HEDGEHOG CARE GUIDE + REQUIRED SUPPLIES

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Info

Hedgehogs are exotic animals and require more care than your average domestic pet. The purchase of your new baby includes lifetime breeder support, advice and guidance, so please contact us at any time if you have any questions or concerns regarding your new baby.

Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in California, Georgia, Hawaii, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Additionally, hedgehogs cannot be imported into Pennsylvania. There are several other states that require permits to own them. Laws are constantly changing, so it is your responsibility to make sure you will be able to legally own them. Good places to start calling are your state’s Fish and Game Commission or the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as your local regulations.

BASIC info

Species Name: African Pygmy Hedgehog, also known as the white-bellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
Lifespan: Average 3-5 years, but can live up to 8 years with a healthy life, proper care, and nutrition
Adult Size: 5-8 inches long and 0.5-1.25 pounds

HOUSING

Please see the Required Supplies list by clicking here or scrolling toward the bottom of this page for detailed information about housing requirements and recommended links to purchase your enclosure and supplies from. For your convenience, we sell complete setups with everything you need for your new baby that can be collected when you pick up your pet.

NUTRITION

Pet hedgehogs can be prone to obesity, which is why it is important to evaluate the nutritional content as well as the amount of the food you are feeding them. We find that the best proper diet for a hedgehog is a mix of high-quality cat kibble with the right fat and protein contents. A mix of different cat kibbles provides a good variety of protein to our hedgehogs. Our hedgehog kibble mix provides our herd with the following protein sources: chicken, salmon, lamb, duck, quail, and turkey.

Commercial “hedgehog food” such as Mazuri or Exotic Nutrition brand hedgehog formulas are generally not a good food source for pet hedgehogs. Please do not feed “hedgehog food” to your baby. The only acceptable exception is Hedgehog Precision brand kibble, which we do recommend for hedgehogs. All other commercial hedgehog foods do not have whole meat as the first ingredient and have too many fillers that hedgehogs cannot digest.

Hedgehog are insectivores and therefore also require insects in their diet. In addition to the dried insects in our kibble mix, we feed our hedgehogs live insects such as mealworms, super worms, Dubia roaches and crickets. We also supplement their diet with other various proteins: raw meat (only from clean sources, as Salmonella can result from feeding tarnished raw meat), whole prey (mouse/rat pinkies and day-old chicks), and unseasoned lean meats and eggs. Hedgehogs do not digest plant matter well, so please do not feed them fruits or veggies. They get the nutrition they require from plants by eating bugs who have been gut loaded with fruits and veggies instead.

*Deviating from our nutritional recommendations will void your baby’s health warranties.*

We feed about 2 Tbsp of our high-quality nutritional mix to each hedgehog per evening. Adjust the amount accordingly depending on the body condition of your hedgehog.

Your new baby will currently be eating our Premium Hoglet Mix, which includes a little bit of the above mix plus Purina ONE Healthy Kitten for extra fat and protein your baby needs to grow. When purchasing a hedgehog from us, we will provide a free sample bag of the mix your baby is currently eating. The sample should last you about a week so that you can gradually transition them over to whichever mix of adult cat foods you wish to feed. If you purchase a complete setup from us, we will upgrade your food sample to a much larger bag that can last up to 4 months.

GROOMING

Hedgehogs require regular nail trims. Use pet nail trimmers or regular nail clippers to carefully trim the tip of your hedgehog’s nails. Be careful to avoid cutting into the quick of the nail, as that part of the nail is vascular and will bleed if cut into. If you accidentally cut into the quick, apply a little pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Some people like to trim their hedgehog’s nails during or after a bath.

Hedgehogs do not require regular baths. However, you may give them a bath if they got into something dirty or for relaxation and bonding. Place your hedgehog in a small sink or a container and fill up to the top of their legs with warm water. Use a gentle baby shampoo such as Aveeno and gently scrub their quills and toenails with a soft toothbrush or fingernail brush. Rinse the soap out and dry your hedgehog completely with soft towels before putting them back in their heated cage, as you do not want your hedgehog to become hypothermic.

TAKING YOUR HEDGEHOG HOME

If you purchased a setup from us, please make sure to set up the heating kit correctly and provide your baby with a warm environment in their new home. Install the heat emitter bulb into the clamp lamp, if it is not already installed. Plug your clamp lamp into the thermostat, and then plug the thermostat into your wall outlet. Turn the clamp lamp dial clockwise all the way to the highest setting. You should feel the heat emitting from the bulb. The sensor probe must be installed at the level of the bedding and underneath the heat lamp in order for the thermostat to accurately read the temperature and function correctly. Placing the probe anywhere else will result in false temperature readings and inadequate heating. None of our hedgehogs have ever chewed on the cord, but you should still check it daily to make sure it is still installed properly.

When you first bring your baby home, it is perfectly fine to handle them in a few short bursts. However, change is stressful to hedgehogs, so please make sure to allow your baby time to settle in its new surroundings for the first day or two without overstimulating them. Handling them for long periods of time while they are stressed from the transition may cause more harm than good.

Your hedgehog will let you now if they are relaxed by flattening their quills. When their quills are raised and “spikey”, they are telling you that they are afraid. Your hedgehog will relax around you once he begins to bond with and trust you. Handling them daily is very important while they are still young. A great way to start the bonding process is to get them used to your scent by leaving a small piece of worn clothing in their cage by where they sleep. Speaking softly to them will get them acclimated to your voice. You can also let them explore your lap while you are sitting on the couch. It is a good sign if they fall asleep on you because that means they feel safe with you. The purchase of your hedgehog comes with a free snuggle sack. You can use this snuggle sack to hold your hedgehog if you are intimidated by their quills.

HEALTH & HEALTH WARRANTIES

All hedgehogs receive a preventative treatment for parasites before going to their new homes. Vaccines are not necessary for hedgehogs, but, as with any other pet, annual vet checks are recommended to keep a healthy hedgehog. Pet hedgehogs can be prone to obesity, so always adjust the amount and, if necessary, the type of food you are feeding accordingly. Diet changes should always be a slow and gradual transition.

A rare but deadly disease that affects some hedgehogs is Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS). WHS is a progressive degenerative neurological disease that leads to muscle weakness and paralysis, and eventually death. It is believed to be a hereditary disease. All of our hedgehog babies are backed by a lifetime warranty against WHS. Should your hedgehog die of WHS, confirmed by a licensed veterinarian’s necropsy report, we will replace your hedgehog free of charge (shipping is not included and will be at the buyer’s expense, if necessary). You may choose a replacement hedgehog of equal or lesser value out of the hedgehogs we currently have available at the time of claim. Your hedgehog also comes with a 6 month congenital health warranty. We will replace any of our hedgehogs that die of confirmed congenital health defects within 6 months from the date of purchase. All claims must be accompanied by valid veterinary necropsy reports.

SUPPLIES LIST

Provided below are a list of required supplies, the setups and supplies we sell, as well as links to purchase them yourself should you choose to do so. For your convenience, all supplies and food items may be purchased at time of pet pickup. All supplies are subject to availability and must be reserved at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled pickup. Our prices are listed below in bold. Otherwise, supplies may be ordered online ahead of time. You may use the red links provided to order our recommended items. If ordering supplies on your own, you must show photo proof of APPROVED setup before your hedgehog baby will be released to you. NO EXCEPTIONS. All prices are subject to change without prior notice due to fluctuation in manufacturer pricing. The current price at the time of supplies reservation will always be honored.

Required SUPPLIES

• Enclosure: Enclosures such as modified Sterilite bins are recommended as they are easy to sanitize and keep heat in best. But cages may work too, as long as the bottom is solid and the cage is not too tall as hedgehogs may climb and fall down. Adequate ventilation is required.

  • The minimum floor size requirement for your baby hedgehog needs to be 30”x18” (appx equivalent to 100qt for plastic bins), and you may want to upgrade them to more adequate space when they mature to full size or give them plenty of free roam time!

  • No wire flooring, no ramps, no levels. NOTE: Ramps and levels may be used if all edges have a barrier to keep hedgehogs from falling.

• Heat source: Your hedgehog will require temperatures between 75-80°F at all times, year-round. Housing your hedgehog at any less than 75°F can cause your hedgehog to fall into a false hibernation, which may lead to death. If you do not keep your room temperature in this range at all times, you must supply a proper heat source. We recommend a properly installed ceramic heat lamp (at least 8.5 inches in diameter) with a 100W-150W ceramic heat emitter bulb. When using a ceramic heat lamp, a thermostat is required to regulate the temperature, so that the enclosure stays a constant temperature without getting too hot or too cold. You may also use a space heater with a built-in thermostat, or you may set the room temperature to 75-80 degrees F all day and year round.

  • Larger enclosures require more heat lamps.

  • Heating pads do not suffice, since they do not heat the ambient air.

  • Heat lamps MUST have a ceramic socket. Plastic sockets may melt and are therefore a hazard.

• Hedgehog-safe Wheel: Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals that can run for miles at night, so a hedgehog-safe wheel at least 10.5” in diameter is a must. There are only 2 types of wheels that are safe for hedgehogs. Our most recommended wheel for hedgehog owners is the Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel (CSBW) because it is safe, silent, and easy to clean, but other manufacturers’ bucket wheels would work as well. The other safe wheel option is the Kaytee Comfort Wheel in Giant size (12” diameter); this is a cheaper alternative, but it is not as silent and sturdy as the CSBW.

  • All other wheels are unsafe and will not be approved, including the Kaytee Silent Spinner, Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner, saucer wheels, and wire wheels. Why are they not safe?

    • Kaytee Silent Spinner: Is constructed with a seam that hedgehog toes/feet have historically gotten caught on, leading to pulled nails, cuts, and other injuries.

    • Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner: Hedgehogs poop and pee when they wheel. The front plate of this wheel traps urine and feces, and does not allow the hedgehog to exit the wheel freely.

    • Saucer wheels: Plastic saucer wheels are not strongly constructed. The only exception would be large metal chinchilla saucer wheels ($90+).

    • Wire wheels: Toes can get stuck in the holes of the wire mesh while running.

• Hides: Hedgehogs require a safe place to hide and rest. Hides can range from plastic igloos and wooden logs to fleece snuggle sacks.

• Bedding: Our most recommended soft bedding type is kiln-dried pine shavings. Other safe, acceptable bedding options include aspen shavings, pine pelleted bedding, paper bedding (such as CareFresh or Clean & Cozy brands), or fleece. Fleece bedding needs to be cleaned or changed daily so we do not really recommend it. Do NOT use cedar shavings or anything scented! Not all wood shavings are the same—these are toxic to your hedgehog as well as many other small animals, and they cause respiratory and allergic issues.

• Water Source: All of our babies have been properly trained to drink out of a water bottle. We prefer water bottles over water bowls because water bowls often get tipped over, resulting in 1) a moist, dirty cage, 2) your hedgehog having nothing to drink, and 3) the inability to accurately monitor their drinking progress. However, a water bowl will be approved.

• Heavy Bowl for Food: Self explanatory.

• Approved Diet: See the Nutrition section of the Care Guide for full info. We will require you to provide at least 1 formula of high-quality cat or hedgehog formula, with a mix of 2 or more being the preferred. Insects are highly recommended as part of their diet, or at least get them as tasty treats for them to enjoy!

  • No other commercial hedgehog feeds other than Hedgehog Precision will be approved.

DRAGONSTONE STARTER SETUPS FOR SALE

Let us make things easy for you and save you more money. We can have your entire setup ready for you when you pick up your new baby, with everything required to keep your hedgehog safe and maintain their quality of life. Contact us to reserve your starter setup.

NOTE: No substitutions allowed for discounted package price.

NEW Deluxe Starter Setup - Package Price: $280

• Midwest Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Cage (40”x24”) - UPGRADED larger size!

• Water bottle

• Food dish

• Large plastic igloo hide

• Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel

• 2 x 150W Ceramic heat emitter bulbs

• 8.5” or 10” Clamp lamp

• Automatic thermostat controller

• Pro Nail trimming scissors

• Hedgie-safe toy pack: toy balls and a mint stick

• Airtight dry food container

• Perfectly portioned (2 Tbsp) measuring scoop

• Bedding - pine shavings

• Snuggle sack

• FREE 1 lb sample of our high-quality hedgehog kibble mix (1 month supply)

*Multi-stop transporters will charge a $100 surcharge in addition to the $200 transport fee to deliver a full cage setup with your hedgehog. No charge to deliver smaller supplies without the cage. No extra charge for private transporters or local pickups!

Want all of the above supplies, but have your own enclosure? You can purchase the Cageless Package for $200. You can also purchase the Cage Kit for $120, which includes only the cage, water bottle, and food bowl.

HABITATS

We sell the MidWest Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home kits ($125), which includes a water bottle and food bowl. This spacious cage is 40”x24”, which provides much more room than our past Kaytee Rabbit Cages (30”x18”). Please note that hedgehogs can climb, but they do not climb down well and instead often fall. We suggest installing “coroplast” (corrugated plastic) barriers to the parts of the wire housing that they can reach to avoid potential injuries from climbing falls and getting stuck between the wires while they are small. Please also do not place their food or water on top of the ramp; you can, however, keep the ramp installed as a hide. NEVER house hedgehogs with wire flooring or tall ramps as those features pose a danger to hedgehogs.

One of our safest recommendations is a large (100-200 qt) Sterilite tote. The tote-style habitat is preferred for beginners because it holds heat better and does not allow for hedgehogs to climb. This option requires some DIY adjustments in order to safely hang water bottles and heat lamps.

CAGE ACCESSORIES

Water Bottle - $10

Ceramic Food Bowl - $10

Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel - $45
Dangerous exercise wheels that are NOT approve include: Kaytee Silent Spinner, Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner, wheels under 10.5” diameter, and wire wheels.

Kaytee Igloo - Size Large. $15

Bedding - Kiln-dried pine shavings. $5 per bag

HEATING

100-150W Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) bulb - 2 for $30

Ceramic Clamp Lamp - $25
Needs to have a ceramic, not plastic, fitting and a diameter of at least 8.5”.

Automatic Thermostat Controller - $30
Set target temperature and let the automatic controller do the rest. Heat will shut off when target temperature is reached and will turn back on when the temperature drops. Includes thermometer reading function.

We sell this complete automatic heating kit for $85. This automatic heating kit is highly recommended to ensure safe temperature control for your baby when you are not home to manually control the heat source. Without the thermostat, you hedgehog can overheat as well as get too cold.

DIET

When purchasing a hedgehog from us, a free sample bag of our Premium Hedgehog Mix will be provided, which will last approximately 1 week. When purchasing a Deluxe Starter Setup from us, we will provide a larger 1 lb sample bag of food for free. Each pound of food lasts approximately 1 month for the average hedgehog. We do not sell our hedgehog food, so please see our Care Sheet for the brands of kibble we use in our mixes if you would like to continue feeding our high-quality mix.

OTHER

*Harnesses and leashes are NOT SAFE for hedgehogs!

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES BUT NOT REQUIRED

Snuggle Sack - $10

Pro Nail Trimming Scissors - $8

Hedgie-safe Toy Pack - $12

An assortment of hedgie-approved toys such as a Mint Stick, rubber ducky, crinkle balls, pom poms, and plastic balls.

Airtight food container with measuring scoop - $8

Measuring scoop is perfectly sized for a 2 Tbsp daily portion.