How to Care for Hedgehogs
A hedgehog is a small mammal that looks similar to a porcupine. There are quite a few breeds of hedgehogs but general care for them is the same. Hedgehogs are fairly easy to care for because they are not high maintenance.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Cage
- Clean air
- Hedgehog bed
- Food
- Water bottle
- Toys
- Hedgehog wheel
- Nail clippers
- Bath supplies
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1
Select a cage for the hedgehog that provides enough room for movement and exercise. The cage should be a minimum size of 18 x 24 inches.
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2
Make sure your hedgehog gets lots of fresh, clean air and that the temperature stays at about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not put his cage in direct sunlight.
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3
Give your hedgehog a bed and a place to hide. A towel or a small box will work fine for a shelter. Place a two-inch layer of aspen or pine chips in the cage for a bed.
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4
Give him food and a water bottle. Food can consist of a good quality cat food with as little corn as possible in the ingredients. Occasionally you may give your hedgehog "people food" such as chicken, tuna, salmon, fruits, and vegetables. Be sure these food items have no spices on them.
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5
Provide things for your hedgehog to do so he doesn't get lonely or bored. They love hedgehog wheels, any kind of tube or box for exploring and cat toys.
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6
Clip the hedgehog's nails with human nail clippers about 1/8 inch above the nail tip and bathe him several times a year. Hedgehogs don't require much in the way of grooming.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Bathe a hedgehog by putting several drops of dog or cat shampoo in about an inch of lukewarm water and use a toothbrush to scrub him.
Make sure there are no strings hanging off fabric anywhere near the hedgehog. The hedgehog could ingest the string, choke on it or become entangled in it.
