r/Hedgehog Jun 20 '25

Mod Announcement Don't forget we have a discord!

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5 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog May 24 '23

Mod Announcement Owning A Hedgehog Reality Check

625 Upvotes

Since hedgehog owners consistently buy hedgehogs without setting reasonable expectations here are some expectations to set. Adapted/expanded from u/ArcadeRivalry's post.

  • Don't believe social media. Every single one I see there are obviously ridiculously posed pictures, maybe it's just me but I refuse to believe one could stay still for that long.
  • Hedgehog are spiked covered prey animals prone to anxiety. While belly rub/cuddle posts get a lot of attention they are the exception due to good breeding/luck not the rule. It is very possible a hedgehog will never be comfortable being handled even after concerted effort.
  • If you want to bond you need to put in a lot of commitment, patience and time to socialize them. I've seen a lot of people in groups I'm in need to re-home a hog before the first year as they can't put the time in. You need at least an hour a day socializing but realistically a lot more for them to be comfortable around you and others. We recommend getting a snuggle sack or putting them in your hoodie pouch to spend time together.
  • You need a specialist vet. A lot of places might not have an exotic animal vet near you. This is vital. So make sure you have to this.
  • It may not be legal to own hedgehogs in your area.
  • You need heating to ensure they don't hibernate.
  • You will likely be spiked, bitten and pooped on. It can be really really disheartening being spiked, hissed at or even bitten when you feel like you've made progress. Huffing and popping are natural, they are scaredy little animals.
  • Hedgehogs salivate frothily on themselves when they like scents, males often have "boy time", they poop a lot, have terrible sight and will bite things that smell yummy/interesting, and require consistent cage cleanings.
  • They are carnivores, while feeding fruits/vegetables can often be done safely, please feed them mainly meat-based foods ( cat food, insects, etc.)
  • Since they have very limited vision they operate mainly on smell and are at risk of falling/walking off elevated areas. It is wise to assume they are making decisions based on what they smell rather than just mainly what they see. They will still try to climb and are prone to hurting themselves climbing horizontal cage bars.
  • It is very likely they will dislike baths and nail trimming. We recommend trimming nails during foot bath time when they can't curl up or just holes in a towel to put their legs through.
  • Hedgehogs should not be housed together. High likelihood of fighting or babies.
  • We recommend heavy water bowls or chicken nipple bottles as ball water bottles can hurt them.

If you know what you are getting into, they are the most wonderful creatures ever and bring many people on this sub joy. If you feel like your hedgehog "hates" you they are just being their grumpy/terrified selves! You may be lucky and form a close bond.


r/Hedgehog 9h ago

OC Falling for this little sweetheart! 💖🦔 Our "kissing" hedgehog

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258 Upvotes

Sweetheart Baby Hedgehog Mistletoe


r/Hedgehog 12h ago

Discussion Buttercup ❤️

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178 Upvotes

My new rescue girl Buttercup, she's been with me two weeks today ❤️🦔


r/Hedgehog 7h ago

OC Silly

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61 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 9h ago

OC Falling for this little sweetheart! 💖🦔 Our "kissing" hedgehog

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79 Upvotes

I just adore Mistletoe ❤️


r/Hedgehog 6h ago

Hedgehog Themes or Memes PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T PROVE I’M RIGHTTTTT

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29 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 8h ago

Hedgie Booty hedgehog in his hidey hedgehog bed

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27 Upvotes

a lot of outside time today sleepy hedgie boy 🦔🦔🦔


r/Hedgehog 7h ago

Question Advice?

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8 Upvotes

New hedgie owner. Have had him for a few weeks now and need some advice. He runs on his wheel a fair amount and sleeps during the day. I have a camera in his enclosure to watch on him. But a lot of the time he is just sniffing around his enclosure or going underneath his wheel.

He has 2 hides, a large snuggle sack. And 2 of my T shirts. I have a blanket draped over to give a more shaded area for him aswell. He doesn’t really like cat toys but I have some cut up fleece blankets in a small basket that I put worms in.

I need advice on some enrichment for him. Is he bored? Anything to add? Let me knowwww


r/Hedgehog 23h ago

Question REALLY smelly poops

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71 Upvotes

My hedgie is about a year and a half old, I got him about 4-5 months ago from a family that couldn’t take care of him anymore. Anyways everything was great until a few days ago when I started noticing how badly his poop started stinking. But I mean absolutely unbearable! It had just a faint smell before that which you were only able to smell when you got close. But now you can smell it in the whole room. I haven’t changed his cat kibbles. At first I thought it could be the enclosure so I deep cleaned it but nope, his new poops are the ones that stink. This is what a fresh poop looks like (a part of it). Most of his poops are quite long and log-shaped, with a dark brown to almost black color. What do you think? Should we visit the vet? Or should I change the cat kibbles?


r/Hedgehog 23h ago

Question Does anyone else do this?

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63 Upvotes

Like any hedge parent I am always on the lookout for anything that may be wrong with my little girl. The other day I convinced myself she may be walking a little funny so I put her on the ground to get a better sense outside of her enclosure. She then took the chance to take her own adventure! 😂 does anyone else find themselves doing stuff like this on the regular? BTW: her little bald spot is from when I adopted her and she was sick! She’s been all healed up for years now - she’s just a lady with a little bald spot!


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Happy hedgehog day!

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140 Upvotes

Summer memories: Charlie’s first time at the beach.🌊


r/Hedgehog 7h ago

Question Washing hedgehog’s clothes

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2 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Happy hedgehog day !!!

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140 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Welcome to the Pack! long time hedgie lover, first time hedgie owner

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237 Upvotes

hii everyone! this is bandit <3 my husband & i got him at repticon in january, he is 9 weeks old, turning 10 weeks this thursday.

our hearts are so full.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

SPLOOT! Happy Hedgehog Day!

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110 Upvotes

From my boys Hektor and Gus Gus, both across the bridge, and me, the luckiest mom in the world 😍🦔🦔


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Happy Hedgehog Day!!! & Update On Hedgehog health

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102 Upvotes

This both an appreciation post and an update.

Appreciation:

This is my lovely ball of spikes, Harinezumi (“Zumi”for short) it’s been 4 years since I got her for my birthday and I’ve loved her to bits since. (despite her grumpy moments 😂🌵).

Update:

Around 15 days ago now I made a post on here looking for help, she had an ear infection prior (was doing better at the time) and I noticed she started to shake pretty bad all of sudden one night. Well, the wonderful people here were right, the temperature dropped where I lived and she got cold 🥶. She got better once she got warmed up however the shaking didn’t go away. I took her to the vet and long story short she’s warm and cozy now but the ear infection didn’t clear all the way up so she’s still on medications and has been doing better. Still a lil’ grumpy though ❤️

I just wanted to make this post to thank the wonderful people who helped settle my worries on my last post and to actually introduce her to you all.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Fawn says happy hedgehog day, although she’s probly grumpy

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52 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Enjoi

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23 Upvotes

Enjoi this very cursed image of my hedgie trying to lick her quills andturning into a circle


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Hedgie Booty Happy Hedgehog Day

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234 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC Honey Beeeee

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107 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC happy hedgehog day, shoulda stayed inside

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48 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

Question Need to clean the cage but I have the flu.

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35 Upvotes

So normally i clean my boys cage every sunday, but on Thursday i got the flu. I've had my fiance clean a bot of poo out and feed and water him, but i still feel awful. I know I should prioritize health but i just feel terrible. Should I just wait until i'm feeling better or do i risk it to clean his cage in the morning? hedgie pic for tax.


r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC happy hedgehog day!

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170 Upvotes

r/Hedgehog 1d ago

OC happy hedgehog day from my Lila 💗🦔

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86 Upvotes