You should worry about a hedgehog if it's out during the day (unless it's a nursing mother), appears slow, wobbly, or lethargic, has visible injuries, is covered in flies/maggots, doesn't curl up, or if you find a lone hoglet (baby) outside, especially in colder months. These signs often indicate illness, dehydration, parasites, or that it's underweight for hibernation, requiring you to contact a wildlife rescue for urgent advice.
The best way to work out if a hedgehog is healthy is by its size and weight. You can estimate a hedgehog's weight without disturbing it by thinking about fruit… A hoglet that's: About the size of an apple (weighing less than 300g) will need specialist care to survive the winter.
Find yourself a pair of gardening gloves before gently scooping up the hedgehog into the box. Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn't go cold!
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.”
What I did was just make sure her bin is in proper temperature, and she had ample of food and water enough to last for two days straight. Hedgehogs usually sleep all day and are awake for a few hours only so yours will be a-okay but that doesn't mean the bin will be squeaky clean when you get back!
This is probably the biggest thing which hurts hedgehogs the most. Badgers: Badgers are the only animals in the U.K. that can unroll and kill hedgehogs. They are the only real native predator of them.
Weak animals should not be removed from their natural environment, unless they are young, very small or obviously sick. Immediate aid is possible, for example, by feeding the hedgehog. Make a feeding spot in a protected area of your garden, away from other animals like cats.
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.
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.
Symptoms of stress
Hedgehogs will not usually eat and sleep in the same place so it's best not to offer food inside the home (except perhaps to tempt them in initially). Once there is a resident, move food away from the box so as not to attract predators or rival hedgehogs to the site.
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.
Our observations show that nesting Mums often leave their young ones to rest elsewhere. That rest is often through the first and last part of the night but can also be in the day time. Routinely we expect to see hedgehogs come out in the evening around 9.30pm and go back to bed by 5am.
As pets, hedgehogs can recognize and remember their owners' scent and voice, making them a loyal and affectionate companion. They can also quickly learn routines and habits, such as when it's time to eat or play.
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.
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.
A lethargic hedgehog, one that appears disoriented, or moves erratically may be unwell. Check for signs of injury, such as visible wounds, blood, or limping. Healthy hedgehogs are usually active and have a steady gait. Monitor the hedgehog's body condition.
If you hear a hedgehog scream you may well think the sound is coming from a very upset human baby. This noise is only made by hogs in severe distress and pain. The hog will be injured or maybe trapped somewhere. If you hear this noise you should definitely investigate as the hedgehog will need your help.
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.
If the hedgehog is curled into a ball, you can also touch it's spines lightly. A gentle touch will not be enough to rouse the hog from hibernation. But if the hog is alive, it will ripple or shudder, and it may let out a little snoring noise.
If it doesn't flee or curl up into a ball, it may be sick. Other indicators include an unstable walk, green sticky faecal matter, and a large number of flies, maggots or ticks on or near its body. If you come across a baby hedgehog (known as a hoglet), carry out the same checks.
HEATSTROKE AND DEHYDRATION
If they are laying on their sides, then it is very serious. Often seen in the summer months but also dehydration can be a problem in the winter months. Giving a hedgehog dried food, or any food when they are suffering from this condition can worsen the situation.
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.
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.