October 2026
African pygmy hedgehogs are curious, quirky little pets with some very specific needs. Many of the problems I see in hedgehogs trace back to how they're housed and fed, which means a lot of them can be prevented at home. Here's a practical guide to keeping your hedgehog healthy, including what to do if you notice wobbling or weakness.
Hedgehogs are active at night and cover a surprising amount of ground, so give yours as large an enclosure as you can, with a secure lid, because they're excellent escape artists. A solid exercise wheel is a must. Wire or rung wheels can injure feet and legs. Add a hut, fleece pouch or tube for sleeping, and use soft, dust-free paper bedding or fleece rather than cedar, pine, corncob or scented products, which can irritate the airways.
Enrichment matters too. Tunnels, a digging box and food scattered for foraging encourage natural behavior and exercise. Hedgehogs are solitary, so house them on their own.
Hedgehogs need steady warmth. If they get too cold, or too hot, they can slip into a sluggish, hibernation-like state called torpor, which is dangerous for pet hedgehogs. Keep the enclosure warm and stable, generally between about 75°F and 85°F, with a safe heat source and a thermometer. A cold, limp or unresponsive hedgehog needs gentle warming and a call to your vet right away.
A commercial hedgehog diet, or a high-quality food your vet recommends, should make up most of the menu. Insects such as mealworms or crickets are good treats in moderation, and fruit should be occasional. Measure portions, because hedgehogs gain weight easily, and obesity can lead to fatty liver, heart strain and trouble curling up. Offer fresh water daily, and skip raw meat or eggs, milk, nuts, seeds and hard human foods.
Hedgehogs can carry Salmonella without looking sick. Wash your hands after handling your hedgehog or cleaning the enclosure, don't snuggle them near your face, and keep them out of kitchens and food areas. Young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should take extra care.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive neurological disease of pet hedgehogs. It damages the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause isn't fully understood, though a genetic component is suspected.
It usually starts subtly: a little wobble or loss of balance, often in the back legs first. Over time a hedgehog may fall over, trip or drag the feet, have trouble curling into a ball, and lose weight and muscle. Eventually the weakness spreads to the front legs and eating becomes difficult.
There's no cure, and a definite diagnosis can only be made after death. A presumptive diagnosis is based on the signs and on ruling out other conditions.
Spinal problems, tumors, infections, stroke, nutritional problems, being too cold and other illnesses can look very similar, and some of these are treatable. That's why an exam, and sometimes bloodwork, X-rays or advanced imaging, is so important before we settle on WHS.
Many hedgehogs with WHS can still have good quality time, and the most helpful changes are often in the home. Switch to soft, flat, non-slip flooring and remove ramps and levels once mobility declines. Use low food and water dishes, and more than one station, so less effort is needed. Hand-feeding or soft foods can help later on. Keep your hedgehog clean and warm, try gentle physical therapy in short, calm sessions if your vet advises it, and use pain relief when it's needed.
I measure success by whether your hedgehog can still eat, explore and rest comfortably. When that's no longer possible, hospice-style comfort care is a legitimate, compassionate option, and we'll make those decisions together.
Call right away if your hedgehog is cold, limp or unusually sluggish, or has stopped eating.
Book a prompt visit if your hedgehog is wobbling, falling over or dragging the legs, losing weight, losing quills, scratching a lot, or has a lump, bad breath or trouble eating.
Dr. Logan Kopp, Nashville's exotic companion mammal specialist, sees hedgehogs for wellness exams, skin disease, weight loss, masses and neurological problems at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital. Call (615) 361-4646 to schedule.
This article is general information, not medical advice for your pet. Reading it doesn't create a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Please talk with your own veterinarian before making changes to your pet's care.