Grooming:

• Your hedgehog needs a bath at least once per month. Baby shampoo or other gental soaps are recommended. 

• Your hedgie can float!  A kitchen or bathroom sink is ideal for bath time.  Water should be warm but not hot and should be shallow enough for their feet to touch the base of the sink.  Never leave your hedgie unattended at bath time.

• Toenails should be clipped every 6-8 weeks.  Small nail clippers work great.  A pair of baby nail clippers is even better!

 

Housing:

• Your hedgehog will require a secure, well ventilated cage designed for small pets.  A large, clear, plastic container (Rubbermaid or similar brand) also makes an excellent home as they are easy to clean and inexpensive.  Your hedgie's home should be placed in an area that is well lit but not exposed to direct sunlight during the daytime, as hedgies are mostly nocturnal animals.  Choose a cage that gives your hedgie plenty of room to run and play. 

• Because hedgehogs live underground in the wild, a small "hidey hole" should be provided for him/her to hide in.  These can be purchased at any pet store but a small cardboard box, oatmeal container or any enclosed shelter will make your hedgie very happy. 

 

Bedding:

• Aspen, Pine or White shavings are by far the best choice for bedding material. NO CEDAR!  Cedar shavings are toxic to hedgehogs.

• Soiled bedding can easily be scooped out for spot-cleaning your hedgie's cage.  Most hedgie's will choose one corner of their cage to do their "business" so this makes cleaning a snap.  Shavings should be changed out completely about once every two months. 
   

Accesories:

• Water bottles are preferred over open dishes. Hedgehogs love to dump water bowls over!  Also, a water bottle will not need to be filled as frequently as a dish. 

 

Toys:

• An exercise wheel is an excellent addition to your hedgehog's cage and will help your hedgie stay healthy and trim. A wheel with a solid surface is best for hedghogs.  Hedgie feet can get stuck in small holes and openings which can cause injury or even breaks to their tiny bones.

 

Food/Diet:

• Although hedgehog food is available in stores, dry cat and kitten food, is best for your hedgie.  Cat food is far more nutritious than the cheap foods that are sold for hedghogs. The dry food can be served in a small dish in your hedgie's cage.

• Your hedghog's diet should be supplemented with a variety of other foods such as vegetables, fruit, mealworms and crickets. These treats should be fed no more than 3 or 4 times a week. Dry cat food should be their main sorce of nutrients.

 

Bringing Baby Home:

• When you bring your new hedgehog home, place him in his cage and let him have some privacy for at least 24 hours. It is a good idea to place a small article of your clothing in your hedghog's cage.  He/She will love to curl up in the soft fabric and this will help your hedgie become familiar with your scent!

• Baby hedgehogs need quite a bit of sleep the first month after they come home with you, so don't be too concerned if he sleeps a lot at first.