Abnormal hedgehog behavior includes lethargy, wobbly walking, refusal to unball, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing (wheezing/clicking), unusual droppings (runny, bloody, foul-smelling), excessive hiding, daytime activity, head tilting, stiff movements, discharge from eyes/nose, quill loss, skin sores, or sudden weight changes, often signaling illness like mites, infections, neurological issues (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome), or tumors, requiring prompt vet care.
A hedgehog has the strange habit of 'self anointing'; when it comes across a strong smell or taste it twists its head round and, using the tongue, covers its spines and fur in a frothy saliva - looking as thought it is covered in soap bubbles! This behaviour is quite normal but no-one knows its purpose.
Check if the hedgehog:
Signs of stress
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.”
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord is the diagnostic feature of WHS. WHS affected brain and spinal cord show extensive demyelination and remyelination. Axonal degeneration is accompanied by loss of neurons in WHS.
This decline is partly due to a loss of natural habitat, which provides both shelter and food for hedgehogs. Fencing, pesticides, garden hazards (like ponds, strimmers and netting) and development and construction also have an impact. And of course, cars are a major threat to hedgehogs, killing thousands each year.
During extreme muscle exertion, the 'purse-string' muscle can fold up over the pelvis and get stuck: the pop-off syndrome (Bexton, 2019). The muscle goes into a spasm, which leaves the hedgehog unable to roll up and causes the pelvis and hind legs to remain visible. This is very dangerous for the animal.
A hedgehog shouldn't usually be pottering around in the daytime as it is against their natural rhythm and routine. If you are concerned about a hedgehog that is active all day, particularly in bright sunshine, or not moving very much, report them to a rescue centre which will advise you what to do.
Symptoms of stress
This is what we call 'splooting'. Spreading themselves out to increase their surface area to cool down.
Common conditions of pet hedgehogs include internal and external parasites, ringworm, cancer, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disease, and obesity. Signs of illness or disease are often vague and non-specific, such as lack of appetite and lethargy.
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.
Signs of dehydration in a hedgehog: Dull eyes Shaking/wobbling Collapse Out during the daytime Pale gums Sitting with hunched back Skin tenting What to do if you find a dehydrated hedgehog? Either stay with the animal or if this is not possible pick the hog up in a blacket/towel/jumper and place in a secure box.
As you may know, when hedgehogs get scared, they roll themselves up into little balls. You'll need to handle your pet hedgehog frequently and gently to keep him tame. If your pet rolls up, just cradle him and talk to him gently until he feels safe enough to uncurl himself.
And although a circling animal may look otherwise healthy, when they are taken into rescue they are often found to have health problems like head injuries, mites or infections. So our advice would be that if you see a hedgehog behaving like this it is best to get it checked out by your local rescue centre or vet.
Keep your distance from a hissing hedgehog, just like you would from a hissing snake. When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off. Hedgehogs will often make the hissing noise if their nest is disturbed or if they are cornered or approached by a predator.
The Five Signs encouraged people to ask if they or their loved ones were not feeling themselves, feeling withdrawn, feeling agitated, feeling hopeless or not caring for themselves. A longtime mental health advocate, Broderick discovered the program and introduced it to New Hampshire.
Here are just some of the symptoms that stress can trigger.
However if you find a hedgehog staggering around, lying still (not in a nest), with flies around it or obviously sick or injured be it day or night, it needs urgent help. Sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs are very susceptible to hypothermia.
Nesting and nursing mother hedgehogs will occasionally be seen for short spells out in daylight hours – moving purposefully, usually foraging for food, or gathering nesting materials. If the hedgehog appears well and active and is only out for short spells, this is not a cause for concern.
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.
Diagnosis of lungworm can be achieved by microscopic examination of hedgehog faeces to look for Crenosoma larvae or Capillaria eggs. Not all hedgehogs infected with lungworm will develop signs of disease. A clinical examination by a veterinary surgeon is necessary to diagnose the disease in a live hedgehog.
Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a degenerative neurologic condition that can occur in African Pygmy Hedgehogs (aka Four-toed hedgehogs). The cause is unknown, but is believed to be genetic. This condition causes demyelination, where the protective coating of nerve cells experience damage.
To help a hedgehog feel more comfortable, move slowly and avoid picking it up suddenly, especially from behind or when it's sleeping. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight and can be easily startled by shadows, so approach them gently.