If you love animals but suffer from allergies after making physical contact, hedgehogs can be a great option. They are small mammals with sharp spines covering their backs that have been domesticated in North America for the last 2-3 decades.

This article answers the question “Are Hedgehogs Hypoallergenic?” by uncovering the reasons why hedgehogs may be a great option for folks that experience severe allergies after physical contact with most animals.

We also reveal a few potential causes of allergies after handling hedgehogs and how to minimize the risks when raising one at home.

Are Hedgehogs Hypoallergenic?

Hedgehogs are hypoallergenic because they shed minimal dander which is the main source of allergies in pet owners. The lack of odors in hedgehogs and rare instances of physical reactions to touching their quills are another reason why hedgehogs are considered hypoallergenic. You must still take precautions to minimize physical contact with the little hedgehog dander that may be found in your home.

If you suffer allergies from contact with pets but cannot imagine a life without one at home, hedgehogs could be the solution. As stated earlier, they shed minimal dander which is usually the main cause of allergies.

Exposure to negligible amounts of dander poses little to no risk of flaring up allergies in most folks. This makes spending more time with your beloved pet feasible without the risk of suffering adverse physical effects.

Minimal Hedgehog Dander

Hedgehogs shed little to no dead skin cells popularly known as dander meaning a minimal risk of suffering allergies even among those with a history of terrible reactions. If you have raised cats, dogs, or other furry animals in the past, some pretty intense moments may have been experienced after physical contact.

Allergic reactions ranging from constant sneezing to eye discharges as well as skin irritations are common each time the temptation to play with pet hedgehogs proves too strong. This is typically due to shedding skin cells found in the hairs of these animals.

The good news is that hedgehogs experience minimal dander losses which effectively translates to low risks of allergies. You can raise and enjoy bonding sessions with pet hedgehogs without hesitation because they’re largely hypoallergenic.

Besides, nothing stops hedgehog owners from taking active steps to ensure hedgehog dander does not build up to levels that can cause allergic reactions.

Little To No Reactions After Contact With The Hedgehog’s Spines

Touching the hedgehog’s quills can poke the fingers resulting in discomfort and unfortunately, many new owners are forced to endure a steep learning curve in the beginning. However, instances of folks suffering allergic reactions from physical contact with the hedgehog’s spines are pretty rare.

A few owners have reported irritations from handling the hedgehog’s quills but they are typically short-lived. Applying steroidal creams on the hands after physical contact should eliminate the irritations much quicker.

If you experience reactions to the hedgehog’s quills, minimizing physical contact can come in handy. However, avoid wearing gloves at all costs because it can inhibit the ability to bond with pet hedgehogs.

No Bad Odors

Pets like dogs and cats are known for their stinky natural odors which can be irritating for folks with bad allergies. Proximity to smelly pets may trigger reactions like sneezing, wheezing, and nasal discharges.

Folks with conditions like asthma typically experience flared symptoms after exposure to dogs and other stinky pets. Fortunately, hedgehogs do not emit bad scents as long as they’re raised in sanitized environments with minimal exposure to bacteria. (Source)

Many folks actually describe the hedgehog’s natural smell as pleasant making them a great option for those with terrible asthma and other allergies.

No Rashes After Handling Hedgehogs

Reports of skin irritations and rashes after handling hedgehogs is rare even among those with a history of similar side effects after physical contact with other pets. Hedgehogs can be safely handled with bare hands without the need to wear hand gloves.

However, proper hand washing after physical contact may be critical because there’ll always be a risk of exposure to bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.

Little To No Reactions To Hedgehog Saliva

Hedgehogs anoint their quills with saliva regularly, especially after exposure to new scents and tastes. While the phenomenon is quite confusing, many hedgehog owners eventually come to terms with the fact that it is a natural behavior with no risk of causing harm.

The good news is that even those with bad allergies report no reactions after touching hedgehogs that have anointed their quills. Not only are hand irritations rare but the saliva typically results in no stinky scent that may trigger respiratory effects for owners.

Hedgehogs may also lick their owners’ hands or even rub their moist noses against their skin but the risk of suffering flareups can be minimal. It is safe to deduce that the hedgehog’s saliva is free from potential allergens that may cause trouble.

Rare Reactions To Hedgehog’s Poop and Pee

We recommend always wearing hand gloves before picking up hedgehog poop and pee to prevent exposure to bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.

However, physical reactions to the hedgehog’s excreta are rare especially when cleaning stuck poop off the surface of dirty wheels or bedding. Since wearing rubber gloves may not be too comfortable, physical contact with the hedgehog’s poop can be inevitable.

Causes of Hedgehog Reactions

Hedgehogs may be hypoallergenic but precautions still need to be taken when raising one at home, especially among folks with a history of allergies. Here are potential causes of allergy flareups during the handling of pet hedgehogs.

Reaction to Hedgehog Bedding

The fact that hedgehogs produce minimal dander means the probability of suffering allergies during contact can be low. But this does not rule out allergic reactions from physical exposure to their bedding.

Wood shavings, in particular, may contain chemicals that could trigger allergic reactions in vulnerable hedgehog owners. Reports of allergies after handling hedgehogs are typically caused by reactions to the wood shavings in their cages and not the hedgehog themselves.

Cleaning the cage thoroughly as well as components like hideouts, wheels, water bottles, and food bowls could be a great way to prevent exposure to the allergens found in wood shavings. The hedgehog’s cage can then be lined with alternatives like paper-based bedding or fleece bedding.

Failure to Take Prescribed Anti-Histamines

Have you been put on a specific anti-histamine schedule by a doctor? Going rogue could trigger allergies even without physical exposure to allergens. There have been several instances of folks with allergies going off their meds, handling hedgehogs’ and blaming the physical contact for allergic symptoms that pop up after.

However, those instances are usually a coincidence with hedgehogs blamed for side effects they may have nothing to do with. Always take prescribed medications on schedule even when handling naturally hypoallergenic hedgehogs because failure to do so could result in negative side effects.

How To Minimize Contact With Hedgehog Dander

Hedgehogs are tagged hypoallergenic because they shed dead skin cells in minimal quantities. But, allowing dander to build up could lead to allergic reactions. Here are tried and tested ways to minimize contact with hedgehog dander.

Wash Your Hands Before & After Handling Hedgehogs

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling hedgehogs or any of their cage components to minimize dander exposure. If you must change their bedding, refill their water bottles, or even put food in their bowls, do not forget to wash your hands with soap afterward.

Wearing rubber hand gloves can be smart but we suggest washing your hand afterward to eliminate the risk of dander exposure.

Routine Oatmeal Baths

Luckily, hedgehogs enjoy baths, unlike pets such as hamsters that could suffer serious reactions after contact with water. Oatmeal baths could be a great way to ensure hedgehogs’ bodies are regularly dander-free while maintaining pleasant natural odors.

We recommend raw oatmeal baths or the use of products like Aveeno Oatmeal Baths to maintain the hedgehog’s skin condition and eliminate the risk of dry, unpleasant-looking skin. Hedgehogs may be bathed twice a month to keep their skin in perfect condition.

Always pay attention to hedgehog poop boots during baths to eliminate stuck fecal matter in their feet. We recommend starting off with a footbath to ensure the hedgehog’s feet are completely clean. Leaving an old towel in the bathtub for the hedgehog to walk on in the course of the bath inadvertently cleans the feet.

Put Clothes in Washer After Contact

Hedgehogs love to spend time with their owners but there’s always a chance of dander falling into your clothes. Putting the clothes in the washer immediately after the playtime may decrease the risk of dander buildup in your home.

No Snuggling Under Your Blankets

Are you fond of allowing hedgehogs to snuggle under your blankets? That could be one of the easiest ways to accumulate dander and resultant allergy risk increases.

Do not allow hedgehogs anywhere near your bedroom if you have a history of allergic reactions because the risks may be high as the dander builds up eventually. Also, take the time to thoroughly clean the bedroom, paying attention to the mattress and the under-bed areas to remove traces of dander.

HEPA-Filter Vacuum

The use of HEPA-filter vacuums can be a great partner in the quest to rid your home of hedgehog dander. The vacuum may come in handy in the removal of fur, dust, and dander particles from areas like the carpet, sofas, and mattresses.

Vacuum your home thoroughly at least once a week for a thoroughly clean environment with lots of fresh air for everyone to enjoy.

Get Medical Attention

Speaking to your doctor is always a good idea for anyone with allergies who wants to raise pets including hedgehogs. Not only can your doctor provide the best advice in terms of whether hedgehogs should be brought home but you could also get a treasure trove of recommendations that may keep the allergies at bay.

Conclusion: Are Hedgehogs Hypoallergenic?

Hedgehogs may be hypoallergenic because they produce minimal dander which could limit the risk of allergy flareups. Their naturally healthy odors and rare cases of owners experiencing skin reactions after physical contact with their quills make hedgehogs a safe option for those with severe allergies.

However, multiple precautions have to be taken to minimize the pileup of dander to the point where allergies become inevitable. Bathing pet hedgehogs regularly and keeping them out of the bedroom environment are great ways to minimize unnecessary exposure to pet dander.

Additionally, oatmeal baths can provide a relaxative effect while eliminating fur, dander, and gross substances like fecal matter from pet hedgehogs’ bodies.