Are hedgehogs hypoallergenic?

The simple answer is – Yes!

Definition

hy·po·al·ler·gen·ic
adj.
Having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary

The definition of hypoallergenic may surprise some people. Hypoallergenic does not mean non-allergenic. Hedgehogs are not very likely to cause an allergic reaction, but it has been known to happen. Hedgehogs produce very little dander, which is the usual culprit for animal allergies. It is extremely rare that hedgehog dander produces any sort of reaction. Allergic reactions to hedgehogs are usually from small pricks of the hedgehog’s quills that have been contaminated with an allergen.

Allergies to Bedding

The majority of people who think they are allergic to their hedgehog are actually allergic to the bedding. You might want to try switching to different bedding options if you are affected. I am allergic to almost all of the bedding, so I use a hepa filter right beside my hedgehog cages. Due to my allergies, if the quills prick my fingers I get a little rash that disappears within minutes of washing my hands. I know that some people get hives after handing hedgehogs and that is probably due to an allergen being pushed into the skin.

How to lessen allergic reactions

If you find that you have a severe reaction to the bedding, you should try fleece or corduroy fabric that is cut to fit in the bottom of the cage. Remember to look for loose threads in the fabric, since hedgehogs have been known to get their feet caught and lose circulation which leads to amputations.

If you suspect that you are allergic to hedgehogs, it can help to bathe the hedgehog monthly in lukewarm water and a drop of olive oil. It is also a good idea to keep an air purifier with a hepa filter close to the cage. Since hedgehogs produce very little dander, this should be all that is needed to relieve your symptoms.

My own experiences

Although my cat is hypoallergenic (bengal cat breed), I will get a reaction if I touch my eyes after petting him. I have noticed that if I pet my cat and then handle my hedgehogs I am more likely to get a rash. I also have mild allergies to perfumes, hay, mold, most cleaning products and animal dander. I find that if I wash my hands with hand sanitizer before handling the hedgies, that I rarely get any rash. If you have troubles with allergies, I’d recommend washing your hands before handling your hedgehogs, but avoid scented soap.

So, of course you love your hedgehog. Who wouldn’t? But, can you love your hedgehog too much?

Possibly.

Imagine a family with a child who loves hot dogs and chips. What child does not love hot dogs? It is not too hard to imagine. Now imagine that the parents give the child hot dogs and chips every single day.

Obesity

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in hedgehogs. Treats shouldn’t be fed every day. A basic healthy staple food should be the majority of every pet’s diet. Treats should only be fed sparingly. I’d recommend no more than a few times per week (e.g. a few mealworms at a time).

Over the years I have heard many pet owners tell me how spoiled their pets are and how they are given treats all the time. Just as often I see overweight and unhealthy pets. Our pets depend on us to provide a healthy diet, just the same as children depend on their parents.

We as pet owners sometimes feel that a pet’s diet is boring and monotonous, so we want to spice it up by adding lots of treats. Ultimately, the health of the animal should be more important.

Keeping Your Hedgehog Fit

If your hedgehog starts to look too plump (you can tell by looking at the underbelly or from above since hedgehogs should have a tear shape) reduce the amount of treats and be careful to limit their daily food intake. In the wild, hedgehogs may need to walk for miles to find food, so obesity is not usually a concern. Pet hedgehogs need significantly less fat intake. Each hedgehog is different. Some are more active than others (e.g. running in their wheel all night). Owners should monitor their hedgehogs weight and feed their hedgehogs accordingly. You will have a happier and healthier pet in the long run.

Source

The bedding that you buy may be contaminated with mites or they could be transferred from another pet in your house. Whatever the case, your hedgehog will need to be treated.

Treatment

Many people confuse fleas with mites. Fleas are pretty uncommon in hedgehogs. Most flea treatments are dangerous for hedgehogs, so avoid trying any over-the-counter flea treatments. Mites can be treated with Revolution (prescribed by a vet).

Ivermectin can be used topically/ or orally to treat hedgehogs, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have had good results with it in the past. I do use it on rabbits, but hedgehogs are smaller making it harder to get the dosage correct and you will need to administer 3 doses at 2 week intervals. I have also heard of cases of hedgehogs dying from Ivermectin, possibly from overdosing or  fatal injections. Revolution clears it up in just one dose, so I’ll be sticking with that.

Prevention

Bathing your hedgehog once per month in warm water with a few drops of olive oil will help to prevent mite infestations. I give olive oil baths regularly and have not had mites yet. This could also be due to a little bit of luck, but I know the olive oil helps.

Prevention can also include not buying bedding in a pet store where the bedding is close to small animals/birds. Mites could migrate into the bedding and create problems. I purchase my bedding from The Tractor Supply Company and have had good luck.

There are so many commercial foods out there. You may be confused by the selection and quality of hedgehog food. When I first did my research, I was naive and believed that if it was labeled for a hedgehog, it must be a perfect diet. I was completely wrong. Unfortunately, the hedgehog diets on the market are not well suited for hedgehogs. Since hedgehogs are a fairly new exotic pet and are even illegal in many states, many animal food companies still do not have a handle on the nutritional requirements of a hedgehog. If you ask most breeders, they will give you a variety of different cat foods and hedgehog foods that they have tried. I have tried a good many of the ones labeled for hedgehogs, but I’m still most happy with the cat foods.

What do they eat?

Hedgehogs are insectivores. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be fed to your hedgehog in very small amounts from time to time, but treats should mostly consist of live insects. Other good treats would be: cooked chicken, cooked eggs and cottage cheese, to name a few. My hedgehogs have really liked Sunseed Hedgehog food as a treat, too.

Below is a list of hedgehogs foods and cat foods that I’d list as acceptable options. This list is compiled from a lot of research and first-hand experience.

Cat Food:
#1 Purina Chicken and Rice
#2 Chicken Soup For The Cat Lover’s Soul Lite
#3 Wellness Healthy Weight
#4 Blue Spa Select Weight Management

Hedgehog Food:
#5 Spikes Delight

Some other acceptable hedgehog foods only recommend as a treat:

Sunseed Hedgehog food (My hedgehogs liked this, but only as a treat.)
Brisky’s Hedgehog food (I haven’t tried it, but have heard it is alright as a treat.)
8in1 Ultra Hedgehog food (It seemed alright and my hedgehogs ate it, but not good enough for complete diet.)
L’Avian Hedgehog food (My hedgehogs ate it, but just as a treat.)
Hedgehog Complete by Exotic Nutrition (I think this is acceptable as a treat, but my hedgehogs wouldn’t touch it.)

My Personal Choice

My personal food of choice is Purina One Chicken and Rice. It has a main ingredient of chicken and also contains yogurt and a pretty well balance diet. It was recommended to me by Shannon at Dreamflower Meadows and we have both had good results with it. I have not had any problems with obesity and my hedgehogs have stayed very healthy. When you find something that works, it is best to stick with it. I am always open to new options, but I’m also cautious. I do not want my hedgehogs to suffer or be my lab rats in my quest for the perfect food. Hopefully more healthy options will be available soon that are specifically created for hedgehogs.

It is really important to start your hedgehog out on the food it is used to eating. I always provide a couple weeks worth of transitional food. I highly recommend that you continue to use it or mix it with another cat food from the list above or Spike’s Delight. I do not recommend mixing anything else in with the staple diet, because your hedgehog might just pick out the less healthy food from the mix. For that reason, treats should always be given in a separate bowl.

Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal, which means they sleep much of the day and are most active in the evening through morning. If you are planning to provide your hedgehog with a wheel and keep him in your bedroom, you might not get much sleep!

Can I pet my hedgehog like a dog or cat? Well, obviously no, but they do enjoy a little petting on their soft underbelly. Baby hedgehog quills are very pointy and can break the skin. I actually get a tiny allergic reaction to the baby hedgehog quills, but nothing that bothers me. It just gets a little bit red and itchy. Once the duller adult quills come in, you shouldn’t have those troubles. Young children may have trouble trying to hold hedgehogs due to their quills. For this and many other reason, hedgehogs are best in a home without young children.

Temperature must be kept between 70-80 degrees. If this means using a small animal heating pad or heat lamp, then they will need to be purchased. Some houses are more drafty than others and in the winter this can prove deadly to a hedgehog. Their body tries to go into hibernation and can cause death if they aren’t warmed up quickly.

So, what can I actually do with my hedgehog besides watching him? You can handle your hedgehog as much as you would like. The more you handle it, the more friendly it will become and the more bonded it will be with you. You can hold your hedgehog, let him run around on your lap or in safe rooms of the house.

Cats and dogs are usually fine with hedgehogs. They mostly ignore them. This is probably due to the fact that they realize they are not worth the trouble to try to eat. A couple of quills in the face will probably be enough to deter them. If you have a dog with strong hunting instincts though, you will probably want to keep your dog away from your hedgehog to prevent any injuries.

Expect to spot clean your hedgehogs cage at least twice per week. The cage itself will need to be thoroughly cleaned 2 to 4 times per month depending on how much spot cleaning you chooise to do. Hedgehog droppings are similar to a cat. If you are lucky, you can litter train your hedgehog. Many hedgehogs choose to use their wheels as the litter box. In this case, expect to be cleaning the wheel every couple of days.

Hedgehogs do not take up much space and are not smelly (as long as the cage is cleaned properly) and they are a quiet pet. They can be the perfect option for people in apartments. Just don’t expect your hedgehog to be like a dog or cat. They are pretty indifferent and can take a little time to warm up to you. But, who can resist the cuteness? :)