·         Hedgehogs do not require routine vaccinations or checkups; however, an annual well pet care visit is recommended. This will enable your pet to have an acquainted veterinarian and also vets are good at spotting problems we may not see.

·         It is important to pick up your hedgehog daily and inspect for any injury’s or illness as they can not tell us when something is wrong, I also suggest checking their gait and if nails need trimming during this time.

Read on for signs of health/illness

·         Green poops can be caused by many factors such as stress, diet change, travel or infection. Green poops is caused due to food moving to fast through their digestive tract, the green color is cause by bile, which would normally break down during digestion. Green poop caused by traveling or environmental changes should clear up in 3 days or so, if it lasts longer, I highly recommend seeing your vet. 

·         Hedgehogs have nails similar to humans.  Their nail is relatively clear and they have a quick at the end.

·         The frequency of trimming nails will really all depend on your baby and how fast they grow. I have some that require every 2 weeks and others that are once a month, either way it is always a good idea to inspect your babies feet every now and then.

·         Nails on the front feet that get to long can curl under and start digging in the pads of their little feet causing damage or even foot deformities, it can inhibit normal walking and run the risk of infection.

·         Nails on the back feet don’t normally curl under but can still make walking difficult.

·         Each hedgie is different in what technique to use therefor I am not going to explain in detail but will show you in person. Your main concern in trimming nails is to be sure to not over extend or twist the legs, also cutting to short can cause bleeding and is always recommended to have a blood stopping agent on hand. Blood stopping agent recommended is Kwik-Stop or just flour from your cabinet. 

· Providing treats to your pet hedgehog is both beneficial to you and your pet. One of the primary reasons for feeding treats to your pet is to provide a variety in their diet.  “Hiding” or scattering dry food treats encourages the hedgehog to forage as it would in its natural environment.  Dry treats are preferred over moist treats that could spoil if undiscovered when hiding or scattering food. This is also stimulating for the hedgehog and encourages exercise which is beneficial.

·The giver of treats is always more welcome than empty hand. A happy hedgehog is more social and will look forward to handling and interaction. We suggest waiting to give your hedgehogs treats until they are settled into their new home and eating on a regular schedule.  Freeze-dried insects or live insects are good starter treats for your hedgehog.  Freeze insects can be started right away but allowing a hedgehog adjust to its new environment will help prepare it for the hunting of live food.

· Some hedgehogs love treats but other hedgies will prefer to stick to only their dry food.  You may try some treats several times before your hedgehog decides to give it a try.  It is important to only introduce one new food or treat at a time.  Should your hedgehog develop an upset stomach you will know which food or treat is to blame. Daily nutritious treats in small quantities are acceptable but don’t spoil your hedgie so that it is too full for its staple food. Once you find a food your hedgie likes, don’t over feed it.  That way your hedgehog will continue to enjoy it as a treat rather than expect it as a standard part of the diet.

· BEWARE – treats will change your hedgehog’s stool.  Some treats may cause diarrhea, green poops, or extremely stinky poop. Treats that provide nutrition are always more beneficial than food items that seem to be little more than empty calories. Insectivores by nature, hedgehogs typically love insects.  It is a good idea to include insects as part of your hedgehog’s balanced diet. The most popular insects of hedgehogs and hedgehog owners are mealworms, wax worms, silk worms and crickets. Treats can include live, canned or freeze-dried crickets, mealworms (only one or two per day), wax worms or other insects.  Even though hedgehogs are insectivores, a captive hedgehog diet of insects would not be nutritionally complete.

Meats

Most meats fine as long as they are grilled, broiled, baked, boiled, or even cooked in the microwave. 

Do NOT feed raw meats or processed meats. Meats should be cooked with oil or butter and should not be seasoned. It is never a good idea to feed raw meats because of the risk of salmonella or other bacterial or parasitic infections. Some hedgie meat favorites are: grilled salmon, chicken, and turkey.  Beef and pork are acceptable but should be fed in moderation.  These meats are less easily digested and contain lower calcium and higher phosphorus levels than other alternatives. Meats are not suitable as a main portion of the hedgehog’s diet.  Unsupplemented meats do not provide adequate calcium, balanced minerals, tooth abrasion, and adequate vitamins. 

Eggs Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are a popular favorite with most hedgehogs.  The best way to scramble eggs are in the microwave with no added oils or seasonings.  Make sure the eggs are not too hot when you give them to your hedgie.

Fruits and Vegetables

Hedgehogs do not breakdown cellulose in plant and vegetable matter as well as other animals.  Fruits are softer and typically easier to digest than vegetables. All vegetables should be diced into small pieces and most should be cooked in the microwave, boiled, or steamed so they are soft. Hard vegetable such as carrots and sweet potatoes should be cooked to prevent choking hazards. Corn and peas contain excess phosphorus, which decreases the calcium absorption and should only be fed in small amounts.

Popular Fruits

Apple                     Banana                  Blue Berries          Cantaloupe

Honeydew            Mango                   Papaya                  Pineapple

Raspberries           Strawberries

Watermelon

Popular Vegetables

Asparagus             Bell Peppers         Carrots (cooked)                  Corn – small amounts

Cucumber             Green Beans         Peas                                        Radishes

Sweet Potato (cooked)                       Turnips                                  Zucchini

Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, and Other Dairy

Hedgehogs are thought to be somewhat lactose intolerant to milk but yogurt and cottage cheese seem to be easier for hedgehogs to digest. The yogurt and cottage cheese provide extra calcium to your hedgies diet and the yogurt provides beneficial bacteria as well.

Non-human foods as treats

Canned or moist cat foods are easily accessible and relatively cheap to try. Ferret treats are another option if you have them available.

Sweet foods containing refined or processed sugars are not a good source of treats for your pet.  We suggest that you completely avoid chocolate because it can be toxic for hedgehogs and other animals. Fried foods are not a good idea because the grease can upset the hedgehog’s stomach and the excess calories are not good for hedgehogs on the heavy side.  Hedgehogs are somewhat lactose intolerant so milk should be avoided.   Dairy products such as yogurt and cottage cheese can be given in small amounts but they can cause intestinal upset and diarrhea. Hard foods such as peanuts, almonds, and raw carrots are choking hazards.  One of our customers had an emergency trip to the veterinarian one night because their hedgehog had an almond lodged in its throat! Sticky foods such as raisins or other dried fruit are not a good idea because they can stick to the roof of the hedgehog’s mouth or to its teeth causing discomfort and tooth decay. Fibrous or stringy foods such as celery are hard to chew and digest. Raw eggs or meat should be completely avoided because of the risk of Salmonella. Spicy and foods such as onions and garlic may be upsetting to your hedgehog’s stomach. Controversial foods in the pet industry include grapes (with seeds) and avocados. Salty foods such as many canned meats and vegetables can not only upset your hedgehogs’ stomach but it can cause electrolyte imbalances as well.

Quick Reference List of Foods to Avoid

Avocado – controversial                     Chocolate

Eggs – raw                                            Fried foods

Meat – raw                                            Garlic

Grapes – controversial                         Meat - canned

Meat – processed (hot dogs)               Milk

Nuts                                                     Onions

Outdoor insects                                    Raisins and other dried fruit

Hedgehogs that are hand fed or allowed to lick may take the next natural step and bite.  Biting the hand that feeds it is only natural when the animal is looking for more food. Your hedgehog is not as tempted to bite your hand if it associates food and treats with an inanimate object.

Spines versus Quills

One of the most confusing and most common misnomers used when talking about hedgehogs is the exchange of the term’s spines and quills. Hedgehogs technically have spines and NOT quills.

Spines are hardened hairs that have a solid center and are tapered at both ends. Spines fall out and are replaced over the entire course of a hedgehog’s life just like dogs, cats, and humans. Quills are hollow (like the shaft of a feather), have barbs on the end, and can be released at will. Hedgehogs cannot shoot quills or detached quills like a porcupine. Now that you know the difference between spines and quills, we’ll be sure to confuse you by continuing to use the terms interchangeably!

The Process of Quilling

There are times when a hedgehog will shed large numbers of spines which is a process called quilling. It is a natural process similar to other animals that change coats during different times of the year. Spines shed out naturally during adolescence and several other times during the hedgehog’s life. Spines that are shed naturally have a root or bulb at the end (like human hair) but spines that are shed due to a skin condition or mites tend to have a flaky or soft tip on the end of the spine. Hedgehog resources report various ages when the quilling begins and how frequently it happens. We have noticed that some colors of babies have much thinner spines at age six weeks than other babies of different colors. Not only are the spines themselves smaller and more delicate but they are fewer quills especially over the back and rump. Most quilling typically occurs first at around six to eight weeks of age and again at around four months. The first quilling is often distinguished by the loss of small fine quills and the growth of new quills. New quills can most easily be seen on a relaxed hedgehog looking down the spine and over the rump. They will be thicker new quills beginning to poke through the skin surface. Quilling is often equated with the “Terrible Twos” or “Adolescents

Problems during the Quilling Process

A good comparison to quilling struggles is to think about threading shoelaces into a tiny hole in a new pair of shoes. You might first have to shove the tip of the shoelace into the new hole quite forcefully to get it to start to go through. Once the new hole is widened the lace fits through more smoothly. Baby quills are much smaller and thinner than adult quills. The new quills must work their way up through holes left behind from former quills. Hedgehogs with extremely coarse spines seem to have the toughest and longest adjustment to quilling. The longer, thicker and bigger spines are found around the skirt (just above the fur line) and around the ears. White quills on snowflake patterns also tend to be bigger and thicker than other quills. A spine that has trouble coming out is similar to an ingrown hair. You will be able to see redness, swelling, or scabbing at the base of the quill. These spines may need to be gently pulled and the area washed with a gentle cleansing solution. Quilling problems are more noticeable on albinos but all colors can have quilling problems. The quilling process can be a painful for your pet and may be noticed in its behavior.

Behavior during Quilling

One might compare teething in human babies to quilling in hedgies. Some hedgehogs show no discomfort during quilling while others might become very grouchy. Hedgehogs that are uncomfortable might huff and puff more and relax less. Instead of attempting to “pet” your hedgehog simply hold it or allow it to crawl over you and explore. You don’t want to avoid handling your pet during the quilling process but you certainly don’t want to increase their agitation by petting them if their behavior indicates they are uncomfortable. The good news is that with consistent handling the grouchiness will get better

How to Comfort Hedgehogs during Quilling

We suggest an oatmeal bath using a homemade oatmeal soak, Aveeno baby shampoo, or other oatmeal-based soaps found at any Health Food Store. Some hedgehog owners follow a bath with a Vitamin E in the rinse to assist in this uncomfortable process. We have found that a couple small drops of olive oil directly on the skin (not spines) will help to soften the skin and make the process a little easier. One must be careful not to put too much oil on the skin because excess oil can cause problems as well.

Determining the Cause of Quill Loss

Young hedgehogs are at the prime age for quilling. Look at the spines that have fallen out to see if they are smaller than most of the remaining quills and to see if they have a bulb shaped root on one tip. Another sign of quilling is that you can see new quills growing in to replace shed quills. The occasional loss of healthy quills is a normal part of the quilling process. The average hedgehog has approximately 5,000 spines and will replace about 90 percent of them during its lifetime. A veterinarian should address quill loss other than what is associated with the natural shedding process. Mites are the most common cause of quill loss other than the quilling process. Quill loss as a result of mites can be any size quill and new quills will not be growing in.