Daily Tasks – A Routine for Health & Happiness

A consistent and calm daily routine supports both your hedgehog’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. Unlike more social animals, hedgehogs thrive on predictability and subtle care. By following a simple daily checklist, you not only meet their needs, but also gain valuable insights into their health and mood.

Why Routine Matters

Hedgehogs are crepuscular and nocturnal by nature. This means most of their activity happens after dusk and before dawn. A reliable care rhythm helps them feel secure, especially in captivity, where sudden changes or disruptions can cause stress. Daily care also allows you to spot signs of illness or discomfort early on, which is crucial for these quiet and private creatures.

Daily Checklist

You can complete most of these tasks in just 10–15 minutes per day. Keep your movements calm and gentle, especially if your hedgehog is awake while you work in the enclosure.

Morning (or while they’re asleep):

• Check temperature and humidity in the enclosure (ideal: 24–28°C / 75–82°F and 40–60% humidity).
• Remove uneaten food and refresh the food bowl if needed.
• Replace water with clean, fresh water (bottle or bowl, depending on your setup).
• Check for soiled spots in the enclosure and spot-clean if necessary.
• Observe the enclosure for signs of digging, chewing, or stress-related messes.

Evening (before or after they wake up):

• Offer fresh food for the night, including insects, kibble, or meat-based wet food.
• Gently check on your hedgehog (visually or with minimal disturbance) to ensure they’re active and responsive.
• Interact if appropriate, depending on your hedgehog’s mood and bonding level.
• Clean the wheel if it’s heavily soiled, a common daily task for active hedgehogs.

Observing without Disturbing

If your hedgehog is asleep, avoid picking them up unless medically necessary. You can still listen for movement, look for droppings, and check if they’ve eaten. If they’re awake, offer a calm interaction and watch for signs of discomfort, curiosity, or stress.

Tips for Success

• Keep a small notebook or use a tracking app to log food intake, behavior, droppings, and activity.
• Create a habit by linking tasks to another daily moment (e.g., after dinner).
• Try to feed and clean around the same time each day to avoid stress.

Sources

Johnson-Delaney, C. A. (2006). “Hedgehogs: Care and husbandry.” Exotic DVM Veterinary Magazine.

Vriends, M. M. (2004). “Hedgehogs: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, and Behavior.” Barron’s Educational Series.

British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) – Captive Care Guidelines.
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

The African Pygmy Hedgehog Club (UK) – Care Sheets & Best Practices.
https://www.aphclub.org

Hedgehog Welfare Society (USA) – Care basics and daily checklists.
https://www.hedgehogwelfare.org

Keller, L. (2020). “Exotic Pet Behavior: Hedgehogs.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 23(2), 305–319.

Davis, D. (2017). “Enrichment and Observation in Nocturnal Small Mammals.” Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, 26(4), 240–245.