CARING FOR YOUR AFRICAN PYGMY HEDGEHOG

The African Pygmy Hedgehog is an insect-eating animal originating in Africa.  Although they require some special considerations to their care and maintenance, they make good pets for those people who have allergies to fur or feathers.  They don’t require a lot of space and are favourites among children.  They are easily handled due to their compact size and will remain tame and sociable if time is devoted to them.  Their average life span is eight to ten years.  Hedgehogs are nocturnal; most of their activity taking places during the night. 

HOUSING

A large aquarium is ideal.  The bottom should be covered with a few inches of clean bedding such as pelleted cat litter (“ultrasorb”), shredded newspaper, or scent-free aspen or pine litter (not cedar).  The cage should be cleaned thoroughly once a week using a non-irritating cleaner like “Quatsyl D Plus”, then thoroughly rinsed and dried before you put in fresh bedding.  Rabbit hutches with wire bottoms are not recommended, as the hedgehog cannot burrow – an instinctive behaviour. 

A plastic PVC tube large enough for the hedgehog to hide in should be provided for privacy and security.  A heat or basking light is necessary at one end of the habitat to create a warm area.  A thermometer placed inside the housing at hedgehog body level will ensure that the correct ambient temperature of 75 – 85⁰F (25-30⁰C) is being met.  If the temperature is allowed to fall below 70⁰F/19⁰C, the hedgehog may either go into hibernation or develop pneumonia.  Conversely, they may die from overheating if the temperature exceeds 85⁰F/30⁰C. 

If you wish your pet to be litter trained, provide a shallow litter tray with pelleted litter.  Clay litter is not advised as the litter sticks to damp areas such as mouth, nose and prepuce.  Clean the litter at least two to three times a week. 

FEEDING 

A good quality dry cat food should be supplemented with beetles, crickets, and mealworms.  Hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese and a small amount of fruit (apples, bananas, raisins) and vegetables can also be given in limited quantities.  Feed your hedgehog twice a day to ensure that the food is fresh, with the larger meal being served at night, as they are nocturnal.  Hedgehogs can easily become obese so the quantity of food given must be controlled.  A guinea pig/hamster sipper type water bottle, cleaned daily, should be available at all times. 

EXERCISING 

Supervised “out of cage” activity is encouraged, along with the provision of toys such as a hamster exercise ball or “running wheel”.  A large enclosure allows foraging and roaming space.

BEHAVIOUR 

A newly acquired hedgehog will roll itself into a ball of quills.  This is a protective adaptation that will decrease with time, as the hedgehog becomes familiar with the owners’ scent and with being handled.  The correct way to pick up a hedgehog is to scoop it up from underneath and hold it in your cupped hands.  A hedgehog may bite if startled or if it is unfamiliar with a new handler. 

Hedgehogs perform an odd habit of self-anointing or “anting” whenever they encounter an odor such as perfume, human perspiration, household cleaners etc., or an unfamiliar substance.  They will lick the unfamiliar object repeatedly until frothy saliva forms in their mouth.  They will rub the excess saliva and froth onto their skin and spines.  The purpose of this behaviour is uncertain.

BATHING 

Before you bathe your hedgehog, you should take a pair of tweezers and remove any bedding or other material lodged between the quills.   Close the drain in your kitchen sink and place an old towel on the bottom of the sink.  Place your hedgehog on the towel.  If you have a vegetable sprayer, gently spray the hedgehog with lukewarm water (or use a cup to gently pour warm water over your pet).  Avoid getting water in the eyes and nose.  Allow approximately ½ inch of water to accumulate in sink to aid in washing the legs and belly.  Once the hedgehog is thoroughly wet, wet a toothbrush and run the toothbrush over the quills to remove dirt from the quills.  Brush gently from front to back, rinsing the toothbrush often.  Your veterinarian will advise you which shampoo should be used on your hedgehog.  Often, a special shampoo is prescribed if your hedgehog has been diagnosed with mites.   To dry your hedgehog after bathing, wrap him in a towel to remove as much water as possible.  Switch to a dry towel and stroke him with the dry towel until he is thoroughly dry.  Do not put your hedgehog back until he is dry, as some bedding will stick to a damp hedgehog – defeating the purpose of bathing.

HEALTH CONCERNS 

Many hedgehogs suffer from parasitic infestation such as skin mites or intestinal parasites.  Upper respiratory disease and pneumonia are common if the temperature drops below 70⁰F/19⁰C.  Their skin is sensitive, so soiled bedding rapidly causes skin irritation. 

You should seek immediate veterinary attention if there are any signs of inactivity, decreased appetite, and change in droppings, scratching, sneezing or hair/quill loss.  Hedgehogs should have annual checkups by a veterinarian familiar with this species.   

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