Do you live in an apartment with poor air circulation that gets uncomfortable during the summer? Your hedgehog could literally be feeling the heat especially in the absence of air conditioning. But your job as its owner is to figure out how to provide comfort during such periods.

This article uncovers “How to Keep Hedgehogs Cool in The Summer” with tried and tested techniques to avoid heat stress during those months. We reveal smart ways to keep them comfortable beyond turning on the fan which may even worsen their situation by blowing more heat.

How to Keep Hedgehogs Cool in The Summer

Placing a ceramic tile, cooling mat, or clay pot in their cages are smart ways to keep hedgehogs cool in the summer. Introducing cooling stones, cold water bottles wrapped with towels, or placing ice packs with clean, healthy water on top of their cages are additional ways to lower your hedgehog’s temperature.

Hedgehogs do not do too well in extreme heat like most animals and finding ways to keep them cool can be beneficial. You should always have an idea of the prevailing temperature in their cages to know when to stage an intervention if necessary.

What Temperature Is Too Hot For a Hedgehog?

Hedgehogs prefer temperatures between 72 Fahrenheit and 80 Fahrenheit. Figures beyond that typically become too hot for their comfort. Keeping a thermometer in their cages can help you monitor the temperatures in their environment at all times.

What Happens If A hedgehog is Too Hot?

Hedgehogs may suffer distressing situations when exposed to excessive heat and a few of the most common are discussed below.

Heatstrokes in Hedgehogs

Heatstrokes may be inevitable when hedgehogs are exposed to temperatures of 82 Fahrenheit or higher and humidity of at least 70 percent for extended periods. Hedgehogs placed in stressful cage situations like direct exposure to sunlight and overcrowding also become more susceptible to heatstrokes.

Signs of heatstrokes in hedgehogs include lethargy and a reluctance to move as well as panting and convulsions. Lowering their cage temperature and providing hydration can be timely for heat strokes because the condition may result in death.

You should also wet the hedgehog’s ears, feet, and quills with cool water and visit your local vet immediately to prevent a tragic ending. Make sure the hedgehog’s body temperature cools down gradually instead of rapidly to minimize the risk of other complications. (Source)

Aestivation in Hedgehogs

Aestivation is common in hedgehogs exposed to temperatures of over 80 Fahrenheit rapidly. It is a type of hibernation that occurs when animals are exposed to extreme heat. While wild hedgehogs may have no problems going in and out of aestivation, the same cannot be said for domesticated breeds like the African Pygmy Hedgehogs.

They typically do not survive aestivation which is characterized by a sudden reluctance or inability to move even among once physically active hedgehogs. Additional signs include curling into a ball during periods of extreme heat or even looking dormant with erect spines.

How To Cool Down Hedgehogs During Summer Heatwaves

If you live in a hot region, especially in a city that experiences heat waves during the summer, finding proactive ways to cool down your hedgehogs when it is that time of the year could be lifesaving. Failure can result in tragic consequences.

Here are the best ways to cool down hedgehogs during the summer.

Fresh, Cool Water Access

The first step to protecting hedgehogs from the furious summer heat is to provide clean access to fresh drinking water daily. Like every other animal, hedgehogs drink more water in the summer to maintain their internal body temperature.

Fresh, cool water supplies ensure that they can continue to stay hydrated and avoid potential problems of having low fluid levels. We recommend refilling the water bowl or water bottle every couple of hours because extreme temperatures may heat up the water.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Cages placed in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight heat up much quicker increasing the risk of extreme temperatures in your hedgehog’s habitat. We recommend moving the cage to a shady area of the home to limit the amount of heat in the enclosure and improve your hedgehog’s comfort.

Is your hedgehog’s cage situated close to a glass window that receives the sun’s rays in the late mornings and afternoons? Moving it to a shadier part of the home could be a smart move.

Wrapped Ice Packs

Wrapped ice packs can come in handy for protecting your hedgehog from excessive heat during the summer. You simply have to wrap the ice pack in a clean cloth and place it atop the hedgehog’s cage for its cooling effects to be felt.

Within 30 minutes of putting this trick in motion, temperatures should drop a few degrees. Staying consistent can ensure your hedgehog’s comfort even in the midst of severe heat waves.

Ceramic Tile In The Cage

You can pick up a ceramic tile from Home Depot or any home improvement store to provide cooling comfort for your hedgehog during the summer. Just place the tile in the hedgehog’s cage for him to move on whenever the prevailing temperatures surge to unbearable levels.

The surface of ceramic or marble tiles is typically cooler than other areas of the cage providing instant relief from the heat during the summer.

Cooling Stones Are a Banger

Cooling stones are another great option for relieving hedgehogs of extreme cage heat during the summer. These stones are typically fitted in a specific part of their cages for hedgehogs to rest on when the heat literally becomes too much to bear.

Cooling stones can be found in your local Walmart or ordered online if you’re unsure where to pick them up from.

Cooling Mats Are a Winner

Have you thought about buying cooling mats for your hedgehogs in the summer? They could provide cooling relaxation during extremely high-temperature days and nights.

Cooling mats may be relatively more expensive than some of the other options listed but they can be a worthwhile investment that could save you from not only expensive vet bills but potentially protect your hedgehog’s life too.

Clay Pot In The Cage

Can you imagine how comforting it could be for your hedgehogs to enjoy some cooling shade in their cages during the summer? Introducing large clay pots they can lie comfortably in could be lifesaving for them.

They typically sleep in the clay pots to escape from the heat by enjoying the shade available from the pots.

Frozen Water Bottle

Frozen water bottles wrapped in clean washcloths can provide amazing cooling effects in your hedgehog’s cage during the summer. The washcloth should be light and in most cases, you’ll have to place a couple of these bottles in the hedgehog’s cage to have the desired cooling impact.

Make sure the hedgehog is protected from physical contact with the bottles to prevent hypothermia and other side effects of extreme cold exposure.

Air Conditioners Are A Winner

Window air conditioners are one of the most effective methods to provide comfort for hedgehogs during scorching summers. You can have absolute control of the prevailing temperatures in their cages ensuring that the room temperature stays within the preferred 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Avoid putting your hedgehog cage in the direct path of the blasting cool air from the air conditioner to ensure maximum comfort all day every day.

Signs That The Heat is Getting To Your Hedgehog

Even in the absence of a thermometer, there are signs that can show that the heat is literally getting to your hedgehog. Any of these clues should trigger immediate action before the hedgehog goes into potentially life-threatening conditions like heat stroke or aestivation.

Signs of extreme heat in hedgehogs include:

• Wobbling during walking
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Splatting i.e. laying their tummies on the cage floor with their legs out

Conclusion: How to Keep Hedgehogs Cool in The Summer

The summer months can be harsh on hedgehogs and they need all the help available to stay cool especially if you live in a hot city. Cooling tiles, cooling stones, and ice packs can be great ways to lower their body temperatures to prevent heat strokes and aestivation.

Hedgehogs may also be introduced to cooling mats, cold water bottles draped with towels, and clay pots to protect them from the hot summer days and nights. We recommend installing a thermometer in their cages to ensure you can always control their environmental temperatures for maximum comfort.