Lethargy: If a hedgehog is too cold, it will become sluggish and lethargic. This can make it difficult for them to eat and drink, which can lead to dehydration and anorexia. Respiratory problems: Cold temperatures can also cause respiratory problems in hedgehogs. In extreme cases, pneumonia may develop.
Signs of hedgehogs in danger of being too cold are decreased activity, decreased appetite, sneezing (as opposed to puffling). So, if she's not on her wheel and exploring at night, eating her food and turning down mealworms and other treats, check the temperature in her enclosure!
Make sure your hedgehog has a warm bed to cuddle up in, like a fleece pouch. Crawling inside the pouch will keep their body heat close and act as a natural heater. If a room is particularly cold, activate an instant hand warmer and wrap it up in fleece or a cloth so that your hedgehog can't get to it.
When the weather turns cold these little hogs can quickly die of hypothermia so in order to help them you will need to take action straight away. Here is a suggestion of what to do: Put the hedgehog in a high-sided box or small animal carrier.
Waking up a hibernating hedgehog is also a specialist task, so please do not try this yourself. You will kill the hedgehog if you try to warm it up quickly. It can take several days. The best advice is not to disturb a hedgehog in hibernation.
Hot water bottles work well to provide heat for many hours. Just make sure that it isn't too hot for you to hold. If it's too hot for you to hold, it's too hot for your hedgehog. If your hot water bottle doesn't already come in a cover, always wrap something around it.
“ Hedgehogs are most comfortable between 74° and 76°F, which is 23° to 24°C. If the temperature gets too low, your hedgehog may ball up and try and go into hibernation, which could be fatal. If the temperature is too high, which is above 80°F or 27°C, your hedgehog could be headed towards heat stroke.
A heating setup is extremely important as it can mean life or death for your hedgie. If your hedgehog gets too cold, below 72°F, they may try to hibernate or go into shock. If they get too hot, they won't be able to self-regulate the heat and begin aestivation.
One of the most important things that you can do to prevent hibernation is to keep the temperature constant. Hedgehogs should be kept in an environment that is between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below this, the hedgehog may start to hibernate.
What to do if you find a dead hedgehog. If you find a dead hedgehog, please report it to the Garden Wildlife Health project. If you find one during the breeding season, watch out for any orphaned hoglets nearby.
It's incredible to note that hedgehogs stop being warm blooded creatures, as this state often uses up too much energy. A comfortable surrounding temperature for hedgehogs to hibernate effectively is around 5 degrees, and freezing conditions must be avoided.
A shocked or ill hedgehog can go into a similar state. If a hedgehog is just still and cold, it may well not be dead. Take it in, place it in your emergency box with a wrapped hot water bottle, and it may well revive.
If your hedgehog is acting sluggish, lethargic, uncoordinated or they are wobbly with the inability to move limbs; it may be a hibernation attempt. Some hedgehog owners fear the worst – Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome – which is a definite death sentence. Between the two, you can determine hedgehog hibernation quite easily.
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.
A hedgehog lying flat who is cold and still is much more likely to be dead.
When to feed hedgehogs. It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help hogs build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the winter.
Lighting the Cage
Hedgehogs need 12-14 hours of consistent light each day. Without a consistent schedule, your hedgehog may become disoriented, attempt hibernation, and have a lower immune system leading to health problems.
Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.
Hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature) is the major cause of death for struggling wildlife and hedgehogs are very vulnerable. Hypothermic hedgehogs will be sluggish and unlikely to curl up.
What Temperature is Safe For a Hedgehog to go Outside? The air temperature needs to be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celcius). You also need to make sure the ground is not cold to the touch or overly wet.
The time they retire to their chosen spot will depend on how mild the weather is. Hibernation can take place any time from October to April, but in a warmer winter you may still see hedgehogs out and about in December.
Hedgehogs need environmental temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Keep your hedgehog's cage away from drafts, direct sunlight, or cold areas. You may want to provide your hedgehog with a small warm spot in his cage where he can go to get warm but would also be able to get away from if he feels too warm.
How to Create a Hedgehog Heating Setup. A Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) is by far the cheapest and safest way to heat your cage setup. Keeping your home's main thermostat at 72+ degrees would be very expensive, as would be heating a room 24/7 with a space heater.
Many hedgehogs love to play in warm water and will enjoy themselves during bath time. We prefer to give hedgehogs a bath in a sink or a bathtub. Hedgehogs are prone to relieve themselves in the warm water so we prefer to use our laundry sink.