According to Brehm,
a hedgehog can coexist with cats and dogs, but won’t typically make friends with them
, and it’s a good idea to monitor any interaction between your pet hedgehog and another animal. It’s also best to keep your hedgehog away from other small exotic pets, for the safety of both animals.
Will my dog eat my hedgehog?
Sadly
some dogs can harm or even kill hedgehogs
, when instinct tells them to hunt prey. Try to keep dogs away from any hedgehogs in your garden as an encounter could lead to both animals being hurt.
Can you have pet hedgehog with cats?
Once introduced, hedgehogs and cats can live together
. Most cats will investigate a hedgehog, but its quills will keep a curious feline at a respectful distance. Any interaction between them should be monitored. Hedgehogs won’t give cats fleas because their fleas are species-specific.
Will cats harm hedgehogs?
Although
cats don’t attack hedgehogs
, they are a predatory species, and they will attack other garden wildlife.
Are hedgehogs afraid of cats?
However,
some hedgehogs are rightly afraid of cats/dogs
and might get stressed out by their presence.
Do dogs hurt hedgehogs?
Dogs can and sometimes do attack hedgehogs
. Often adult hedgehogs will be sufficiently protected by their spines but sick or young hedgehogs may be killed. Try to keep dogs away from any hedgehogs in your garden as an encounter could lead to both animals being hurt.
Do dogs like hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs and Other Types of Pets
Dogs, too, are generally quite wary of the hedgehog’s armor
, though care must be taken with large, boisterous, or highly prey-driven dogs, who could quickly injure a hedgehog with rough play despite the quills. Other small pets are usually not a problem, either.
What happens if my dog bites a hedgehog?
A dog bite can be hard to spot on a hedgehog. Long canine teeth can sink into the flesh beneath the spines. Though
the wound may quickly heal over if it is infected it will go on to cause problems for the hedgehog weeks after the event
.
Do hedgehogs eat their babies?
Both male and female hedgehogs eat their babies occasionally
. [1] Females can eat babies due to several reasons including stress, the presence of a male, external threats, et cetera. Males eat babies only when they are around as they don’t know that these are their offspring.
Are hedgehogs good pets with dogs?
According to Brehm,
a hedgehog can coexist with cats and dogs, but won’t typically make friends with them
, and it’s a good idea to monitor any interaction between your pet hedgehog and another animal. It’s also best to keep your hedgehog away from other small exotic pets, for the safety of both animals.
What do hedgehogs do to dogs?
As well as their
spikes causing injuries to dogs’ muzzles and gums, hedgehogs can carry ticks and fleas that can be passed on to canines
. They also carry ringworm and if a dog’s mouth is cut from attacking a hedgehog, that can be an entry point for the disease.
Why do dogs love hedgehogs?
It’s that
extra auditory element that gives them the mental stimulation they crave
. Interactive dog toys like our honking and squeaking stuffed hedgehogs encourage healthy play and trigger a dog’s natural instincts.
How do I protect my hedgehog from my cat?
Adding bricks or walls within the feeding station
, as shown below, will make it harder for larger animals like cats to get to the food. Putting a dish of water at the entrance will deter cats as they don’t like to get their paws wet!
Is it OK to have hedgehogs in your garden?
It’s great to have hedgehogs in your garden
. But your garden alone will not be big enough for them. Small though they are, a typical hedgie travels over a kilometre every night looking for food. Garden walls and well-maintained fences restrict hedgehog movement.
What do you do with a hedgehog in your garden?
Do leave some areas of wilderness where the hedgehogs can snuffle for insects. Do put out water for drinking. Do put out a bowl of dog food or meaty cat food around dusk. Do
install, in a quiet part of the garden, a hedgehog house
.
Do hedgehogs have fleas?
Hedgehog fleas
Hedgehogs are renowned for having fleas
. However, the fleas found on hedgehogs are actually hedgehog fleas (scientific name: Archaeopsylla erinacei) which are host specific, meaning they will not survive for long on any other species, be it pets or people.
Do hedgehogs cuddle with you?
It depends on the personality of the individual hedgehog and how much handling the hedgehog has had in the past.
Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions
, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.
What animal kills hedgehogs?
Badgers
. A badger and a hedgehog feeding together on a lawn. Badgers are hedgehogs’ main predators in the UK. They are the only animals strong enough to tackle a hedgehog’s spines.
How can I stop my dog picking up hedgehogs?
Preventing dogs attacking hedgehogs
Always check for hedgehogs first.
Turn an outside light on before you go out
, which will also help to encourage any hedgehogs to move away. You need to be particularly vigilant if your dog has attacked a hedgehog before. It will likely do so again.
Do hedgehog houses need a base?
There are various “ready-made” hedgehog homes on the market, including the one that can be obtained from our Hogalogue.
We suggest a solid construction with a base and a tunnel or internal baffle
.
How do you protect hedgehogs from dogs?
If you do, a good option is to
warn any hedgehogs first by turning on an outside light or going into the garden on your own for a minute or so before letting the dog out
. This should give any hedgehogs plenty of time to get away. Hedgehogs also tend to have quite strict routines.
Do hedgehogs spikes hurt?
The thousands of pointed quills covering a hedgehog’s back are a warning sign to most predators that they need to stay away. They can even be intimidating for humans at first. While they do seem a little frightening,
the quills won’t hurt you once you adjust to the gentle way that you’re supposed to handle hedgehogs
.
Can hedgehog fleas live on cats?
Hedgehog fleas are host specific so
while they may jump onto a cat or dog, they won’t infest them
.
What do hedgehogs eat as pets?
As pets, hedgehogs should mainly be fed
high quality hedgehog food
. Small amounts of gut loaded insects (i.e. insects fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard), such as worms and crickets and a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits can also be offered.
Do hedgehogs eat dog poop?
The hedgehog makes a great pet, but
it does tend to eat its poop, especially if it’s not getting enough nutrition
. The best way to prevent your pet from eating poop is to feed it a high-quality cat kibble, along with insects, fruits, and vegetables.
How do I get rid of hedgehogs?
To get rid of hedgehogs, you can
use either traps or repellents
. Place the traps near fence lines, along hedges or alongside a fallen tree, so that the hedgehog cannot go around the trap. As bait, you can use a mixture of cat or dog food, fresh chicken or eggs with the shells still on.
What diseases do hedgehogs carry UK?
Hedgehogs can carry
Salmonella germs
in their droppings while appearing healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies, habitats, toys, bedding, and anything in the area where they live. People can get sick after they touch hedgehogs or anything in their habitats.
