Choosing an Exotic Pet - Care of Exotic Pets

When choosing a hedgehog, there are a few things you can look for to increase your chances of bringing home a healthy hedgehog. Unfortunately, the steps here can't rule out all health problems, and health problems could develop later, but avoiding hedgehogs with some common signs of poor health is still a wise idea. Here are some things you can check quickly in a hedgehog you are considering adopting.

Here's How:

1. Learn all you can about caring for hedgehogs before you go shopping. Not only will this prepare you to be a good owner, you will be able to evaluate whether the hedgehogs you are looking at have been cared for properly. Pay close attention to what they are fed and how they are housed.
2. It can be hard to really look at hedgehogs, as they are nocturnal and tend to roll up and act defensive around new people. But usually, even if they need to be woken up (which might make them snuffle and roll up a bit at first, but usually they settle down), hedgehogs will become active for a short time. Watch the hedgehogs move around. They should be bright and curious, and not overly lethargic and sleepy. They should have a smooth gait, free of limping or wobbles.
3. Pick up a hedgehog. Rolling into a ball and snuffling are to be expected, but once a hedgehog realizes you mean no harm it will usually unroll a bit, smooth down its quills, and maybe even be curious about you. A hedgehog that is overly afraid and defensive, won't unroll, makes clicking noises at you or bites may be healthy, but is less likely to be easily tamed and interact well with you.
4. Look at the hedgehog's eyes. They should be clear, bright, and free of redness or discharge. The fur around the eyes should be clean and dry, free of discharge or crusty material. The eyes should also not be sunken or half-closed.
5. Look at the hedgehog's nose. It should also be free of discharge (fresh or dried), though a moist nose is fine.
6. Listen to the hedgehog's breathing, which should be quiet. Raspy, wheezing, or bubbly breath sounds may indicate a respiratory infection.
7. Look at the ears. They should be free of wax buildup or discharge. They should also be free of scabs (though siblings may sometime inflict small wounds to each other's ears in play -- these usually heal quickly).
8. Check the hedgehog's belly. It should be clean and smooth.
9. Check the anal area, which should be clean and dry and free of any fecal matter. Avoid hedgehogs with signs of diarrhea, which might include reddened skin around the anus and dried up feces matted in the fur.
10. Look at the skin and quills. The quills should be in good condition (shiny, not broken or frayed) and there should be no bare spots where quills are missing. The skin should look healthy and smooth both at the base of the quills and on the furry parts of the body; flaky or scaly skin could indicate mites or other parasitic infections.
11. Get a sense of the overall body condition. Hedgehogs should be sleek but slightly rounded in the body. There should be no sunken areas (e.g. on the belly), nor should there be any excess rolls of skin (e.g. around the legs). A hedgehog in good condition should be able to easily roll into a complete ball.

Tips:

1. Even when you choose an apparently healthy hedgehog, there is not guarantee that problems won't crop up, and some genetic problems may not show up until later. Ask the breeder what steps they will take to remedy the situation if health problems occur after you take your hedghehog home.
2. Your hedgehog exam will also let you assess the temperament of a potential hedgehog. Some are more outgoing and curious and some are more shy. A shy hedgehog can be a fine pet, though it will take more patience to be able to interact and handle.
3. Ask your breeder if their hedgehogs have had health checks. This is also a good time to ask about recommended veterinarians.
4. Going to a reputable breeder and getting a young hedgehog (but not less than 6 weeks) will increase your chances of getting a hedgehog that you will be able to handle easily.