Losing a pet is never easy, especially one you’ve formed a strong bond with, and hedgehogs are no different. While they may not look like the most affectionate animals to raise from afar, they can be very easy to bond with once they learn to trust you.

This article outlines how to deal with hedgehog deaths whether you’re a first-time pet parent or a veteran who has lost many pets in the past. We reveal various coping mechanisms that help you overcome the grief and retain positive memories of your beloved quill baby.

How to Deal With Hedgehog Deaths

Crying and looking at their pictures are effective methods for dealing with hedgehog deaths. Prayer, meditation, and reminiscing about the good times you spent together can also help you overcome your grief much quicker. Anger, guilt, and sadness are normal reactions that will heal over time so just be patient.

Grieving for a dead hedgehog takes time even for those who have lost many pets in the past. If this is your first time experiencing a pet loss, the process can be even longer. It is essential to allow yourself enough time to grieve properly in honor of your dead hedgehog’s memory.

Unexpected hedgehog deaths could be even more difficult to deal with so do not hesitate to lean on friends and family for support.

What Do I Do If My Hedgehog Dies

Your dead hedgehog can be buried in your backyard if you live in a home. But, apartment residents may have no option but to contact their vets for cremation services. Fortunately, pet crematoriums are common so you could find one yourself by conducting an online search if your vet is not helpful.

Best Ways To Grieve Dead Hedgehogs

Here are the best ways to grieve a dead hedgehog you may have grown close to and experienced multiple ups and downs with.

Dead Hedgehog Funeral

Holding a funeral for your dead hedgehog is one of the best ways to grieve them. You can invite friends and family members to the ceremony where a few of the happy and sad moments experienced together with the hedgehog may be shared.

Other members of your household should also be allowed to share their experiences with the passed hedgehog which can help everyone overcome their sadness. Hedgehog funerals can be as short as 30 minutes but the experience may speed up the healing process for everyone.

Funerals also serve as the last right of passage for the dead hedgehog and should ease up its ascension to heaven. It could also be a great way to bring friends and family together while gaining the necessary support system to endure these trying times.

If you have kids who may have grown close to the hedgehog, funerals can leave lasting imprints in their minds and help them remember the hedgehog for long periods. (Source)

Framing The Dead Hedgehog’s Pictures

There’s a good chance that you took lots of pictures of your beloved hedgehog during its lifetime. These pictures can come in handy when they pass onto the other side. It is not uncommon for grieving hedgehog parents to paste pictures of the pet all over their homes.

A more subtle option may be to frame a few pics for placement at vantage points of the home. Seeing how happy they looked in the pictures can put a smile on your face each morning and help you deal with the loss in a dignified manner.

The framed pictures could also ensure that the dead hedgehog maintains an active place in your heart and motivates you to become a better version of yourself in honor of their memory.

Bury The Dead Hedgehog In Your Backyard

Do you live in a home with a backyard? Burying the dead quill baby in a shady spot in the backyard can be one of the best ways to honor their memory. Every time you walk past the backyard, the grave may serve as a reminder of the bond you once shared with the dead hedgehog.

A backyard burial can also facilitate regular visits to the dead hedgehog’s grave, especially during bad days when you miss them so much. Walking over to the grave and talking to the hedgehog always make you feel better, from our personal experience.

We recommend picking a shady spot in the backyard to guarantee utmost comfort in the afterlife for your hedgehog, especially during hot scorching summer days when the sun seems to be on a revenge mission against everyone.

Creating Jewelry From The Dead Hedgehog’s Ashes

Do you prefer getting the dead hedgehog cremated instead of a traditional burial? Choosing personalized cremation ensures that their ashes are returned to you. Besides, you can always request a private viewing to witness the cremation process from start to finish.

The ashes can be made into jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces to be worn daily to preserve the memory of your favorite quill baby. This can help you deal with the grieving process effectively and make you a better human being.

Dead Hedgehog Is In A Better Place

Dealing with a dead hedgehog is never easy but focusing on the brighter side can put things into perspective. If your quill baby was sick for extended periods and suffered significant pain as a result, you can focus on the fact that the debilitating pain and discomfort have ended now that he’s dead.

The dead hedgehog has finally crossed the rainbow bridge and is now free from the pain and misery associated with life on Earth. Your beloved hedgehog is also watching over and smiling at you from heaven. Keeping such positive thoughts can speed up the time it takes to grieve their death.

Conclusion: How to Deal With Hedgehog Deaths

Grieving a dead hedgehog can be hard for everyone and it doesn’t get any easier even if you have experience with losing other pets in the past. Patience is critical because the process could stretch several months or even longer, especially for a hedgehog you had a tight bond with.

Holding a funeral for the dead hedgehog is one of the best ways to deal with the loss. Getting comforted by invited friends and family members can be helpful for your grieving process. Funerals could also be a great opportunity to share personal experiences with the hedgehog during its lifetime.

You can also bury the dead body in your backyard if possible or have it cremated. You may request the ashes and use them for bracelets or other jewelry that can be worn daily to honor the memory of your fallen hedgehog.