Feed it well and it'll thrive. By having a list of favorite treats you will save yourself both precious time and money while trying different treat options. Do not choose the one with the metal-ball spout design, as it might freeze in winter. Keep the cage in a warm room. Try to avoid wet cat food because it does not contain as much fiber as dry kibble. Hedgehogs are generally quiet animals and they don't like lots of sounds. How to syringe feed a hedgehog. Cause – Change in Food. If your Hedgehog run and exercise more, they will get thirsty and drink more water. Thankfully, feeding the hedgehog isn't a problem. Why Is My Hedgehog Not Drinking Water? Other times, you may need to add a ceramic heat emitter as a secondary source of heat. Is Your Hedgehog Not Drinking Water? This Might Be Why. A hedgehog should not go more than three days without food and water, or else it could develop fatty liver disease. So while I wish he wouldn't do that, at least I know he won't be going hungry if I'm not able to refill the food dish within a few hours.
Dehydration associated with diarrhea is a major concern with these small patients. Allowing your hedgie to nap on you can extend your playtime without stressing them out when they first come home. Hedgehogs that are sick or have an injury will not eat. Final Thoughts on Hedgehog Poo. Why Is My Hedgehog Not Drinking Water. They might not necessarily get diarrhea but instead passed awful smelling poop. Is there something that I should be worried about or am I just working myself up?
Some go as far as claiming that water bottles can easily cause chipped teeth or even cause the hedgehog's tongue to get stuck. Using their favorite food is a good way to entice them to eat. If your hedgehog gets chilly then they will become grouchy, not want to socialize with you, and they may eventually go into a false hibernation. The Cafe Waterer comes in larger sizes, too so they can be used with cats or other animals. Just to be clear, not all bloody poo is red. Amber runs Louisiana Hedgehog Rescue Safe Home and was very gracious about sharing her knowledge and pictures. Do Hedgehogs curl up when they die? Care & Feeding of Hedgehogs | Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital. We sometimes use the 2 1/2" to 3" size crocks for babies and for treats. These hedgehogs readily eat when they are hand or syringe fed. Secondly, put your hedgehog in a warm bath to help them relax their bum so that things can start moving. So, you should talk to them about it. However, if you have bought your hedgehog from a store, you should know that buying high-quality kibble is the best way to go. Whether it's on your lap or in its enclosure, your hedgehog needs something they can hide under or in to feel safe. Sometimes, if the bottle is too high or too low, it can make it difficult for your Hedgehogs to drink.
As long as something is coming out, your hedgie is eating! Hedgehogs are known to hide their illnesses. If you haven't already put one up, you should immediately go out and buy a hamster wheel and put it in the animal's cage. Why is my hedgehog not drinking games. In this article, we will be taking a look at the question "how can I get my hedgehog to eat"? "Kick starts" intestinal tract and improves appetite (Klein). My curiosity left me with no choice but to research on what to expect once I get my hedgehog. Thank you for being a loyal and supportive reader here at Heavenly Hedgies.
It helps the hedgehog digest food, absorb healthy nutrients and remove waste. Clean their containers from time to time. Another way to prevent bowls from tipping is to glue your crock or food dish to a ceramic floor tile. Non-steroidal pain reducer and anti-inflammatory drugs (oral or injectable). One concern with using this type of dish is that boosting your hedgehog up to the wire level of the cage may encourage climbing which is not always a good idea. Many hedgehog owners instantly rule out the seed issue thinking they haven't fed their hedgehog seeds. A simple change in the animal's food intake could lead to this problem. Another possible cause of diarrhea is an imbalance of gut flora. Treats and new foods can also lead to changes in color, consistency, and the smell of their stools. Do hedgehogs die easily? What not to give hedgehogs. This is likely a sign of bad tooth or some other problems in the mouth. But, besides these solutions, a visit to the vet is highly necessary. You should immediately visit a nearby vet and tell him the whole situation. Cause – Change in Environment or Routine.
Other hedgehogs refuse to use their litter pan despite any attempts on your part to try to teach your hedgehog the purpose of the litter pan. If this behavior is learned, then when your hedgehog is tired or doesn't feel like playing, they may bite you to tell you to put them back to bed. Think of them like training wheels for handling your hedgehog. See heating pad guidelines). Why is my hedgehog not drinking honey. Our hospital recommends Carefresh, a paper bedding that is soft, absorbent, and easy to clean. Similarly, there are different kinds of stool that hedgehogs do and you can read more about them here. It is very rich so even a little food will sustain them through their adjustment period. He is able to push it around but it takes a lot more effort so he was spilling it less.
Many breeders suggest using bottled water or highly filtered water when transitioning hedgehogs from one home to another. Cause – Hibernation/Estivation Attempts Due to Temperature. Hedgehogs have generally sensitive stomachs and they tend to get upset quite quickly. Shopping Guide | Cage Options | Bedding Choices | Accessories | Toys. In case your hedgehog is unable to drink anything or doesn't want to, you need to syringe feed them. Once home, you may notice a temporary personality change from when you picked out your hedgie, and this is completely normal. You may have noticed though, that many online forums on keeping hedgehogs as pets claim water bottles are risky.
Heat and socialization. Here are some options you can try: - Watermelon juice. Soft stool that lasts more than a day or diarrhea associated with other signs that your hedgehog is sick (not eating, inactivity or other change in behavior) should be brought to your veterinarian immediately. Hedgehogs are quite prone to tumors and cancers. Put a clean glove on your left hand. Just relax, Netflix and chill, and give your hedgie some time to get to know you. Hedgehogs are burrowing animals, so a fleece blanket will help make your carrier comfortable and warm. We use eight ounce bottles for all of our hedgehogs. This can be offered with small amounts of mixed fruits and vegetables. If you have got yourself a new Hedgehog, then it still is settling into its new environment. You need to make sure you don't screw it too tight as sometimes it causes a leak as well. Feeding Your Hedgehog Mealworm. However, I would still fill it twice a day and it would always be empty when I checked it so I was still worried about being unable to give him a constant source of water. They typically mount on the side of the cage so that there is more floor space available for the hedgehog.
Cleaning the enclosure on a weekly basis helps control unwanted odors, making it a good pet to house indoors. A common issue that many people face is when their hedgehog stops drinking water. You can also try feeding baby food designed specifically for hedgehogs for the first couple of days.