Little explorer.
Big personality.
Support your hedgehog’s well-being with thoughtful daily care, a comfortable home, and regular veterinary attention.
About 300–600 g
A nighttime companion with individual needs.
This guide focuses on the African pygmy hedgehog commonly kept as a pet. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and naturally solitary. They are not rodents.
Plan interaction around your pet’s waking hours. Introduce handling patiently, support the body, and avoid forcing a tightly curled animal to unroll.
Food, comfort and activity
A balanced feeding plan
- Ask your veterinarian to select a suitable complete hedgehog or insectivore diet.
- Measure portions; insects should not be the entire diet.
- Keep fresh water available and avoid raw meat, raw eggs, and milk.
- Track weight and appetite, and discuss changes before adjusting the feeding plan.
A safe place to explore
- House individually in a secure, ventilated enclosure with solid flooring and a hiding area.
- Use soft bedding without loose threads that could wrap around feet.
- Provide an appropriately sized solid-surface wheel, never a wire running surface.
- Offer supervised exploration away from cords, gaps, and other pets.
Steady warmth matters
A stable enclosure temperature around 75–85°F (24–29°C) is generally suitable. Monitor conditions with a thermometer and use safe, thermostat-controlled heating if needed.
An unusually cold, weak, or unresponsive hedgehog needs urgent veterinary advice. Do not assume it is simply sleeping or allow pet African pygmy hedgehogs to hibernate.
Changes worth checking
Obesity, skin problems, dental disease, tumors, and neurologic conditions can affect hedgehogs. An examination helps determine the cause of a change rather than relying on appearance alone.
General education only; veterinary review is recommended before publication. Facts describe African pygmy hedgehogs and vary by sex and individual. Maturity means sexual maturity, not recommended breeding age; some live beyond the usual lifespan.
Care references: Merck: Hedgehog overview · Care and housing · Health concerns
Thoughtful care for your hedgehog.
Request preventive care or call about a change in your pet’s health.
