How Long Do Hedgehogs Live? A Complete Guide for Pet Parents
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Hedgehogs are small, lovable insect-eating mammals.
While they’re known for being timid, any hedgehog parent will tell you that hedgehogs respond to their voice and appearance and are interactive if properly socialized.
The International Hedgehog Association and the Hedgehog Welfare Society are great resources for finding adoptable hedgehogs.
Like other animals, hedgehogs can be found in shelters across the United States. There are also many reputable breeders that sell hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs in captivity live on average eight to 10 years.
However, while hedgehogs as pets make great companions, they are not right for everyone.
Before you adopt a pet hedgehog, it’s important to learn everything you need to know about hedgehog care—including what do hedgehogs need to survive, how to keep hedgehogs healthy, and the average hedgehog lifespan.
Where Do Hedgehogs Live?
Wild hedgehogs are native to Africa, Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. While they’re not native to the United States, they have become very popular pets here.
Most North American hedgehog pets have been bred from African species and are considered domesticated. These pets are generally called African pygmy hedgehogs.
With the right enclosure and environment, these animals can thrive and be fun, social companions.
How Long Do Wild Hedgehogs Live?
In the wild, hedgehogs unfortunately only live for about three to four years due to environmental changes, predators, and diseases.
How Long Do Pet Hedgehogs Live?
Hedgehogs in captivity live on average eight to 10 years.
Their lifespan is longer in captivity because of the controlled environment, lack of predators, easily and readily available nutrition, and preventative veterinary care.
How To Lengthen Your Hedgehog’s Lifespan
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to lengthen your hedgehog’s lifespan.
However, providing them with a suitable environment, healthy diet, daily social interactions, love, and enrichment is vital to help their longevity.
To prevent medical problems from developing, all hedgehogs should have a check-up with an exotic veterinarian when they are first purchased or adopted.
Pet hedgehogs should then have yearly wellness examinations. Hedgehogs do not need vaccinations, but they will need periodic nail trims typically every two to four weeks, and should have their stool checked yearly for parasites.
Before you adopt a pet hedgehog, it’s important to learn everything you need to know about hedgehog care—including what do hedgehogs need to survive, how to keep hedgehogs healthy, and the average hedgehog lifespan.
Pet hedgehogs do well when housed alone and don’t need to be kept with other hedgehogs, but they should be allowed out of their cages at least once a day for exercise and social interaction.
Hedgehogs enjoy supervised out of enclosure time with their pet parents. This exploration can be very mentally stimulating for them.
They also love to dig, shred paper, burrow in tunnels, and enjoy exercise wheels. Creating new enriching environments for them can bring both a joy to you and your hedgie.
Hedgehogs are typically shy and can get nervous when held. Because of this, it’s best for hedgehogs to be taken care of by adults, rather than children or teens.
They use their uniquely strong back muscles to roll up tightly into a ball, hiding their faces and causing their spiny quills to point outwards so that predators can’t see their faces or limbs. They will remain balled up whenever they feel frightened or threatened.
To minimize their stress, pet parents should start taking their pet hedgehogs out of their cages every day when they’re young. This is to help get them used to being handled and to be less fearful of people.
Who Is the Ideal Pet Parent for a Hedgehog?
Since hedgehogs are nocturnal, they are best for people who are not light sleepers and who aren’t disturbed by their pet running on a wheel every night.
Hedgehogs may sleep for several hours during the day, making them ideal for pet parents who want to interact and play with their pets in the evening.
How To Care For Your Pet Hedgehog
Caring for a hedgehog takes a dedicated pet parent. Let’s look at everything you need to know about pet hedgehog care and giving your pet the best life possible.
Build Your Pet Hedgehog An Enclosure
Hedgehogs require an escape-proof enclosure.
Your hedgehog’s cage should be as large as possible, such as a wire-walled enclosure meant for guinea pigs.
However, the cage floor should be solid, not wire.
This is to prevent your hedgehog’s feet from getting caught and to prevent ulcers, bumblefoot (bacterial infection of the foot), or inflammation of the feet.
Line the cage either with newspaper or other paper-based bedding.
Wood shavings or other types of litter meant for cats are not recommended. Wood shavings can be dusty and are indigestible. If eaten, they can lead to potential gastrointestinal obstruction.
Hedgehogs can be trained to use small litter boxes, which should also be lined with a paper-based litter and placed in the corner of the cage.
Hedgehogs need a heavy, untippable bowl for pelleted food and a smaller bowl for insects.
Some hedgehogs will drink from a water bottle that is affixed to the cage, while others prefer a bowl.
All hedgehogs should be provided with a smooth-sided wheel to run in (not a wire wheel, so as not to get their toes caught), as well as a hiding spot, such as an upside-down wooden box with a cut outdoor, or a plastic igloo for rodents.
Hedgehogs’ cages should be spot cleaned daily to keep them free of fecal contamination and leftover food debris.
They should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week by removing all the bedding and replacing it with fresh bedding.
Provide your pet hedgehog with fresh food and water daily.
Hedgehogs are prone to becoming obese—daily exercise is essential as well as monitoring how much you are feeding them daily.
It’s also important to clean the water bowl/bottle and food containers every day and refill will with fresh water and food.
They also need to be provided with mental stimulation when they are in their cages, such as:
Provide Your Pet Hedgehog With a Balanced Diet
Hedgehogs are insectivores (insect-eaters), but they are not strict insectivores. They are also carnivorous and eat veggies and fruits.
Wild hedgehogs will eat different types of food, including:
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Mollusks (snails and worms)
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Amphibians
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Lizards
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Snakes
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Birds’ eggs
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Fish
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Carrion
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Mushrooms
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Roots
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Berries
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Melons
Domesticated pet hedgehogs should be fed pelleted formulas manufactured specifically for hedgehogs.
These pellets should be being supplemented with a limited number of insects such as:
Additionally, you should also provide a small amount of fruits and vegetables, like:
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Beans
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Peas
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Corn
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Apples
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Carrots
Hedgehogs shouldn’t be offered large numbers of live insects, or they will choose them over other foods.
This can lead to an unbalanced diet, and the hedgehog will likely become overweight.
Understand Potential Health Problems in Pet Hedgehogs
As a pet parent, it’s important to understand that pet hedgehogs can be prone to certain diseases. These include:
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Ringworm
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External parasites such as mites
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Dental disease
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Obesity
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Heart disease
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Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS)
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Salmonella infection
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Cancer
If you are unsure or have any questions or concerns about your hedgehog’s care and/or health, consult your primary veterinarian as a resource as well.
Through daily care, nutrition, socialization, and annual care with an exotic veterinarian, hedgehogs make wonderful companions that can live long, healthy, and happy lives.
