Maintaining Your Hedgehog’s Social, Physical, & Mental Health

Building a strong bond with your hedgehog is the key to a happy, healthy pet. Your relationship should be co-dependent—your hedgehog thrives on your care, and in return, you enjoy the affection of this charming little companion. With the right mix of social interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation, your hedgehog will flourish in its home environment.

Social Health: Bonding With Your Hedgehog

Frequent, gentle handling helps keep your hedgehog tame and social. Hand-feeding treats, such as live mealworms, can strengthen your bond and build trust. Keep in mind that while hedgehogs enjoy human companionship, they typically don’t get along with other hedgehogs—so it’s best to house them alone unless breeding.

For new owners, the Hedgehog Home & Starter Pack is a great way to set up a safe and cozy space where your pet can feel comfortable from the start.

Physical Health: Exercise and Exploration

In the wild, hedgehogs spend their nights exploring and foraging. You can replicate these natural behaviors at home:

• Provide a roaming space, such as a safe playpen or empty children’s pool.

• Add an exercise wheel to the cage to keep your hedgehog active. The Silent Runner 12” Wide Wheel and Treadmill Wheel are excellent options to promote healthy movement and prevent obesity.

Housing also plays a big role in physical health. A spacious cage like the Sahara Cage gives your hedgehog plenty of room to move, climb, and play.

To support overall nutrition, a quality diet is essential. Our ZooPro Hedgehog Essential Food is specially formulated to meet their unique dietary needs.

Mental Health: Enrichment and Stimulation

Hedgehogs are curious by nature, and mental stimulation helps prevent boredom. Toys are an easy way to provide enrichment:

• Rolling toys like the Barrel Roller Toy or Push and Play Toy keep them engaged.

• Hideaways, tunnels, and tubes create exciting spaces to explore.

• Hiding small treats around their environment taps into their natural foraging instincts.

By incorporating a mix of exercise, interaction, and enrichment, you’ll create a balanced routine that supports every aspect of your hedgehog’s well-being.

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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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