Would you like to know how long hedgehog pets live?
I’ll never forget Nancy, my friend because my first hedgehog pet lived for almost 8 years. I followed all of her advice and support, and my pet had a long life as a consequence.
I can tell you that with plenty of love and care, your hedgehog might survive for up to ten years instead of the average 5 to 7 years.
You may be wondering how long your new hedgehog will live if you own one. Please keep reading to learn about the factors that impact how long your pet will live, and I highly recommend the post What Do Hedgehog Pets Eat And Drink which helps with the longevity of your pet
Let me show you
Best Ways That Your Hedgehog Can Live
The longevity of a hedgehog varies widely based on size, species, nutrition, environment, and a variety of other factors.
Can hedgehogs live for 10 years?
Indeed, hedgehogs may survive for ten years in captivity, as opposed to hedgehog pets in the wild.
Factors That Affects How Long Hedgehog Can Live
Diet
Food is also crucial for the lifespan of hedgehogs, as an animal that feeds on insects as a diet, it is your obligation to ensure that these insects are easily available to your pet since they provide a balanced diet and,
in the long term, add to your pet’s longevity. Mealworms, crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, beetles, and flies should all be eaten.
If your pet is unable to forage for these insects, you as its owner can purchase them at pet stores.
Because they are prone to obesity, they also require higher protein-rich diets and fewer fatty foods.
They also require more protein-rich diets and less fatty foods to help them lose weight because they are prone to obesity.
Environment
Environment
Your pet’s environment should be as comfortable as possible. Buying a cage for your pet is insufficient; going the extra mile to make it livable is excellent.
Because hedgehogs are prone to respiratory ailments, the cage surface, as well as the area where your pet sleeps, should be smooth and easy to clean.
The cage should also be large, with a firm floor. Getting your pet a cage with several levels is a fantastic idea since it allows it to play and be active.
Take note that the type of wood used should not obstruct your pet’s respiration.
Climate
The best temperature range for a hedgehog is 24 °C in the coldest place to 30 °C in the hottest site.
To create this heat gradient, we will need to put a thermal blanket in a terrarium corner that covers 13% of the cage or terrarium’s surface.
We’ll put the shelter in that warm area so our hedgehog can rest, hide, and be comfy during his downtime.
It is important to monitor the temperature throughout the winter months to ensure that it does not go below 22 °C; otherwise, our hedgehog may catch a cold and become unwell.
Stress
Stress may reduce your pet’s life if it is not controlled properly, thus as a pet owner, try to prevent stressing your pet as much as possible.
Anything from noise in your house constantly disturbing your pet’s sleep to the time of day you are interacting with them might cause stress.
Stress may be avoided by remaining vigilant and on the lookout for unusual behavior.
If you see your pet becoming cranky and unfriendly on a frequent basis, make an appointment for a checkup.
Choose a peaceful location for a nocturnal animal that is more active at night and sleeps more during the day.
It is essential to keep an eye on the temperature throughout the winter months so that it does not go below 22 °C; otherwise, our hedgehog may develop a cold and become ill.
Good Condition
Let your hedgehog explore freely. If you give him his freedom right immediately, he’ll hide somewhere behind the sofa and be tough to get out. Moreover, the hedgehog has powerful claws that may easily damage the floor or goods. Allow your pet to adjust to its new home, where he will spend most of his time.
Bathe the hedgehog; this applies to mature hedgehogs. Bathing water should not be hotter than 34.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allow your pet to get used to the operation by gently lowering it into the water.
Wash the animal’s belly and paws while holding its head. The needles of the hedgehog are cleaned with a toothbrush and baby wash before being thoroughly rinsed.
Pat the hedgehog dry with a towel.
Genetics
Reputable breeders will produce healthy hedgehogs. Only hedgehogs from lines that have no diseases will be bred by a good breeder.
Excellent genetics pave the way for your hedgehog to live a long and healthy life.
Additionally, remember that nothing is certain. That simply means that they will have a better tendency to better health
Superior genetics can be gotten from professional hedgehog breeders, helping them to live longer and healthier lives.
Any breeding expert must keep this in mind; yet, there are congenital faults that may impair the animal’s lifetime.
Because we have no control over this, we must focus on what we do have control over.
A professional breeder uses ethical and smart methods to create hedgehogs. It is one of the factors that contribute to the animal having a longer life.
If they do not do their duties appropriately, the animal, as well as the owners who care for it, will suffer in the future.
Medical Examination
If you see your pet hedgehog acting unusually or if something causes you extreme worry, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately
Although hedgehogs are very sturdy and seldom develop ill when properly cared for, they are prone to a variety of diseases, including dental and ear issues, cancer, obesity, ringworm, and heart disease.
Hedgehogs require yearly examinations and should be brought in if anything looks to be wrong.
Whatever we learn about these creatures, something is always missing, which is why a visit to the veterinarian may ensure that they are healthy and live a much longer life.
Hedgehogs can become unwell for relatively simple reasons and recover with easy remedies, but if they are not treated, they can acquire more serious illnesses.
Reasons Why Having a Pet Hedgehog Has a Longer Life Expectancy Than Wild Hedgehogs
The following are possible reasons:
• The absence of adversaries and other barriers that may lead to an animal’s death.
• Food availability: Hedgehogs will go hungry if released into the wild since there will be less food available than when they are kept as pets. This extends the life of your pet.
• Finally, hedgehogs are regularly killed by automobiles in the wild, and they may die as a result of forest fires or chemical poisoning of agricultural crops since there is no conflict.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs have a life span of four to seven years. I have an article on How Much Does a Baby Hedgehog Pet Cost that gives you a broad knowledge of the cost of a baby hedgehog pet. On the other hand, the length of a hedgehog’s life is strongly reliant on the type of care and attention it has.
While you do not have control over certain factors like DNA, you have control over other factors like a balanced diet, a large cage, an environment that is less stressful, and frequent medical treatment which will greatly lengthen the life of your hedgehog.