Hedgehogs are naturally not smelly animals and give off less of a scent than a hamster or guinea pig, for example. Any odors will be primarily caused by: – Feces in the cage.
Every hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren't interested in human affection. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators.
Eventually, feces and urine will build up and create an unpleasant smell (as you can imagine). So even though your hedgehog doesn't smell bad on its own, their waste does. Their waste doesn't smell exceptionally bad compared to any other animal (humans included), but it doesn't smell like roses either.
Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care. They have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Consistent and proper daily handling will help them relax and feel comfortable with you.
That unpleasant stench lingers long after the liquid has been absorbed, and can last months unless treated properly. To effectively remove these offending odors, you'll want to make sure you're eliminating them, not just covering up the smell (as many products do).
Bathing Frequency
Many people get confused about how often they should bathe their hedgehogs. Your vet should be the ultimate authority here. That said, in general, about once a month is good. Don't bathe your pet too often: this could dry out his skin!
Four-toed hedgehogs (African Pygmy hedgehogs) may legally be kept as pets. Australia: All hedgehogs are classified as exotic pets that are illegal to import.
It depends on the personality of the individual hedgehog and how much handling the hedgehog has had in the past. Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.
Pet hedgehogs have an average life span of four to six years and weigh about a pound. Most owners will feed them a low-fat dry cat food supplemented with vegetables, mealworms, and crickets, and keep them in a large, flat-bottomed cage.
Hedgehogs should be bathed from time to time, as they do not clean themselves like some animals. The good news is that hedgehogs are great swimmers and typically enjoy bath time so it can be a fun experience for them and you.
1. Toilet paper tubes: Hedgehogs like to wear them on their head and play "tank." Some hedgies love TP tubes so much that they learn to eat and to drink from a water bottle with the tube on their head!
As stated above, bonding does take effort and persistence, and may require a great deal of time. Some hedgehogs will bond rather quickly, but other hedgehogs may take up to a YEAR to fully bond. Over time your hedgehog will become accustomed to your smell, feel, and will appreciate the warmth of your body.
Hedgehogs are mostly awake in the early morning and evening. When awake, they are very active and it's fun to watch them dig, go through tubes, push toys around and run on their exercise wheel. They should get at least an hour every evening out of their cage to explore.
Sometimes a belly rub feels really good, and this hedgehog is here to show us just how good. Yep, it's impossible to ignore his blissful little face as he gets a mini massage!
This is why cleaning their cage safely is so important. In the wild hedgehogs are known to have bowel movements while they run, leaving their feces behind them. In a household setting they still do this however they do this while on their wheel, due to this your hedgies boots can get very dirty quite often!
African pygmy hedgehogs are solitary, wild animals that are nocturnal - so they're active at night. They have complex needs that can only be met in their natural environment, so they don't make suitable pets.
Taking your hedgehog outdoors can be a really great experience for you and your hog. Most hedgehogs enjoy playing outside, sniffing the grass, chasing leaves and exploring a new environment. However, for your hedgehogs safety, you must keep a close eye on him.
The most common breed of hedgehogs is the African pygmy hedgehog, also called the four-toed hedgehog or the white bellied hedgehog. They are usually between 6” - 8” long, making them a great pet for a small household. Other popular pet breeds are the European hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog.
A pet hedgehog's diet should mainly consist of high-quality hedgehog food mixed with high-quality, low-fat cat food. The following supplemental foods can be offered in small amounts two to three times a week: Gut-loaded insects, such as mealworms and crickets.
Not all hedgehogs instantly use the litter pan but don't give up because with a little coaching on your part it may be persuaded. Place droppings inside the pan to help clue in the hedgehog where it should go. Litter box training hedgehogs is very similar to cats.
Hedgehogs can carry and spread salmonella to human family members, so they are not the right pet for children too young to understand the basics of hygiene, Keller said. "Many hedgehogs can be carriers of salmonella without ever showing any clinical signs, and they spread the bacteria through their feces," she said.
Hedgehogs can spread Salmonella germs to people, even if they look healthy and clean. Protect yourself and your family by always washing your hands after touching or caring for hedgehogs or cleaning their habitats.