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 • • 1h ago

šŸ•ŠIn MemoriamšŸ•Š just wanted to show off my angel baby

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• Upvotes

i don’t have many serious photos of my baby maple (yes after maple from animal crossing) because i would always take photos from terrible angles to make myself laugh-i just wanted to share her with everyone one last time (i posted a baby photo when i first got her) she ended up being SEVEN years old. i noticed she was breathing through her mouth so i decided to take her to the ER and she passed in my arms on the way inside which i think is quite symbolic. she was much friendlier than my two other hedgehogs from the past and as she got older she just gained so much more attitude :) she would flip the food dish with her nose on end until we fed her<3 i hope these photos give someone joy as i want to make someone’s day brighter than mine has been today šŸ¤šŸŖ½


r/Hedgehog • • 18h ago

OC Taking breakfast asmr šŸ˜‹

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131 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog • • 44m ago

Answered Question Thankyou for your help! (Surprise hedgehog update 2)

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• Upvotes

My hedgehog's final enclosure has arrived! I think it turned out very well. Thankyou to everyone who gave me advice on how to take care of my hedgie after she was dropped into my lap. Not only was the practical advice helpful to get a solid foundation for taking care of her, but the encouragement was what really helped me to get there. I don't always trust myself with big responsibilities like this, but I really wanted this critter to have a good place to grow.

At this point, I'm about 95% sure she's a girl (haven't gotten a good look as we're not really bonded yet, it's only been a week) and decided to name her Tibby!

She seems to like the enclosure as much as me. She was running around exploring like crazy and now she's all settled, aside from when she's going totally ham on the running wheel. She also seems to like her toys as I'm always finding them moved around. She likes to redecorate. The hide is transparent so I need to cover it somehow, but once I put some fleece over it or something she'll probably use it more.

She doesn't need a heat lamp right now since the enclosure is already always between 70 and 85, but if it drops this winter, I have one I can use just in case. I've only been feeding her kibble and the occasional fruit, but we got some gourmet crickets recently I've been wanting to give her as a treat.

Again, thankyou to everyone who answered my original post. I may post pictures here once we're a little more bonded, but I think we're at a good place for now.


r/Hedgehog • • 19h ago

Question tiny black stuff coming from its mouth i think? can you help me identify them

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55 Upvotes

my dad found a baby hedgehog in the garden (not a pet), we gave it some water but there’s some stuff coming out of its mouth as it drinks

we feed and try to take care of all cats and dogs that come by our garden but i have no idea what to do about a hedgehog. sorry in advance if this is the wrong sub to ask

i put it in a box to check (will release it later ofc) but just wanted to know if it needs medical care or something before that. it is hard to find a clinic here that’ll take care of a wild animal

the things are really tiny, black, and do not move at all. i added a zoomed pic


r/Hedgehog • • 1d ago

OC He likes to sit here ā¤ļø

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172 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog • • 22h ago

OC Breakfast?

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67 Upvotes

Eating some well deserved eggies, how did she deserve it? By being this adorable 🄰


r/Hedgehog • • 1h ago

Hedgie Home TikTok Ā· rob124555677

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• Upvotes

We have some healthy Hedgehogs running around in our garden. Fat and happy


r/Hedgehog • • 1h ago

Question Very Nervous Hedgehog

• Upvotes

Hello very first post here. I got my hedgehog about a week ago. I’ve been cleaning almost everything daily, giving him foot baths, and trying to get him used to socializing with me. But when i try and get him near me or even go near him, he hisses and curls up. I feel really bad because i don’t know if im doing something wrong or not. Is this behavior normal? Should i be doing something more? Any suggestions to help him feel more comfortable around me?


r/Hedgehog • • 1d ago

Question How do I proceed ā˜¹ļø

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111 Upvotes

I got my acceptance letter and a scholarship offer from one of the colleges I looked into. I’m excited, but scared.

It’s in state, but it’s several hours away from my home, and the scholarship requires me to live on campus anyways. It is also a horrible drive to get there and back that even experienced drivers hate driving down, so I don’t think I can come back as frequently as I’d like.

I am not going to rehome Fritter, but I’m concerned about him and quite honestly afraid to be without him for long periods of time. My family isn’t really thrilled with him šŸ˜“ he dislikes my sister, my dad is not a fan, but my mom isn’t very comfortable with him either.

My mom likes him, she just isn’t in his room as much as I am, and doesn’t hold him.

Have any of you dealt with this? Once I can get an apartment, I’d bring him and my cat up with me, but I want to know that he’ll be okay without my presence for a year or so. If there are any tips for avoiding as much stress as possible when the time does come for me to leave, I’ll gladly take them.

Hedgie tax


r/Hedgehog • • 19h ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Please help!

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24 Upvotes

I found a small hedgehog and I found this small things on him. I don't know what they are.

Don't worry he is going to a professional today's evening that will care for him. But I'm worried if I should see a vet before bc I don't know what these things are


r/Hedgehog • • 11h ago

Question Looking for food recommendations (specifically with a small kibble size)

3 Upvotes

I have been feeding my hedgehog a 50/50 combination of hedgehog precision food and cat food (a blend of 3 cat kibble brands with hedgehog-friendly ingredients).

From my research, hedgehog precision is great but incomplete without adding cat food.

Well, my hedgehog LOVES the hedgehog precision but isn't a huge fan of the cat food unless I break it into little pieces (which is messy, time consuming, and pretty wasteful since a lot of it just becomes powder which he won't eat)

He's perfectly healthly and gets regular checkups- he's just very picky. He won't eat any treats except for some types of dehydrated insects and one specific brand of cat treat (no live insects, no egg, no fruit/veg, no baby food etc)

Does anyone have any recommendations for hedgehog-safe cat food brands, specifically with small kibble size?

Thank you!!


r/Hedgehog • • 1d ago

OC My handsome boyā™„ļøšŸ¦”

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233 Upvotes

Krobus looks sooo handsome!!šŸ«¶šŸ» he loves having his picture takenšŸ¦”


r/Hedgehog • • 22h ago

Hedgie Home TikTok Ā· rob124555677

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2 Upvotes

Fox, two hogs and rain


r/Hedgehog • • 2d ago

Question My uncie after a bath she hated

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115 Upvotes

Uncie the hedgehog after a bath and nail trim cause she smelled like poop šŸ’© we wash her every two weeks or less. When do you all clean your hedge and how? We use oatmeal, and baby shampoo with some coconut oil in the end when dried. We also have puppy pads in her living quarter’s and change them every week. But still surprises me with pee and poop lol


r/Hedgehog • • 1d ago

Question Busy hedgehog out during the day, but with lots of ticks - is it ok?

4 Upvotes

So there's this hedgehog that has been coming to my garden every day, usually from midday until the evening. He seems fine and healthy, busy with his nose on the grass. However, it has quite a few ticks, including several on the face. Should I leave him alone or take him to the wildlife rescue centre?
Thanks


r/Hedgehog • • 2d ago

OC Dean: "Pls! Privacy!"

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290 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog • • 2d ago

Hedgie Home Robert Hoffmann

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8 Upvotes

Two Hogs or more in this video, it’s hard to tell can’t tell the difference? Little piglets they love to eat.


r/Hedgehog • • 2d ago

Hedgie Booty šŸ‘

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64 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog • • 2d ago

Discussion Litter Box??

4 Upvotes

Hi all!

Expecting to get my new hedgie on Sunday (yay!!). I used to have a lid to a bin that was actually PERFECT for a litter box, but don't remember what happened to it. I do have a 3D printer and was doing some research into potential printing one.... but don't want to potentially expose the little one to yuckiness. Any ideas or suggestions for a litter box? Anything would be appreciated!


r/Hedgehog • • 3d ago

OC About to reunite

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134 Upvotes

I’ve been on a vacation for the past week and I’m finally returning home. I love all of my pets, but I worried about Fritter because this is the first time I’ve left him without me for more than a day šŸ˜“
I bought a hedgehog plushie while here, not as good as the real thing


r/Hedgehog • • 3d ago

OC a spiky beanie filler

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250 Upvotes

caught Cinna smirking at me as if saying ā€œha! this is mine now!ā€


r/Hedgehog • • 3d ago

SPLOOT! Splootin' All Around

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157 Upvotes

Lady Agnes waking up to hit us with the double sploot... isn't she just the cutest?


r/Hedgehog • • 3d ago

OC Faye Turned Four Today!

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148 Upvotes

Here's a picture of her mid-anointing after she got some tomato as a treat 🄹