Hedgehogs may be small, but they are mighty. They’re prickly little pinecones with soft bellies and long noses that are always curious about new smells. Occasionally they hiss and they have funny teeth that resemble vampire fangs, of course they aren’t looking for blood, just berries, nuts, and fruit. Hedgehogs aren’t a short-term pet, they live for upwards of seven years and they need love and care.

Here’s a guide for having a happy and healthy hedgy.

Buy a dark colored storage container for your hedgy.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means that while we’re busy during the day they are sound asleep. Hedgehogs like it to be nice and dark while they sleep (just like us) so having a dark colored home for them keeps more sunlight out. Some people will buy fish tanks so they can see their hedgehog, but I just have a dark blue storage container for mine. She seems to like it and it’s easy to clean.

Make sure they have lots of fluff for digging and a wheel for running.

Hedgehogs like to burrow, hence their name. Hedgehogs are often times found under hedges, but since their little home can’t exactly have a hedge growing in it, having some fluff and woodchips is the next best thing for digging a little hole to sleep in. I also have a plastic igloo for her to sleep in so she feels safe and covered. My hedgy also loves to run on her wheel when it gets late and she knows she’s alone. This is great exercise for them, even though they aren’t exactly the most active animals.

Hedgehogs get cold so make sure you have a heating pad.

Hedgehogs need to be at a temperature of about 72-80 degrees, and for most of us that can get a little too hot especially during the summer. So while we’re relaxing in the air conditioning our hedgy could be freezing. I have an electric heating pad that I burry in my hedgehog’s home, she loves it, sometimes she’ll even burry herself under it. Although, because it’s electric I am very careful about how long I leave it on and how hot it gets. My hedgehog’s home is big even where if she did get too hot she could move far away from the heating pad (that has yet to happen, but just to be safe). Some people like using a microwavable heating pad, which is also a good choice; it just needs to be reheated often. Something I don’t recommend is getting a heating lampfor warmth. They are often times too bright and for an animal that likes when it’s dark they wouldn’t adjust well to a big over-hanging light bulb.

Hedgehogs have sensitive tummies.

Hedgehogs can’t eat a lot of foods so dropping table food into it’s home is not a good idea. I feed mine (gentle) cat food, mealworms (not lives ones), plain chicken, and some kinds of baby food, like peas and carrots (in small amounts). There are good websites that have suggestions for foods like this one here.

Hedgehogs do need grooming.

Hedgehogs are different from let’s say a hamster because they do need routine grooming. I have a nail clipper made for a hedgehog that I use to trim her nails if they get too long. If their nails start to curl they could give your hedgehog an infection so keeping on top of that is important. If you are afraid to trim them yourself there are exotic pet vets that can do it for a small fee. Hedgehogs also need to be bathed, but not too often because their skin will become dry. I use a Tupperware container to bath my hedgehog because my bathtub is too large and she gets scared of all the open space. They make hedgehog soap, but I use Dawn dish soap because it is delicate (it is used it to clean off animals after an oil spill). It is also important to know that although there are several videos on YouTube of hedgehogs floating in a tub, not all hedgehogs enjoy the bath. Mine hates being in the bath and she would drown if the water were too high.

Hedgehogs have quills, actually they’re called spines, but they won’t hurt you.

Hedgehogs have little spines that stick out when they feel threatened, scared, angry, or sometimes just because they are feeling cranky (like people). Their spines don’t exactly hurt, but every once in a while they can stick you pretty good. These aren’t necessarily pets for kids because they can be scary and they aren’t cuddly like puppies (even though mine will fall asleep on your lap).

Hedgehogs are docile and delicate.

Hedgehogs can be shy and need someone who is willing to be patient with them. They have to be handled carefully and gently. Their legs can break easily and you want to avoid dropping them like with any small animal, so I find it best to just sit on the floor with my hedgehog in case she is feeling adventurous.

Provide your hedgy with a sheet, little towel, or shirt.

Hedgehogs need to acclimate to their environment so they don’t feel threatened. Sometimes the best way to do that is to use an object that smells like you. I put a dishtowel in my hedgehog’s home, which I change every month (because it gets stinky). She uses it to burrow or sleep under and it has become somewhat of a “comfort blanket” for her. I also use a sheet that I keep on the floor for when I take her out and let her roam around. She likes to have a spot to hide under.

Hedgehogs like toys.

Similarly to all animals even hedgehogs like their toys. I have a jingly ball and a stuffed turtle that I keep in my hedgehog’s home. I also give her a toilet paper role to play with; she likes to stick her head in the hole. Outside of her home I have a strawberry hut that she loves to sit in. Pretty simple.

They really do make great pets.

I love my hedgehog and so does everyone that meets her. She is such an unexpected little ball of joy. She is very low maintenance and just adorable!