11/28/2025
It is that time of year again! Time to discuss keeping your Hedgehog warm through the change of seasons and winter: (We have some winter storms hitting the Midwest and East Coast this week)
Signs of Hibernation:
A Cool Belly
Curled into a ball and unable to uncurl
Unable to stand or hold up head
Wobbliness
Slowed Reactions
Lethargic, not active as they once were.
These are signs that the temperature is to cool for your hedgehog to function normally, but not cool enough to induce hibernation.
BUMP UP THE TEMP!
Hedgehogs require a minimum temperature of 75*F. For some hedgehogs this may not be warm enough. A drop in temperature for as little as 15 minutes can trigger a hibernation attempt.
Make sure your hedgehog is getting at least 12-14 hours of light each day. This is especially important now that our days are shorter
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: Hand warmers (great for power outages), Puppy Warming Discs, Small Animal Heat Pads (I recommend K&H heat pads). These can be life savers if your hedgehog tries to hibernate.
IF YOUR HEDGEHOG ATTEMPTS TO HIBERNATE:
Warm them up IMMEDIATELY BUT SLOWLY is crucial. You can put him under your clothing against your bare skin. Wrap yourself with him against your bare skin in a blanket. NEVER use a towel or blanket warmed in a dryer this will warm them too fast and force their system into shock.
NEVER NEVER put your hedgehog in water! Water can make your animal go into shock. Doing so will cause organ failure which can lead to heart attack and death.
Keep in mind once a hedgehog attempts to hibernate they will probably do it again with a week, keep your hedgehog a degree or two warmer and take care that they do not get cool again. Each hibernation attempt lowers the hedgehogs immune system and leaves them susceptible to future illnesses.
