General Information
At Great Lakes Hedgehogs, we proudly breed African Pygmy Hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are naturally nocturnal, meaning they spend most of the day sleeping and become active in the evening and throughout the night. Some pet hedgehogs may adjust their schedules and become more active during the day as they adapt to their family's routine. This is perfectly normal as long as they are getting enough uninterrupted sleep.
Hedgehogs are also solitary animals. Unlike many other pets, they do not need or desire the companionship of another hedgehog outside of breeding.
For this reason, Great Lakes Hedgehogs strongly discourages housing two hedgehogs together. Cohabitation can lead to territorial disputes, stress, serious injuries, accidental litters, and, in some cases, death. The safest and healthiest choice is for each hedgehog to have its own enclosure.
A happy hedgehog is one that has a warm habitat, proper nutrition, enrichment, and plenty of one-on-one interaction with its human family—not another hedgehog.
Bathing
Hedgehogs do not need frequent baths. In fact, bathing too often can dry out their sensitive skin and lead to irritation. Most hedgehogs only need a full bath about once a month, and some may need them even less frequently.
When it's bath time, use warm (not hot) water that reaches about your hedgehog's belly. We typically bathe our hedgehogs in the utility sink. Using a soft toothbrush and a gentle, fragrance-free baby wash, such as Aveeno Baby, gently scrub their quills, feet, and nails to remove dirt and debris.
Between full baths, foot baths are often all that's needed. A quick soak and gentle scrub of their feet helps remove the dreaded "poop boots" that can happen after running on their exercise wheel.
Remember to dry your hedgehog thoroughly and keep them warm after their bath, as they can become chilled easily.
Nail Clipping
Nail clipping can feel intimidating with any animal, but hedgehog spines and their tendency to wiggle can make it seem even more challenging! With a little patience and the right approach, nail trims can become a simple part of your hedgehog's routine care.
The most important tool is a sharp pair of nail clippers. We have found that baby nail clippers work best because they are small, easy to control, and allow for better visibility.
The second key to success is having a plan of attack. Every hedgehog has a different personality, and what works for one may not work for another.
For many of our hedgehogs, we hold them with their back against our belly, gently extend one foot at a time, and carefully trim their nails. Some hedgehogs, however, are determined wigglers or will immediately curl into a tight ball. For those hedgehogs, we have found success trimming their nails during bath time.
To use this method, fill the sink with warm water up to your hedgehog's belly. While they are standing in the water, gently hold one foot at a time and trim their nails. Many hedgehogs are less likely to curl into a ball while in the water, making the process much easier.
When trimming nails, it is important to watch for the quick. The quick is the pink area inside the nail that contains blood vessels. Cutting into the quick will cause bleeding. Because hedgehogs can be wiggly, accidents can happen—even with experienced owners.
We recommend keeping a styptic powder or clotting product, such as Super Clot, available just in case. It can help stop bleeding quickly if a nail is trimmed too short. Products like this can often be found at farm supply stores.
Remember: take your time, stay calm, and don't be afraid to take breaks. With practice, nail trimming becomes much less stressful for both you and your hedgehog!