By Melissa Witherell, DVM. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM
Updated Sep. 29/2024
Hedgehog Care Sheet: Habitat, Food, and Care | PetMD
Hedgehog Species Overview
Hedgehogs are small nocturnal mammals that are blanketed with spikes along their backs. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have these quills for protections against predators.
However, hedgehog quills are not barbed & do not puncture the skin—but they can still hurt if handled improperly.
But can you have a hedgehog as a pet?
The answer is yes, you can have a hedgehog as a pet—but due to their quills & specific care, hedgehogs are not ideal for young children.
These spiny friends require a clean, comfortable hedgehog habitat & daily socialization in the evenings from their pet parents.
Hedgehogs can thrive living alone & do not need to be kept with other hedgehogs.
Occasionally, 2 females may be housed together but it’s typically recommended for hedgehogs to live alone. Additionally, they should not be housed with any other species in their enclosure.
Hedgehogs can be extremely shy at first but are social animals at heart.
They like to ball up in a natural defense position, but with patience & daily social interaction, your hedgehog will start to feel safe & content with you.
When hedgehogs chirp, whistle, or purr, it indicates they feel comfortable. Snorting, clicking, or hissing indicates fear or aggression.
Hedgehog Characteristics
Difficulty of Care Intermediate
Average Lifespan 5–8 years
Average Adult Size 24–35 centimeters
Diet Insectivore
Minimum Enclosure Requirements 2' x 3' floor space
How Long Do Pet Hedgehogs Live?
With proper care, pet hedgehogs can live 6 years or more. Many can even live up to 8 years old.
Regular vet visits, nurturing pet parents, & preventative care can help hedgehogs live longer.
Wild hedgehogs usually live to be about only 3 years old.
How Big Do Hedgehogs Get?
Pet hedgehogs are small, adorable creatures that are usually around 1 pound (453 grams) when they are full grown.
Male hedgehogs are usually larger at 400–600 grams & females are usually 300–400 grams.
Hedgehog Care
Let's take a look at a few key components of caring for hedgehogs.
Hedgehog Handling
Hedgehogs have prickly quills along their back to protect them from predators. They are shy animals & will roll up into a tight ball & hide their face if they are frightened.
Always approach a hedgehog slowly & handle them with a small towel so you don’t prick yourself on one of their quills.
It’s important to include daily socializing time outside of the cage to help them get used to you & get comfortable with being handled.
Hedgehog Habitat
Enclosure
Hedgehogs require an enclosure that is at minimum 3 x 2 feet for floor dimensions. The ideal habitat has wire sides–no more than 1 inch apart with a flat bottom such as plastic to prevent pressure sores on their feet. Wire sides provide adequate ventilation.
The habitat should have a secure lid because hedgehogs like to climb.
Environment
House your hedgehog in an area that you spend the most amount of time in–like your living room or bedroom so that they can spend time with you.
Hedgehog Temperature
Their home should not be in direct sunlight or in a drafty area. Optimal temperature is between 70–85 F; hedgehogs can overheat over 85 F.
If the temperature falls below 65 F hedgehogs will become less active, & this can cause a compromised immune system. Humidity in their room should be low, less than 40%.
A heating pad can be placed under part of the enclosure, or a ceramic heat emitter may be used to provide more heat as needed. It is ideal to have a temperature gradient in the enclosure, with one area warmer & the other cooler.
Bedding
Provide your hedgehog with at least 3–4 inches deep of high-quality paper bedding or crumbled paper.
Hedgehogs like to burrow so the more bedding the better for them. Recycled paper bedding & towels or blankets are often used inside the enclosure.
Remove any strings from the towels or blankets because these pieces could wrap around a hedgehog’s legs or feet.
Avoid clay or clumping litter & wood shavings as it can be ingested by the hedgehog & cause medical issues.
Feeding Dishes
A heavy bowl for food & water should be provided. Some hedgehogs will drink from a water bottle, & some prefer a bowl.
Other
Hedgehogs can be litter box trained.
Make sure the box has an opening low enough for them to climb in easily. Place it in the corner of the cage with paper-based litter inside.
You can also add hide boxes, fleece sleep sacks, PVC tubing, & cardboard boxes to the enclosure.
What Do Hedgehogs Eat?
This means they eat insects, plant material & occasionally baby mammals, mollusks, snails, & worms.
Main Food
Domesticated hedgehogs should be fed a hedgehog pelleted diet every day.
Depending on your hedgehog’s weight & activity level, feed 3–4 teaspoons of hedgehog pellets per day.
Since hedgehogs are nocturnal it's best to feed them at night.
Gut-loaded insects (i.e., 5 mealworms, 1 cricket) can be offered a few times a week.
One to 2 teaspoons of fresh produce can be offered daily to every other day.
Water
Fresh water should always be available in a water bottle or shallow bowl & changed daily.
Treats
Mealworms, crickets, earthworms, & waxworms can be fed up to 3 times per week.
Offer fresh fruit and vegetables weekly. These include:
Peas
Corn
Carrots
Apples
Bananas
These vegetables should all be cooked to prevent them from getting stuck on the roof your hedgehog’s mouth.
Supplements
Hedgehogs do not require vitamins or supplements unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.
Foods to Avoid
Do not feed your hedgehog:
Celery or lettuce (low nutritional value)
Avocados
Raw meats
Raw eggs
Nuts
Seeds
Dairy products
Hard raw foods such as carrots
Do not offer your hedgehog any other items without checking with your veterinarian first.
Grooming & Care for Hedgehogs
Bathe your hedgehog to remove any fecal material using a hedgehog-safe shampoo that’s fragrance-free.
Exercise
In their native habitat, hedgehogs travel long distances. Because of this, exercise is important for pet hedgehogs.
A flat exercise wheel is a great way for them to exercise as well as supervised roaming sessions outside of their enclosure.
Disinfecting & Cleaning
Cages should be emptied & cleaned at least once a week with soap & water.
Bedding should be replaced weekly.
Food & water bowls should be cleaned daily with soap & water. Your hedgehog’s cage should be spot cleaned once a day to remove & feces, wet/soiled bedding, & leftover food.
Enrichment & Training
They will then apply the saliva to their spine with their tongue. This behavior can last minutes or up to one hour, & helps the hedgehog become better acquainted & comfortable.
In addition to exercise wheels, you can also provide them with swimming tubs outside their enclosure.
Hedgehogs like to climb, dig, swim, & jog on ramps, & climb structures & cardboard tubes inside their enclosure.
Make sure to provide your hedgehog with toys to encourage enrichment.
Hedgehog Health
Hedgehogs require annual checkups with your exotic veterinarian.
In addition to physical exam, blood work or X-rays may be recommended.
Signs of a Healthy Pet
Signs of healthy hedgehogs include:
Eating & drinking well
Healthy quills
Bright eyes
Walking & climbing without limping
Breathing comfortably without eye or nose discharge
Being active & playful at night
When To Call Your Vet
Signs that you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian include:
Soft/loose poop
Not eating or drinking well
Quill loss
Muscle tremors
Wobbly gait
Lethargy
Eye or nose discharge
Overall decreased activity
If you have any concerns about your hedgehog, consult with your veterinarian immediately.
Common Illnesses in Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs commonly suffer from:
Corneal ulcers
Dental disease
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Cancer
Obesity
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Hedgehog Care Sheet FAQs
Hedgehogs can make good pets for the right person that is able to care for them properly.
Hedgehogs don’t make a good pet for young children (less than 5 years old) as their sharp quills & desire to be solo creatures make some less able to be handled often.
Where can you get a hedgehog?
There are a few places where you can get a hedgehog. You may look for a hedgehog breeder or adopt one from a rescue.
Asking your veterinarian or your local exotics veterinarian for recommendations is a great place to start—they might be able to point you in the right direction.
How much does a hedgehog cost?
To understand the cost of a hedgehog, you must consider not only the cost of the hedgehog himself, but also how much money it will take to set up the proper environment for him, as well as providing toys, food, treats, etc. throughout his life.
Hedgehogs themselves can cost anywhere from $100–$600, depending on where you get them from.
Do hedgehogs let you pet them?
Are hedgehogs aggressive?
Hedgehogs are not considered aggressive animals. However, they might not be friendly if they are not familiar with people & have not been handled at a young age.
Hedgehogs like to live alone & if they are forced to live together, some can get aggressive.
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