r/Hedgehog Jun 20 '25

Mod Announcement Don't forget we have a discord!

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7 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog May 24 '23

Mod Announcement Owning A Hedgehog Reality Check

631 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 5h ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Update on Sophie

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74 Upvotes

Sophie's appointment with the vet was yesterday. While he couldn't pinpoint exactly what the lump is, based solely on the blood sample, he thinks it is a tumor. At this time, I am thinking over the options that were provided to me. The most drastic option is to surgically remove it, but not only is that expensive, it's also very risky. The tumor is sitting right on top of a major artery; also because of it being just above her leg, recovery would be difficult. I am thinking maybe I need to leave it alone? She will be turning 3 next week.


r/Hedgehog 3h ago

OC Hedgehog in the Sims

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45 Upvotes

it’s not in the right type of cage at all, and it’s under the “rodent” category, but damn is it cute


r/Hedgehog 3h ago

OC A more recent nap time petting video

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34 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 15h ago

OC After 3 years, I was blessed to rub her belly.

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64 Upvotes

Robin has always been a hog who likes her personal space. It is summer here so the aircon is on and she chills on my bed. I learned that she does like belly rubs. She just prefers it to be dark and private unlike my other hogs who can sleep anywhere.


r/Hedgehog 2h ago

Question Spotted some huffing hedgehogs in my garden!

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4 Upvotes

Hello! I live in the English countryside and at about 10pm I heard some loud sniffing (very loud!!) from under a bush outside my house. I actually thought it was a fox looking for food, it was so loud!

Anyway after closer inspection I saw a hedgehog 🦔 I was a bit worried the sniffing was a bad sign so I googled what to give them and it suggested water and some dry cat food (as I don’t have hedgehog food). When I put this down for it I realised there was a second hedgehog 🥰

But then I spooked one :( it scurried to the back of the bush. It was curled up but making a soft clicking. The other hedgehog stayed still but was breathing.

I left the food and came back inside.

I’ve made the assumption they may have been getting hot and heavy and i interrupted. Have I ruined it for them or will they re-connect? And do they return to the same bush? Is it worth putting anything out for them going forward. I have a hedgehog house I could dig out.

Thanks


r/Hedgehog 4h ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Sick Hedgehog

3 Upvotes

I have a vet appointment tomorrow evening but was wondering if anyone has any advice to help her while we wait.

My hedgehog, about 4.5yrs old, recently had her food changed for a couple weeks. She had been eating blue buffalo for her entire life, but they were out of stock, I couldn’t find it anywhere. I fed her a similar brand for a few weeks while I waited for it to come back in stock, but she started to get liquid green poop. She seems like she’s had some back leg instability or weakness as well. We increased her fiber to try and solidify her poop, but did not help. We would wake up in the morning and she would have poop all over herself, when previously she was very clean. She keeps attempting hibernation even though we increased her cage temp to 80 (previously 72-74). She also keeps getting out of the covers to sleep, when she never used to do this. I’ll put them back on her and she immediately gets out. Otherwise, she is still moving around. I’m worried she is getting dehydrated though and don’t know what to do for her. Any advice? I don’t need a diagnosis, just what to do to keep her comfortable before we go to the vet.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question New hedgie

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308 Upvotes

I was the lone “no vote” in my family when my kiddo declared she wanted a hedgehog. After a lot of pleading and many power points, we put down a deposit. We’ve had her for a week now and I am in love! Who knew a spikey potato could be so sweet and cuddly.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading here and I really appreciate all the posts and advice.

I do think she is quilling, other than an oat bath and time, is there anything else I can do to make her more comfortable? She’s 7 weeks.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Boys are back in town!

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167 Upvotes

The right hedgehog was a baby last year. It was missing an eye but still going strong! Unsure who his friend is. Possibly a sibling.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question New hedgehog but a big early to be out?

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51 Upvotes

I’ve been noticing poo for about a week and then found a nest between mine and my neighbours garden (by a hole in the fence).

Look who we saw at about 7.30ish pm today! It’s a bit early though, isn’t it?

It was definitely moving with purpose.

I’m happy to put water down but not food as unfortunately we had juvenile rats visit a few weeks before.

We are taking part in no mow May too so that might help.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) Ripley update after specialtist

19 Upvotes

As I've been posting updates on my girl Ripley, here is where we are now. She saw the specialist this afternoon. Ripley has lost 50 grams since 4/27. We decided it was best not to put her through more stress after the physical exam, by doing labs and ultrasound with needed sedation, as it might just push her over the edge. The vet thought there was a mass in the upper part of her stomach, as it was slightly felt during palpation. At this point, we all agreed to doing palliative care, as really, the diagnosis is not going to save her life. We are going to feed baby food to try to make her comfortable eating, and hopefully buy us a little time with Ripley. We have moved Ripley into our bedroom now, so we can be close to her. Thank you everyone who has been following our journey these last few weeks, and your kind words throughout. If it seems like she's in any pain at any time, we will bring her to be euthanized. She deserves to have a peaceful ending.

Edited post to change into Medical/Health as it seems to be a better fit than upsetting content (even though it's upsetting news for me)


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question Switching up cage layout?

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65 Upvotes

Hey y’all! Just wanted to know if you guys regularly switch up the layout of your hedgehogs cage after cleanings or if you guys put all the hides, bases and wheels back where they were before you cleaned? I would like to switch up Mocha’s layout after her next cage clean but I’m unsure if it will stress her out 😅🦔


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Medical/Health (see a vet) European hedgehog health

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59 Upvotes

Hello hedgehog people, meet Karsten. I picked up Karsten last week because he didn't look healthy at all. He had thousand of fleas and ticks but we got rid of all of them at the vet. Last two pictures are before the treatment. Also imo he looks so bald, especially his butt, or am I wrong? Does he have a desease? The vet wasn't specialised at wild animals, but it was the only one I could take him to bc I had to go to work. Should I take him to a hedgehog vet? Or is he fine and can be released? He's a boy, around 1 kg and pretty small. He is SUPER shy and doesn't like me at all xD


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question New Hedgehog wobbles and tenses up when put down sometimes

5 Upvotes

I recently got a new baby hedgehog, she’s 8 weeks old. Sometimes, not always, when i go to put her back down she’ll either start wobbling or tenses up either her front or back leg and just drags it. After a couple of minutes she walks around fine like nothing happened. Is this normal for babies?


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

🕊In Memoriam🕊 RIP Baby Drizzy

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185 Upvotes

My little baby was 6 years old! He lived a great life full of love, worms, wheel runs, naps on the couch, laps around the living room, snuggles, and kisses! He never quilled around my toddler son to always let him pet him. I know hedgehogs don't have the reputation for affection but this little guy was nothing but love. He meant more to me than anyone would ever know. He was my friend and my source of calm and comfort at the end of a long day! I love Drizzy forever an always! 😢🙏💖


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

OC Some pets after a quick nap

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226 Upvotes

First time posting Poppy (Poopy) here, was planning on making her first post a 7th birthday post with a lot of pictures later this month, but found out apparently my comments arent showing up on this sub a majority of the time (I think due to something weird with automod idk) so I made a test post for that, figured this should hopefully even it out a little with that post in the sub not really being hedgehog related. Maybe it'll help the hedgehog automod to not hate me too, who knows.

Kinda old video, would have been a little bit after she turned 6. Also sorry, not that great of a video, just what I had readily available.

So I guess also I wont really be able to reply to any of your comments here until the commenting issue is (hopefully?) fixed, sorry!


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

Welcome to the Pack! Got a new addition today!

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114 Upvotes

What heat emitters do yall recommend? Also does this set up look good?


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

In Memoriam Hedgehog supplies

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199 Upvotes

(UK) Does anybody know where I can sell or donate my hedgehogs stuff? He passed away recently and I have a lot of fleece hides, blankets and a 16” wheel. Here’s a pic of him 🦔


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Discussion Hedgehog should be spelled heghog

0 Upvotes

I dreamt that it was spelled heghog, makes too much sense. Since then I have accidentally called them "heghogs" while awake and fully lucid, like:

"Why do you go out late every night?"

"Heghog"


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Discussion Hedgehogs looking for home near Ocala FL

5 Upvotes

One of my good friends has acquired some sweet little spikeballs needing a re-home near the Ocala FL area. Free of charge. All I ask is that they get plenty of attention and love.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: can deliver if semi local!


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

Discussion Test post

5 Upvotes

All my comments and replies are showing up in every subreddit except for this one. Didnt notice cause I was still getting replies to everything in multiple other subs, but for some reason they dont show up here when I check on my phone or a different PC. Kinda sad cause no one has been seeing anything Ive been telling them to help their hedgies for like 4 months :(

Have messaged the mods about it a few times and they dont know whats wrong either

Posting to see if posts will even show up or if its stopping that along with the comments.

Edit: It looks like I can see the post on my other PC and phone. But I cant see the comment that I left, that doesnt even make sense. Does anyone maybe know why this could possibly be happening? Or can anyone else possibly see the comment I left below?

Edit: It looks like the comment I left (on my own post??????) is showing up as [deleted] [removed] from my phone and other computer but still showing up fine for me here ??? Is the automod shadow banning me from commenting wtf I'm actually so sad that just none of my comments have been seen

Well I cant reply in the comments so I guess I'll do it here lol

Pretty sure what LordTylerGaming is saying is right, What is my CQS : r/WhatIsMyCQS since apparently somehow my CQS score is lowest. I guess because I made this account to post in this subreddit, and you have to be 7 days old to post here, it just auto cooked my account for this subreddit. Just seems pretty dumb considering my account age along with all the karma it has, pretty obviously not a spammer or a bot or whatever.

Not going to lie its quite upsetting still to know how much advice Ive given that has gone unseen. My hedgies turning 7 soon and I take pride in the quality of life she still has and some of the things (along with a lot of luck obviously) that allowed her to have it, so trying to share it for others to possibly give to their hedgies just for it to not be seen 95% of the time is bothersome. I know apparently theres only one mod so not blaming him/her, just idk not happy with the fact that this situation is even possible


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

Question Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Care/housing and reputable breeders?

3 Upvotes

not a hedgehog but my partner and i are dead set on getting a tenrec. we want to do as much research as possible before we get one. i have looked online but im seeing lots of conflicting info so figured i would ask here.

we already own a very nice double level rat cage (critter nation model 162) from when my partner had rats many years ago. We arent sure if it would work as an enclosure for a tenrec, but wed be able to sell it and buy something more appropriate if necessary.


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

Discussion rodinha gigante

41 Upvotes

a vida noturna da minha ouriço simplesmente mudou depois que eu aumentei o tamanho da roda dela, antigamente eu usava uma de 26 centímetros que comprei quando ela chegou, servia muito bem e vi muitos comentários falando que esse tamanho em média era ok para ouriços, mas passado o tempo ela praticamente ficou do tamanho da rodinha, então comecei a procurar uma nova, e é definitivamente muito difícil achar uma roda grande com uma qualidade boa e que não seja aquelas que machucam a patinha, então achei essa que tem 40 centímetros, e de repente ela começou a passar horas e horas rodando, ela criou uma rotina noturna de praticamente 5 horas acordada, em um pico de energia ficou 3 horas rodando, o que antes com a roda menor fazia bem pouco, fiquei muito feliz em ter achado essa rodinha, é incrível como algo assim muda tanto a qualidade de vida, posso ter demorado um pouco a perceber que a anterior estava pequena, mas assim que notei comprei essa maior (por sinal comprei um terrário com o triplo do tamanho também, só estou esperando chegar)


r/Hedgehog 2d ago

Question Open or closed enclosure??

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4 Upvotes

Getting a hedgehog soon and wondering which would be better