If you have access to another female hog with a litter, you can place the little ones with her. The average lifespan of a wild hedgehog is only 2 to 3 years but, with proper care, pet hedgehogs can live up to 10 years in captivity. Nov 23, 2013 - How to Take Care of a Hedgehog. The best way to have a happy and healthy pet is a good home. Try to keep the space between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and use your existing heat lamps or pads in order to guarantee this. On some unfortunate occasions, a mother will reject her hoglets. If it doesn’t smell the milk and take the hint, try touching the drop of milk to its lips. Hedgehogs are also susceptible to diarrhea, worms, and pneumonia. Start today! By rubbing a hoglet in the new mother’s bedding, you’ll make the baby smell like her own, and she may foster/rear it for you. If your hedgehog is a baby, it will go through a phase called “quilling,” where a baby hedgehog is grumpy and loses baby quills. Cow's milk is a poor substitute for hedgehog milk, but goat's milk is a passable alternative. There are seventeen hedgehog species in five genera found in Asia, Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. Thank you! How do I make sure that it won't be scared of me? Can I just use a warm water bottle to warm him up do I have to get a heat lamp? If you used shampoo, you will need to rinse your hedgehog in fresh, warm water. Hedgehogs love to run on the bike. Very young hedgehogs (from a day or so old) can be hand-reared, although close attention needs to be paid to temperature, hygiene, and feeding. NEVER feed the baby on its back as it may inhale the feed and drown. Hedgehog grooming can take place on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis. Plastic syringes – some even have rubber “nipples”. Feed babies a very small amount for about every two hours if your just starting. Blackwell Science. Rinse the equipment well with fresh water prior to use to remove any traces of the sterilizing agent. Practical Wildlife Care. But if the mother decides to, then the babies should be hand fed. You can try to replace the hoglet back into the nest using a spoon (you want to keep your scent off the little one). Instructions: Only warm the amount of formula needed. 2. A suggested routine is an early morning feed, a lunchtime feed, a late afternoon feed, and a bedtime feed. If the bedding is soiled, wet or smells of urine, replace it, check carefuly for any signs of a problem - blood means the hog needs to be checked over thoroughly, it could be a … Provide small amounts of hard-boiled egg, baby food, or fruit as occasional treats. After seven weeks, it’s ok to remove the baby hedgehogs from their mom’s care. Immerse the feeding equipment in the solution for at least half an hour. An average hedgehog weighs between 400-500 g, requiring 20 to 25 mg of Panacur in solution. Baby hedgehogs start to open their eyes at 13-24 days old. ", "Overall caring for baby hedgehog was helpful. Les Stocker. Hedgehog Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? X Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Be aware that overheating your hedgehog can cause blood clots to form in its circulation, which is just as dangerous as being too cold. To avoid unwanted reproduction, refrain from placing the opposite sex one in the same cage. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Signs of overheating include gaping, or opening its mouth wide in order to lose heat, floppiness when picked up and also feeling hot to the touch. Another important rule to remember that will help keep the baby hedgehogs safe is that there must be NO cagemates present. Like any newborn parent, you’ll need to be prepared for an awkward sleep schedule. Just treat them gently. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Sometimes kids can be overzealous with their affection causing a hedgehog to become afraid and extend his quills. Written by: Dr. Justine Hammond, DVM Help! If your attempts to reintroduce the baby hedgehog to the nesting area fail and the mother isn’t nursing her young, you’ll need to hand-rear the newborn hoglets. Repeat this procedure before and after every feed, as these are the times when it is most likely to go to the bathroom. It's difficult to say, but you can help by keeping the babies warm, and making sure the mother feels secure and is eating well. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets – female hedgehogs are pregnant for an average of 30 to 40 days and give birth to 4 to 5 babies per litter. Get your hedgehog from a proper breeder that has experience (preferably in your area). Hedgehogs can carry some diseases that don't make them sick but could infect people, such as salmonella, so if you are worried about disease, dispose of the scales after weighing your hog. By that time the teeth are growing in and for you mothers out there you can imagine how that would feel when breast feeding. It’s important after about four weeks to provide the hoglets with an additional food supply since they will be suckling less. This article has been viewed 22,828 times. A damp cloth/baby wipes for inducing urination and bowel movements. Proper take care of the hedgehogs: Exercise is essential for the hedgehog. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The name of the game is to keep the mom and hoglets in a quiet place with enough warmth. It’s important to do this after every feeding. Hedgehog babies require no care if the mother has not abandon them. If this happens you’ll need to remove the babies. Some hoglets will instantly attack the syringe and gobble the lot down, others take a while to get the idea. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 During birth, the female will do everything and also take care of the baby hedgehogs up to about 4 or 5 weeks. They do not crave for companionship and might hurt each other when placed together. You now know the basics when it comes to taking care of baby hedgehogs. Make sure the syringe is properly sterilized. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Hoglets need to be fed every two to three hours for the first three weeks of their lives. After those five days, you may try to spot-clean the enclosure. Size: Five to eight inches long. A hedgehog is fun to watch, quiet, not aggressive, and is fairly easy to care for. Hedgehogs are illegal in some states because some species can transmit the highly infectious Foot and Mouth Disease. This can sometimes happen despite you doing everything possible to keep them undisturbed and comfortable. Your hedgehog is programmed to expect warm milk from its mother, so it will likely refuse cold milk. Opt to buy your hedgehog from a licensed breeder. This is important not only for your hedgehogs health, but because you have people to rely on to ask questions and get clarifications. Every Hedgy is different though, thus you must keep an eye on them to make sure they are always groomed. Way To Go! Upon feeding, you’ll need to induce urination or bowel movements in the baby hedgehog. Sometimes it can take up to twelve weeks for a baby hedgehog to wean. You can quietly check in on them and monitor the food supply to make sure the mother is eating. The answer to this question varies depending on many factors, but there are some basic guidelines. When using the toothbrush, carefully scrub their spines from front to back. Formula is tear-free, soap-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, … Step 1: Make Sure Hedgehogs Are Legal in Your Place of Residence. What do I do? Male hedgehogs become potent in approximately eight weeks, while feminine ones can begin to reproduce in as little as five months of age. Remember if you have any concerns/questions about baby hedgehog care, contact your breeder or local exotic vet immediately to ensure your hoglets are taken care of.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'hedgehogworld_com-box-4','ezslot_11',107,'0','0'])); Hedgehog World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Much like feeding a human baby, warm the milk to just above body temperature and test it by dropping some of the milk onto the back of your hand. They have unique personalities. Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get into the info you need to know when taking care of a baby hedgehog. 1. Research source It's not any different than raising a kitten or puppy, it gets used to you over time. Maybe your female hedgehog gave birth to a baby unexpectedly, and now you’re scrambling to figure out what needs to be done. Les Stocker. An alternative could be shredded newspaper, though keep in mind this could be a fire risk. A proper habitat will help ensure that he is safe, feels secure, and is entertained. It is a clean animal and has very little smell. Some states and municipalities have strict exotic pet policies. The length of the weaning process varies from litter to litter. Hedgehog Statistics. ️ Read More ️***Hedgehogs do not bark. First, let’s address a key piece of terminology that will help you better understand this post and other resources on baby hedgehogs around the web. Learn more.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hedgehogworld_com-box-1','ezslot_0',103,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hedgehogworld_com-box-1','ezslot_1',103,'0','1']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hedgehogworld_com-box-1','ezslot_2',103,'0','2']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hedgehogworld_com-box-1','ezslot_3',103,'0','3'])); The question “what do hedgehogs eat?” is one that new and prospective hedgehog owners inevitably ask. Don't forget to wipe your hog’s bottom before and after every feed! "I've always wanted a hedgie, and wikiHow is the best site for me to find information. Sheep’s milk (close in nutrients to hog milk) or a form of milk replacer. For example, a new born hedgehog feeds every couple of hours at first. How to Take Care of a Hedgehog. If momma seems stressed, stop and try again after ten days. Substitute the bulb for a red bulb so that the baby is not constantly blinded by the light. At around 4 weeks old, baby hedgehogs (= hoglets) start to venture out of the nest with their mothers. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Red bulbs commonly come in 20W, 25W, or 40W ratings. Their mothers wean them at four to six weeks. It’s a good idea to throw in a couple of drops of olive oil with the bath as well. Baby Hedgehog (Hoglet) Care. Want to make amazing homemade jewelry? A healthy hedgehog should feel warm to your touch or slightly warmer than your body temperature. If you suspect your hedgehog may be sick, take him to a vet. Is this okay? You can take a damp cloth or a baby wipe, and gently rub the baby’s groin/anal area to encourage it to go to the bathroom. Place your hedgehog on your lap and let them explore. You should obviously be doing this anyway for general health and hygiene, but mite prevention is just another benefit. 33-fluid ounce bottle of gentle cleansing Aveeno baby wash and shampoo with natural oat extract. If fostering by another female is not possible, you’ll need to wean the baby hedgehogs yourself. My new hedgehog just gave birth unexpectedly! Check them on a regular basis, and if you see signs of fleas you can use the same flea deterrent that you would use on a kitten. A hedgehog is a small beautiful mammal has spines on its body. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Some breeders offer hedgehog starter kits for around $75 that include a cage, wheel, a hiding place, water bottle, feed bowl and food, and some shavings. After all, there’s a lot to…, Everything You Need To Know About Owning A Pet Hedgehog, How To Take Care Of A Newborn Baby Hedgehog. Of course, a refuge. Related … The milk usually flows too quickly if the hole in the teat is too large, in which case, you should start again with a fresh teat and a smaller hole. Place the heat source at one end of the box, which will allow the baby to move to the cooler end if it gets too hot. If stressed or in pain they may bite, jump and/or hiss/snort. Your hedgehog will spend most of his time in a cage so you want to make sure he has the best cage and accessories possible. This wormer can be gently syringed into the hedgehog's mouth, giving it a chance to swallow each mouthful. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A Full Cost & Price Breakdown, What Do Hedgehogs Eat? She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. You can take a damp cloth or a baby wipe, and gently rub the baby’s groin/anal area to encourage it to go to the bathroom. You need to provide the baby with little quantity of milk for at least 3 weeks. References As well, should the hedgehog escape into the wild, it could pose a theoretical risk to cloven-footed animals (cattle, goats, sheep) and impact local agriculture. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. The mothers usually lick their young to do this. Raw egg (a little can be mixed with the milk into a “formula”. That was my dog. Occasionally one may come out of the nest in the day but will be busy searching for food and will then return to the nest. Where is the Best Place to Buy a Pet Hedgehog? They should be kept separate from one another or from any other pet. Despite this, there are still a lot…, A lot of owners are surprised to hear that you can train your hedgehog to use a litter…, Keeping your hedgehog warm is something that most owners know they need to do. This is a process that might seem intimidating at first, but with these guidelines you’ll be well on your way! My hedgehog gave birth unexpectedly 3 weeks ago, both babies are alive but one is rather skinny is he going to be okay? In nature, the adults live by foraging in leaf litter for small insects and grubs, and like most mammals, the young are nourished by milk for the first few weeks of life. Step 2: Before You Pick Up Your Hedgehog, Gather All the Necessary Supplies. You should try to buy only one hedgehog first as sharing a living place is not in the nature of these animals. Top. ". A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel is fine, but try to provide an area away from the hottie that the hog can move to if they get too hot. However, some hoglets, even newborns, whose mother has been killed will venture out of the nest in search of her. Take out the paper on the bottom and bin it. Note: Make sure the formula is warm but not too hot. The dose of Panacur is 50 mg for every 1 kg of body weight, repeated once a month. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. In this situation, if you don’t intervene the babies will likely perish. The older the hedgehog the less expensive it will be. CARE INITIAL EXAMINATION Very sick hedgehogs may not be rolled up but laying flat and easier to examine thoroughly for wounds, injuries and ectoparasites. Hope you enjoyed the daily routine. If a mother hedgehog has unnecessary stress, she can eat/reject her young (a very sad but common occurrence). Approved. Below is … Lifespan: … This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Animals with personalities and unique traits Africa, and will poison themselves case. A hot water bottle to warm him up do I make sure hedgehogs illegal... 'S mouth, giving it a chance to swallow each mouthful, What do hedgehogs?. A proper how to take care of a baby hedgehog that has been Read 22,828 times syringes – some have... 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