Hand Raising Baby Hedgehogs

One of the most challenging situations for hedgehog owners is when a mother hedgehog rejects some or all of her babies—or worse, when she harms them. While this behavior can be unsettling, it is, unfortunately, quite common in hedgehogs, especially for first-time mothers or if the nest has been disturbed.

Before stepping in to hand raise, it’s worth trying a few alternatives:

• Return the babies to the nest using a spoon (to avoid leaving your scent).

• Foster with another nursing mother if possible. To increase the chances of success, rub the babies in bedding from the foster mother’s cage so they smell familiar.

If fostering is not an option and the babies continue to be rejected, hand feeding may be necessary.

Feeding Baby Hedgehogs

Hand feeding requires commitment—newborn hoglets need to be fed every 2–3 hours, day and night, for the first three weeks.

How to feed:
Use a small plastic syringe, dropper, or pipette to slowly provide milk in a controlled manner.

What to feed:
Cow’s milk is not suitable for hedgehogs. Instead, we recommend using a high-quality milk replacer. Exotic Nutrition’s Specialty Milk Replacer is formulated for exotic animals and is an excellent substitute for hedgehog milk. 

As babies grow, they can transition to soft foods such as mashed fruits. At about 3 weeks old, when their teeth begin to come in, they can start lapping milk from a shallow dish instead of syringe feeding.

Stimulating Elimination

After every feeding, it’s critical to help hoglets urinate and defecate. Without assistance, their bladder or bowels can become dangerously swollen. To stimulate them, gently stroke their tummy with a warm, damp cloth or tissue, mimicking the grooming of a mother hedgehog.

Final Thoughts

Hand raising baby hedgehogs is no small task, and even with your best efforts, not every baby will survive. If you face setbacks, remember that you gave them a greater chance than they would have had otherwise. With patience and dedication, your next experience may be a rewarding success.

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Notice: Exotic Nutrition cannot provide specific care guidelines on an individual basis. Please consult a veterinarian or experienced breeder.

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