What do hedgehogs eat?

Hedgehogs do well on a quality, low-fat cat kibble as a base diet. Look for cat food (not dog food) with a named protein as the first ingredient and fat content under 15%. Supplement with small amounts of insects (mealworms, crickets) and occasional fruit or cooked vegetables. Avoid mealworms as a staple — too high in fat. Avoid raisins, grapes, citrus, and any sugary treats.

Do hedgehogs need a wheel?

Yes. Hedgehogs are highly active at night and need a wheel for exercise. Use a solid-surface wheel at least 10–12 inches in diameter (smaller wheels cause back arching and spinal problems). Wheels must be cleaned regularly — hedgehogs often run and defecate at the same time, coating the wheel.

What health problems do hedgehogs commonly get?

Common health issues include obesity (especially in hedgehogs with no wheel or poor diet), dental disease, respiratory infections, skin conditions (mange, ringworm), tumors/cancer (unfortunately common, especially in older hedgehogs — they're highly cancer-prone), wobbly hedgehog syndrome (a progressive neurological disease), and ear and eye infections.

Hedgehog Care: Housing, Diet, Health & What Vets See Most Often

Q: Are hedgehogs good pets?

Hedgehogs can make interesting, rewarding pets for the right owner — someone patient, willing to engage with them on their schedule (nocturnal), and prepared to provide consistent handling to maintain tameness. They are not ideal for children, as they require gentle, confident handling and can be defensive when startled. Their care requirements are more involved than many people realize.

Q: What temperature do hedgehogs need?

Hedgehogs need to be kept between 72–80°F. Below 65°F they attempt to hibernate — which is dangerous for domesticated hedgehogs, as they haven't evolved for true hibernation. A hedgehog found unresponsive or extremely lethargic in a cool environment may be entering torpor. Warm them gradually and see a vet. Above 85°F is heat stress risk.

Hedgehogs are one of those pets that are more complicated to keep well than they look. We see them at our Alhambra clinic fairly regularly, and when something goes wrong it's almost always one of three things: the temperature dropped too low, there was no wheel, or the owner didn't realize hedgehogs are highly cancer-prone. That last one catches people off guard every time. They're quirky, surprisingly fast, and can become quite tame with consistent handling — but they come with specific requirements that aren't always obvious upfront.

Here's what you actually need to know before getting one — and what we see going wrong most often.

Temperature: the single most critical factor

This is the thing that surprises people most. Hedgehogs are not naturally found in cold environments, and domesticated African pygmy hedgehogs (the species most kept as pets) haven't evolved to handle true hibernation the way wild hedgehog species have. When temperatures drop below about 65°F, a domesticated hedgehog will attempt to enter a torpor state — and for a domestic hedgehog, this is dangerous.

Signs of dangerous torpor: the hedgehog is unresponsive, barely moving, feels cold to the touch, is curled up and can't be easily roused. This is an emergency. Warm them gradually — hold them against your body, warm the room, don't use direct heat sources like heating pads directly under them. Then call us.

The required temperature range is 72–80°F, consistently. In Southern California, indoor temperatures are usually fine in summer but can drop low enough in winter to be problematic — especially in apartments or homes that run cold at night. A small space heater in the room where the hedgehog is kept, or a ceramic heat emitter on the enclosure, can maintain safe temperatures.

Above 85°F: heat stress risk. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from hot windows in summer.

Housing

Hedgehogs need an enclosure of at least 2–4 square feet of floor space. Wire-bottom cages are not appropriate — their legs can slip through and cause injuries. Glass tanks, plastic storage bins with ventilation, and solid-floor wire cages all work well.

One hedgehog per enclosure. They're solitary. Two hedgehogs together will fight.

Substrate: paper-based bedding (Carefresh), fleece liners, or aspen shavings work well. Avoid cedar and pine (aromatic oils). Spot-clean daily — hedgehogs are not naturally clean animals, and the enclosure will need regular full cleaning.

The wheel is essential

Hedgehogs run 5+ miles per night in the wild. A wheel is not optional. Without one, they become obese and develop behavioral stress. Requirements:

Size: At least 10–12 inches in diameter. Smaller wheels cause back arching and spinal problems over time.
Surface: Solid — not wire or mesh.
Cleanliness: Hedgehogs run and defecate simultaneously, so wheels need cleaning at least every other day.

Diet

The best base diet is a quality, low-fat dry cat kibble — not dog food. Look for:

A named protein (chicken, turkey, fish) as the first ingredient
Fat content under 15%
No artificial colors or excessive fillers

"Hedgehog food" sold in pet stores is often nutritionally inadequate. Quality cat kibble is generally better. A small amount daily (about 1–2 tablespoons for an adult hedgehog) is appropriate.

Treats and variety (offered in small amounts a few times a week):

Live or dried insects — crickets, mealworms. Don't overdo mealworms; they're high fat.
Cooked chicken or egg (plain, no seasoning)
Small amounts of fruit (apple, melon, berries) or cooked vegetables

Avoid: grapes, raisins, citrus, avocado, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and anything high in sugar.

Handling and temperament

Hedgehogs are nocturnal. They're asleep during the day and most active from dusk through night. Waking them up for daytime handling is stressful and often leads to defensive huffing and curling. Evening interaction is when they're naturally receptive.

Young hedgehogs need daily handling to become tame. A hedgehog that isn't handled consistently will remain defensive. The process takes a few weeks of patient, calm, short interactions. They can absolutely become comfortable and even affectionate with regular gentle handling — but it takes effort.

When a hedgehog huffs and puffs and curls into a ball, it's feeling threatened. Don't force it open. Wait it out. Let it relax on its own terms.

Common health problems

Obesity

Very common, especially in hedgehogs without adequate wheel time or with diets too high in fat (overuse of mealworms, cat food with high fat content). An obese hedgehog can't curl fully into a ball. This is a serious health concern — not cosmetic. Adjust diet and ensure wheel access.

Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS)

A progressive neurological disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting, starting in the hindquarters and progressing forward. Signs: stumbling, falling over, dragging back legs, muscle atrophy. No cure currently. Supportive care can extend quality of life. Has a suspected genetic component.

Cancer

This is the one we wish more owners knew before they got a hedgehog. Hedgehogs are highly prone to tumors — uterine cancer in females is particularly common, and oral tumors, skin masses, and internal malignancies show up regularly in older animals. The risk goes up significantly after age 2–3. We're not saying this to scare people off; hedgehogs can be wonderful companions. But going in with realistic expectations matters, and annual exams after age 2 give you the best shot at catching something early when options still exist.

Dental disease

Hedgehogs have small teeth that develop tartar and periodontal disease. Signs: dropping food, weight loss, drooling, face swelling. Dental cleaning under anesthesia is the treatment.

Skin problems

Mites cause quill loss and flaky, irritated skin. Ringworm (a fungal infection, despite the name) also causes patchy quill and fur loss. Both are treatable. A hedgehog losing quills in patches — not uniformly as in normal quilling during the first few months of life — should be seen.

When to see a vet

Hedgehogs hide illness well, and because they're small, they can decline quickly. Come in if you notice:

Any change in activity level or eating
Uneven quill loss
Any lumps, masses, or swellings
Wobbling, stumbling, or hind leg weakness
Signs of torpor (unresponsive, cold, can't be roused)
Facial swelling or difficulty eating

We see hedgehogs at South Pasadena Animal Hospital in Alhambra. Visit our exotic animal veterinary care page, see our services page, or call (626) 441-1314 to book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hedgehogs good pets?

They can be, for the right owner. They're nocturnal, need consistent handling to stay tame, and require specific temperature control. Not ideal for young children. But for a patient adult owner who's prepared for their quirks, hedgehogs can be fascinating, low-footprint companions.

What temperature do hedgehogs need?

72–80°F consistently. Below 65°F they enter dangerous torpor. Above 85°F is heat stress. This is the most commonly underestimated aspect of hedgehog care.

What is Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome?

A progressive, incurable neurological disease causing muscle wasting and weakness, starting in the hind legs. Common in hedgehogs over 2. Supportive care can help with quality of life, but there's no cure currently known.

Are hedgehogs prone to cancer?

Yes, unfortunately. Hedgehogs have a high incidence of tumors — particularly after age 2–3. Uterine cancer in females is especially common. Annual exams and early detection give the best chance of intervention when something develops.

Hedgehog Care: What You Need to Know Before Getting One