r/Hedgehog Jun 20 '25

Mod Announcement Don't forget we have a discord!

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6 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog May 24 '23

Mod Announcement Owning A Hedgehog Reality Check

633 Upvotes

Since hedgehog owners consistently buy hedgehogs without setting reasonable expectations here are some expectations to set. Adapted/expanded from u/ArcadeRivalry's post.

  • Don't believe social media. Every single one I see there are obviously ridiculously posed pictures, maybe it's just me but I refuse to believe one could stay still for that long.
  • Hedgehog are spiked covered prey animals prone to anxiety. While belly rub/cuddle posts get a lot of attention they are the exception due to good breeding/luck not the rule. It is very possible a hedgehog will never be comfortable being handled even after concerted effort.
  • If you want to bond you need to put in a lot of commitment, patience and time to socialize them. I've seen a lot of people in groups I'm in need to re-home a hog before the first year as they can't put the time in. You need at least an hour a day socializing but realistically a lot more for them to be comfortable around you and others. We recommend getting a snuggle sack or putting them in your hoodie pouch to spend time together.
  • You need a specialist vet. A lot of places might not have an exotic animal vet near you. This is vital. So make sure you have to this.
  • It may not be legal to own hedgehogs in your area.
  • You need heating to ensure they don't hibernate.
  • You will likely be spiked, bitten and pooped on. It can be really really disheartening being spiked, hissed at or even bitten when you feel like you've made progress. Huffing and popping are natural, they are scaredy little animals.
  • Hedgehogs salivate frothily on themselves when they like scents, males often have "boy time", they poop a lot, have terrible sight and will bite things that smell yummy/interesting, and require consistent cage cleanings.
  • They are carnivores, while feeding fruits/vegetables can often be done safely, please feed them mainly meat-based foods ( cat food, insects, etc.)
  • Since they have very limited vision they operate mainly on smell and are at risk of falling/walking off elevated areas. It is wise to assume they are making decisions based on what they smell rather than just mainly what they see. They will still try to climb and are prone to hurting themselves climbing horizontal cage bars.
  • It is very likely they will dislike baths and nail trimming. We recommend trimming nails during foot bath time when they can't curl up or just holes in a towel to put their legs through.
  • Hedgehogs should not be housed together. High likelihood of fighting or babies.
  • We recommend heavy water bowls or chicken nipple bottles as ball water bottles can hurt them.

If you know what you are getting into, they are the most wonderful creatures ever and bring many people on this sub joy. If you feel like your hedgehog "hates" you they are just being their grumpy/terrified selves! You may be lucky and form a close bond.


r/Hedgehog 13h ago

Baby Hedgie Finally

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130 Upvotes

Ive got a hedgehog of my own


r/Hedgehog 2h ago

Question Hedgehog identification

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6 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I was out in the garden area at work today when a coworker found a hedgehog! The hog has shade and I've given it a small bowl of water nearby. I'm sure it's absolutely fine but could someone please reassure me this hog is ok? I'm fairly sure it is a European hedgehog but it looks quite small. I appreciate the photos aren't great and I will try to update with more if it moves but I don't want to disturb it. South east UK


r/Hedgehog 19h ago

OC [OC] My spiky sweetheart

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129 Upvotes

Just thought that I would post some pics of my little fella if anyone needs cheering up.


r/Hedgehog 7m ago

Question Can my APH have shredded paper?

Upvotes

My friend shredded loads of papers and gave me the box to use for an enrichment activity for my APH. Except I'm thinking she can't have it, especially as it's not been dust extracted (which would be the rule for other small animals like rats)

Am I completely wrong and she'd be fine with it, or should I stick it in the recycling and politely refuse any future offers?


r/Hedgehog 14h ago

Question Is it normal for them to lay in a corner?

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15 Upvotes

I got him earlier today and he has been sitting there since we got home. Do i let him get acclimated? Do i hold him for a bit?


r/Hedgehog 32m ago

Question A hedgehog decided to move in

Upvotes

We always have the sliding window to our garden open for our cats, and recently discovered that a hedgehog is coming in our house at night to eat from my cat’s food. He/she also leaves poop and urine, always around the same area though. We don’t mind him as long as it’s safe for our cats (diseases, pests?) and ofc we would prefer if he’d poop outside instead 😅 Is it possible to train him to use like a litter box or something?


r/Hedgehog 13h ago

OC Donate to Support Reese’s Puff’s Surgery and Recovery

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9 Upvotes

My sweet girl had a hair tourniquet around her foot leading to some tissue damage. I am a full-time student and part time server, so I could use a little help from my community to cover any medical expenses, including exams, x-rays, medications, and surgery. I have talked to some hedgehog sanctuary specialists who believe that reese’s puff might be able to save her leg. I am taking her to an exotic pet hospital tomorrow for updates on x-rays and further information about next steps. any and all donations are so very appreciated and support or advice would be great!
Thanks in advance!


r/Hedgehog 18h ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Hedgehog needs amputation

11 Upvotes

Hello,
this is not the usual cute pictures of hedgehogs but I am looking for advice.
My sweet girl had a hair tourniquet around her leg, causing tissue damage. She likely will need an amputation (as advised by ER vet) and I have an appointment set up for an exam early morning. I do not have any insurance for her, and I am wondering what I could do to help offset the costs? I have called around and asked for estimates, applied to RedRover and will apply to Frankie’s Friends. I also reached out to sanctuaries to see what they can do.
TIA
edit: i set up a gofundme https://gofund.me/7bc8c13ea


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question What species is this hedgehog? Erinaceus europaeus or Erinaceus roumaniscus? (Croatia)

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17 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Evil critter anoints with pillow VERY EVIL-Y!

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107 Upvotes

She is so silly 🥹


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC First Bath

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101 Upvotes

Piper just got her first bath and nail trim. She was not impressed. After she pooped about 3 times, I took her out (making sure she didn’t step in the poop) and while I did her nails, she decided she was done with the pampering and peed all over me. I guess Piper told me she was not happy and to leave her feet alone. You gotta love their spunk.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question Tips?

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72 Upvotes

Obligatory Fritter picture

But anyways. When Fritter went to the vet, she said breeder mixes (food) aren’t reliable and we should switch him onto Mazuri.

I know she’s the vet, but I’ve looked at the ingredients in his food, I highly doubt it’s causing him harm, and there’s nothing to prove otherwise. I however do trust her word, especially since we saw her for other animals too, so I’m trying to go 50/50 with the food. He won’t eat the Mazuri food 🫩

I’ve been putting in half of his normal amount of food and the rest is Mazuri, he sits there sifting through the food to find his other food 😭

At the moment I don’t intend to fully switch over, but clearly he isn’t interested in any change to his diet 😓 how else should I go about this?


r/Hedgehog 23h ago

Question How can i heat better?

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6 Upvotes

The che on the right barley seems to heat up the area beyond a few inchez, and most of the enclosure seems to be in the high sixties. Do i need heat mats or something?

Edit: we got another lamp and increased the wattage


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC i have almost 1000 pictures of oreo…

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523 Upvotes

i just can’t bring myself to delete any of them, she’s too cute 🥺


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Anointing photos!

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67 Upvotes

Not sure exactly what flair to use, but let's see everyone's photos of their tiny weirdos 😁


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Found a Hedgehog while cleaning in my garden

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30 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Hedgie Home Caught yawning 💤

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92 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 2d ago

OC New favorite picture of my girl

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238 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Artwork! Mount water bottle

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48 Upvotes

Poppy decided that the bottle is an obstacle that must be conquered. 🧗🏻‍♀️


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Relocating Hedgehogs

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7 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Warning: Upsetting Content Four men arrested in UK over hedgehog spray painted blue

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55 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 2d ago

OC He caught me

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49 Upvotes

I need to be more sneaky apparently.

Note - the wheel will be wiped down, he literally did that in one night 😭


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question I want a heat gradient right?

3 Upvotes

I can put the CHE directly above the enclosure, but they like a warm and cool side right?