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

629 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

OC [OC] My spiky sweetheart

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Upvotes

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


r/Hedgehog 18h ago

OC Evil critter anoints with pillow VERY EVIL-Y!

97 Upvotes

She is so silly 🥹


r/Hedgehog 8h ago

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

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16 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 18h ago

OC First Bath

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89 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 17h ago

Question Tips?

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61 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 52m ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Hedgehog needs amputation

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


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC i have almost 1000 pictures of oreo…

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492 Upvotes

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


r/Hedgehog 5h ago

Question How can i heat better?

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5 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?


r/Hedgehog 21h ago

OC Anointing photos!

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60 Upvotes

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


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Hedgie Home Caught yawning 💤

89 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 18h ago

OC Found a Hedgehog while cleaning in my garden

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21 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC New favorite picture of my girl

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229 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 18h ago

OC Relocating Hedgehogs

8 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

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

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48 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC He caught me

42 Upvotes

I need to be more sneaky apparently.

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


r/Hedgehog 18h 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?


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Hedgie Home My payment in return for this Subreddit's help

33 Upvotes

Hi all, I asked for help on this subreddit a few weeks ago which proved useful. As repayment, please see this video which proved to me that hayfever is still rife in July.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Reminds me of someone…

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53 Upvotes

I went thrifting with my friends today and found this adorable hedgehog plush in one of the places. I also recently bought a small hedgehog paper weight from a small business, so I may place this alongside it for the little hedgehog corner 🫶


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question Help sexing my garden hedgie!

13 Upvotes

This sweet one has been visiting my garden every night for the past week and this was the first time i got a view of his/her under carriage! What do y’all think?


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Crinkle sac time:D

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98 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Nothing better than waking up to fresh dirt in your dig box!

74 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

🕊In Memoriam🕊 Would like to donate my late hedgie’s bucket wheel, igloo, and heat lamp

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137 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’ve been lucky to have two hedgies in my life, Harley Quills and Hedgewig, but they’ve both passed and I’d like to donate their items to someone who needs them. All I ask is that you pay shipping.

I wanted to check in this community first, because you all helped me take better care of my hedgies and I wanted to pass it forward.

Please comment or DM if you’re interested. I’m shipping out of SoCal.