What do I do if my hedgehog is overweight?

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. As for the wheeling, you might want to try and find out why he’s wheeling less.

Do hedgehogs lose weight as they age?

Once they reach adulthood, their weight should only fluctuate by 10-20 grams. It should be gradual if there is any weight change. Therefore, any sudden weight change should be a sign that your hedgehog needs to visit the vet.

How do I know if my hedgehog is overweight?

Obesity in Hedgehogs

1. A healthy hedgehog looks a little rounded and plump, but hedgehogs with fat waddles at the “arm pits” and who can not roll completely into a ball are obese.
2. Some hedgehogs will gorge if given the opportunity to freely eat a food they really like.

What is the normal weight for a hedgehog?

between 1 and 2 lbs
Healthy adult hedgehogs typically weigh between 1 and 2 lbs in the wild. But there is vast variation, depending on the age and sex of the hog and the time of year.

What is a hedgehogs diet?

In the wild, hedgehogs eat a diverse selection of insects as well as some plant material and very occasionally small or baby mammals (like pinkie mice). Hedgehogs usually eat at night. As pets, hedgehogs should mainly be fed high quality hedgehog food.

How big is an 8 week old hedgehog?

In captivity hoglets put on weight much more quickly than in the wild. Weight guides given are for wild hedgehogs, hand reared hedgehogs can weigh 500 or 600gms at 8 weeks.

How many days can hedgehogs go without eating?

How long can a hedgehog go without eating? Hedgehogs should not go without food or water for more than 24 hours. If they do not get any food or water for more than three days it could lead to several diseases including fatty liver disease.

Do hedgehogs only bond with one person?

Do Hedgehogs only Bond with One Person? Hedgehogs can bond with more than one person once they’ve started to associate another person’s scent as being friendly. Hedgehogs will be more relaxed around people they know are not threats, making bonding with them much easier.

What does an underweight hedgehog look like?

You can tell if a hedgehog is too thin by holding it on its back (wearing thick gloves) and looking at its rear end. A hedgehog that is underweight for its size will have a tapered ‘v-shaped’ rear end like in the picture above. It may also appear ‘baggy’.

How big is a healthy hedgehog?

Most hedgehogs can fit in an adult’s hand. They range in size from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters), according to the San Diego Zoo. They typically weigh from 5 to 56 ounces (155 to 1,584 grams), depending on the species.

How long do pet hedgehogs live?

Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.

Do hedgehogs eat apples?

Fruits: Dried fruit should be avoided, but a small amount of fresh fruit can be offered to your hedgehog as treats. Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices among hedgehogs. Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy.