Do you want to discover if hedgehog pets are easy to care for?
I thought it would be tough to care for my first hedgehog, but I was completely wrong; all I needed was decent skill and understanding from my breeder, and I was ready to go. I’d want to show you and will like you to read my post Types of Hedgehogs, which will tell you which hedgehogs are the best to keep as pets, and Are Hedgehogs Good Pets For Beginners will show the best way to handle your pet as a beginner
Here we go,
Information To Consider To Make Taking Care Of Your Hedgehog Pet Easier
In general, if you know how to take care of a hedgehog, it will be easy for it to maintain good health and it will hardly need veterinary attention. But there are certain things you should keep in mind:
- Do not expose your hedgehog to drafts or temperatures that are too low or too high. These little friends are very sensitive to extreme temperatures. His comfort zone is between 23°C and 29°C. Cold temperatures can cause hedgehogs to go into hibernation mode and become lethargic, which can be fatal in captivity. The use of heating plates and pads is recommended in very cold climates, as is monitoring the temperature of their habitat with an environmental thermometer.
- If you have other pets, do not let them come into contact with the hedgehog, they could transmit parasites or harm it.
- If your hedgehog has diarrhea, it may be because it is eating too much, too much food should not be given
- Hedgehogs living in unhygienic conditions can catch mites, fungi, and parasites. Hedgehogs are hard to overfeed since they are very aware of their normal eating habits and will not eat too much. However, if you put in a lot of food, some of it might stay or get into the filler. And right now, this environment is perfect for the growth of dangerous bacteria and microorganisms. As a result, it is crucial to keep the animal’s cage and feeding dish clean and to adjust the amount of food given based on the needs of each pet.
- The hedgehog must get used to human contact, and this adaptation is progressive. This animal has a typical defense mechanism that consists of curling up to protect itself completely with its quills. For this reason, it is important that we carry out the first manipulations using gloves.
- The hedgehog should be allowed to sniff its owner so that it comes to recognize the smell, and when this happens, the hedgehog can be manipulated without much challenge.
- When the hedgehog has gotten used to the presence of its owner and its new home, it is very important that at least once a week we let it run freely in some room in the home, since this complete freedom is totally necessary.
- Hedgehogs are very good at grooming themselves, and it is not necessary to bathe them, with exceptions or for medical indications, such as treatment of mites on the skin.
- It is necessary to cut your pet’s nails when they are long, and it is good to ask your veterinarian to teach you how to cut the nails. To give the hedgehog a manicure, a tiny nail clipper should be used. Nail tips should be cut or else your pet could be hurt
- To ensure the health of your hedgehog, you should bring it in for an annual checkup with an exotic pet veterinarian for a physical exam that may include blood and stool tests
- In giving a bath to the hedgehog, warm water should be put in a container that reaches your pet’s legs, and a soft toothbrush should be used to rub the legs. A neutral oatmeal shampoo (pH 5.5) that does not contain tea tree oil because of its high toxicity and the fact that it can cause death, should be used.
- Dry foliage should be added as a material for the hedgehog’s nest. It will build a resting place for itself. Several times a month, it is worth disinfecting the feeder, tray, and drinking trough with hot water so that pests do not reproduce.
- It will be useful to lay a dry chamomile between the tray and the bottom of the cage, this scares off harmful insects (lice, fleas)
Steps To Care For A Hedgehog Pet
There are certain steps to take to make taking care of hedgehog pets easier, including the following:
Step 1
When acquiring a hedgehog, it is good to determine the sex of the animal. When choosing a male and a female, it is important that they do not reproduce at home. These animals are accustomed to freedom and raising their young in the middle of nature.
Step 2
This animal loves freedom, it is important that it be at home from a very young age
Step 3
It needs a temperature of 25°C to 27°C to feel good; in winter if it does not have that essential heat, it can choose to hibernate.
Step4
The cage of this animal will be much larger than the animal itself. It is important not to put any blanket or cloth on it because it could get caught in it. A little earth should be kept in the pet’s environment so that it can dig and feel like it is in the middle of nature.
Step 5
Hedgehogs do not need to be washed, but they do need to live in an environment that is as hygienic as possible. Wash the cage once a week and the den once every three months. Instead of bedding, hay, straw, or corn bedding can be used. After cleaning the cage, moss or
Conclusion
If you are looking for a cute and playful pet that is easy to care for and inexpensive, a hedgehog could be just what you are looking for. The advantage of taking care of hedgehogs is that they are small and fairly easy to take care of. Unlike some animals, they don’t have dander to bother allergy sufferers. Hedgehogs are a lot of fun, and when they are comfortable with their surroundings, they are very friendly. I will recommend you read my article How Long Do Hedgehog Pets Live which will inform you of the best ways your pet can enjoy a long life