Hedgehogs make a variety of sounds to indicate pain or pleasure at any given point. Knowing the differences between these sounds can help owners respond accordingly especially when their pets are in stressful or potentially life-threatening situations.

This article discusses what hedgehog distress calls are and how to identify them to provide quick help to beloved hedgehogs when they are in pain or discomfort. Hedgehog distress calls could also provide clues to extend relief to wild hedgehogs that may be in trouble after visiting your property. Let’s get started.

Hedgehog Distress Calls

Screaming is a popular distress call that occurs when hedgehogs are in pain from an infection, disease, or physical injury. Quacking like a duck is another common distress call in hedgehogs suffering from a condition that may not be so serious such as getting stuck in a backyard net lying outdoors.

The correct identification and response to hedgehog distress calls are critical to being a responsible owner. These pets are known for being extremely vocal so knowing when to act can be smart because some types of noises are made as a response to happiness or pleasure.

Hedgehog Scream of Death

The hedgehog scream of death occurs when they start screaming loudly as a sign of distress although they may not exactly be going through physical pain. Sometimes, this occurs as a result of nightmares in bed and offering a few minutes of cuddling could provide some comfort to stimulate a return to sleep.

In other situations, the hedgehog’s scream of death occurs when the pets find themselves in the company of strangers such as during vet visits. Attempts at physical handling by the vet can result in hedgehogs running towards their owner which usually puts a stop to the screaming.

Either way, always check for signs of injury whenever pet hedgehogs or rescued wild breeds start screaming loudly even if it seems out of nowhere.

How Do You Know If A Hedgehog Is In Distress?

Have you heard loud screaming in the middle of the night from your hedgehog’s cage? That could be a sign of distress. It is common in domesticated breeds that may be suffering from discomfort due to disease, infection, or injury.

Do you have a backyard property frequently visited by wild hedgehogs during the night? Sounds of loud screaming at night can be evidence that all is not well. A quick dash to the property could lead to the discovery of one or more hedgehogs in some form of trouble.

Sometimes, there may be a couple of hedgehogs positioned nose to nose with the distressed hedgehog in a manner that suggests they are trying to offer some sort of relief.

What To Do When A Hedgehog is Distressed?

Hearing signs of distress can set off many hedgehog owners into panic mode, particularly first-timers. Here are the right steps to take to provide relief without losing your mind.

Check For Signs Of Injury

Hedgehogs may let out loud screaming sounds after suffering significant physical injury either from tripping or falling in their cages. For instance, leg injuries suffered from slipping off wet running wheels could lead to excruciating screams of pain.

Either way, checking for signs of physical injury can be one of the smartest moves when hedgehogs display signs of distress. A quick inspection of the soft underbelly areas should reveal existing wounds that could be behind the physical discomfort.

Check For Signs of Hunger/ Thirst

Hunger pangs can cause hedgehogs to exhibit signs of distress especially when they are starved for extended periods. One of the first things to do when hedgehogs scream out loud in the middle of the night is to check whether their food bowls are filled.

Also, you may want to verify that their water bottles are dispensing smoothly because the slightest malfunction could lead to dehydration.

Visit A Vet

Hedgehog distress calls typically occur at night when most vets are closed but a quick checkup in the morning could be lifesaving in some instances. More often than not, the pain and discomfort may arise from diseases and infections that require veterinary attention.

The vet typically conducts thorough physical checkups to uncover underlying conditions for the right treatment.

Why Do Hedgehogs Make A Coughing Noise?

Hedgehogs make coughing noises when choking on something or when the atmosphere is extremely dry or dirty. Lungworm infections, pneumonia, and other forms of upper respiratory conditions may also lead to coughing sounds.

Coughing noises should trigger a quick visit to the veterinarian for treatment because it could escalate to something more serious within a short period if left untreated. (Source)

Why Do Hedgehogs Wheeze?

Wheezing is another common sign of respiratory infections in hedgehogs, especially among hoglets that have been struck with pneumonia. It is often accompanied by signs like uncontrollable sneezing, watery noses, coughing, and breathing difficulties.

Again, prompt veterinary attention is required when hedgehogs display signs of wheezing or related symptoms like continuous shivering. Antibiotics may be prescribed with pain medications but make sure cage irritants like wood shavings are removed before the hedgehog returns to the enclosure.

Additionally, cage temperatures should be raised a few inches to provide warmth and speed up the healing process for the sick hedgehogs .

What Noises Do Hedgehogs Make At Night?

Grunting is the most common nighttime noise among hedgehogs during the search for food, water, and mating partners. This is common among wild hedgehogs that visit your property at night in search of food and other comforts.

Domesticated hedgehogs do not make regular noises apart from occasional screams or duck-like sounds in response to pain and other forms of distress. The most common noises are typically made from the regular running sessions on their wheels at night.

While the grunts can be really loud, they are not a sign of distress and should be ignored because the hedgehogs are perfectly fine. Grunts could also serve as a clue for those who are unsure whether the nightly visitors are back on their property or not.

Conclusion: Hedgehog Distress Calls

Hedgehog distress calls like screams and duck-like sounds are wake-up calls that these exotic pets are in some form of discomfort and require immediate attention. This is common when they experience pain or distress due to physical injury or as a result of diseases or infections.

Other sounds of distress in hedgehogs include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and hissing. The ability to identify the type of sound and the underlying meaning could make a huge difference in the quest to become a responsive hedgehog parent.