Does my hedgehog or tenrec have obesity?

Recognizing, managing, and preventing excess weight in small exotic mammals

Obesity is one of the most common, and most underestimated, health issues in captive hedgehogs and tenrecs. While a round body and waddling walk might seem cute or harmless, excess weight can seriously impair mobility, organ function, and long-term health.

Unlike cats or dogs, hedgehogs and tenrecs store fat differently, and their natural build can make it hard for owners to judge whether an animal is overweight. Adding to the challenge: these animals are masters at hiding early signs of decline. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to assess body condition correctly, understand the causes of obesity, and take action before it’s too late.

What does obesity look like in hedgehogs and tenrecs?

First, it’s important to understand that a hedgehog or tenrec can appear “normal” while still carrying unhealthy amounts of internal fat. They don’t always develop obvious rolls or fat pads, and many owners only notice a problem when movement becomes restricted or health declines. In general, signs of obesity may include:

• A wide, flattened stance when walking
• A swinging belly that touches the ground
• Difficulty curling into a tight ball (hedgehogs)
• Visible fat folds around the legs, face, or tail
• Labored breathing during activity
• Resistance to exercise or low stamina
• Inability to reach parts of the body during grooming

In tenrecs, obesity may present as sluggishness, thickening around the midsection, and loss of visible muscle definition. Some species are naturally rounder than others, especially during the breeding season, so it’s important to compare against baseline weights and body condition over time.

How to assess body condition properly

Because appearances can be misleading, it’s best to use both visual and physical examination:

1. Weigh your animal weekly using a digital kitchen scale. Most healthy adult hedgehogs weigh between 300–600 grams, depending on sex and individual build. Tenrecs vary more by species but should stay within a known personal range.
   
2. Feel along the spine and ribs. You should be able to feel bones beneath a layer of muscle, but they shouldn’t be sharp or prominent. If you can’t feel them at all, it may indicate excessive fat coverage.
   
3. Watch your animal walk. A hedgehog should move with the legs visible beneath the body, not hidden under fat. A tenrec should have an agile, curious gait, not one that seems labored or heavy.

If in doubt, compare photos from a time when your animal was clearly healthy and active, or ask a vet with experience in exotics for a body condition score.

Why obesity happens in captivity

In the wild, both hedgehogs and tenrecs lead physically demanding lives. They walk, forage, climb, dig, and explore over large distances every night. Food is earned, not given. In captivity, this dynamic changes dramatically. Common causes of obesity include:

• Overfeeding high-fat or high-calorie foods (especially fatty insects like waxworms or mealworms)
• Lack of exercise due to small enclosures or missing enrichment
• Improper diet composition, too many fruits, soft foods, or carbohydrates
• Boredom or stress eating, particularly in animals kept in solitary or unstimulating conditions
• Reduced metabolic needs, animals that are older, recovering, or out of season may need fewer calories
• Portion creep, gradual increases in food given “just in case” or “because they looked hungry”

Tenrecs are particularly prone to weight fluctuations related to seasonal cycles. They may naturally gain weight before rest phases or during breeding periods. However, if this weight isn’t lost again, it becomes a chronic burden.

Health risks of obesity

Obesity in hedgehogs and tenrecs is not simply a cosmetic issue. It places a strain on nearly every system in the body. Risks include:

• Liver disease (including fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis)
• Arthritis and joint strain
• Heart and respiratory stress
• Foot injuries or pressure sores
• Impaired grooming and increased risk of skin infections
• Reduced fertility or breeding complications
• Shortened lifespan

In hedgehogs, obesity can also prevent them from curling up fully, leaving them vulnerable and stressed. In tenrecs, excessive weight may lead to muscle atrophy and inactivity, creating a cycle that is hard to break.

What you can do

If your animal is overweight, the goal is slow, steady improvement, not rapid weight loss, which can trigger other health problems.

1. Start with a vet check to rule out metabolic or hormonal causes.
   
2. Adjust the diet by reducing high-fat insects, limiting fruit or high-carb foods, and increasing protein-rich, low-fat options like silkworms or gutloaded crickets.
   
3. Introduce foraging enrichment like scatter feeding, puzzle feeders, or digging boxes.
   
4. Encourage movement by enlarging the enclosure, offering tunnels and climbing branches, or scheduling supervised floor time.
   
5. Track weight weekly and log any changes in appetite, behavior, or stool.

Never starve or restrict food dramatically — doing so can trigger fatty liver disease, particularly in hedgehogs. Instead, reduce calorie density and increase activity naturally.

Preventing obesity from the start

The best treatment for obesity is prevention. That means building healthy habits from day one:

• Feed measured portions
• Rotate food types and insects
• Make movement a natural part of the environment
• Avoid using food as the only enrichment tool
• Monitor weight and condition proactively, not just when problems appear

In rescue settings, prevention also means re-educating adopters, providing enrichment even for short-term residents, and choosing recovery diets that promote lean body mass, not fat accumulation.

Final thoughts

Obesity is common, but it’s also preventable and reversible. If your hedgehog or tenrec is overweight, don’t panic or feel guilty. Instead, focus on small, sustainable changes that prioritize movement, mental stimulation, and proper nutrition.

Most importantly: be kind, consistent, and observant. A healthy animal isn’t just thinner, they’re more active, curious, balanced, and able to live the life they’re biologically designed for. And that’s the best gift you can give them.