Hedgehogs are the latest craze on the exotics pet bandwagon and the demand has become so high that some breeders have buyer waiting lists of hundreds. However, getting information about hedgehogs’ behavior can be critical, especially their chances of bonding with humans and fitting in new households.

This article delves into the question “Are Hedgehogs Social?” by discussing the nature of interactions between hedgehogs and their human parents. We also look into their relationships in the wild with other hedgehogs to conclude whether they make good pets.

Are Hedgehogs Social?

Wild hedgehogs are solitary animals that only socialize during mating season. Males do not offer a hand in raising hoglets and newborns forge ahead on their own after developing teeth and getting weaned off their mothers. Domesticated hedgehogs when handled correctly from a young age often build close relationships with humans.

Hedgehogs are not the most sociable animals due to their solitary nature and it takes time to warm up to humans. The earlier they get used to being handled after the first weeks of exclusive time with their mothers, the better the results.

This explains why reputable commercial breeders start handling hoglets way before their sale. Adopting hedgehogs from pet charities comes at minimal costs compared to ordering from breeders. But the chances of bonding with abandoned hedgehogs can be low.

Remember, the hedgehog may have had temperamental issues which could explain the reason behind its abandonment by the previous owners. Besides, relatively older hedgehogs are already set in their ways and may hate human contact regardless of how much effort is put into it. No harm in trying but the chances of success can be pretty grim.

Are Hedgehogs Social With Humans

Hedgehogs can get social with humans under the right circumstances although it doesn’t come to them naturally. The presence of physically larger creatures triggers their anxiety because of their small-sized nature and status as prey in the wild.

Picking up hoglets as young as 10 weeks old and handling them daily after allowing a few days of settling in period can provide positive results. Hedgehogs typically show signs of grumpiness during the initial stages after arrival in a new home.

Do not expect positive results during the first couple of weeks because it can take significant effort to gain the hedgehog’s trust. Over time, the majority of hedgehogs get used to the handling by their owners especially after becoming familiar with their scent.

It is not impossible to build a bond with a pet hedgehog for a year or even longer before signs of positive response to the owner’s efforts become apparent. Patience is the key here because the road ahead can be long and demotivating.

Do Hedgehogs Get Attached To Their Owners?

Hedgehogs can build lifetime bonds with their owners but this cannot be achieved on a silver platter. They hate physical contact with strangers and as long as they are unable to recognize a person’s scent, hedgehogs automatically classify them as strangers.

Even other members of an owner’s household may struggle to bond with pet hedgehogs because, unlike dogs, hedgehogs would rather connect with one person. Occasional petting and other forms of contact may not be appreciated.

It could actually startle them to go into hiding or even increase their stress levels. Family members, friends, and neighbors should refrain from touching another person’s pet hedgehogs despite their good intentions because the negatives could outweigh the positives.

Do Hedgehogs Like To Cuddle?

Hedgehogs can be cuddly but only with owners they’ve grown attached to after months or even years of physical handling and other efforts. It is not uncommon for these hedgehogs to snuggle up to their owners in sofas or even beds during cold weather as a means of staying warm.

Hedgehogs do not cuddle up to each other due to the presence of sharp spines that could cause poking accidents. Neither are they interested in snuggling up to strangers including owners who have recently brought them home.

During sex, hedgehogs adopt a doggy-style position to ensure minimal contact between the male and female. Thanks to the presence of sharp spines, hedgehog mating requires a lot of effort but they master the technique over time as more experience builds up.

Do Hedgehogs Like To have Friends?

Hedgehogs do not like to have friends regardless of their environment because they are naturally solitary animals. In the wild, they forage for food independently unlike other animals that engage in the same activity in packs. They seek out “friends” of the opposite sex during mating season in their quest to breed and increase their population.

Domesticated hedgehogs exhibit signs of anger when a new hedgehog is introduced into their cages especially when both are adult males. Hoglets may be successfully kept in pairs because they have more problems to worry about during infancy.

However, adult hedgehogs typically show aggressive behavior towards cage mates. Not only do they hate the idea of sharing limited cage space with others but that could also mean competition for food, water, and toys.

Can Hedgehogs Be Kept In Pairs?

Experts recommend keeping hedgehogs solo in enclosures due to their natural disdain for sharing space with others. Adult males in the same cage are likely to fight with serious consequences over time as they both seek to dominate their environment.

Pairing up an adult male and female hehdgehogs leads to the same results because the females may try to stave off sexual attention from the male resulting in fights. Even after mating, experts recommend removing the male from the cage because fights can erupt soon after.

The following pairings offer the best chances of success for owners that would rather have 2 hedgehogs sharing a cage.

• Adult male-male hoglet pairing
• Adult female-female hoglet pairing
• 2 male hoglets
• 2 female hoglets

Monitor paired-up hedgehogs consistently to verify that there are no signs of trouble and be ready to take the necessary action when the unthinkable occurs.

Is It Cruel To Keep Hedgehogs As Pets?

Keeping domesticated breeds like the African Pygmy hedgehogs as pets is no cruelty. The only caveat is to provide proper attention in terms of feed, sanitation, and veterinary care. Although hedgehogs may not be the most sociable pets, providing a comfortable habitat and regular handling could lead to fantastic results.

However, avoid attempts at domesticating wild hedgehogs found in backyard gardens because their ability to thrive in a cage could be minimal. The ecosystem in the wild is different from domesticated settings and this can inhibit the wild hedgehog’s ability to settle into a cage.

Not only is the rescued hedgehog going to struggle to enjoy the available diet but cage rage could be a real problem. If you accidentally discover an injured, sick, or malnourished hedgehog, picking it up for transportation to the local animal rescue center may be a great idea.

These organizations employ specialized hedgehog carers and vets that can nurse the distressed hedgehog back to good health before its release into the wild again.

Do Hedgehogs Bite?

Hedgehogs almost never bite because they rely on other defense mechanisms when startled. A few cases of hedgehog bites have been reported but the injuries are typically not severe. Hedgehogs have similar teeth structure to humans and other mammals so the chances of suffering significant damage from their bites could be minimal.

Hedgehogs that have been force-fed via syringe or feeding bottles from day one may accidentally bite their owner’s hands after mistaking it for a feeding bottle. Fortunately, the resultant discomfort could be minimal at best because hoglets may be just developing teeth at that age.

Do Hedgehogs Like Being Stroked?

Some hedgehogs enjoy quill stroking while others hate it because it may produce a tickling sensation. Since each hedgehog is different, paying attention to physical reactions is the best way to know whether to continue.

Either way, hedgehogs only tolerate petting from an owner with a familiar scent. Additional areas they may enjoy getting stroked include the ears, chin, belly, and feet but each hedgehog is different.

Many owners report signs of pleasure after stroking almost every part of the pet hedgehog’s body except the spines while other owners experience the opposite. There’s no one-size-fits-all part of the hedgehog’s body where stroking or petting achieves a favorable response. (Source)

Do Hedgehogs Like Tummy Rubs?

The majority of hedgehogs enjoy gentle tummy rubs from their owners because they can have a calming effect on their minds and bodies. A quick glance at the hedgehog’s face during the mini massage is all you need to know whether the response is positive.

The look of bliss on a hedgehog’s face in the midst of a tummy rub cannot be ignored especially after a rough day. It may calm down previous signs of restlessness or stress. Do not be surprised to see moody hedgehogs being more sociable after an enjoyable massage.

Always make sure the hedgehog is awake before petting it and avoid surprise massages because the response could be negative. Also, allow the hedgehog enough time to smell your hands before initiating physical contact to prevent being mistaken for a stranger.

Do not hesitate to stop the tummy rub if the hedgehog shows a negative reaction like pulling its visor down over the eyes because it is proof that the mini massage is uncomfortable or not welcomed.

Huffing and puffing when petting any area of the hedgehog’s body is a sign of exhaustion or discomfort. Do not hesitate to stop immediately to avoid stressing the poor hedgehog because it is often a sign of sickness and minimal energy levels.

Do Hedgehogs Get Along With Cats?

Cats and hedgehogs may live together without problems because they’re both not interested in interacting with each other. While cats are sociable and love playing with other pets, the solitary nature of hedgehogs can make them boring.

Cats typically leave hedgehogs alone once they realize that the latter have no interest in socializing. Their co-existence may be boring but the risk of fights or physical interactions with each other could be minimal because each pet often enjoys its life without paying too much attention to the other.

Do Hedgehogs Get Along With Rabbits?

Hedgehogs and rabbits should not be allowed to mingle under any circumstances. Not only could hedgehogs feel threatened but the risk of curling up into a ball upon physical contact can be high and this may result in the rabbit getting poked.

Rabbits may also carry infections and diseases that could compromise the hedgehog’s health and safety. Pasteurella in particular can be transmitted to hedgehogs resulting in signs like breathing difficulties, nasal discharges, and hypersalivation.

Hedgehogs usually display signs of the deadly bacterial infection 1-3 days after exposure to rabbits and booking an appointment with your exotics vet should be a priority. Early treatments with antibiotics could clear up Pasteurella.

Rabbits, on the other hand, may suffer salmonella infections from physical exposure to pet hedgehogs and this is often characterized by diarrhea and abortion in pregnant females.

Are Hedgehogs Good Pets For Kids?

Hedgehogs are not the best pets for kids because of their sharp spines that could poke children’s fingers. Besides, physical handling can be a nightmare since it stimulates nervousness in most kids which may make hedgehogs feel unsafe.

Unlike hamsters and other cute little pets, it takes several months and even years for pet hedgehogs to bond with humans. The majority of kids lose interest when their initial efforts at building relationships with hedgehogs are rebuffed.

Also, caring for hedgehogs can be a bit complicated which may be too much for the majority of kids to handle. For instance, hedgehogs make a wide variety of sounds to communicate their mental state at specific periods and it is every owner’s duty to respond accordingly.

Kids may fall short in meeting those responsibilities resulting in hedgehogs suffering unnecessary distress for far too long.

Do Hedgehogs Fight Each Other?

Hedgehogs can fight each other over food, space, and sexual mates. They hate the idea of another hedgehog or animal in their space due to their naturally solitary nature. Fights often erupt as a result because each hedgehog tries to gain dominance.

In the wild, male hedgehogs may also fight for the right to mate with a female during mating season. This is common in situations where there are more males than females available and females wait to reward the dominant male.

Mating rights with the female serves as the prize for those fights between males. In some instances, fights could erupt between couples after mating just before parting ways.

Conclusion: Are Hedgehogs Social?

Hedgehogs are fairly social when handling is initiated a few weeks after birth because they get used to physical contact with humans. They may resist bonding with human owners after arrival in a new home due to fear and uncertainty.

But, providing the necessary emotional support via physical handling and offering tasty treats occasionally can increase the probability of warming up to their owners once they become familiar with their scent.

Hedgehogs are solitary animals that require independent cages for maximum happiness. They do not miss nor desire interactions with other hedgehogs. During breeding, males and females may spend time together for 5 days continuously, take a break for 5 days, and spend another 5 days together.

However, even fights between males and females being bred are not uncommon. Experts recommend separating them after every 5 continuous days together whether mating occurred successfully or not.