Shaking in hedgehogs could be a bad sign even if the underlying reasons are unclear. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the affected hedgehog may be in trouble especially if there are additional signs of sickness.

This article answers the question “Why is My Hedgehog Shaking?” by discussing possible causes of the symptom in hedgehogs and probable solutions. We also delve into a few ways to prevent hedgehog vibrations in the first place. Let’s get started.

Why is My Hedgehog Shaking?

Hedgehogs may shake when exposed to cold weather which could eventually lead to hibernation. Vibrations are also common in hedgehogs suffering from Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS), a degenerative disease that has no cure.

If your hedgehog is shaking, don’t panic just yet because the underlying reasons may be nothing a few changes in their environment could not solve.

Causes of Hedgehog Shivering

As previously stated, hedgehogs may shake due to several underlying reasons, and knowing what they are can determine the kind of action to take. Let’s look into a few common causes of vibrations in hedgehogs.

1. Cold Temperatures

Hedgehogs may shake when exposed to drafts or cold air during winter because their bodies do not respond favorably to low temperatures. Have you tried going outdoors during cold weather? Shivering is a normal reaction as the body tries to adjust to the low temperatures and the experience is similar in hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs prefer cage temperatures ranging from 72 F to 80 F and significant drops below the stipulated range can lead to trouble. Lack of adequate lighting is another common underlying reason for shivering hedgehogs because they require twelve hours of darkness and another twelve hours of illumination.

2. Hibernation Attempts

Hedgehogs are forced into hibernation when exposed to low temperatures for extended periods and shaking is often a precursor. In the wild, hedgehogs hibernate during winter when food sources become scarce in a bid to conserve the limited resources.

Although domesticated hedgehogs may enjoy constant access to food and water from their owners, exposure to cold air can trigger hibernation. This is a needless venture that occurs often as a sign of trouble.

Hedgehogs attempting to hibernate may eat more than usual in a quest to increase their fat stores for survival during the long hibernation period. Even highly active hedgehogs may suddenly become lethargic as another form of energy conservation.

Hibernating hedgehogs undergo torpor, a sleep-like state where metabolism is severely restricted to conserve energy characterized by complete or minimal food and water intake. (Source)

3. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS)

Hedgehogs may shake as a symptom of WHS, a fatal degenerative disease that only gets worse over time. There’s no known cure for the neurological condition making it virtually a death sentence for affected hedgehogs.

Unfortunately, WHS arises from bad breeding practices including inbreeding and the genetic condition becomes apparent when hedgehogs reach 24 to 36 months. In a few instances, WHS has been diagnosed in hedgehogs as young as 6 months.

Hedgehogs showing signs of shaking despite staying in enclosures with consistently warm temperatures, constant access to healthy food, and proper socialization may be suffering from Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome.

Taking the hedgehog to an exotics vet could result in a thorough examination and official diagnosis after other common factors have been ruled out.

There is not much you can do to help WHS-stricken hedgehogs except to make their lives as comfortable as possible. Hopefully, a cure is on the way to prevent hedgehogs from continuing to lose their lives to the fatal condition. (Source)

4. Malnutrition

Are your hedgehogs experiencing weight loss? That could be due to a lack of access to proper diets containing the required nutrients. Malnutrition in its extreme form can lead to physical vibrations in affected hedgehogs as the lack of essential nutrients begins to take a toll.

5. Anxiety & Stretching After Waking Up

Anxiety may also trigger shaking in hedgehogs similar to how humans vibrate as a reaction to extremely fearful situations. Hedgehogs are small animals that serve as prey for large creatures in the wild and have a penchant for getting spooked as a result.

Have you noticed that pet hedgehogs vibrating right after waking up at night? That could be due to body stretching just like humans and some animals engage in right after getting out of bed. No need to worry if the shaking only occurs when hedgehogs wake up.

How To Stop Pet Hedgehogs From Shaking

There are several ways to stop shaking in hedgehogs depending on the underlying condition and here are a few ways to go about it.

Balanced Diets

Offering balanced diets is essential to stopping hibernation in hedgehogs caused by malnutrition. If their diet has been neglected in the past, it is time to make amends by watching whatever ends up in their food bowls closely.

A hedgehog’s main diet is well-balanced cat food or commercially packaged hedgehog diets featuring the right nutrients at every stage of their lives. For instance, elderly hedgehogs may require less protein compared to juveniles that need diets rich in the critical nutrient for steady growth.

Supplementary options including insects such as mealworms and roaches should also form part of a pet hedgehog’s diet. Do not forget to throw hardboiled eggs and lean meats like poultry into the mix for maximum health benefits.

Hedgehogs that may have been showing signs of stunted growth begin to experience physical improvements once balanced diets become a staple in their lives. And more importantly, the shaking quickly becomes a thing of the past.

Warm Cage Temperatures

Hedgehogs thrive in warm temperatures ranging from 75 F to 80 F and maintaining this range at all times can be the key to eliminating the disturbing shaking signs. Fixing an automated thermostat connected to the heating and cooling sources that kick in when temperatures deviate from the healthy range may be lifesaving.

Warm temperatures could also save hedgehogs from hibernating, a potentially deadly endeavor that hedgehogs are forced into when exposed to low temperatures. If you suspect that your hedgehog is attempting to hibernate, raising their temperature immediately can be the best move.

Skin-to-skin contact is often a healthy way to increase their temperatures gradually to prevent the hedgehogs from suffering shocks to their system. It is a better alternative to the use of heat pads, hair dryers, and warm water bottles.

Physical contact coupled with gradual heating of their cages should increase the hedgehog’s internal temperature to stifle hibernation attempts. Monitor the hedgehog’s response to the attempts at revival and wrap its body in a warm blanket immediately after recovery signs become apparent.

Slowly, the hedgehog should fully recover as its body temperature continues to rise. Keep your eyes on the hedgehog for at least the next 24 hours to be sure it is officially out of the woods.

Proper Socialization

Fear is a leading cause of hedgehog shaking because they are unsure of what the future holds especially in new environments. Handling pet hedgehogs daily and getting them to become familiar with your scent could eliminate misconceptions about your intentions over time.

However, do not expect it to happen overnight because hedgehogs are not the most sociable pets out there. It takes time for them to warm up to humans and patience is the key.

Proper Cage Setup

A hedgehog’s cage should be set up to be as close to its natural habitat as possible and this includes essentials like cage litter for burrowing opportunities as well as hideouts that offer some sense of security when they feel threatened.

Additionally, access to running wheels and other toys keeps their minds stimulated which eliminates boredom and improves their moods. Domesticated hedgehogs may not be able to travel 2km each night to find food but running wheels can more than make up for it.

It is not uncommon for hedgehogs to run 10-12km nightly on their wheels after waking up. Adequate lighting is another critical aspect of hedgehog cages that cannot be neglected because they’re happier when they alternate between12 hours of darkness and light.

Removal of Stress Triggers

Removal of noise and other stress triggers may also eliminate the risk of side effects like shaking. Hedgehogs enjoy quiet environments with minimal noise since they freak out easily and it is every owner’s responsibility to ensure they are protected from disturbing sounds.

Conclusion: Why is My Hedgehog Shaking?

Hedgehog shaking may not always be due to potentially fatal causes but the underlying reasons should always be investigated. Do your hedgehogs only vibrate after waking up or when exposed to cold drafts? The solution could be as simple as allowing them to enjoy their sleep or putting in the necessary measures to guarantee consistent warm temperatures.

However, trouble is inevitable when hedgehogs shiver as an attempt to hibernate or as a symptom of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. Immediate steps should be taken to prevent hibernation attempts and do not hesitate to book an appointment if WHS is suspected.

Make sure your hedgehog enjoys a constant supply of balanced diets to enhance growth and eliminate malnutrition-induced shaking.