Gaining a hedgehog's trust requires consistent, gentle daily handling, associating your scent and presence with positive things like treats (mealworms), using worn t-shirts in their cage, and respecting their nocturnal nature by interacting in the evenings. Be patient, calm, and use bare hands (or a towel initially) to build scent familiarity, letting them unfurl in their own time, and avoiding sudden movements or bright lights.
Frequent, gentle handling helps keep your hedgehog tame and social. Hand-feeding treats, such as live mealworms, can strengthen your bond and build trust. Keep in mind that while hedgehogs enjoy human companionship, they typically don't get along with other hedgehogs—so it's best to house them alone unless breeding.
You need to be patient, and spend lots of time with them. Try offering treats from the palm of your hand, rub the quills on the very far backside of your hedgehog, allow him or her to cuddle in your arms or on your lap. The more safe they feel, the more comfortable they will be with you.
Despite their preference for limited physical affection, once your pet hedgehog has adapted to being handled and settled into its environment, you can gently stroke their quills and allow them to climb up your arms and explore various areas under supervision.
The average hedgehog is content to do its own thing and may not show any outward sign that it cares about its owner's existence unless you have a treat in your hand. Despite their somewhat solitary nature, they can become very affectionate with their owners and will even enjoy snuggling on your lap.
Just like any other pet, hedgehogs love treats. Waxworms are a favorite with these guys. You can also offer Hedgie some cooked chicken, turkey, or egg. Low fat/high protein wet cat or dog food is also fine, as is the occasional pinky mouse.
Avoid feeding milk at all costs, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and milk can lead to dangerous intestinal colic. Make sure that young hedgehogs eat about 25% of their body weight in food. If a young hedgehog is not eating enough, it needs help from experts.
Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.
Hedgehogs have prickly quills along their back to protect them from predators. They are shy animals and will roll up into a tight ball and hide their face if they are frightened. Always approach a hedgehog slowly and handle them with a small towel so you don't prick yourself on one of their quills.
Perhaps the most frequently observed part of courtship is the male circling, or attempting to circle, the sow. As Burton noted, however, in some cases they stand face to face.
A bath may help your hedgehog relax and get to know you through the bathing process. Even the grouchiest hedgehogs will uncurl in water. Allow a tiny gentle stream of water to run over your hedgehog's back. Many times the sound of the water alone is enough to get a hedgie to uncurl.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies). We know what they eat from scientific studies that have analysed hedgehog poo or looked in the stomachs of hedgehogs killed on roads.
If you're wondering what smells attract hedgehogs, they're not all that different to us: they love the smell of food, whether that's insects, slugs and snails, or recommended foods.
These small, nocturnal animals thrive in environments that mimic their natural habitat, and providing the right diet, housing, and enrichment is key to ensuring their well-being. Hedgehog care includes creating a safe, spacious enclosure, offering a balanced diet rich in protein, and ensuring regular health checkups.
Generally, Hedgehogs are scared of humans so as long as you observe them from a distance, they pose no threat.
If your hedgehog is unusually still in the evening—sleeping in short, restless bursts, waking and dozing repeatedly, or staying sluggish when they would normally explore—it can be a sign of unhappiness or even illness.
Eyes and ears: Hedgehogs have pretty poor eyesight, so they instead rely on their sense of smell to get around and hunt for food. Hedgehogs have short ears, mostly concealed by their fur.
You can typically adopt hedgehogs from pet stores once they have been weaned and reached an appropriate age – usually when they are about six to eight weeks old. Baby hedgehogs need special care when they are born.
Toxic foods for hedgehogs include chocolate, caffeine, dairy products, and certain fruits like grapes and citrus. It's essential to avoid these items to ensure your hedgehog's health and well-being. Always consult your veterinarian for specific dietary advice.
Although hedgehogs do bite, their tiny teeth are unlikely to cause you very much pain. The force of a hedgehog bite is typically linked to what your pet is feeling. An angry hedgehog could cause a bite that hurts a bit.
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During the day, and during winter hibernation, the hedgehog will sleep in a specially built nest in thick undergrowth, under a shed, in piles of leaves or unlit bonfires. It will never sleep or hibernate outside a nest.
The British Hedgehog Society recommends that in captivity adults should be fed a meat- based tinned dog or cat food mixed with unsweetened cereal (Weetabix, oats or bran). Complete dry cat biscuits are good for the teeth.