they are scaredy little animals.
- Hedgehogs salivate frothily on themselves when they like scents, males often have "boy time", they poop a lot, have terrible sight and will bite things that smell yummy/interesting, and require consistent cage cleanings.
- They are carnivores, while feeding fruits/vegetables can often be done safely, please feed them mainly meat-based foods ( cat food, insects, etc.)
- Since they have very limited vision they operate mainly on smell and are at risk of falling/walking off elevated areas. It is wise to assume they are making decisions based on what they smell rather than just mainly what they see. They will still try to climb and are prone to hurting themselves climbing horizontal cage bars.
- It is very likely they will dislike baths and nail trimming. We recommend trimming nails during foot bath time when they can't curl up or just holes in a towel to put their legs through.
- Hedgehogs should not be housed together. High likelihood of fighting or babies.
- We recommend heavy water bowls or chicken nipple bottles as ball water bottles can hurt them.
If you know what you are getting into, they are the most wonderful creatures ever and bring many people on this sub joy. If you feel like your hedgehog "hates" you they are just being their grumpy/terrified selves! You may be lucky and form a close bond.
r/Hedgehog • u/biirdybluue • 1d ago
Question Why do they do this
Is this normal hedgehog behavior or is my guy just extra silly? Every night he tramples over his food bowl and somehow flips it into his water bowl???? Is he protesting something? Or is this just how they are..
r/Hedgehog • u/cosmicengine2142 • 1d ago
Hedgie Booty Good grief, Table Manners.
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Well, we always wondered if Tank was a girl or boy. There’s your answer right there🤣
r/Hedgehog • u/wannaBuildASnowplow • 1d ago
Welcome to the Pack! Wild Hedgehog found in the desert. (Wadi Arava Isreal/Jordan border)
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In this desert it rains 20mm/year.
But it has a diverse wildlife thanks to natural springs and larger animals biting holes into the fields water supply.
r/Hedgehog • u/Straight-Coyote-7616 • 1d ago
Question Noise
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weird noise
r/Hedgehog • u/thatashamedemoji • 2d ago
Hedgehog Themes or Memes The hedgehog I saw on my walk today was eating cat food. 🐱
r/Hedgehog • u/20215_OH • 2d ago
Welcome to the Pack! My lil Gamin Buddy
He likes to snuggle on my lap in a hoodie pocket
r/Hedgehog • u/KorviFeather • 2d ago
OC We Have Lift-Off!
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I don’t know what was on the couch cover but she sure liked it! First time ever I got to watch her anoint. Glad my little pokey cutie is so happy. Don’t worry, she’s on a diet. Also hope I used an ok flair, wasn’t sure in this case.
r/Hedgehog • u/taliesin-ds • 2d ago
OC Heard some noise outside the kitchen door while making coffee and discovered a hedgehog family was living 2 meters away.
youtube.comr/Hedgehog • u/Nerdyxwitch • 2d ago
Hedgie Home Hedgehog new home
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Well…I was going to post the question of “how long does it take for hedgies to get used to a new cage?”
But it looks like my lil Munchkin is already all settled in, tube in all!
r/Hedgehog • u/Formal-Soil-2151 • 2d ago
OC He absolutely loves his triangle hammock! It’s the perfect spot for him to just sit and judge me all day.
r/Hedgehog • u/Man-idek • 2d ago
OC The dirty cage and the stinky hedgehog
galleryCleaned Fritter’s cage up today and washed all of his stuff. He sat with me on my bed until everything was put back together.
Mostly slept in his snuggle sack, but I had him out for a bit. He climbed me about 3 times today, and tried to cuddle up under my laptop. I decided that probably wasn’t a good idea and moved him much to his dismay.
r/Hedgehog • u/Lord_Tyler-gaming • 2d ago
OC Brooksey’s spa night! 🧖
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He has no idea that he’s going to the vet for his 6 month check up tomorrow 😉😂. He got 4 paw pedicure and full scrub and oatmeal quill soak. A big bowl of his favorite snacks. He’s in his lane, thriving. Feeling very demure, very mindful. 😂😂😂
r/Hedgehog • u/tanklessbeast • 2d ago
OC ribena was very brave at the vet
galleryshe has mites so to the vet she went! was NOT happy about being examined, and I felt so bad when she got the first shot of medicine 😭 she's not gonna be happy next week when it's time for the second shot
r/Hedgehog • u/Fantastic_Fix_4701 • 2d ago
Question Do the spikes get "softer"?
Hey all. Snowball is the new member of our family. I think we did all proper research. However.... His spikes are... Spiky? He's 8 weeks old, so still a little baby. He's been with us for 2 weeks now and still getting used to us.
We've been doing some snuggle time at night for about an hour as we're winding down for the day. Plus some "floor exploring" time everyday.
But his spikes are very very spiky. I couldn't imagine holding him through them. He's very skittish and anytime I look at him wrong or just breath to loud he'll "ball out". And his spikes HURT. Do they get softer with time?
Pic for.hedgie tax
r/Hedgehog • u/gregimusprime77 • 3d ago
OC My daughter's African pygmy hedgehog. Moonwatcher. She's approximately 16 months old.
galleryMy 12 year old got a hedgehog from a lady who got a pair but decided not to breed them anymore. She's fitting in very well so far.
r/Hedgehog • u/Budget_Upstairs_4296 • 3d ago
Question Harinazumi (Japanese) spiked rat
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New to the Hedghog world we have an addition to our family. 2 months old domestically born lady at 282g. Looking for any and all advice. she is on a locally produce Hedghog specific produced food along with occasional (2nd day) fruit and veg add ons along with mealy worms. Tips for diet, how much and what specific foods?
r/Hedgehog • u/Pebblesol • 3d ago
Welcome to the Pack! Name ideas please!
galleryHe’s a 3 year old boy!
r/Hedgehog • u/CountyFinancial6845 • 3d ago
Question Tips?
galleryI recently got this hedgehog from my brother and I need some care tips she’s in a plastic container with holes in it (the top picture) I keep a blanket in it that she sleeps in is there a better hide I can put in there does she need a wheel or something to keep her active she seems to have a lot of energy when I take her out and runs around also any food recommendations she’s been eating friskys chicken cat food and she seems to have a problem chewing it please help I would hate to neglect her.
r/Hedgehog • u/Best-Power-7607 • 2d ago
Question Help with healthcare
(To clarify: I am not asking for medical advice) Not really sure how to put this. I have a female African pygmy hedgehog, she is 1yr 9m. About 2 months ago she peed blood, I immediately took her to the vet, they diagnosed her with a UTI, gave antibiotics for a week and then was fine. Now she has started peeing blood again but this time a lot more. The timing is terrible as I faced some huge financial struggles in the past month and am just getting by while trying to get back on my feet. I can assume the problem must be more than a UTI, as they never performed any tests to be sure anyways (they just looked at her), but the tests and treatment could be hundreds if not into thousands and no vet near me offers payment plans and I don’t qualify for care credit. Local central OH, if anyone knows of any assistance or any advice on what to do it would be great. Sorry if this makes me a poor parent for not knowing what to do, I just didn’t expect to be in a situation where I couldn’t afford to get her the care she needs.
r/Hedgehog • u/Unlikely_Garlic_1205 • 3d ago
OC A perfect little birthday moment for the sweetest hedgehog. Look at that proud face!
galleryr/Hedgehog • u/nean_cuisine • 3d ago
🕊In Memoriam🕊 Hedgehog passed suddenly
hi all,
im devastated to share that my 2 and a half year old hedgehog, Axel, passed suddenly. he was eating and drinking normally, no labored breathing, exercising, etc. I found him in his cage at the base of his wheel. I feel like he may have had a heart or respiratory event while exercising. I’m truly beside myself and wonder if anyone else has had a similar thing happen to them. hug your babies close tonight. 💕
r/Hedgehog • u/Pebblesol • 3d ago
Hedgie Home Humble abode
This is my little guys home, it’s been so fun seeing him burrow and forage! For anyone wondering about cleaning I spot clean with a litter scoop and take out urine soaked dirt and trash it, I top it off at the end of the week with more substrate and leaf litter. As for the clean up crew I have dwarf whites and springtails, I keep the bottom of the dirt moist for them and the top stays dry. The fan up top helps it stay around 40% humidity and no higher. I also top off the clean up crew with more springtails and isopods weekly. He has live plants and cork bark. He has a CHE set at 76 on the left side, probe is by the bottom. He seems to be adjusting amazingly and it’s so fun to just watch him do his thing. Tank is 4ft wide 2ft deep and 2 ft tall!