Do you want to know how to care for your hedgehog throughout the winter?
When I got my first hedgehog pet, it wasn’t during the cold season; instead, I was well prepared to care for my charming companion thanks to my breeder. Hedgehogs are fantastic pets, but it’s especially vital to make sure this charming species enjoys its stay with you throughout the winter. This post will provide you with some ideas for winter pet care. I invite you to read my post on Hedgehog Pet Care and Maintenance, which will advise you on how to best care for your pet.
Let’s go,
Is It Possible For A Hedgehog Pets To Survive The Winter
Hedgehog years are separated into two parts: the active phase and the hibernating period, which occurs throughout the winter. Winter in the United States lasts around three months, from December through February. The hedgehog loves to remain in secure, warm, and comfortable places during this time. With the decrease in temperature, the hedgehog has a predisposition to hibernate (the time during which an animal adjusts to an unpleasant situation), and as a result, your pet should be housed in a well-padded hibernation box as soon as it has achieved the appropriate weight.
The animal’s brain activity is lowered during the hibernation phase, and your pet sleeps deeply for an extended length of time. The hedgehog prepares for winter by storing fat, which aids the pet in maintaining how it heats up to function properly and when its activity restarts. The metabolism of a hedgehog may undergo considerable modifications during hibernation which are;
• The temperature has dropped from 5°C to 10°C.
• The animal does not move
• There is a long time of no breathing
• There is a reduction in heart rate
• The hedgehog coils up into a stiff ball of spikes
A baby hedgehog should weigh 500 to 600 grams on average, while an adult should weigh considerably more; besides, while ensuring your pet grows the necessary weight, the pet should not be overweight, as this may create health problems for your animal.
Should I Feed Hedgehogs Pets in the Winter
Winter may be difficult on your beloved pets and even fatal, which is why you must provide winter care for them. Hedgehogs hibernate over the winter, but some will still need our help to live. Your pets must be safeguarded. When your hedgehog emerges from hibernation, it must locate food to consume to rebuild strength and continue its activities. Hedgehogs have the propensity to sleep peacefully during hibernation if food is available. You should provide food, particularly moist quality cat food, as well as clean water that will not freeze, and never feed milk to your pet as this might result in death.
What Should I Do to Keep My Hedgehog Cage Warm?
Build a shelter for your pet, making sure it is wind-protected and made of the appropriate materials. The structure should be built in the form of an igloo, with the box you wish to make for your pet having a width and height of 30m and a depth of 40cm. The box’s entrance should be enclosed and vented to avoid rain. Remember to use sawdust to prevent difficulties associated with urine contamination. It is critical to provide your pet with access to construct its nest by creating a cluttered environment for it. This permits the hedgehog to build its nest in peace. The hedgehog may construct an average of two nests, one before and one after hibernation. You may construct an artificial nest for your pet by using wood and plastic and structuring the nest to prevent predators. Remember to cover the nest with a waterproof cover to keep the rain out.
Make a specific location for your pet and provide it with all the materials it needs to build a nest, such as dead leaves, grasses, and wood. The accommodation area should have a smooth, high wall so that the pet does not climb at any moment.
Is It Possible For A Hedgehog To Survive Without A Heat Lamp?
There is a slim chance of your pet surviving in winter without a reliable source of heat. Heat lamps (which should not produce light), plates, or even reptile heating stones can be used to heat the hedgehogs’ cage. The wires must be handled with caution; they must be properly insulated so that the hedgehog does not gnaw them and become electrocuted. During the summer, a hedgehog may go without a light, but in the winter, it must have a heat lamp. Blankets and tiny hot water bottles should also be used to keep your pet warm at all times. A warming pad is a good idea to use as well and should be put under the hedgehog’s den.
Wintering Hedgehog Pet Care
Hedgehog pets that are indoors hibernate very infrequently since the temperature regime is not at all similar to that of natural settings. If the room is warm enough, the hedgehog will remain awake throughout the winter. However, bringing the cage from the balcony back into the apartment is enough to wake up a pet that has gone sleeping for the winter. It will wake up on its own after it warms up and understands it is in a warm location. Maintaining a natural sleep-wake rhythm is suggested for pet health reasons and will enable the pet to have a long life in the long run
Conclusion
Winter is a period when your pet requires extra attention and care to live. As the owner of a hedgehog pet, do prepare your companion both before and after hibernation. The hedgehog loses half of its weight during this period, and if not cared for, it may die; therefore it must receive all of the attention it requires. I will propose you read my post How Long Do Hedgehog Pets Live and What Do Hedgehogs Pets Eat And Drink which will offer you the greatest option for your pet to have a long and healthy life