Can a hedgehog be overweight?
As we’ve seen, hedgehogs do occasionally become overweight, but in the wild, being too skinny is a far bigger problem for our hedgehog population. Hedgehogs will spend all night foraging for food, covering considerable distances to find the insects and other invertebrates that make up their preferred diet.
What is the ideal weight for an African pygmy hedgehog?
between 300-500g
A healthy African Pygmy Hedgehog should weigh between 300-500g with males typically being smaller. It is a good idea to keep a record of your hedgehogs weight so you can notice any problems, although it is worth bearing in mind that a recent toilet can mean a difference of around 10g.
How do I know if my pygmy hedgehog is dying?
If your hedgehog is lethargic, isn’t eating anything, doesn’t want to play, is having blood in his poop or pee, is breathing slowly, is coughing or sneezing then likely hedgehog is sick and closer to death. Weight loss is also a common symptom among disease-prone hedgehogs.
How do I know if my hedgehog has wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
Symptoms of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
- Falling over.
- Muscle weakness.
- Difficulty walking.
- Wobbling when standing still.
- Paralysis.
- Seizures.
- Head tilt.
- Circling.
What do I do if my hedgehog is overweight?
It has simply stretched out a little too far. If your hedgehog is overweight try putting him on a food mix with a lower fat %. It should be under 15%, around 10% is recommended for overweight hedgehogs or ones who have trouble keeping their weight down.
How do I know if my hedgehog is overweight?
If your hedgehog becomes overweight, he may not be able to curl up into a tight little ball. Species of all kinds suffer from being fat, and as an exotic animal veterinarian, I constantly tell my patients’ owners to increase their pets’ exercise and limit their junk food consumption.
What weight is overweight for a hedgehog?
For optimum health and survival chances, it is important that hedgehogs are neither too thin or too fat. Hedgehogs ideally need to be over 650g to have a good chance of surviving hibernation but, like in people, the right weight depends on their size and will vary between individual hedgehogs.
Can hedgehogs use exercise balls?
Critter Exercise Balls A large 12” Critter ball is a relatively safe way for hedgehogs to explore their surroundings. Most owners prefer the clear balls rather than the colored balls. It is hard to say what the hedgie prefers!
What is the lifespan of an African pygmy hedgehog?
But the modern domestication of hedgehogs only took off in the 1980s. Many breeds of hedgehogs today are hybrids, the most well-known being the African pygmy hedgehog. The African pygmy hedgehog’s life expectancy is between 4 – 6 years on average, with proper care and healthy living conditions.
What is the life expectancy of a pet hedgehog?
Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.”
Can you fix wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
What can be done? There is no treatment or cure and death within 18-24 months is the usual course after the onset of clinical signs.
How do I know if my hedgehog is too fat?
How big does an African pygmy hedgehog get?
They have dark noses and long pointy snouts that are usually pink or brown. They also have round, dark eyes, oval brownish ears, and short, white hair on their brows, cheeks, and bellies. They can grow up to 5 to 8 inches long and weigh between ½ to 1 ½ pounds.
What kind of animal eats an African pygmy hedgehog?
The spines are sharp, and can effectively deter less determined hunters, but eagles, owls and weasels are their most common predators, and are willing to withstand a few piercings for a meal. African pygmy hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures that sleep during the day.
Is it normal for a hedgehog to be overweight?
However, while healthy hedgehogs are plump and somewhat round, overweight ones have fat waddles on their armpits and are often unable to roll. Below are some tips to avoid obesity in your pet hedgehog:
What does a pygmy hedgehog do when threatened?
When threatened, the little hedgehog will raise its spines to look larger. If the threat continues, the hedgehog will tuck it’s head and feet and roll up, leaving a prickly ball for confused predators to deal with.